WHAT TO EXPECT AT OUR FIRST MEETING

You've made an appointment to meet with me about your employment situation.  Excellent.  I look forward to meeting with you.  Now what?  Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Don't be afraid.  Meeting with a lawyer can be intimidating and lawsuits are serious, but rest assured that I am friendly, patient, and sympathetic.  I'm here because I want to help you!  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.  There are no stupid questions when you're dealing with a challenging employment situation.  

2. Bring documents relevant to your case, such as pay stubs if you think were not paid fairly, any employment handbooks you were given, and any emails, letters, or notes (even those that you wrote yourself), that you believe help to prove your case.  Having as many documents in front of us as possible helps to make our conversation more knowledgeable and fact-specific.  

3. Look at the list of questions that I will want to cover with you.  (Questions To Prepare For.)

4. Think about the questions you will want to ask me.  For example, do you have questions about how much a lawsuit might cost?  Do you want to know if record of any potential lawsuit would be public?  It's important to take the time to think about these things before we begin fighting your case in court.  (Remember, I'm always available to answer your questions.)

5. Keep in mind that the legal process is a slow one.  Negotiations with employers can take weeks, if not months, and lawsuits take even longer.  I will do everything I can to move your case along quickly, but the reality of the situation is that cases - even the strongest ones - can take a long time to resolve.  

6. Finally, because a lot of people ask - no, you don't need to wear a suit or dress up to meet with me.  It's important to dress up for court, to show the judge that you are taking your case seriously.  Happily you don't need to dress up to meet with me.