What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Lawyer

By Shirlene Perrin, Perrin Law Office

A court notice arrives in the mail. A police officer calls and asks to speak with you. Your former partner files a motion about parenting time. In any of these situations, it can be hard to know what to do first.

You can meet with me in person, by phone, or over Zoom. When you schedule your consultation, let us know which option works best for you. If you have an upcoming hearing, a deadline listed in your paperwork, or a request from law enforcement to speak with you, mention that when you contact us.

Start with the papers you already have

For a criminal matter, gather any citation, complaint, summons, or release paperwork you received. If you were given conditions to follow, have the document that lists them handy, along with your next court date if one has been set.

For a family law matter, gather any current court orders, including orders about custody, parenting time, or support. If either party recently filed a motion, have that paperwork and any hearing notice available.

If you’re asking about an appeal, start with the written order or judgment you want reviewed. Have any notice you received with it handy, along with the dates the court entered the order and you received it, if you know them.

If we’re meeting by phone or Zoom, keep your paperwork nearby so we can refer to it during the conversation. If I need to review a document, we can discuss how to share it.

Write down what happened and what you want to ask

A short timeline can make the first conversation easier. Start with the events that led you to call, add dates where you know them, and note anything coming up. A few lines on paper or in your phone are enough to get started.

Think about what you most want to understand by the end of the meeting. You might ask:

• What should I prepare for my next court appearance?

• What records or documents would you want to review?

• What options are available at this stage?

• How would fees and communication work if I hire you?

What we’ll discuss at the consultation

I’ll ask what brought you in, what has happened so far, and what you hope to accomplish. We’ll talk about upcoming dates, what information could help me assess your situation, and what the next steps might look like. We can start with whatever paperwork you have.

Perrin Law Office is based in St. Paul. To discuss a criminal defense, family law, or appellate matter, contact Perrin Law Office to request a consultation. If you use the online form, share your contact information and save sensitive details or documents for a conversation with the office.