What questions should I ask in a legal consultation?
Asked by: Cordia Brekke PhD | Last update: September 9, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)
Ask about any similar cases that the lawyer has handled. Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally. If the lawyer intends to have another member of the law firm handle any part of the case, you might want to talk to the second lawyer as well. Be wary of any lawyer who guarantees results.
What are good questions to ask lawyers?
If you're looking for representation, you'd ask questions along these lines: What do you think about my case? Have you worked on similar matters? What are my options? What is the anticipated cost with each option? How many matters have you handled in my practice area? What sorts of payment plans do you accept?
What are examples of legal questions?
The validity of an arrest, and the admissibly of a confession, the admissibility of evidence, these are all legal questions. Traditionally, questions of law may only be resolved by a judge.
How to prepare for a consultation?
For your initial consultation, gather all relevant documents, list your questions and concerns, and be ready to discuss your goals. Bringing notes on your medical, financial, or personal history can also be helpful. Being organized ensures a productive and thorough meeting.
What are the 5 C's of consultation?
Recently, the 5Cs of Consultation model (Contact, Communicate, Core Question, Collaborate, and Close the Loop) has been studied in Emergency Medicine residents using simulated consultation scenarios.
Top 3 questions to ask your lawyer before hiring
What is the best questions to ask in consultation?
- What is your top goal for this year? ...
- What makes your business different from your competitors? ...
- Who is involved with the decision-making and execution of this project? ...
- What is the primary reason you're looking for a consultant?
Can you get a retainer fee back if nothing was done?
Any unearned retainer fees that are not used can be returned to the client. Earned retainer fees are the portion of the retainer that the lawyer is entitled to after work begins. Earned retainer fees may be granted to the lawyer bit by bit, depending on the number of hours worked.
What is considered expensive for a lawyer?
Average lawyer hourly rates around the country range from $392 to $162.
What is a good consultation fee?
Essentially, the consulting rate is calculated by taking your current rate and multiplying it by 2 or 3. An hourly rate of $35, for example, means that your consultancy rate should be $70 or $105.
What is a leading question legal?
A leading question is a question that suggests a particular answer and contains information the examiner is looking to have confirmed. The use of leading questions in court to elicit testimony is restricted in order to reduce the ability of the examiner to direct or influence the evidence presented.
What is a pure question of law?
A "purely legal" issue is one that can be resolved independent of disputed facts, such that additional factual development at trial will not change the analysis.
What to ask during a legal consultation?
Find out how long the lawyer expects your case to take, what steps will be involved, and what you should expect about fees and billing. If you don't understand something, ask for a simpler explanation. After your first meeting, ask yourself a few questions: Will you be comfortable working closely with the lawyer?
How can you tell a good lawyer?
- You Can Verify Their Credentials. Any reputable attorney will be easy to verify. ...
- There Are Positive Reviews Online. When people are satisfied with a law firm's service, they often want to tell others. ...
- They Have Clear Practice Areas. ...
- Discuss Your Case With an Attorney in St.
Should you be 100% honest with your lawyer?
Importance of Honesty When Your Lawyer Wants the Details
On the other hand, many lawyers want to hear from their clients exactly what happened. They typically encourage their clients to be truthful for the sake of crafting an effective defense. Only that way can the defense attorney know what will—and won't—work.
What are reasonable attorney fees?
COURT AWARDED ATTORNEY'S FEES - WHAT IS 'REASONABLE'?
THE DISCRETION OF THE COURTS IN DETERMINING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF A FEE AWARD IS FOUND NOT TO BE UNLIMITED IN EITHER CONTEXT. IN BOTH CONTEXTS, A REASONABLE FEE IS ONE THAT AWARDS THE ATTORNEY THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TIME AND EFFORT JUSTIFIABLY EXPENDED.
How much are attorney fees for closing?
Attorney fee for closing
You may need to hire an attorney to review the terms negotiated in your purchase contract. An attorney, as opposed to a title company, may handle your closing, as well. These fees usually amount to $500–$1,000, but may be more depending on your situation.
Is 40 percent contingency fee too high?
The average contingency rate falls between 20-40%, with most lawyers charging around 33% to 35% of the total amount recovered in a case. The exact percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the stage at which the case is resolved.
How much is a retainer fee for a lawyer?
Retainer fees for attorneys work as an advance fee. Lawyers hold the fee in a dedicated account and deduct it after they complete the work. Clients can either make an online payment for the fee or they can opt for a traditional payment method. The average lawyer retainer fee can be around $2,000.
Are deposits usually refundable?
In summary, a deposit is security for the buyer's performance of the contract. It is generally not refundable unless the contract expressly states otherwise. In contrast, a part-payment is refundable, subject to any losses that the innocent party may have as a result of the breach.
How long can a lawyer hold your retainer?
But how long is a lawyer retainer good for? Generally, a lawyer retainer is good for the duration of the legal matter for which it was paid. For example, if a client pays a retainer to handle a personal injury case, the retainer will typically cover the lawyer's fees and expenses until the case is resolved.
What questions should I ask a consultant?
- Can you tell me everything you know about your functional area? ...
- Can you give me an overview of my industry and company? ...
- What was the last book/article/blog you read about your area of expertise? ...
- What is your basis for that opinion?
What are leading questions in consultations?
INTRODUCTION: When conducting a consultation, it is important not to ask leading questions, particularly when you are gathering information from the patient. A leading question is a question that assumes the answer, for example, You didn't finish the course of antibiotics I prescribed, did you?
What to ask at a consultation meeting?
- ways to avoid or reduce redundancies.
- how people will be selected for redundancy.
- any issues you have with the process.
- time off to look for a new job or training.
- how the organisation can restructure or plan for the future.