Prepare for a Litigation Consultation

A practical guide to making your first conversation with a litigation lawyer more useful

Start With the Essentials

For an initial inquiry, give a short, non-confidential description of your situation. Starkman & Zhang Lawyers needs to check whether it can act — a conflict check against the other parties — before receiving sensitive material. A useful first message covers:

Your name, preferred contact details and communication language.
The names of the other parties and related companies, for the conflict check.
The type of dispute and the outcome you would like to explore.
Any known hearing, response, closing or other important date.

Keep the Documents Ready

Keep originals and preserve the records as they are. Prepare a brief timeline and an organized list of relevant documents — and wait for instructions before sending confidential material. Documents that usually matter include:

Signed contracts, amendments and payment records.
Relevant emails, messages and correspondence.
Court documents, and information about when you received them.
Prior settlement proposals or decisions, where applicable.

Questions Worth Asking

A consultation should help you understand what needs to be assessed. A lawyer may need further documents before expressing a view on prospects or strategy. Questions worth raising in the first conversation:

What should be reviewed first, and why?
What options are available, and what are their practical trade-offs?
Who would handle the matter, and how would we communicate?
What is the consultation fee, proposed retainer and first-stage scope?
Which budget assumptions could change as the dispute develops?

Before you call, our guide to how Toronto litigation lawyers charge explains hourly rates, retainers and Ontario’s loser-pays costs rule, and our litigation FAQ gives direct answers to the questions clients ask most.

If Something Is Urgent

Call 905-477-3110 and clearly identify the date or event that concerns you. Do not rely on a website inquiry to meet a deadline. The contact form is not an emergency service, and sending a message does not mean the firm has accepted your matter.

An inquiry or initial conversation does not itself create a lawyer-client relationship. Representation must be confirmed through the firm’s intake and engagement process.

Explore Further

Start With Your Situation

Share a brief outline of the dispute and any important dates. Wait for a conflict check before sending confidential documents.