What should you bring to a first attorney consultation?

The four things that matter most

A one-page written timeline. Any deadline you are aware of. The documents that prove the central facts. And a short list of what you want to know.

The timeline is the single most useful item. An attorney who can see the sequence quickly can spend more of the meeting on assessment rather than on reconstruction.

What to bring by matter type

Injury: police or incident report, photographs, treatment records and bills, insurance correspondence, wage loss evidence. Employment: offer letter, handbook, pay stubs, performance reviews, the correspondence about the issue you raised. Housing: the lease, notices received, repair requests, photographs. Family: financial records for both parties if you have them.

Bring copies, and have the originals available. Do not hand over your only copy of anything.

What to ask

Who will actually handle the file day to day. The fee structure and every tier that could apply. Who advances costs and what happens to them if you lose. A realistic timeline. And what could go wrong.

Our 21-question list is designed to be printed and taken in.

Say the deadline out loud early

If any deadline — such as a statute of limitations or a response date — may be close, say so at the start. It can affect how quickly the matter needs attention and how the meeting is used.

Common questions

Is the consultation confidential even if I do not hire them?

Generally, yes. Under California law, a person who consults a lawyer for the purpose of retaining the lawyer or getting legal advice is treated as a "client" for the attorney-client privilege (Evidence Code § 951), and a lawyer who talks with a prospective client must not use or reveal confidential information learned in the consultation even if no attorney-client relationship follows (Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18). Bringing other people into the meeting can affect confidentiality, so ask the attorney first if you want someone with you.

Should I meet more than one firm?

Many people do, especially where the matter is significant. Answers on fees, staffing and timeline are easier to judge in comparison.

Official sources

About this guide
Last reviewed September 2026 by the LA Law Hub editorial team against the official sources listed above. Laws, court rules, fees and local ordinances change, and how they apply depends on facts this guide cannot know. LA Law Hub is not a law firm. This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your own situation, speak with a lawyer licensed in California.

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