A first meeting with a lawyer is usually short, so the more you bring, the more useful advice you can get in the time. You do not need to have everything perfectly organised; bring what you have.
Documents
- Photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport. Many firms must check your identity before they can act for you.
- Anything in writing about your matter: letters, emails, contracts, leases, wills, court papers or notices, including envelopes that show when something arrived.
- Deadlines: any date in a letter or court paper, such as a hearing date or a date to reply by. Mention these at the very start of the meeting.
Notes
- A short timeline of what happened, in date order.
- The names of the other people or businesses involved, so the firm can check for conflicts of interest.
- A list of your questions, and what you would like to happen.
Questions to ask
- What are my options, and what are the risks of each?
- How will you charge, and what is the estimate for my matter?
- Who will work on my file, and how will you keep me updated?
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. Your lawyer can tell you what matters.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ between states and countries; speak to a lawyer about your own situation.