Nervous About Calling a Lawyer? Five Attorneys Explain What to Expect.
Lawggle
Nervous About Calling a Lawyer? Five Attorneys Explain What to Expect
Not sure what to say, what to ask, or whether you're even ready to speak with a lawyer? You're not alone. Here's what that first conversation can actually look like.
You've been thinking about calling a lawyer.
Maybe something happened at work. Maybe you've been injured, accused of something, or caught up in a situation that's getting more complicated by the day.
You've searched online, read a few articles, and perhaps even found a lawyer who seems like a good fit.
But you still haven't made the call.
What are you supposed to say? What if you forget something important? What if you don't understand the legal terminology? And what if the lawyer asks a question you can't answer?
The good news is that you don't need to have everything figured out before contacting a lawyer.
We asked five attorneys on Lawggle what happens during their first conversations with potential clients. Their answers offer a reassuring look at what to expect, what to prepare, and why that first call might be easier than you imagine.
1. You Can Start Wherever You Feel Comfortable
Frank Stucki | Trial Attorney | Las Vegas, Nevada @ frankstucki.com
Sometimes the hardest part of contacting a lawyer is figuring out where to begin.
This can be especially difficult when the situation involves a serious injury, assault, or the loss of someone you love.
Las Vegas trial attorney Frank Stucki handles cases involving some of life's most difficult experiences. His advice for that first conversation is refreshingly simple: start wherever you're comfortable.
You don't need to explain everything in chronological order. Frank encourages people to begin by sharing why they felt they needed to contact a lawyer.
From there, he works to understand what happened, who was involved, and the relationships between the people concerned.
He also begins evaluating the practical side of a potential case: what a civil lawsuit might accomplish, what evidence would be needed, how long the process could take, and what costs might be involved.
Depending on the circumstances, he may also consider whether a criminal investigation is appropriate.
Frank Stucki explains what happens during his first conversation with someone seeking legal help.
What you can take away: You don't need a perfectly organized story. It's okay to start with what brought you to the lawyer in the first place.
2. The First Conversation Is Also About Trust
Kyle Moore | Personal Injury Attorney | Atlanta, Georgia @ kylemoorelaw.com
When you imagine a legal consultation, you might picture a lawyer asking questions while you explain the facts.
And yes, understanding what happened is important.
But Atlanta personal injury attorney Kyle Moore points out that the first conversation is also an opportunity to get to know each other.
For Kyle, trust matters. He wants to understand the facts of a potential client's case, but he also wants the person to feel comfortable telling their story honestly and accurately.
That's worth remembering when you're choosing someone to represent you.
A lawyer may have impressive credentials and years of experience, but you also need to feel comfortable communicating with them.
Can you ask questions? Do they listen? Do you feel comfortable explaining the details, including the ones that might be difficult to discuss?
Your first conversation is an opportunity to begin finding out.
Kyle Moore discusses the importance of trust and honest communication during an initial consultation.
What you can take away: You're not just explaining your situation to a lawyer. You're also getting a sense of whether this is someone you feel comfortable working with.
3. Bring the Facts. You Don't Need to Figure Out the Legal Conclusions.
Star Kashman | Technology, Cybercrime and Digital Law Attorney @ cyberlawfirm.com
Imagine noticing unusual activity on one of your online accounts.
You receive a login notification you don't recognize. Someone appears to have accessed your information. You suspect you've been hacked, but you're not entirely sure what happened.
How do you explain something like that to a lawyer?
Technology and cybercrime attorney Star Kashman has a particularly useful approach.
During an initial consultation, she asks people to walk her through a timeline of events. She wants to know what happened, when it happened, and what information or evidence is available.
Her advice is to focus on the facts rather than arriving with a conclusion about what those facts mean.
For example, instead of simply saying, "Someone hacked my account," explain that you received an unexpected two-factor authentication notification, noticed an unfamiliar login, or saved a screenshot of a suspicious message.
Those details give a lawyer something concrete to evaluate.
Star also considers whether legal deadlines may apply, what evidence is available, and whether additional information needs to be obtained before deciding how to proceed.
Star Kashman explains why timelines, documentation, and factual details matter during a first consultation.
What you can take away: You don't have to diagnose your own legal problem. Explain what you observed, share the records you have, and let the lawyer help determine what matters.
4. What will a Personal Injury Lawyer ask during your first consultation?
Samantha Cohn | Personal Injury Attorney | Hampton, Virginia @ smithlawcenter.com
If you've been injured in an accident, you might be wondering how much information you'll need to provide when you first contact a lawyer.
Do you need the police report? Your insurance information? Medical records? What if you don't remember every detail?
Hampton, Virginia personal injury attorney Samantha Cohn explains that while every lawyer handles consultations a little differently, there are some basic questions you can generally expect.
