Maximizing Your 30-Minute Legal Consultation: Lawyer John Wood’s Tips to Make the Most of Free Legal Advice By John Wood, Attorney — Grant Park Legal Advisors
When seeking the help of an attorney for any reason, it makes sense to have an initial consultation. These consultations give you a chance to pepper an attorney with questions, see if your personalities mesh well, and gauge the overall feeling you get from an attorney before diving into your case. As a bonus, many law firms offer this initial 30-minute legal consultation for free.
During a complimentary consultation, you can learn more about a particular lawyer or law firm, while the attorney also gets to know you as a potential client and assesses whether they wish to take on your case. When you reach out to a lawyer offering a free consultation, if that is something their particular firm offers, ensure they ask you questions to discern how to best help you move forward.
If you’re seeking assistance from an attorney, you may wonder how to get the most out of your time during this session. Here are some ways to get the most out of your 30-minute sit-down.
Know what to expect
Maximizing the time of your free consultation begins with managing expectations. Offering a free consultation is not an offer of representation, but rather a chance for you to tell your story to the lawyer and for them to consider whether or not you may have a case they can represent for you.
The attorney should also give you an overview of the legal process as it pertains to your case. They may offer representation, but if they choose not to, the attorney can still impart useful legal advice during this time.
Whatever the case, it’s essential to go into any consultation with reasonable expectations so you don’t leave disappointed. Overall, you should walk away from this free consultation with a better understanding of your legal rights and the legal process as a whole.
Come prepared
One of the best ways to maximize your time with a lawyer is to come prepared, so bring any key points, documents, or other paperwork you have for the attorney. Take time to research information about the law, your particular case, and the attorney’s past cases to save time during the free consultation.
Additionally, preparing a list of questions before your consultation to bring with you is essential. Potential clients should inquire about what the attorney may think their odds of success may be and discuss any potential risks with their case. There should also be some clarity established regarding the attorney fees should they choose to take on your case, so prioritize your questions in order of importance, and don’t forget to take notes!
Be forthright
Nothing wastes time quite as needlessly as dishonesty. Chances are likely that the attorney you consult with will know if you are being evasive or dramatizing information about your case, so be straightforward and — most importantly —- honest about the facts about your case. This will help you get to the meat of what you need from the attorney and allow the attorney to quickly understand if they can offer any assistance.
It’s important that both the potential client and the attorney respect one another’s time. By sticking to the facts and trying not to get bogged down in feelings or emotions, you can get to the point of the meeting.
Get clarification
The goal of a free 30-minute consultation is to clear up any confusion about what an attorney can do for you. During the consultation, if you are confused about what the attorney is saying, ask for clarification because the more you understand, the more you will get out of your meeting. Moreover, if you need to seek the help of an attorney, a 30-minute consultation is often the best way to get acquainted with the legal system — especially if you have minimal prior experience with it.
Seeking the help of an attorney for a legal matter can be stressful. By coming to the free consultation as prepared as possible, listening, taking notes, and being as honest as possible, you can get the most out of your consultation and your relationship with your chosen attorney.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
