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Station, after all. Of course, a small wait is not always a bad signand sometimes it's simply unavoidablebut if you are kept waiting more than 15 minutes, you might want to think twice about using that attorney. He or she should want to impress you most before you sign on. If you have to wait a long time before the initial consultation, what will it be like after you're a client? |
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You might want to work other factors into the equation as well. How does the office look? You don't need a view of your local skyline, but if the office is dirty, or the magazines are months old, do be wary. Will your legal papers be cared for the same way? On the other hand, some attorneys do share space with others, and upkeep of the office is not within their control. |
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Once you have begun your meeting inside the lawyer's inner sanctumhis or her private officeis your meeting constantly interrupted as the attorney takes calls? An emergency call is one thing, but a constant stream of interruptions is another sign that this lawyer might just be too busyor too disinterested in your case. |
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Many lawyers have cluttered desks, but they all know where documents are when they need them; so don't put too much emphasis on how organized, or disorganized, the attorney appears to be. Many lawyers will meet you in a conference room just to keep their mountain of paperwork from your sight. |
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The First Attorney-Client Meeting: What to Expect. |
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When you're with an attorney for the first time, he or she should give you the opportunity to present some background information about your situation. You should be told, briefly, how the laws work in your state and what that will mean for your own case. It's a plus if the lawyer can also tell you about the specific court where your case will be filed or tried, if it comes to that. Is the court in your jurisdiction backlogged? Does the lawyer know the judge or judges you may be facing? What are they like? Are there any relevant details about these individuals of which you should be aware? |
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Be wary of an attorney who boasts of being buddies with a judge, or worse, having a judge in his pocket. An unethical attorney, or one who thinks it's impressive to be thought of that way, is the last lawyer you want. |
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By the Hour: Determine the Fee and Billing Method Before You Sign On |
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During this first consultation, the lawyer should also explain his or her fees. Does she take a retainera lump-sum paymentup front? That practice is very common. As the lawyer works on your case, she subtracts an amount equal to her hourly rate from the |
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