Should I Meet with an Attorney in Person Before Hiring Him/Her?

Like any important business or personal relationship, it is always a good idea to meet a potential attorney in person if at all possible. The attorney will be acting on your behalf and you will want to feel confident about the attorney’s ability to produce a positive outcome. You also want to be sure that the attorney has the communication skills necessary to properly keep you updated about the status of your matter.

Of course, there are times when an in-person meeting is not possible. In those instances, it is good to have an detailed telephone call with a potential attorney.

When you schedule an initial consultation, bring with you important information about your case, including --

• All legal notices, letters, or other documents pertaining to your case. (e.g. If you’ve been in a car accident, the police report would be very helpful.)
• A summary or timeline of important events.
• Insurance information.
• A list of questions that you may have about the legal process, and how your case may proceed.
• Paper and pen for taking notes during the meeting.