Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published April 27, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
Your first consultation does three things: you learn about your case, you size up the lawyer, and you decide whether to hire them. Walk in prepared and you save time and money. Here's what to bring.
Contracts, leases, court papers, letters or emails with the other side, photos, receipts, medical records, employment files — anything that might matter. Bring the originals plus a copy you can leave behind.
List what happened in date order, on a single page. Memory fades and details get jumbled out loud. A timeline you wrote in advance keeps the meeting on legal analysis, not fact-gathering.
Other parties, witnesses, past and current lawyers, insurance adjusters — anyone connected to the matter. The lawyer needs this to check for conflicts and may want to reach people fast.
Likely outcome? How fees work? Who at the firm handles this? Realistic timeline? How often you'll hear updates? Write them out — half will slip your mind otherwise.
If you've talked to or hired other lawyers on this matter, say so. The lawyer needs to know about any existing engagement, prior advice that conflicts, or relationships that could create a conflict of interest.
More on this topic: the Going to Court hub
NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice.