Law Firm Client Intake Document Checklist

Frequently asked questions

What documents should a law firm collect during client intake?

At intake a firm generally collects the client’s government-issued ID, a signed engagement or retainer agreement, the information needed to run a conflict check, and the documents that establish the case. The case documents depend on the practice area — a personal-injury matter needs the police report, medical records, and insurance correspondence, while a divorce needs income documentation and asset statements.

Why does a law firm run a conflict check at intake?

A conflict check confirms the firm is not already representing — or adverse to — anyone involved in the new matter, which is a duty under the rules of professional conduct on conflicts of interest. The firm needs the names of every party and entity connected to the matter to run it, which is why that information is collected before, not after, the engagement is signed.

What documents should I bring to my first meeting with a lawyer?

Bring a photo ID, any agreement the lawyer sent (engagement or fee agreement), and the documents that tell the story of your case: relevant contracts, correspondence, and any court papers you have received. If it is an injury case, bring the police report, medical bills, and insurance letters; if it is a family or financial matter, bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, and account statements.

How do I collect intake documents from a new client securely?

Email is the common default but it scatters confidential documents across inboxes and is hard to secure. A single no-login upload link is simpler and safer: the client clicks one link, uploads each document from their phone or laptop with no account to create, and the firm sees which items are still missing — with the files kept on an encrypted, expiring link rather than in an email thread. That is what this checklist becomes when you send it with DokuTrak.