If you’ve been fired and believe it was unfair or illegal, your first step should be to schedule a consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer. This initial meeting is one of the most important parts of the legal process. It’s your opportunity to get clarity, understand your rights, and determine whether you have a case worth pursuing.
For many people in Maryland, the idea of meeting with a lawyer for the first time can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what to expect during a wrongful termination consultation, how to prepare, and what kinds of questions to ask.
What Is a Wrongful Termination Consultation?
A consultation is a confidential meeting between you and an employment attorney to discuss the circumstances surrounding your termination. The purpose of the consultation is for the lawyer to:
- Assess whether your firing may have violated any laws
- Explain your legal options
- Help you understand your rights as an employee
- Determine if they can represent you in a claim
It’s not a commitment to take legal action—but rather a fact-finding conversation to help you make an informed decision.
What Should You Bring to the Consultation?
Being prepared for the consultation will help the attorney evaluate your case more effectively. Here are some documents and information that are helpful to bring:
- Termination letter or notice
- Employee handbook or company policies
- Employment contract (if applicable)
- Performance reviews or disciplinary records
- Emails, messages, or written communication with supervisors or HR
- Pay stubs or benefit summaries
- Documentation of any complaints you filed (e.g., to HR or EEOC)
- Timeline of events (dates of employment, incidents, complaints, termination)
You don’t need to have everything perfectly organized—just bring what you have. The attorney will guide the discussion from there.
Topics You’ll Likely Discuss
During your consultation, the lawyer will ask detailed questions to understand your situation and assess the potential legal claims. Topics may include:
1. Why You Were Terminated
You’ll be asked to describe what your employer told you about your termination and whether you believe the real reason was different.
2. Protected Activities
They’ll ask whether you recently did something that’s legally protected—such as reporting harassment, requesting medical leave, or filing a complaint.
3. Discrimination or Retaliation
Were you treated differently because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, or another protected class? Did your employer retaliate against you for exercising your rights?
4. Company Policies and Procedures
Did your employer follow its own rules when terminating you? Were you given warnings, a performance improvement plan, or a chance to respond?
5. The Impact on You
How has the termination affected you emotionally and financially? This will be relevant if you seek damages for lost wages or emotional distress.
Questions You Should Ask the Attorney
The consultation isn’t just for the attorney to ask you questions—you should come with questions of your own. Some good ones include:
- Do I have a valid wrongful termination claim?
- What laws apply to my situation?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- What is the likely outcome?
- How long will the process take?
- What are your fees and how do you charge?
- What will I need to do if I move forward?
A good attorney will answer your questions clearly and honestly—even if that means telling you that your case may not be strong enough to pursue.
What Happens After the Consultation?
After reviewing the information you’ve provided, the attorney may:
- Offer to take your case and explain the next steps
- Recommend further documentation or investigation before deciding
- Refer you to another attorney or agency if your claim falls outside their practice area
- Advise you not to pursue the case if the evidence is weak or the claim isn’t legally viable
If the attorney takes your case, you’ll typically sign a retainer agreement, which outlines how they’ll represent you and what fees (if any) you’ll owe.
Do Consultations Cost Money?
Some employment attorneys in Maryland offer free consultations, while others charge a flat fee for the initial meeting. Always ask about consultation fees when you schedule the appointment so you know what to expect.
Even if there’s a fee, a consultation is often well worth the investment—especially if you’re facing significant financial or emotional losses due to wrongful termination.
Final Thoughts
Meeting with a wrongful termination lawyer doesn’t have to be stressful or intimidating. In fact, it’s your first step toward clarity, accountability, and possibly justice. Whether your case involves discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or a public policy violation, a skilled Maryland employment attorney can help you determine the best path forward.
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, don’t wait. The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the sooner you’ll understand your options—and the stronger your case can be. We recommend wrongful termination attorney dc.
