Your initial meeting with a new attorney offers you the opportunity to discover a lot of important information, not only about your legal rights and options, but about the attorney you are considering working with on your project. Here are five great ways to make the best use of your initial strategy session to get your legal project off to a good start:

1. Finding out if an attorney is a good fit for you and your project.

When you decide to work with an attorney, you are deciding to trust someone not only to handle your legal matter but also trusting them to advise you on how to move forward. In the best cases a client and an attorney should both feel comfortable with discussing these matters with each other and be comfortable with the same level of communication and professional. For example, if you are not an email person and prefer to meet face to face, you may not want to work with an attorney who only has a virtual office.

Additionally even though you might think that the attorney you have reached out to is a good fit for you they might not be the best fit for your case. For example, some attorneys do not go to court, and not every lawyer is an expert on every area of the law. Your initial strategy session is a good to find out if the attorney is the best fit for your unique situation and needs.

2. Getting a referral to the right lawyer.

As mentioned above, sometimes the attorney you call first is not the right fit for you. Maybe they think you should see a specialized niche attorney, or they just aren’t taking on your type of case right now. In an initial hour-long strategy session, an attorney can likely identify the various issues involved in your situation and narrow down what kind of legal help you need to reach the best outcome.  If the attorney you initially meet with is not the best fit to fulfill your goals, an experienced lawyer probably knows which attorney specializes in that area and they are likely happy to direct you to the best person to assist. Do not be afraid to ask the attorney you speak with for a referral if they say they cannot help you or even if you simply feel that another person might be a better choice for your project.

3. To find out the next steps.

Your initial strategy session is an excellent time to get expert advice about what the next steps could be to address your legal issue and reach your goals. The attorney you speak to might even tell you that what you initially thought of as a legal matter would really be addressed more efficiently by an accountant or that you need to gather more information and documentation before an attorney can properly advise about your legal questions and options.

4. To find out what type of evidence or documentation is required to complete your project.

Many attorneys charge a fee up-front for a full hour when you schedule your initial in-office consult. Without properly being prepared you could face the fee of an hour’s time without providing the attorney enough documents to properly answer your questions and advise you on your options. Our office regularly sends potential clients a checklist of documentation that they should prepare for a strategy session when a new potential client calls to schedule their strategy session so you can be prepared to make the best use of your time and funds in your attorney meeting.

5. To find out your options.

Legal cases and attorneys are not a one-size-fits-all situation. A strategy session allows you to get an experienced opinion from a seasoned legal professional regarding your legal issues, questions and options.  Whether you decide to work with the attorney that you meet with initially or not, an initial strategy session can help you navigate the complex legal field and find out what options you have to address whatever particular issue you are facing.

If you have questions or want a to schedule a strategy session with an attorney, call Limitless Law PLLC at (360) 685-0145 or click on the "Book a Strategy Session" link on our website to contact us today!