For the month of February, our firm is going to be answering the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we get from our clients. This first FAQ is one that routinely comes up during our initial consultation with our clients – “What do I need to provide to my attorney?” or “What documents do you need for us to get started?”
To set the scene a bit more, it is important to realize that, by the time we meet at an initial consultation – whether it is in person or over the phone – our firm only knows what you have disclosed in your intake communication to us. This would include your name, phone number, address, and a very general idea of the scope of your dispute/issue/needs. At the initial consultation with an attorney in our firm, we attorneys will gather more information that brings you to seek legal counsel. By the end of the consultation, we should have a better idea of the next steps and/or strategy to keep moving forward. It is at this point that we will need more information and documentation from you.
At the early stages of my legal career, I learned that the most important part of the attorney-client relationship is built right here – when we are in the strategy/information-gathering phase. It is at this time where we need to learn the most about the underlying facts, and this means that we need to gather more information and documentation to help color the facts. Here are a few categories of information that can help at this point:
- A narrative of the events, told from the eyes of the client(s). This narrative can be useful to prepare our case with particular details.
- All documentation that supports the client’s narrative – communications, agreements, contracts, notices, maps, surveys, insurance policies, invoices, screenshots, etc.
- All media that support the client’s narrative – photos, audio recordings, video recordings.
- The identity of potential witnesses and what their testimony would be.
By collecting the foregoing information as early as possible, it helps us, as attorneys, cull through the dispute, narrow the focus to the ultimate issues, and spot the potential routes to resolution.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls and communications. Contacting us, however, does not create an attorney-client relationship.