A consultation is a crucial step involving an initial meeting between you and a civil litigation lawyer to understand and address your legal needs.
This session, scheduled for 60 to 90 minutes, ensures a detailed discussion of your legal matter. It provides you with a comprehensive explanation of your current legal position (standing), the legal options available pertaining to your unique circumstances, the potential strength of your case (e.g., whether it is 10% strong or 90% strong), as well as any potential risks and pitfalls relevant to your situation. Additionally, it covers the civil litigation steps that might be necessary to take going forward, should the matter proceed to formal litigation.
An initial informed and comprehensive step (or, in some instances, a second opinion) is the most critical aspect of any civil litigation engagement. Similar to how a doctor evaluates a patient’s health-related concerns by understanding symptoms, and prior health history, and possibly ordering medical tests, a lawyer evaluates a client’s legal case to determine the essential steps required to resolve the issues. This evaluation forms an integral part of the civil litigation process.
Statistics show that about 90% of legal matters could have been resolved if prospective clients had initially hired a lawyer to go over the potential risks and scenarios. Many litigious issues could have been avoided if clients had received qualified legal advice before engaging in legal matters. Thus, obtaining evaluations and legal advice from an experienced and qualified lawyer can help parties make informed decisions based on accurate information and a comprehensive understanding.