How to Prepare for a Meeting With a Lawyer — So You Do Not Waste Time or Money

Lawyer time is expensive, so every minute you spend rambling is money wasted. Before the meeting, write a one-page summary of your situation: what happened, when, who was involved, and what outcome you want. Organize all relevant documents — contracts, emails, receipts, photos — in chronological order. Bring copies, not originals.

Prepare a list of specific questions. "What are my options?" is better than a twenty-minute monologue. Ask about costs upfront — hourly rate, flat fee, or contingency — and what the realistic timeline and outcomes look like. A prepared client gets better advice because the lawyer can focus on legal analysis rather than trying to piece together your story from a stream of consciousness.