Summary
- A free consultation lawyer will assess your case without legal fees
- Many injury lawyers offer free consultations to prospective clients
- Free consultations are less common in other practice areas
Reasons Lawyers Give Free Consultations
You have probably seen lawyer advertisements stating “free consultations.” Lawyers offer free consultations for many of the following reasons:
- Identify potential new clients
- Help clients access legal representation
- Screen cases before accepting representation
While free consultations provide leads for new cases, not all lawyers offer them.
Why Some Lawyers Do Not Give Free Consultations
Lawyers might not offer free consultations for many reasons. One of the primary reasons will be due to the lawyer’s practice area.
Lawyers who practice personal injury law almost always provide free consultations because they usually charge a contingency fee. They know that an injured client’s resources are generally tied up with paying medical bills and living expenses while they recover from their injuries. As a result, many victims do not have the money to spend on lawyer fees.
Additionally, other types of lawyers fall into the broad category of personal injury law. These lawyers also typically offer free consultations:
- Medical malpractice lawyer
- Product liability lawyer
Some divorce lawyers and criminal lawyers offer free consultations. For example, you might find a DUI lawyer who will assess your case without charging a legal fee.
However, lawyers in practice areas directed to businesses usually do not offer free consultations. For example, lawyers practicing corporate, patent, or real estate law might charge for all meetings.
Another reason a lawyer might charge for consultations is to limit the number of new clients. These lawyers often have an established practice and do not need new clients. Instead, they prefer to focus on their existing clients.
How to Find a “Free Consultation Lawyer Near Me”
Lawyers use free consultations as a marketing tool. Any lawyer who offers them will typically state “free consultation” on their website and other advertising materials.
However, finding a lawyer who offers free consultations is only part of the process. You must find a lawyer who offers them and will fit your legal needs. Thus, you should gather lawyer referrals from people you trust, like friends and family members. Their prior experiences will help you find a lawyer who gives sound advice and solid representation.
Once you have a list of potential candidates, start calling lawyers to schedule consultations. When you call to schedule your consultation, verify that there are no fees and ask how long the consultation will last. Knowing the length of the consultation will help you write a list of topics and questions to discuss.
Questions to Ask a Free Consultation Lawyer
Free consultations usually take the form of a brief meeting with an experienced lawyer. Free consult attorneys conduct these meetings without charging any legal fees. They also provide them without any conditions or obligations. For example, the person is not required to hire the lawyer providing the consultation or even inform them if they hire someone else.
During a free consultation, a client will learn about their case and the lawyer who might represent them. However, the time for a consultation is limited. Thus, clients should consider writing a list of questions for the lawyer covering the following two categories:
Case Assessment
Try to learn as much as possible about your case during your consultation. This information will educate you about the law. It will also allow you to compare different lawyers or even seek a second opinion if a lawyer declines to represent you.
Case evaluation questions include the following:
- Do I have a case?
- What deadlines or statutes of limitations apply to my case?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How long will my case take?
Provide full and honest answers to the free consultation lawyer during the meeting. Lawyers are governed by ethical rules adopted by their state’s highest court. Most states have adopted the Model Rules of Professional Conduct or its predecessor, the Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Thus, American lawyers owe clients a duty of confidentiality, although the exact phrasing of the duty depends on the state.
Under either version, lawyers must maintain the confidentiality of client communications while providing legal services. This duty prohibits the lawyer from disclosing any client information. The scope of this duty covers both existing clients and prospective clients.
This rule facilitates open and honest communication between clients and lawyers. During your free consultation, disclose everything relevant to your case, including the following:
- Information that might adversely affect the claim
- Embarrassing information
- Information that might affect other legal rights
By providing this information, your lawyer can give you the most complete assessment of your case. Depending on the information and type of case, the lawyer might even preemptively address the information to blunt its effect.
Lawyer Information
A free consultation is a job interview. You will use your interaction with the lawyer to make a hiring decision. Questions you should consider asking about the lawyer and law firm include the following:
- How much do you charge?
- Do you have experience handling cases similar to mine?
- What outcomes can I expect in my case?
- How long will my case take?
- What deadlines do I have in my case?
- What can I do to help my legal position?
In addition to the lawyer’s answers, you should also listen to how the lawyer delivers them. You need an effective communicator to negotiate, argue in court, and present evidence. A lawyer who gives confusing responses to your questions might not be effective when dealing with opposing lawyers, judges, and jurors.
Contact ConsumerShield to Learn More
A free consultation gives you important information about the next step in a legal dispute. ConsumerShield can provide a free case evaluation and refer you to a free consultation lawyer. Contact us to schedule a discussion.
