If you are being sued or need to sue someone else, you will likely have in-depth conversations with your lawyer about what happened.

Lawyers generally figure out how your story fits with the law and then identify strategies to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

The early conversations you have with your attorney are of critical importance in shaping your litigation strategy.

The worst thing you can do in the information-gathering stage of your lawsuit is lie to your attorney. When you lie to your lawyer, you actively impact your lawyer’s ability to do her job, which is to give you the best available legal advice in light of your circumstances.

The truth will eventually come out, and when it does, your legal strategy will be jeopardized.

Another thing to avoid is spinning the facts and trying to shade things in a way that paints them in a more innocent light. This is not as bad as lying, but will have all the same negative consequences as lying. Even slight tweaks matter, and they could impact the quality of the legal advice being provided.

The best thing you can do? Tell the truth. It sounds simple, but sometimes this is easier said than done. Your memory of the events may be imperfect and incomplete. Here are a few tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to pause and consider the question before responding.
2. If you do not know the answer or do not remember, it is okay to say so.
3. Be candid even when you are worried a fact may hurt your case in the long run.

Most cases are decided by an aggregate of events and circumstances that tip the balance in favor of one party or the other.

At AKC Law, the litigation team is here to help you tell your story and craft a litigation strategy aimed at achieving the best possible outcome for you.

If you or your business needs litigation advice, contact Hallie Hamilton at [email protected].