what are some question you would ask your lawyer if you were his secrectary

by Baron Rutherford 5 min read

What questions should I ask when hiring a criminal defense attorney?

A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate's experience and knowledge of different types of legal documents. What to look for in an answer: Experience preparing different types of legal documents. Willingness to further their training. Ability to …

What do you need to know when hiring a legal secretary?

This question can help you gauge the attorney’s moral compass and the strength of their convictions. 11. Who is your favorite fictional lawyer? This question may be unorthodox, but an attorney’s answer is actually a great indicator of how they see themselves and their role. Is their idol a fighter? A thoughtful judge? A power-hungry potentate?

Can I force my lawyer to reveal confidential information?

What should I look for when hiring a lawyer?

What questions should I ask at a legal secretary interview?

17 Legal Secretary Interview Questions and Answers
  • What is your experience working with attorneys and judges? ...
  • What kind of legal transcription experience do you have? ...
  • What makes a successful legal secretary? ...
  • How would you handle an upset or angry client? ...
  • How advanced are your time management and multitasking skills?

What makes you a good fit for a legal secretary?

Legal secretaries need to have strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills, as they speak to clients, law enforcement, attorneys and judges on a daily basis. You'll want a legal secretary who conveys messages between your attorneys and others in a positive and professional manner.

What questions should I ask a legal counsel?

Role-specific questions

What interests you about being a legal counsel for our industry? What do you hope to achieve by working at our company? What experience or training has prepared you for this position? Describe your proudest accomplishments in your legal career.

What are some questions an attorney might ask a new client?

What Questions do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?
  • What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. ...
  • What do you hope to accomplish? ...
  • How do you want us to communicate? ...
  • Why did you choose me? ...
  • Are you comfortable with my rates?
Nov 28, 2019

How do I prepare for a legal secretary interview?

Legal Secretary Job Interview Questions
  1. “Why this firm / area of law?”
  2. “How do you stay organised / prioritise various tasks?”
  3. “Tell us about a time you demonstrated excellent customer service.”
  4. “How would you handle X…?”
  5. “Describe a tough case in which you have participated.”
•
Jan 29, 2020

Why do u want to work at this law firm?

Why do you want to work in a law firm? Working in a firm will expose me to many practice areas and different partners and associates. I'll grow and learn the most in a firm environment. I want to learn different areas of law because I feel I'm too young to commit myself to one specialty.

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Lawyer
  • What's Your Experience? ...
  • What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? ...
  • What Will This Cost? ...
  • Can You Charge Me A Flat-Rate Fee? ...
  • Where's My Contract? ...
  • Can I Avoid Going To Court?
Sep 5, 2019

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 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.
•
Mar 17, 2021

What questions should I ask in a first client interview?

Here are nine interview questions you should ask potential clients and why asking them matters:
  • #1: Why did you come in today? ...
  • #2: Have you ever worked with an attorney before? ...
  • #3: Why did you decide to pursue this matter? ...
  • #4: How can I help you? ...
  • #5: Tell me about your case.
•
Oct 28, 2019

What are the questions asked in client interview?

Potential Client Interview Questions to Ask
  • Before we started working together, what were you trying to do? ...
  • What did you want? ...
  • What are your expectations? ...
  • What was your fear? ...
  • How did the other people involved in the decision all feel about this? ...
  • What is your overall budget and projected starting date of the project?

How do you answer a question like a lawyer?

Do Not Exaggerate. Specifically, do not make over-broad statements that you may have to correct. Be particularly careful in responding to a question that begins “Wouldn't you agree that . . .?” The explanation should be in your own words; do not let an attorney put words in your mouth. Explain your answer if necessary.Mar 3, 2014

Can an attorney handle auto accidents?

For instance, if you need someone who specializes in auto accidents, then he/she should be able to handle it. The attorney should also be able to provide evidence of being successful at taking on those cases.

What is a personal injury attorney?

When seeking out a personal injury attorney, it is essential that you come prepared not only with your personal documents related to your case, but questions for that attorney.

What do legal secretaries need to know?

A: Legal secretaries need to have strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills, as they speak to clients, law enforcement, attorneys and judges on a daily basis. You’ll want a legal secretary who conveys messages between your attorneys and others in a positive and professional manner.

