About the practice
Start with who would actually handle the matter. In many practices the attorney you meet first is not the one who does the day-to-day work, and that is fine as long as you know it.
- Who will handle my case day to day, and how long have they been doing this kind of work?
- How many cases like mine has the practice taken in the last few years?
- Do you usually settle, or do you also take cases to trial when it comes to that?
- Are you licensed in the state where the injury happened?
About your case
You are not looking for a promise about the outcome. Nobody honest can give one at a first meeting. You are looking for a clear account of what the practice would do next and what they would need from you.
- What do you see as the strengths and the weak points in what I have described?
- What would you need from me in the first few weeks: records, photographs, names of witnesses?
- Is there a deadline that applies to my situation, and how close are we to it?
- Roughly how long do matters like this usually take, from start to resolution?
About the fee
Personal injury work is usually taken on a contingency basis: the practice is paid a share of what is recovered, and nothing if nothing is recovered. The details differ from one practice to the next and must be written down. The glossary entry on contingency fees covers the vocabulary.
- What percentage do you take, and does it change if the case goes to trial?
- Are case costs, such as expert witnesses and filing fees, separate from the fee? Who pays them if we lose?
- Is the fee calculated before or after costs are deducted?
- Can I see the written fee agreement before I sign anything?
About staying in touch
- How often will I hear from you, and from whom?
- Who do I call with a question, and how quickly do you usually reply?
- Will you ask me before accepting or rejecting a settlement offer?
This guide is general information about hiring within one trade. It is not legal advice, and the register does not evaluate the practices it lists; check any attorney's licence status with the state bar.