If travelling to an attorney's office is still a concern, ask whether the lawyer can travel to your home. Most attorneys will accomodate a client, if they are physically unable to travel. However, if the client is simply reluctant to travel, then there is a very important reason to have the prospective client come to the lawyer's office: (1) To see how the lawyer operates, and (2) So the lawyer can see how the client adjusts to being in an unfamiliar setting. This last part is vitally important to an attorney who evaluates you as a potential witness at trial.

4. Do you email clients?

Do you send regular updates by letter or email? If I have a quick question, can I email you instead of calling you on the phone?

5. "When my case comes up for a deposition (a question and answer session with your lawyer and the lawyers for the people you have sued) will you be there with me, or will I have one of your junior associates?"

This is very important. You're hiring a lawyer. Some people hire a law firm and don't care who works on their case. An injured victim SHOULD care, because they want to be treated with resepect and attention they deserve. In some firms, the lawyer you meet with will not be the one who appears at your deposition with you. In fact, depending on how busy the law firm is, it's possible that the lawyer you meet with may not even try your case!

That's why you've got to ask: "Will you be there at my deposition?"

6. "When my case comes up for trial, will you be there with me, or will I have one of your junior associates?"

Again, this is a very important question. The lawyer you get to know at your first office visit may not be the lawyer who tries your case. You may only get to meet your trial lawyer a few months before your trial starts. I know many people who don't like that approach to lawyering, and others simply don't care. As an injured victim looking for a lawyer to represent their interests, I can only suggest that you should care.

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