Intake is legal speak for when a lawyer takes on a new client. Typically, this involves a conversation on the phone or more commonly, an in-person consultation to go over the basics of the case and deciding if working together is in the best interest of both parties. After all, it has to make sense for both parties to work together, and we’ll be completely honest with you if we don’t feel like we’re the right fit for your case.
These intake meetings are typically pretty short and to the point, and to get the most out of them, you need to know how to be efficient with your talking points. Below, we take a closer look at how to talk to your lawyer effectively during the intake process.
How To Communicate During Intake
Here are some tips for preparing for your intake meeting so that you and your lawyer can quickly and effectively discuss the meat of your case and make a plan for moving forward.
1. Prep Your Elevator Pitch – Whether you’re calling to explain why you’re considering hiring a lawyer or you’ve started the intake process, prep your elevator pitch with the key details. Don’t give us a five minute rambling voicemail with your life’s story, just get straight to the point. It helps us cut out the fluff and focus on the important parts of your case. Remember, we’re not trying to plan your entire defense at this stage, we just want to know what happened, what you’re being charged with and any other relevant information. Be direct and to the point.
2. Be Truthful – If we think that you’re lying about your case, there’s a good chance we’re not going to take your case. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t need you to be completely innocent for us to defend you, but you need to be completely honest with us. We don’t like surprises in the courtroom, and if we can’t effectively plan our defense because you’re not telling us the truth, it’s not going to work. Attorney-client privilege exists during these intake conversations, so don’t lie because you fear it could be held against you.
3. Let The Lawyer Lay Out Your Options – Once you’ve laid out the facts, it’s time to sit back and let the lawyer go over all your legal options. Trust their expert knowledge of the system when they talk about your options. They do this for a living, so odds are they’ll be able to give out some good advice. Don’t start telling them exactly how you want your case handled. Present the facts and then let them explain your best options before you decide any next steps.
4. Bring Anything Helpful – Finally, bring anything that might help your case to this consultation. We can get a hold of a lot of helpful documents and information, but it makes the process a lot smoother if you help along the process. If you have access to the police report or contact information for witnesses who can help with your case, pass that along to us. Any paperwork or information you believe will serve to help your case should come with you to this intake session.
If you can do all these things, we’re confident your intake session will run smoothly, and we hope you’ll walk out of this meeting with confidence and a lawyer by your side. To set up one of these free consultations with a member of our team, give Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
