When beginning a legal matter, the first step is scheduling a consultation with an attorney. This
step is extremely important as it allows yourself and the attorney to decide if you will work
together on your legal matter. Whether you decide to work with the attorney you consult with or not, it still allows you to get a feel for the process of beginning a case and to acquire advice that the attorney will give you during the consultation. However, whether or not this is your first
consultation or not you are still paying an expensive price for the consultation so it is important
to get your money’s worth during the meeting. It is extremely important that you come prepared
with time respective questions that may prove vital to your choice of attorney. Our Dallas, TX car accident lawyer will go over a few key steps that will help better prepare you for your first consultation.
The first step would be to treat this meeting as if you were meeting with a doctor. All things
considered, if you are meeting with an attorney for a consultation they are and will be on your
side so it is important to tell them anything you think could be important in your legal matter.
Remember this information is confidential so it is important to not leave any details out that you think could be important. No matter how personal or embarrassing these details may be. The
only details that may not be confidential are if it is relevant to the legal matter or if it is a public
safety issue. For the majority of the time, however, there will be nothing to worry about when
telling anything to your prospective attorney.
Arguably, this next step is the most important and not everyone does this: note taking. If you
have any questions prior to the consultation make sure to take note of them. I recommend after
each question you note to leave space after them so you can note the answers of the attorney.
This may not seem like much but if you choose not to go with this attorney this could save you
questions and more importantly time for the next attorney you may meet with. Taking note of
this meeting is the most important step as any minute detail could be imperative to your case
creation.
Now, I will go over the importance of bringing any legal documents that you think could be used
in your case. This includes any documents that may have been filed with a court or anything
that is related to your case. Now, I understand if this is a new legal matter for the most part you
may not have any documents like this. That said, other personal documents could be important
to bring to this consultation. For example documents that could be important to bring include
cell phone messages, emails, audio recordings, videos, photos, marriage certificates, birth
certificates, etc. Any documents that you feel may give a background to yourself or the case
you should bring to your first consultation.
In preparing for your first legal consultation, it is vital that you make sure that you bring copies of
your documents, not the original. Most attorneys do not accept original documents whatsoever.
If you bring original documents, the attorney will most likely scan or copy the document thus
costing you valuable time. To avoid this, make sure to come prepared with a copy of your
original documents or fax or scan documents to the attorney prior to your consultation.
This next step is not necessarily the first thing people think of or the most exciting when going
into their legal consultation: the payment. If you want to pay in cash for your legal consultation
to make it easier for yourself and the attorney, please make sure to bring the cash with you
when you attend the consultation. This will avoid the need for the attorney to track you down or
anything that not paying right away would entail. If you choose to pay by card, make sure not to
forget it and make sure that there is money in the account. If you choose to pay by check, make
sure to bring your checkbook, do not make the check beforehand most likely it will not cost
exactly what you think it may. Also please make sure that you have money in the account that
you write the check from. It is extremely frustrating for the attorney if your check bounces and it
is actually illegal. Afterall, the last person you want to give a bad check to is an attorney. If you
do this, the attorney may pursue legal action and they will most likely win. This will cost you
much more than the consultation. So to avoid any unpleasantries, have the money ready no
matter if it is cash, card, or check just have it prepared.
Now this is more of a personal subject, but if you choose to bring someone to accompany you
during this consultation you are allowed, however it could compromise the meeting. If you had
any information that you would like under attorney client privilege, it is completely lost due to
your third party that you brought. Even though it was a meeting between you, your third party,
and your potential attorney, your third party could be subpoenaed for any information that was
shared in this consultation. The best outcome would be to attend the consultation alone even if
the third party is paying for this consultation.
One last minute step to follow at all times when attending a legal consultation would be to place
your phone on silent. During this meeting, any distractions could cost you valuable time. So
any small phone calls or texts could cost you money. If you take a call or text in this
consultation, the attorney could take it as disrespectful and potentially not take your case. Make
sure that when you attend this consultation your phones and any other distractions are placed
away and the attorney has 100% of your attention.
All of these steps will prove vital to your first legal consultation and each should be taken
seriously and with proper respect. Your first legal consultation is the beginning of your
potentially lengthy legal road, and it is important to start prepared and on a high note. If you would like to set up a consultation with our attorney, contact the Brandy Austin Law Firm today.
References
Seven tips on preparing for your initial consultation with a lawyer. (n.d.). Joan Bundy Law.
Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://joanbundylaw.com/resources/preparing-for-first-meeting-with-lawyer/