How do I write a timeline of events for my lawyer?

List each event on its own row in date order with the date, a one-sentence factual description, who was involved, and the document that proves it. Keep opinions and arguments out.

How far back should my timeline go?

Start from the beginning of the relationship (often the contract or first deal) through today. Your lawyer can tell you what to trim; it's easier to cut than to reconstruct.

Free templates

Litigation Timeline Template: Build a Chronology for Your Lawyer

A litigation timeline, also called a chronology, lists every event in your dispute in date order: who did what, when, and how you know. It's the spine of every case.

Rebuilding the timeline is one of the most common things clients pay their lawyers to do, often more than once. You already know the story. Writing it down properly, with a source for each event, means your lawyer starts from your timeline instead of building their own at hourly rates.

Free download: Litigation timeline (CSV for Excel or Google Sheets)

When you need it

Before your first consultation, so the lawyer can evaluate your case quickly.
Before a demand letter, mediation or deposition.
When a new lawyer or associate joins your case.

The columns

Date: As exact as you can. If unsure, give your best estimate and mark it approx.
Event: One factual sentence: who did what. No opinions.
People: Who was involved.
Source: The evidence ID that proves it (E-014), or "memory" if nothing does yet.
Certainty: Confirmed, approx or memory only.
Why it matters: Optional. One line on why you think it's important.

Example (fictional)

Date	Event	People	Source	Certainty
2026-02-03	Owner and supplier sign the supply agreement for 500 units by May 30.	Owner; supplier CEO	E-001	confirmed
2026-05-14	Supplier emails that delivery will slip to June 3.	Supplier account manager	E-002	confirmed
2026-05-20	Phone call: owner says the delay will cost a customer order.	Owner; account manager	memory	memory only

Build it faster with Claude or ChatGPT

Ask your lawyer before pasting case documents into any AI tool, and check every row against the source. How to use legal AI safely.

I'm organizing records for my own lawyer. Below are emails from a business dispute. Extract every event as a table with columns: Date | Event (one factual sentence, who did what) | People | Source (the email's date, sender and subject). Facts only: no opinions, no legal conclusions, no guessing. If a date is unclear, write "unclear". Do not give legal advice.

[paste emails]

Tips

Start with 10 to 20 anchor events (contract signed, first problem, key meetings, demand letter), then fill in from documents.
Mark events you only remember as "memory" and note who else was there. Those are questions for your lawyer, not gaps to paper over.
Include the facts that hurt you.
Never calculate court deadlines from your timeline. Your lawyer owns deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

How do I write a timeline of events for my lawyer?: List each event on its own row in date order with the date, a one-sentence factual description, who was involved, and the document that proves it. Keep opinions and arguments out.
How far back should my timeline go?: Start from the beginning of the relationship (often the contract or first deal) through today. Your lawyer can tell you what to trim; it's easier to cut than to reconstruct.

An organizing tool, not legal advice. Legal HQ is not a law firm. Example rows are fictional. Ask a lawyer licensed where you are about your situation and any deadlines.