Before you call: what a firm needs to hear
The most useful first message is short and factual: who is involved, what document or event started this, and whether a date has been set for anything. Court papers, agency letters, and police paperwork often carry response dates that arrive sooner than people expect, so mention them right away. Before discussing details, a firm will usually run a conflict check, which means asking for the names of the other people or companies involved to confirm it does not already represent someone on the other side. What you say while seeking legal advice is generally treated as confidential even before you formally hire anyone, but posting about the matter online or discussing it with coworkers is not protected in the same way. If you are more comfortable in Korean or another language than in English, say so at the start, because nuance matters in these conversations.
Papers worth bringing to the first meeting
Bring the papers themselves rather than a summary of them: the summons, the contract, the lease, the notice from the agency, the ticket, or the screenshots. Dates matter more than people realize, so keep any envelope that shows when something was mailed or served. A timeline of events is helpful, but it is better prepared after you have spoken with the lawyer and at their direction, so that it is written for counsel rather than for yourself. If other people already hold relevant records, such as an employer, a bank, or a landlord, note who they are. A lawyer can then decide whether those records need to be requested or preserved.
How fees and the engagement are settled
Fee arrangements depend on the kind of matter. Some work is billed by the hour against a retainer, some is handled for a flat fee, and some injury and collection matters are taken on contingency, while criminal defense and most divorce-related work in New York cannot be handled on that basis. In New York, most engagements are confirmed in writing, and the letter or agreement should explain the scope of the work, how fees and costs are billed, and how either side can end the relationship. Read it before you sign and ask about anything unclear, including what is not covered. In a first meeting with our firm, we also tell you plainly if your matter falls outside what we handle or outside New York, so you can find the right counsel without losing time.
