Tellbrief
Menu

Free tool for law firms

How ready is your intake for the first consultation?

Eight questions about what happens between someone booking a first consultation and your first call with them. Answer for your last few first calls, not for how it’s meant to work. Each gap comes with one thing to change and a free template or guide for it.

About two minutes. No account, no email, and no client information. Your answers stay in this browser tab and aren't sent to Tellbrief.

1. Before someone tells you their story, do you check every name involved?

The client, the other side, and any former names, trade names or related companies. Rule 1.18 can keep your firm out of a matter because of what a prospective client told you, even if you never took them on. Your state’s version applies.

2. Would your intake catch a deadline in the next two weeks?

A court date, a response due, a contract to sign, an offer that expires.

3. On your last three first calls, did you know what the person wanted to decide before you dialed?

Not the type of matter, the decision: sign or not, file or wait, hire now or later.

4. Did you know before the call which documents would settle the open questions?

“Bring everything” makes work for both of you and still misses the one paper that matters.

5. Does your booking confirmation say what to have ready, and that booking doesn’t make them a client?

It’s the one message every prospective client reads before the call.

6. When you decline someone, including for a conflict, do they get a written non-engagement letter?

A short letter makes clear you aren’t their lawyer and that time limits may apply.

7. Is it written down who can read what a prospective client sent, and when it’s deleted if you don’t take them on?

Include people who never became clients. The names still belong in your conflict records.

8. On your last three first calls, could you skip the basic facts and start with the questions that decide the next step?

If the first ten minutes went to who, what and when, those answers could have arrived before the call.

0 of 8 answered

Why better intake matters

The objective isn't to ask for more information. It's to help the lawyer see the person's goal, the relevant reported facts, what remains unknown and which documents may help. A form shouldn't pretend to resolve legal questions.

Tellbrief works with business, estate planning, family and personal injury firms. You can inspect the client questions before trying it.

Tellbrief is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.