She typically begins by understanding the accident itself: what happened, who was involved, when and where it occurred, and how it happened.
She'll also want to understand your injuries and how you're doing.
Depending on the circumstances, the conversation may include damage to your vehicle or other property. Samantha explains that she sometimes helps clients with the property damage portion of their claims, too.
Insurance is another important topic. She may ask about your health insurance and automobile insurance, including whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage could apply under Virginia law.
These aren't questions you're expected to know the legal significance of. They're the details that help an attorney understand your situation and determine appropriate next steps.
Watch personal injury attorney Samantha Cohn explain the questions she asks during an initial consultation after an accident.
What you can take away: Before calling, gather whatever information you have about the accident, your injuries, and your insurance coverage. Don't worry if you don't have everything. The first conversation is an opportunity to start putting the pieces together.
5. What If You're Facing Criminal Charges?
Hripsime Bagdasaryan | Criminal Defense Attorney | Glendale, California @ melkonyanlaw.com
For someone facing criminal allegations, contacting a lawyer may feel particularly intimidating.
Perhaps you've been arrested, received a summons, or learned that you're under investigation. You may be worried about your rights, your reputation, or what could happen next.
You might also be unsure how much information to share or whether you should wait until you know more.
You don't need to understand criminal law or court procedures before seeking legal assistance.
An initial consultation can help you understand whether the lawyer handles your type of matter, what the immediate concerns may be, and what steps could follow.
Glendale criminal defense attorney Hripsime Bagdasaryan, a former Los Angeles County prosecutor, discusses what people can expect when they first contact her.
Hripsime Bagdasaryan discusses the first conversation with a criminal defense lawyer.
What you can take away: If you're facing criminal allegations, seek qualified legal advice promptly. Before sharing sensitive information, clarify the confidentiality of the consultation and whether the lawyer has agreed to represent you.
Five Things You Can Do Before Contacting a Lawyer
You don't need to spend hours preparing. A few simple steps can help make your first conversation more productive.
1. Write down what happened.
A brief timeline can help, especially if several events occurred over days, weeks, or months. Don't worry about using legal terminology.
2. Gather relevant documents.
Emails, letters, contracts, photographs, screenshots, medical records, or court documents may be useful, depending on your situation. Ask the firm what it wants you to provide and how to share it securely.
3. Think about your biggest concern.
What are you most worried about? What would you like to understand or resolve? You don't need to know the legal solution to explain what matters to you.
4. Ask about fees.
Some lawyers offer free initial consultations; others charge. Before proceeding, ask whether the first meeting costs anything and how fees would work if you decide to hire the lawyer.
5. Ask about next steps.
Before ending the conversation, make sure you understand what happens next, whether additional information is needed, and whether any deadlines require prompt attention.
What If You're Embarrassed About What Happened?
Legal problems aren't always easy to talk about.
They can involve relationships, money, injuries, mistakes, accusations, or circumstances you'd rather keep private.
It's understandable to feel uncomfortable explaining personal details to someone you've never met.
But lawyers regularly work with people facing difficult situations. Their job is to assess legal problems, explain available options, and advise clients within the scope of their professional responsibilities.
You can ask how confidentiality works before sharing sensitive information. The protections that apply to initial consultations vary by jurisdiction and circumstances, and speaking with a lawyer doesn't automatically mean that the lawyer has agreed to represent you.
You Don't Have to Know Whether You Need a Lawyer Before Asking
One of the most common reasons people delay seeking legal help is that they aren't sure their problem is serious enough.
Maybe you're worried about wasting someone's time. Maybe you're afraid of the cost. Or perhaps you simply don't know which type of lawyer to contact.
Those are all reasonable concerns.
But you don't have to make every decision before having a conversation.
An initial inquiry can help you determine whether a lawyer handles matters like yours, what the consultation process involves, and whether further legal assistance may be appropriate.
If you've received court papers, face an approaching legal deadline, or are dealing with an urgent situation, seek appropriate advice promptly rather than relying on online research alone.
Get to Know a Lawyer Before You Make the Call
There's something reassuring about hearing a lawyer explain how they work.
You get a sense of their personality, how they communicate, and what they consider important when someone first reaches out.
That's one of the reasons we built Lawggle.
We believe people should be able to explore real answers from real lawyers before deciding whom to contact.
You can watch lawyers explain common legal situations, read answers to questions other people have asked, and discover professionals whose experience may be relevant to your circumstances.
And if you have a question of your own, you can ask it on Lawggle.
You don't need to know exactly what to say before speaking with a lawyer. Sometimes, the first step is simply finding someone who makes it easier to ask.
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Disclaimer: This article and the accompanying videos are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article, watching a video, or using Lawggle. Laws, procedures, and professional obligations vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified lawyer regarding your specific circumstances.