What to Expect When Meeting With Your Lawyer

The information contained on this website is designed to educate and inform service members and their families on their personal legal affairs. Nothing contained on the website is a substitute for the competent legal advice of a licensed attorney. Service members and their families seeking legal advice should consult the staff of the nearest installation legal assistance office.

Knowing what to expect when you meet with an attorney can make your meeting more productive and efficient. Get the most out of your time together by following these tips before and during your meeting.

• Come prepared. Bring all papers and documents related to your situation. If you aren’t sure about something, bring it just in case.
• Be honest. Speak openly to your lawyer about your situation and tell them everything you know. The only way to get accurate legal advice is to tell the full story to the best of your knowledge.
• Understand privileged communications. Any information you provide to your attorney is private and privileged under law. This is in accordance with professional guidelines and rules of conduct. Your lawyer can’t disclose what happened during your meeting to anyone else without your specific permission. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you reveal information that suggests you or someone else could be harmed, the communication may no longer be privileged.
• Expect advice and discussions only in person. Your attorney likely won’t discuss cases or give advice over the phone or by email. This is for your privacy and protection.
• Seek advice before you have a problem. Sometimes it’s easier to prevent a legal problem from happening than to solve an existing one. Don’t hesitate to seek legal advice before you act.
• Understand that some legal services may not be available. Attorneys at a legal assistance office may not be able to help with your particular situation. Their services address personal, civil and consumer matters. Some issues are outside their scope. However, a legal assistance attorney can refer you to civilian counsel to handle those matters.
• Be aware of potential costs. Eligible service members get most services at their installation legal assistance office for free. However, you will have to pay any court or agency fees. You may also need private civilian counsel. If so, ask your legal assistance attorney if your case qualifies for pro bono representation under the American Bar Association’s Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.
• Know your attorney. Your legal assistance attorney will be either a military judge advocate or a civilian attorney authorized by the judge advocate general to provide legal assistance, such as advising clients on personal legal affairs.

Where to find legal assistance

• Legal assistance offices — These are located on almost every installation and ship. Use the Armed Forces Legal Services locator to search by branch of service, state or ZIP code.
• MilitaryINSTALLATIONS lists contact information for legal services/jag offices on installations.

The information contained on this website is designed to educate and inform service members and their families on their personal legal affairs. Nothing contained in the website is a substitute for the competent legal advice of a licensed attorney. Service members and their families seeking legal advice should consult the staff of the nearest installation legal assistance office.