what are good questions to ask your lawyer attorney friends about career and life

by Prof. Hugh Wolff 8 min read

These are a selection of our favourite interview questions to ask Lawyers: Background: 1/. What is the most significant contribution you made to your previous employer? Motivation: 2/. Tell me what you know about our company?

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What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask a few questions about the lawyer's view of your case or situation. Five: What are the likely outcomes in my case? Lawyers are not fortune tellers. They should never guarantee a specific result. However, they should be able to give you a frank preliminary assessment of how your case is likely to play out. Six: What will the fees and expenses be?

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

Jul 18, 2019 · But personal development for lawyers is just as important—if not more so—than professional development goals. Your personal goals will help you keep your feet on the ground and will provide a means for achieving greater balance or harmony in your life. Consider goals around health such as diet or exercise.

What questions do lawyers ask their clients?

Tell me what you know about our company? What attracts you to our Firm? 3/. How do you define professional success? 4/. Give two examples of things you have done that demonstrate your strong work ethic. 5/. Describe a time when you know your performance was below average. What did you do about it?

How do I Ask an attorney a question?

5 Typical Attorney Interview Questions & Answers. At this point in the job application process, you have diligently worked towards finding an open position that seems to suit your strengths and specialized skills. This can be an exciting time, and one that leads to career advancements as an attorney. You have put in the work of crafting a ...

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What are some questions to ask someone about their career?

10 Questions To Ask Someone About Their Career
  • What has your career path been? ...
  • Why [this industry]? ...
  • What is your current role like? ...
  • What does an average week look like for you? ...
  • What are your career aspirations? ...
  • Do you feel like you're making a difference in your job?
•
Mar 15, 2021

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation
  • 1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?
  • 2) What would be your strategy for my case?
  • 3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?
  • 4) What are my possible outcomes?
  • 5) Who will actually handle my case?
  • 6) What is my role in my case?
•
Jan 29, 2017

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a Lawyer
  • What's your opinion of the probate process?
  • Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?
  • How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?
  • Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?
•
Jul 10, 2016

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include:
  • How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage? ...
  • What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? ...
  • What are the risks if the case does fail? ...
  • What are the odds of a settlement? ...
  • How long should I expect this to take?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.
  1. Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ...
  2. Be presentable and dress your best. ...
  3. Come prepared to ask questions. ...
  4. Be personable and show enthusiasm. ...
  5. Be genuine. ...
  6. Promptly send a thank-you note.
Oct 28, 2020

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a Lawyer
  • Have Your Documents Ready. ...
  • Research the Elements of Your Case. ...
  • Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ...
  • You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ...
  • Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ...
  • Don't Provide Too Much Information. ...
  • Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.
•
Feb 6, 2020

What are common behavioral interview questions?

What's a Behavioral Interview Question?
  • Give us an example of a goal you failed to meet, and how you handled the situation.
  • Tell us about a time when you solved a problem at your job that wasn't part of your job description.
  • Tell us of a time when you took a risky decision and it didn't pay off.
Sep 2, 2021

What lawyers should not tell?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your Lawyer
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ...
  • I have already done some of the work for you. ...
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ...
  • Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.
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Mar 17, 2021

How do I talk to my lawyer for the first time?

How to Talk to a Lawyer
  1. Be patient. When you talk to your lawyer, she hears your story for the first time. ...
  2. Be prepared. You will need to describe what has happened and what you are hoping your lawyer can do for you. ...
  3. Be honest. ...
  4. Be specific. ...
  5. Be concise. ...
  6. Ask questions.

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

7 good questions to ask at an interview
  • Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ...
  • How could I impress you in the first three months? ...
  • Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ...
  • Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?

What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interview
  • What do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ...
  • How would you describe your organisation's culture? ...
  • Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide? ...
  • What have past employees done to succeed in this position?

What questions should I ask a legal recruiter?

Legal Recruiting: 5 Questions You Can't Forget to Ask
  • Describe an instance when a high-pressure situation tested the strength of your integrity. ...
  • Have you ever made a decision you later regretted? ...
  • Describe your greatest professional accomplishments. ...
  • Describe the nature of your interactions with regulators.
•
Apr 14, 2015

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

What is the best way to become an attorney?

Self-control and discipline. Being an attorney and owning your own law firm requires self-control and discipline for success. Achieving your goals builds character, teaching you the importance of showing up—especially on those days that feel particularly grueling. Better and faster results.

What are the goals of an attorney?

The first goal most attorneys define is financial, often around law firm revenue or annual salary. Financial goals are important, but they only scrape the tip of the iceberg when it comes to setting goals for your law firm. Also consider setting goals around the client experience, client satisfaction, technology use, marketing efforts, organizational development, and community impact.

What is the first step in personal development?

The first step in laying the foundation for successful personal development is to gain clarity around the vague ideas you have floating in your head. With clarity comes: A long-term vision. Your vision is the ultimate goal or your purpose for doing what you do.

