How to prepare for your first legal consultation

Describe the problem in a few sentences. Are you deciding whether to sign, trying to resolve a disagreement, planning a business transaction or responding to a notice? Then explain what a useful outcome would look like.

It is fine to have more than one goal. Put them in order and mention any practical constraint, such as an ongoing commercial relationship, travel, budget or an upcoming meeting. This gives the discussion a purpose beyond recounting every detail.

List the important events in date order. Use the date on the original document or message where possible. If a date is uncertain, say so. Separate what you directly know from what someone told you or what you suspect.

• Who was involved in each event?
• What was said, signed, paid, delivered or requested?
• Which document or message supports that entry?
• Is there an expressly stated deadline or scheduled hearing?

Start with the complete agreement or notice at the centre of the matter. Add relevant correspondence, payment records and earlier professional advice if you have it. Keep originals unchanged and use clearly named copies for discussion.

A short list explaining each document is usually more helpful than an unexplained folder. Do not hide an inconvenient message or a missing attachment. Knowing the gaps helps the lawyer understand what can and cannot be assessed.

Identify the parties and your relationship to them so the firm can assess the matter and any conflict questions. If you are contacting us for a business or someone else, explain your role.

For a cross-border issue, mention where the parties, relevant assets and activities are located, and any law or court named in the documents. If you are outside Lebanon, include your time zone and preferred way to arrange the conversation. Do not assume that a single country’s rules answer every question.

Use the first discussion to understand what work is proposed, which information is still needed, how fees will be explained and who will keep you updated. Ask whether the next step is a document review, advice, negotiation or another defined piece of work.

Tell us about time-sensitive documents at the start. An enquiry or a meeting request is not confirmation that the firm has accepted an engagement or is handling a deadline. Clarify those arrangements directly before relying on them.

Keep a note of the documents requested, the next decision and any agreed follow-up. If something is unclear, ask for it to be explained in ordinary language.

For an initial enquiry, a short summary is enough to begin arranging the conversation. Do not send passwords, bank access details or unnecessary identity documents through a general contact form. The team can explain the appropriate way to share material relevant to an agreed review.