Lawyer English Expressions for Client Consultations

Lawyer English Expressions for Client Consultations

 

1. Initial Greeting and Setting the Tone

 

- "Good morning/afternoon. How can I assist you today?"

- "Thank you for coming in. What brings you here today?"

- "Please, have a seat. Let’s discuss how I can help you."

 

2. Understanding the Client’s Situation

 

- "Can you tell me what happened in your own words?"

- "What are your main concerns about this situation?"

- "Could you provide some background on the issue?"

- "How long has this been going on?"

 

3. Clarifying Details

 

- "Can you elaborate on that?"

- "Could you provide more specifics about [a particular aspect]?"

- "What exactly did they say/do?"

- "How did you respond at the time?"

 

4. Summarizing and Confirming Information

 

- "So, if I understand correctly, you’re saying that…"

- "Just to confirm, you mentioned that…"

- "Let me make sure I’ve got this right…"

 

5. Explaining Legal Concepts and Procedures

 

- "This means that…"

- "In other words, it’s like…"

- "The legal term for this is…"

- "Essentially, this law is intended to…"

 

6. Providing Advice and Options

 

- "Based on what you've told me, here are a few options…"

- "We can approach this in several ways. One option is to…"

- "Given the circumstances, I recommend…"

- "The next step would be to…"

 

7. Managing Expectations

 

- "It’s important to understand that…"

- "Realistically, this could take…"

- "While we can aim for [best-case scenario], there’s also a chance that…"

- "I want to be upfront about the possible outcomes…"

 

8. Discussing Fees and Costs

 

- "Let’s discuss the costs involved."

- "My fee structure is as follows…"

- "There may be additional costs for…"

- "We can set up a payment plan if needed."

 

9. Providing Reassurance

 

- "I’m here to help you navigate this."

- "We’ll get through this together."

- "You’re in good hands."

- "I’ll do everything I can to…"

 

10. Closing the Consultation

 

- "Do you have any other questions for me?"

- "Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?"

- "Thank you for sharing all this information."

- "Let’s schedule our next meeting."

 

11. Follow-Up and Next Steps

 

- "I’ll follow up with you by [date] to…"

- "Here’s what you can expect next…"

- "Please contact me if you think of any other questions."

- "I’ll be in touch soon with more information."

Example Dialogues Using Essential Lawyer English Expressions for Client Consultations

 

Dialogue 1: Initial Consultation

 

Attorney: Good afternoon. How can I assist you today?

 

Client: I’ve been having some issues with my neighbor regarding property boundaries.

 

Attorney: Thank you for coming in. Please, have a seat. Can you tell me what happened in your own words?

 

Client: My neighbor recently built a fence that I believe encroaches on my property.

 

Attorney: That sounds troubling. Could you provide more specifics about where the fence is in relation to your property line?

 

Client: The fence is about three feet into my yard according to the survey I had done when I bought the house.

 

Attorney: Just to confirm, you’ve discussed this issue with your neighbor?

 

Client: Yes, I’ve talked to them, but they insist the fence is on their property.

 

Attorney: The legal term for this situation is a "boundary dispute." Essentially, it involves disagreements over the location of property lines.

 

Client: What can I do about it?

 

Attorney: Based on what you've told me, here are a few options. We can start by sending a formal letter to your neighbor, requesting they move the fence. If that doesn’t work, we might consider mediation or, if necessary, filing a lawsuit.

 

Client: How long might this take?

 

Attorney: Realistically, this could take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your neighbor's response and whether we need to go to court. I want to be upfront about the possible outcomes. We might get a quick resolution, or it could require more extensive legal action.

 

Client: What about the costs?

 

Attorney: My fee structure is as follows: there will be an initial consultation fee, and potential additional costs if we need to go to court. We can set up a payment plan if needed.

 

Client: Thank you. That makes sense.

 

Attorney: I’m here to help you navigate this. Do you have any other questions for me?

 

Client: Not right now.

 

Attorney: Thank you for sharing all this information. Let’s schedule our next meeting. I’ll follow up with you by next Wednesday to see how things are progressing.

 

Client: Sounds good. Thank you!

 

Attorney: You’re in good hands. I’ll be in touch soon with more information. Have a great day!

 

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Dialogue 2: Ongoing Client Communication

 

Attorney: I wanted to update you on the status of your case. We’ve filed the motion, and now we’re waiting for the court's response.

 

Client: What if the court denies the motion?

 

Attorney: I understand your concerns, and here’s what we can do. If the motion is denied, we can appeal the decision or prepare for trial. Let’s discuss your options in detail. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Client: Okay, that sounds reasonable. How likely is it that we’ll have to go to trial?

 

Attorney: It’s difficult to say for certain, but based on similar cases, there’s a possibility. We’ll prepare thoroughly for every scenario. It’s important to understand that while we aim for the best-case outcome, we must also be prepared for a trial.

 

Client: I appreciate that. What should I be doing in the meantime?

 

Attorney: Please gather any additional documents or evidence that might support your case. Also, keep a detailed record of any further interactions with the other party. This information could be very useful if we proceed to trial.

 

Client: I’ll do that. Thank you for the advice.

 

Attorney: You’re welcome. Do you have any other questions for me?

 

Client: Not at the moment. I think we covered everything.

 

Attorney: Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you think of anything else. I’ll be in touch soon with more information. Let’s schedule our next meeting for next Tuesday at 3 PM.

 

Client: That works for me. Thank you!

 

Attorney: Great. I’ll see you then. Have a good day!

 

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Dialogue 3: Managing Client Expectations

 

Client: I’m really worried about the potential outcomes of this case.

 

Attorney: It’s important to understand that every case has its risks and uncertainties. Realistically, we could expect a range of outcomes. While we aim for the best-case scenario, there’s also a chance that things may not go as we hope.

 

Client: What’s the best-case scenario here?

 

Attorney: The best-case scenario would be a quick and favorable settlement without needing to go to court. However, there’s also the possibility of a trial, which could take longer and be more complex.

 

Client: How likely is it that we’ll win?

 

Attorney: While I cannot guarantee a specific outcome, we have a strong case based on the evidence you’ve provided. The key is to be prepared for all possible outcomes and to approach this with a clear understanding of the risks involved.

 

Client: That makes sense. What should I be doing right now to help?

 

Attorney: Continue to gather any relevant documents and keep detailed records of everything related to the case. This will help us build a stronger case. If you have any questions or need clarification on any point, feel free to reach out.

 

Client: I will. Thank you for being honest with me.

 

Attorney: Transparency is crucial. I want you to feel informed and prepared every step of the way. Do you have any other questions?

 

Client: No, I think that covers it.

 

Attorney: Great. Let’s keep in touch. I’ll update you as soon as there are any new developments.

 

Client: Thanks again. I appreciate your help.

 

Attorney: You’re welcome. We’ll get through this together.

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