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To set yourself on the road to a successful outcome for your case, you want to give yourself every available advantage. No one thing can guarantee a win for your case, but forming a positive partnership with the lawyer who will represent you, is critical. For both you and the lawyer, your first meeting is the time for each of you to decide whether it is best to go forward together. To help you be fully prepared for that meeting:

Before you meet with your lawyer —

Don’t walk into your meeting without preparing yourself to be part of the process in the working relationship you may create with the lawyer. In these aspects, you want to be ready to both ask and answer questions.

• about the lawyer: Know who you are meeting with. Do some research on the lawyer’s areas of practice and experience. This may bring about some questions to ask regarding how he or she will handle your case.
• about your case: The legal matter you will be discussing is something you have lived through, but you need to be able to explain it thoroughly to the lawyer. Write down the facts including all dates and timelines involved. Look it over and see if it makes a complete picture to someone who is unfamiliar with what has happened to you.
• your goals: Give some thought to what you are hoping to accomplish during the course of your case.
• paperwork: Gather together and make copies of all documents that could be relevant for your case. Depending on the type of case you have, this would include medical bills and records, insurance policies, correspondence, contracts, leases, and police reports.
• your questions: Prepare a list of questions you want answered during the meeting. These questions should cover many aspects of how the lawyer will handle your case, for example—
  1. What kind of fee will you be charged? Will it be a flat fee, an hourly fee, or a contingent fee based on what you win in the case?
  2. What types of costs will be involved in your case?
  3. Has the lawyer handled cases similar to yours? What has been the result?
  4. How does the lawyer communicate with clients—telephone, e-mail, etc.? Will the lawyer be communicating directly with you, or will it be an assistant or paralegal?
  5. What is his/her assessment of your case? What is your chance of a successful outcome? Is it likely to require a trial? What are different possible approaches and possible outcomes?

During your meeting—

Both you and the lawyer are going to be asking and answering questions. Each of you has the goal of deciding whether it is right to move forward on the case together.

The lawyer will be evaluating whether your case is one that he/she can take or would want to take. The matter may be outside the area of expertise for the lawyer, or it may not seem like it is a case that is worth pursuing. Be honest and direct with the lawyer in discussing your issue and answering questions. What you say should be kept confidential, and it is important that if there are any potential pitfalls in your case, it is known at the outset.

You should be evaluating whether this is a lawyer you can work and communicate with. When you are speaking, does the lawyer seem engaged with you? Are your questions being answered directly? Does there seem to be the appropriate level of experience and knowledge about your issue?

Before you leave—

As your meeting is winding up, be sure you are clear on what will happen next. There could be filing deadlines approaching, and you do not want to have any ambiguity or confusion about whether or not the lawyer will be getting started on your case. Clarify what the next step will be and when, and be sure that the lawyer is aware of all possible time limitations.

You first meeting with your lawyer does not have to be scary or unpleasant. Being prepared and actively participating in the process can help you both to decide whether this is a good match for representation, and help guide your case on a successful path.

If you have any questions about meeting with an attorney or would like our recommendation as to which Illinois law firm is right for your case, please contact us. All calls are free and confidential.