You have scheduled a free case review with an attorney. This is a critical first step in understanding your legal rights and the potential of your claim. The value you get from this initial consultation depends heavily on your preparation. Walking in with the right documents and information transforms a general conversation into a focused, productive strategy session. It allows the attorney to quickly assess the merits of your case, identify immediate next steps, and provide you with clear, actionable advice. Being unprepared, on the other hand, can lead to vague answers, unnecessary follow-up meetings, and delays. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist of what to bring to your free case review, ensuring you maximize this opportunity to gain clarity and direction for your legal journey.

The Core Purpose of Your Free Case Review

A free case review is not a full-blown legal strategy meeting, but rather an initial evaluation. Its primary goals are to establish the basic facts of your situation, determine if you have a viable legal claim, identify the responsible parties, and outline the general legal process ahead. The attorney will listen to your story, ask targeted questions, and review any evidence you provide to form a preliminary opinion. For you, the goals are to understand the attorney’s experience, gauge your comfort level with them, and get a clear sense of your options, including the potential strengths and challenges of your case. To achieve these mutual goals efficiently, the information you bring is the fuel for the discussion. Thorough preparation demonstrates your seriousness and enables the attorney to provide the most accurate initial assessment possible.

The Essential Documentation Checklist

Gathering documents might seem daunting, but even incomplete records are better than none. Organize what you have in a folder or binder, with the most critical items on top. Do not worry if you are missing something, simply note what it is. The attorney can often advise you on how to obtain missing documents. Focus on collecting anything that creates a timeline, establishes facts, or documents damages.

For most civil cases, especially personal injury, the following core documents are essential:

• Incident Reports: Official reports create a foundational record. This includes police reports for car accidents, premises incident reports for slip and falls, or employer reports for workplace injuries. Bring the complete report, not just the reference number.
• Medical Records and Bills: These are crucial for documenting injury and cost. Bring records from all treating providers: emergency room visits, primary care physicians, specialists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Include diagnosis reports, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and itemized bills that show charges and payments.
• Insurance Information: Bring all relevant insurance cards and correspondence. This includes your own auto, health, and disability insurance information, as well as any information you have from the other party’s insurer (like a claim number or adjuster’s contact details).
• Photographic and Video Evidence: Visual evidence is powerful. Bring photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, your visible injuries, hazardous conditions that caused a fall, or defective products. Include videos from dashcams, security cameras, or your phone.
• Correspondence: Any letters, emails, or text messages related to the incident. This includes communications with insurance adjusters, the other party, employers, or anyone discussing the event, your injuries, or settlement offers.

Tailoring Your Documents to Your Case Type

While the core documents apply broadly, specific case types require additional evidence. Your attorney’s ability to evaluate nuanced areas of law depends on seeing the right paperwork from the start.

Personal Injury and Accident Cases

Beyond the core checklist, for motor vehicle accidents, bring your vehicle’s repair estimate or total loss valuation from the insurance company. For workplace injuries, bring your worker’s compensation claim paperwork and any correspondence with your employer’s HR department. In medical malpractice cases, bringing your full medical history related to the treatment in question is vital, though the attorney will later order formal records. For a deeper dive on preparing for this specific type of meeting, our resource on what to expect from a personal injury case review offers further guidance.

Employment and Business Disputes

These cases rely heavily on paper trails. Bring your employment contract, offer letter, employee handbook, and any non-compete or confidentiality agreements. Collect performance reviews, disciplinary write-ups, payroll stubs showing discrepancies, and all relevant emails or memos about the dispute (e.g., termination notice, harassment complaints, wage discussions). For business disputes, bring the contract in question, invoices, payment records, and all project-related communications.

Family Law Matters

For divorce or child custody reviews, financial documentation is key. Bring recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account statements, and a list of marital assets and debts. If child support is an issue, have documentation of child-related expenses. For custody, a timeline of parenting responsibilities and any concerning incidents can be helpful.

Preparing Your Personal Account and Questions

Documents tell one part of the story, your account tells the other. Before the meeting, write down a concise, chronological summary of events. Focus on the who, what, when, where, and how. Practice stating it clearly without excessive emotion. Note the names and contact information of any witnesses. Also, prepare a list of questions for the attorney. This is your chance to interview them as well. Good questions include: What is your experience with cases like mine? What do you see as the biggest challenge in my case? How long might this process take? What are your fees and how are they structured? What are the possible outcomes? How will we communicate throughout the case?

What to Expect During the Review Itself

The review typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The attorney will likely start by asking you to explain what happened. They will then review your documents, asking clarifying questions. They will analyze the legal issues, discuss potential strategies, and explain the next steps if you decide to hire them. They should be transparent about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. You are under no obligation to hire the attorney at the end of the meeting. A reputable lawyer will give you the space to make an informed decision. The process outlined here mirrors the comprehensive approach we recommend for all initial legal consultations, ensuring you are never caught off guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have all the documents yet?
Bring what you have. The attorney can often use partial information to start the evaluation and will advise you on how to obtain missing items. Your recollection and the documents you do have are a solid starting point.

Can I bring a family member or friend?
Yes, it is often encouraged. A trusted person can provide moral support, help you remember details discussed, and ask questions you might not think of. Just inform the attorney’s office beforehand.

Will everything I say be confidential?
Yes. Attorney-client confidentiality applies during a free case review, even if you do not ultimately hire the lawyer. You can speak freely about the facts of your situation.

What should I do if the attorney asks me to sign something during the review?
Be cautious. While it is standard to sign a representation agreement if you decide to hire the firm, you should never feel pressured to sign anything during the initial free consultation. It is perfectly acceptable to take any contract home to review before signing.

How do I choose the right attorney after multiple reviews?
Consider their experience with your specific case type, their communication style, your comfort level with them, and the clarity of their proposed plan. Trust your instincts about who you believe will best represent your interests. Understanding the full scope of a case review, as detailed in our dedicated article, can help you compare different attorneys’ approaches effectively.

Your free case review is the foundation upon which a potential legal claim is built. By investing time in gathering documents, organizing your thoughts, and preparing questions, you actively participate in shaping your legal strategy from day one. This preparation empowers you to have a substantive discussion, receive meaningful feedback, and make an informed decision about moving forward. Remember, the attorney is there to evaluate, but you are there to learn. Walking in prepared ensures you walk out with the clarity and confidence needed for the next step, whatever that may be.