There are several reasons for offering a free consultation.
It gives you an opportunity to state why you need, or believe you need, to retain a lawyer.
It gives us both an opportunity to determine if your needs can be met by my practice. In this regard, a preliminary assessment of your case is performed.
By identifying yourself and the parties involved, there is an early opportunity to consider whether a conflict of interest might arise.
It gives you an opportunity to gain some preliminary understanding of the work that might be involved and the cost to achieve your goal.
It also gives us an opportunity to determine whether we will work well together.
The free initial consultation is not designed for, nor does it permit, the giving of free legal advice.
Whether the consultation is done over the telephone, by e-mail, or in person, the simple fact that there has been a consultation does not mean that I am retained to act for you in any manner. To the contrary, I will only consider myself as being retained as your lawyer after there is a duly signed written retainer agreement and, if and when required by the written retainer agreement, receipt of the specified monetary retainer.
All of this helps to determine the exact terms of the relationship or, in some cases, the non-relationship. These conditions serve to protect both you and me.