attorney and client having a discussion

What Should You Bring to an Attorney Consultation?

By Greg Kohn
Partner

If you have been the victim of an accident, many things add stress to your life. Meeting with your attorney should not be one. If you need a New Jersey personal injury attorney, you do not want to be burdened with unnecessary work. Therefore, we created a quick guide to help you confidently go into your initial consultation.

The Purpose of Your Attorney Consultation

Understanding the intent of your attorney consultation is critical. There are two main points to your consultation. The first is the attorney determining if you are a good fit for their skills and availability. If so, they will want to bring you on as a client. However, that does not mean that they will be the best fit for you. Be sure to ask questions, listen to their answers, and take some time after the consultation before determining your course of action.

Getting the Most from Your Attorney Consultation

Coming prepared for your consultation will help clear many initial hurdles and allow the attorney to get into the details of your case. In addition, being prepared allows you and the prospective attorney to decide if they have a winning strategy. Here are some essential items that you should bring with you.

  • Pen and Paper – Taking notes and making sure to write down some of your critical questions in advance of your meeting can ensure that all of your pertinent questions are answered. Additionally, making additional notes during your appointment can keep you organized and prepared for what to expect. This approach is essential if you are meeting with multiple attorneys. 
  • Documentation – While discussing the facts of your case is helpful, having all of the associated documents can help clarify the situation from a legal standpoint. If there is a police report, doctor or hospital files, photographs, or financial bills, these can help paint an accurate picture for your attorney. 
  • Current Bank Statements – While the financial aspect can be a sensitive area to cover, an attorney can review your bank records to identify additional expenses incurred because of your accident.
  • Your Initial Questionnaire – Many attorneys have a questionnaire that they want you to fill out before your appointment. This document can help your attorney quickly review the information and will increase the benefit of your meeting. 

Additional Considerations

Remember that your attorney consultation is not just for the attorney. It is also to see if you feel like they are a good match for your case. Think critically about what they are saying. For example, some attorneys use the tactic of telling a client how much money they think they can get for them. While simply selecting the highest number might sound like a good approach, you need to make sure that the estimates are accurate and justified. Otherwise, your attorney may be just trying to win you over with unrealistic dreams of a large financial payout.

If you have been involved in an accident and are looking for a New Jersey personal injury attorney, call us today to set up your attorney consultation. We have a proven track record of helping our clients receive the compensation that they deserve. 

About the Author
Greg Kohn is a partner at Nagel Rice and specializes in complex civil litigation cases, including professional malpractice, personal injury, class actions, wrongful death, products liability, and commercial litigation.  He has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal court. Greg has tried many jury trials to verdict and has recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury matters including automobile accidents, wrongful death cases, slip and falls, and other catastrophic injury cases. Greg also handles medical malpractice cases, involving misdiagnoses, wrongful birth, and delayed cancer diagnosis. If you have questions regarding this article, you can contact Greg here.