Initial consults are important, forming, as they do, the base of one’s family law practice. This author, an experienced family law practitioner, offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating a successful initial consult. Complete with her personal experiences and tips, this paper covers topics like: structuring a schedule, first contact, preparation for the consult, and setting the scene, and provides details useful in conducting the consult itself, including points to cover specifically related to divorce actions and actions under the Family Law Act. A precedent consult checklist and follow-up letter to a client are attached.

This paper was presented at the Running Your First Family File program in March 2014.