What is a long term vision?

A long-term vision. Your vision is the ultimate goal or your purpose for doing what you do. Goals help you live out your vision, allowing you to create small milestones to get you there. Short-term motivation. The whirlwind of daily life often blurs one’s vision.

How many hours do business owners spend a week?

Research shows that business owners can spend up to 21.8 hours a week doing things that contribute little to zero value to their business. When you have goals to meet, your productivity increases and you save precious time.

What does smart mean in goals?

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. According to Brian Tracy, well known international author and speaker, SMART goals “are able to address all of the flaws associated with regular goals to provide you with a set of goals that will give you the maximum possible benefit.”.

How to set goals for your life?

Choose goals that tie back to your vision and overall career and personal life plans. Do not fall victim to the whims of others or to fads of the time. Stick with what feels right and fits well. Time ly. A goal is not a goal unless it is time-bound. Set a deadline for every goal you define.

General questions

These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture:

Questions about experience and background

These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role:

In-depth questions

An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role.

Sample interview questions and answers

Review these sample interview questions and answers to form your own responses:

Law firm interview tips

Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner:

5 Attorney Interview Questions & Answers

1. As an attorney, you will need to deal with clients in a way that makes them feel comfortable disclosing personal and often uncomfortable information with you. How do you plan on maintaining your professionalism?

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Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.

What aspect of the daily job of being a lawyer interests you the most?

Every lawyer has strengths and weaknesses. Some attorneys do things better than others. This question will test what a lawyer believes that they are good at and what interests them. If they indicate that they dislike a critical basic area of the job, it can help you determine where they would be a good fit in your company.

Have you ever worked on a case that was hard not to take home with you? How did you handle the situation?

Depending on the type of law they practice, lawyers may have to work on cases that evoke emotions like those in family cases or criminal trials. This question allows an interviewer to gauge a candidate's ability to maintain their mental health when working on particularly difficult cases.

My 10 Favorite Questions to Ask Clients

What are you unclear about in your life, that if you figured it out, would make the biggest difference?

How You Can Use These Wringers

Take the time to ask yourself each of these and write out your answers. Be honest with yourself. Self-honesty is one of the most challenging, revealing, and rewarding personal growth activities.

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Adam Gragg is a life & career coach, speaker, and family therapist. He’s skilled at helping families and workplace teams thrive. He specializes in life transitions, career issues, marriage and family counseling, and helping people overcome anxiety and depression.

What are the duties of a criminal defense attorney?

Criminal Law – Handles issues pertaining to individual liberty and behaviors that may be considered illegal under U.S. criminal codes.#N#Defense Attorney – Defend the accused of their crimes as is their constitutional right.#N#Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party. 1 Defense Attorney – Defend the accused of their crimes as is their constitutional right. 2 Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party.

What is the job of a prosecuting attorney?

Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party. Entertainment Law – Deals with issues largely related to Intellectual Property law, rights, royalties, and contracts. Environmental Law – Enforces regulations, statutes, treaties, or conventions according to state or federal laws.

What is statutory fee?

Statutory fee – Some forms of legal work have legally set fees involved. Once you’ve gone over payment, request an estimate of total cost. Although, in many cases, it’s impossible to give you an on-the-number appraisal, having a ballpark figure can help you determine if you can afford it and then budget accordingly. 6.

How to round up an interview?

A good way to round up your interview is by taking the opportunity to ask some questions of your own. 'Ask questions that indicate that you are interested in progression and building a long term career with the employer,' advises Louise.

What do recruiters want to hear?

In the majority of instances there is no right or wrong answer - so don't panic. Recruiters simply want to hear how you think through an issue. Talk through your response to demonstrate logical thinking and conversational ability and back it up with an explanation. Similar types of questions include:

What is commercial awareness?

When asked, legal recruiters say that commercial awareness is one of the most important skills that a candidate can possess. Your response needs to prove that you have an understanding of industry, regulatory, economic, cultural and social issues, as well as company identity and structure.

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General Questions

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These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture: 1. What adjectives would your friends use to describe you? 2. What are your biggest strengths? 3. How do you handle feedback? 4. What is your biggest acco…
See more on indeed.com

Questions About Experience and Background

  • These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role: 1. What was your favorite course in law school and why? 2. Tell me about a case you were lead on that substantially broadened your knowledge of the legal field. 3. Which extracurricular groups were you involved in during law school? 4. Tell me about your law school i…
See more on indeed.com

In-Depth Questions

  • An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role. 1. How do you build trust with a client? 2. How would you keep clients informed about the status of their cases…
See more on indeed.com

Law Firm Interview Tips

  • Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner: 1. Familiarize yourself with recent court rulings. 2. Research the law firm. 3. Bring examples of papers you've written.
See more on indeed.com