OK, so you need to hire a lawyer. Chances are, this means things are not so great right now. Either you have decided to make a life change - a divorce, or you feel as though you have no other recourse, as in business litigation. Regardless of what has brought you this point, you feel you need to hire a lawyer. But how do you choose and what happens at the "initial consultation".
How to choose -
Ask around. If you know a lawyer, ask them who they would suggest. Also check with member sections of the state bar. You can actually do a search of section members in your city. Go to
www.gabar.org/directories and click on member directory. Type in the name of your city and select the section of the bar that best fits your situation. For example, the "Family Law Section" covers divorce, child custody and a host of other related matters.
The first appointment -
Call the lawyer's office and tell them your situation, very briefly. Ask them what their procedures for new clients are. Every office handles things a little differently. Here, you call the office and speak with one of the lawyers - either Eric or John. They will let you know a little about what you can expect and you can make an appointment to meet with them. At the appointment, we'll collect some basic information from you (we have to do this to avoid conflicts). Then you'll met with the lawyer. After the meeting, you can decide if this is the person you want to handle your case. This is very personal decision that you must make.
After hiring your lawyer, you should be relieved and feel that your case is in good hands. You should feel like you have hired someone that you can work with and trust.