In the course of your personal injury law suit, you may end up going to court multiple times. For many, this can be an intimidating experience, because of their lack of familiarity with the legal system and its conventions. Here are some tips for any legal meeting during the process, whether it is in the court room, or meeting with the defendant and their attorneys.
Dress Professionally
Unfair or not, others are apt to judge you by your appearance, and the legal profession has a centuries-long tradition of very high standards of dress.
Men and women should plan on wearing a business suit, and men should wear a tie. Wear dress shoes, and make sure that they are properly polished. This may seem like a meaningless detail, but arriving well-dressed tells the other parties involved that you are taking them (and your case) seriously, and that you mean business.
It can also give you the confidence boost you need to navigate this new environment with ease.
Let Your Lawyer Do the Talking
He or she has been through cases similar to yours many times, and has a very good idea of how to proceed. There’s also an excellent chance that he or she knows the judge and other court officials, and may know how best to approach them.
Pay Attention
Court proceedings can go on for hours, and if there is significant discussion in dense legal terminology, you may have difficulty following along. However, it is important that you follow the discussions as best you can.
Bring a notebook and take notes. For one thing (as with our point about dressing properly), it signals to others that you respect them and are taking the case seriously. It can also be helpful when you’re speaking with your lawyer afterward to have as clear a picture of what has transpired as possible, so that you can ask more pointed questions.
The most important thing to remember in order to help you proceed with confidence is that your personal injury lawyer is with you every step of the way, and that you do have a case that can win.
Call South Bend’s experienced personal injury lawyers today for your free consultation, and take the first step towards the justice you deserve.
