Questions to ask a lawyer before you hire them
A first conversation is as much for you to judge the lawyer as for them to judge your case. Bring these questions, and write down the answers.
Last reviewed November 2026.
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Before the first meeting
- Does the first consultation cost anything, and how long is it?
- What should I bring? (Letters, contracts, court papers, photos, a timeline.)
- Is there a deadline I might already be up against?
Experience and fit
- How much of your work is this kind of matter? Have you handled cases like mine in this county or court?
- Who will actually work on my case: you, another lawyer, or a paralegal? Who do I contact with questions?
- How and how often will you update me?
Fees and costs
- How do you charge: by the hour, a flat fee, or a percentage of what I recover (a contingency fee)? What is the rate or percentage?
- Is there a retainer up front, and is any of it refundable?
- Which costs are separate from your fee (court filing fees, experts, copies), and who pays them if we lose?
- Can I get the fee agreement in writing before I decide?
The case itself
- What are my options, including ones that don’t involve going to court?
- What are the main risks, and what could this cost me if it goes badly?
- Roughly how long do matters like this take?
Check the lawyer’s license
Every state’s lawyer-licensing body (usually the state bar or the state’s highest court) lets you look up whether a lawyer is licensed and in good standing, and many show public discipline. Your state bar’s site is the place to start.
Sources
Last reviewed November 2026.