Part 1: How to Help Your Business Litigation Lawyer Before the First Meeting
You’ve booked your first meeting with a business litigation lawyer. Now what?
It might be tempting to simply “show up and explain the situation,” but a little preparation before that first meeting can make a significant difference. The more organized and clear you are from the start, the faster your lawyer can understand what’s going on — and start developing a strategy that fits your situation.
1. Organize Your Documents
Business disputes often grow out of years of emails, contracts, and transactions. Before your first meeting, take time to gather the key documents related to the issue. These might include:
The contract or agreement that’s in dispute
Communications between you and the other party (emails, letters, text messages)
Invoices, payments, or financial records showing what was done or not done
Any relevant prior agreements, amendments, or renewals
Any notices of default, demand letters, or threats of legal action
Don’t worry if you don’t know what’s relevant yet — bring what you can, and your lawyer will help you decide what matters. But if your documents are organized by date or subject, that will save valuable time (and cost) during the case analysis.
2. Develop a Timeline
If you don’t already have a written timeline, now is the perfect time to start one. A clear, chronological list of key events will help your lawyer quickly connect the dots between facts, people, and documents.
Your timeline doesn’t need to be formal or complicated. A simple outline like this works:
Date: Contract signed
Date: First invoice sent
Date: Payment dispute arose
Date: Demand letter received
Even this basic structure gives your lawyer a quick visual of how the dispute developed — and where to dig deeper. Think of it as the skeleton your case will hang from.
3. Identify Your Goals
Before you walk into the meeting, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve. Do you want to repair a business relationship, recover money, or simply move on and close this chapter? Knowing your priorities helps your lawyer understand what “success” looks like to you — and tailor the strategy accordingly.
4. Be Honest and Complete
Lawyers can only work with the information they have. Don’t leave out details that you think might hurt your case or “aren’t important.” Full transparency allows your lawyer to plan for the weaknesses before the other side tries to exploit them. Surprises in litigation are rarely good ones.
5. Bring Questions
This first meeting is your opportunity to get clarity on the process ahead. Write down your questions in advance — about timelines, costs, next steps, or what to expect in the coming months. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel about your case and your representation.
Setting the Stage
Preparation doesn’t just make your lawyer’s job easier — it helps you take control of the situation. Coming to that first meeting with organized documents, a clear timeline, and defined goals will save you time, reduce costs, and help your lawyer get to the heart of your case faster.
In Part 2, we’ll discuss how to help your lawyer after the lawsuit is filed or answered — when strategy decisions start taking shape and your input becomes critical.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re facing a business dispute, the first meeting with your lawyer sets the tone for your entire case. The more organized you are, the more effectively we can represent you.
Call our office today to schedule a consultation and start building your case on solid ground.