If you’ve been a victim of retaliation, wrongful termination, or workplace discrimination, you may have the right to take legal action against your employer. In the beginning stages of building a case, the first step will likely be attending an initial consultation with an attorney. In this blog, our Chicago employment lawyer explains how to best prepare for the first meeting you have with an attorney.
What to Expect
When meeting an employment lawyer, you should approach this meeting the same way you would a business meeting or interview. You want to be on time to your consultation, if not a few minutes early. The attorney will likely start the consultation by asking you to disclose background information regarding your case, your employer, and the incident in question. Don’t be nervous to ask questions – you want to get the most out of this initial meeting. Keep in mind, however, that you want to give the lawyer ample opportunity to speak so you can take in as much information as possible.
Allow Yourself to Evaluate
This first meeting is not an obligation for you to hire this lawyer. You only have a limited amount of time, usually no more than 30 minutes, so it’s recommended to bring a list of prepared questions to ask. Before you make the decision to officially secure representation from this attorney, you want to have a realistic outline of what your case may look like.
When writing out your list of questions, be sure to include the following:
- Is your firm solely devoted to employment law cases?
- Do you handle your client’s cases directly?
- Do I have grounds to pursue legal action against my employer?
Gather Information
You don’t want to arrive to your consultation empty handed. You want to give the attorney as much information as you can regarding your case. If possible, bring copies of necessary documents that disclose information regarding your case – when you were hired, when the incident occurred, and a list of witnesses can be invaluable when taking legal action.
Our Chicago employment attorneys can assist you with a wide range of employment law matters including discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation. Call (312) 212-4450 to schedule a free consultation!