How to Handle Your Legal Consultation
When you have or think you may have an injury claim on your hands, one of your best options is to visit a qualified law firm for a legal consultation. While many law firms charge for consultations, plenty offer consultation free of charge. And in the beginning stages of your case or potential case, it’s best not to waste money on consultations when you don’t have to.
However, you also don’t want to waste time at consultations. If you don’t handle them correctly, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Prepare yourself for your legal consultation by knowing what to ask and how to take control of the situation.
Ask About History and Background
First of all, consider a consultation as a sort of interview. You will interview the attorney to find out if the law firm is the right one to handle your case.
As such, ask about experience level and past cases. While a good lawyer won’t give you specific details on past cases, they can let you know if they’ve handled cases like yours before and their success ratio. Ideally, you should choose a lawyer with a lot of experience with your specific type of case and a good track record with similar cases as well.
Assess Listening Skills
One of the first things your prospective lawyer will likely do is ask you questions about your situation and your claims. Answer the questions thoroughly and, as you do so, assess the lawyer’s listening skills.
Do they listen to you attentively or constantly interrupt you? Does the lawyer fully understand what you’re saying and ask the right questions for clarification? Does the lawyer make you feel comfortable and at ease?
Good communication is essential for a positive experience between client and attorney. The consultation is the perfect time to form a realistic view of how a lawyer listens and whether their communication style is right for you.
Ask About the Plan of Action
Once the attorney has a basic understanding of your case, ask the lawyer how they would go about pursuing the case. Their legal approach, often referred to as a legal plan or a plan of action, should be one that makes sense and that they can explain to you in terms that you understand.
Your attorney should explain how and why they would pursue your case in this manner, and you also need to be onboard with the approach. If the lawyer can’t break it down for you into clear terms or you don’t agree with their reasoning, then you’ll know that particular attorney isn’t the best match for you.
Ask About Any Conflicts of Interest
Something else that’s worth asking about is if any conflicts of interest exist that would keep the lawyer from appropriately and fairly representing you. Good, ethical lawyers will divulge any conflict of interest the moment they realize there is one.
However, if you get this question out of the way early into the consultation, you can avoid accidentally providing information or insight into your case that could come back to bite you.
A consultation is not a matter to be handled lightly. Don’t go into one unprepared. Always have a clear plan of what you will ask, what you will say about your case, and what key qualities you will look for in the attorney you ultimately hire. If necessary, make a checklist of what you want to happen in the consultation, and practice with a friend so you’ll feel fully confident.
If you want a great, non-stressful free consultation every time, then turn to the professionals at Walz Law Office.