What is a legal secretary?

A: A legal secretary multitasks and is organized and detail-oriented. Legal secretaries often complete expense reports for attorneys, set up travel arrangements and manage billing requirements for the firm.

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...

Do clients understand the legal fee arrangement?

Clients must understand the legal fee arrangement at the outset of the representation. You should ask your lawyers to clarify any questions you may have prior to the start of the representation.

Why is it important to have an open line of communication with your attorney?

An open line of communication with your attorney is important so that you can obtain case updates throughout the process.

Do substantive decisions require your approval?

The litigation process may require some procedural decisions which the attorneys may handle, but substantive decisions will require your approval. The client has the right to be apprised of decisions regarding their case.

If you're dissatisfied with your lawyer, this article will help you determine whether your complaints are reasonable

If you're dissatisfied with your lawyer, this article will help you determine whether your complaints are reasonable.

Communication With Your Lawyer

Communication problems create problems in all types of relationships—including between an attorney and client. If you don't know what's going on in your lawsuit, you might assume you have a bad lawyer. To the contrary, your attorney could be doing a great job.

Your Right to Attorney Competence

It's a big shock to most people that there is no guarantee that your lawyer will do a good job. Bar associations tasked with monitoring attorneys go after lawyers who steal or violate specific ethical rules—not lawyers who just aren't very good.

Your Lawyer Should be Ethical

Each state has ethical laws that bind lawyers. Commonly, these rules require lawyers to:

You Should Understand the Legal Fees

When you hire a lawyer, it's important that your fee agreement is in writing and that you understand it. It's a simple way to avoid a common cause of contention with clients—the legal bills.

Can a lawyer disclose confidential information?

This means that your lawyer cannot reveal any information that you disclose to him or her in confidence, unless you give your express permission. Except for some very limited exceptions, even a court of law can’t force your lawyer to reveal the content of your discussions.

What happens if a lawyer violates the rules?

If your lawyer violates these rules, he or she can be disciplined or even face a legal malpractice suit.

How to sign a retainer agreement?

If you signed a retainer agreement when your hired your lawyer, it may include specific duties that you owe your lawyer. Because the retainer agreement is a contract, you are legally bound by its terms. In general, clients have the following duties: 1 Be truthful with your lawyer. 2 Cooperate with your lawyer and respond to requests for information in a timely manner. 3 Attend meetings and legal proceedings, such as a deposition or mediation. 4 Be courteous to your lawyer and his or her team. 5 Don’t ask your lawyer to do anything illegal or unethical. 6 Pay your legal bills in a timely manner.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

Although the rules vary from state to state, there are some basic duties that lawyers often have. For example, your lawyer must: 1 represent you competently, zealously, and within the bounds of the law 2 keep conversations with you confidential, except in specific and rare occasions 3 communicate with you in a timely and effective manner 4 keep you informed of developments in your case 5 obtain your approval before agreeing to a settlement or other resolution of your case 6 avoid conflicts of interest, such as representing another client whose interests oppose yours 7 keep your personal funds in an escrow account for you, separate from the lawyer’s own funds or other client funds, and 8 return your money or property upon request, including your client file.

Is the internet secure?

The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. When you seek advice or representation from a lawyer, that lawyer is bound by strict standards of professional responsibility. Among other things, your lawyer must act in your best interests and keep your communications ...

What are the rules of professional conduct?

Each state has its own ethical rules for lawyers, called the rules of professional conduct. When lawyers fail to live up to this code of conduct, the state disciplinary board can take action against them—from a simple warning to disbarment (losing the license to practice law forever).

How to represent you in court?

represent you competently, zealously, and within the bounds of the law. keep conversations with you confidential, except in specific and rare occasions. communicate with you in a timely and effective manner. keep you informed of developments in your case.

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.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

Can a lawyer take your money?

While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

What is the difference between a lawyer and a client?

Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Do juries get it right?

While juries usually get it right, sometimes, it's not about whether a particular matter is emotional or simple, complicated or straightforward. Sometimes people make decisions on who has the nicer suit, or who is more pleasant to deal with. So even if your case is good or even if it's not so strong.