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 highest-value item. An attorney who can see the sequence in thirty seconds can spend the rest 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 originals and copies. 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 limitation period may be close, say so in the first two minutes. It changes how quickly you get in front of an attorney and how the meeting is used.