What to Bring to Your
First Meeting
What to bring depends on the type of case. Here is what helps at the first meeting, organized by practice area.
Nothing on This List Is Required
A consultation happens with or without documents in hand. Nobody is turned away for showing up empty-handed. What follows is what genuinely helps make the first conversation more useful, not a checklist that has to be complete before the door opens.
If time is short, or the situation is urgent, call first and worry about documents later.
What Helps, By Practice Area
Each type of case benefits from different documents. Here is what to look for.
Criminal Defense
DUI, felony, misdemeanor, and domestic violence criminal charges
- Arrest report or citation, if available
- Bond paperwork or release conditions
- Notice to appear or court date documents
- Any paperwork received from law enforcement
- List of prior charges or convictions, if any
- Names of any witnesses present at the time
If none of this is available yet, the case number and arresting agency are often enough to begin. See our Criminal Case Timeline for what happens next.
Personal Injury
Car accidents, premises liability, and other injury claims
- Police or incident report, if one was filed
- Photos of the scene, vehicle, or property
- Insurance information for all parties involved
- Medical records or bills received so far
- Any correspondence from an insurance adjuster
- Contact information for witnesses
Missing medical records is common at this stage and not a problem. See our Statute of Limitations reference for how much time is available to gather the rest.
Civil Litigation
Contract, business, and real estate disputes
- The contract or agreement at issue
- Relevant emails, texts, or written correspondence
- Invoices, payment records, or financial documents
- Any demand letters already sent or received
- Business formation documents, if a business is involved
- A timeline of key events, even a rough one
A rough timeline written the night before is often more useful than a perfectly organized folder. See our Civil Litigation practice page for how these cases typically unfold.
Domestic Violence
Injunction matters, for both petitioners and respondents
- Any injunction paperwork already filed or served
- Police reports connected to the underlying incident
- Screenshots of relevant texts, calls, or messages
- Photos of any injuries or property damage
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Custody or family court paperwork, if applicable
If a hearing date is already set, that date matters more than having every document ready. See our Domestic Violence page for how injunction timelines work.
Beyond the Paperwork
A few things that help regardless of case type.
Write Down the Timeline First
Memory fades quickly after a stressful event. A few written notes on dates and order of events, made as soon as possible, are often more valuable than any document.
Bring Your Questions, Written Down
It is easy to forget questions once the conversation starts. A short written list ensures nothing important gets missed in the moment.
Be Ready to Speak Candidly
Consultations are confidential. Leaving out uncomfortable details, even ones that seem unfavorable, generally makes a case harder to evaluate accurately, not easier.
What to Avoid Doing
A few common mistakes happen before a case is ever reviewed. Avoiding these preserves options rather than closing them off.
Do not post about the situation on social media
Posts, comments, and even likes can be pulled into a case by the opposing side, whether it is a prosecutor, an insurance company, or opposing counsel. This applies to criminal, injury, and civil matters alike.
Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster first
In a personal injury case, the at-fault party's insurer may request a recorded statement quickly, often before the full extent of an injury is known. That statement can be used against the claim later.
Do not let evidence disappear
Dashcam and security camera footage is frequently overwritten within days. Vehicles get repaired. Scenes get cleaned up. If footage or physical evidence exists, taking steps to preserve it early matters more than almost anything else on this page.
Do not sign anything from the opposing side without review
A release, a settlement offer, or a statement presented by an insurer or opposing party is written to benefit whoever drafted it. Signing before a case has been reviewed can permanently close off options.
Do not discuss the specifics of a pending criminal matter with anyone but an attorney
Conversations with friends, family, or on the phone from a jail facility are not protected the way conversations with an attorney are, and can sometimes be used later in the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need documents to schedule a consultation?+
What if I do not have the police report yet?+
Should I bring a family member or friend to the meeting?+
Is what I say during the consultation confidential?+
How long does a first meeting usually take?+
Can I email documents ahead of time instead of bringing them?+
Should I get a copy of the 911 call?+
What if evidence is already disappearing and I do not have a lawyer yet?+
Is a phone or video consultation different from an in-person meeting?+
What should I not say to the police or the other driver at the scene?+
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Whatever is available is enough to start the conversation. Initial consultations are free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.
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