LITIGATION MEETING AGENDA
- Getting to know you. I will want to “shoot the breeze” with you at first. Don't feel compelled to blurt out your case. We will get to that in due course.
- Tell me about your case. I will want to know as much as possible about your case. It will be extremely helpful if you fill out the Litigation Intake Form before our meeting and bring all the supporting documents you can find. Remember – everything you tell me will be protected by the attorney-client privilege, so complete candor and honesty is in your best interest. Let me decide whether what you think is a negative may in fact be a positive. It is always better for me to know the “bad things” up front rather than be surprised later in the proceedings.
- Education. I will advise you of some of the legal aspects of your case. I will also explore some of your alternatives and the possible consequences of pursuing those alternatives. Fundamentally I will give you practical legal advice, not ivory tower philosophy.
- Decision Time. I will decide whether I want to represent you. I will advise you of the fees, costs, and time frame I anticipate. If I offer to represent you, it will then be up to you to decide whether you want to hire me. You should bring your check book in the event we elect to pursue your case since most cases involve some costs even if we sign a contingency fee agreement and you will be responsible for those costs.
- Agreement Execution. Depending on the nature of your case and the type of fee agreement we agree on, you will be asked to execute documents that will allow me to pursue your case. You can review some of those forms in the Library Forms prior to our meeting.
- End of the Meeting. You should be able to leave the meeting confident that we discussed your case to your satisfaction. If you and I decide to work together, you should also have a clear understanding of what your next steps are. Be sure to follow through on your “things to do.” I insist on full cooperation from all of my clients.
- KEEP QUIET! Do not discuss your case with anyone but me! I do not want you talking with your co-workers, friends, or anybody else about your case. As in criminal cases, what you say can and will be used against you!