what questions a lawyer would ask a client

Here are nine interview questions you should ask potential clients and why asking them matters: #1: Why did you come in today? Of the hundreds (or even thousands) of attorneys in your area, this potential client chose to contact you. Find out why they chose you, what about your firm attracted them to you.

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Nov 28, 2019 · Below are five questions that you should expect from your lawyer during your first meeting. 1. What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. This includes the circumstances that forced you to file the suit. When answering this question, be as honest as possible.

What questions should I Ask an attorney?

What questions would a lawyer ask?

What questions should your clients be asking?

What concerns must an attorney have when interviewing a client?

Conducting the lawyer-client interviewMake the client feel comfortable. ... Observe non-verbal communication. ... Listen, listen, listen during your initial consultation. ... Integrate with your practice management software. ... Track potential clients by their stage in the client intake process.More items...•Oct 4, 2021

How do lawyers advise clients?

As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters.

What are the questions asked in client interview?

Client Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to AnswerWhat Are Your Prices? ... What's Your Working Process? ... What Happens if We're Not Happy With Your Work? ... What Experience Do You Have? ... Why Do You Think We're a Good Fit? ... What Value Can You Bring to Our Business?Nov 9, 2015

How do lawyers interact with clients?

Lawyers are always communicating with their clients. Sometimes, lawyers communicate more with a tone of voice, a facial expression, a body position, or a lack of contact than with the accompanying words and phrases. Clients often feel angry or anxious after not hearing from their lawyer for a period of time.Oct 11, 2017

What are the four responsibilities of lawyers?

DutiesAdvise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters.Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case.Conduct research and analysis of legal problems.Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.More items...•Sep 8, 2021

What are the five functions of lawyer?

The Essential Functions of the Great Advocate counseling - ... Advocacy - ... Improving his profession, the courts and law - ... Unselfish Leader of public opinion - ... Proactive to accept responsibility -

What are 10 questions to ask?

Break the ice and get to know people better by selecting several of these get-to-know-you questions.Who is your hero?If you could live anywhere, where would it be?What is your biggest fear?What is your favorite family vacation?What would you change about yourself if you could?What really makes you angry?More items...

How do you pass a client interview?

7 Tips to Pass a Client InterviewMake sure that you have a fast, stable internet connection and a good microphone. ... Research about your client. ... Be honest about EVERYTHING on your resume and portfolio. ... Don't be afraid to highlight your accomplishments and showcase your skills. ... Ask them some questions.More items...•Jul 10, 2018

What is client interview in law?

Open ended questions The main purpose of client interviewing is to encourage the free flow of expression of the client's problem, his/her concerns and feelings. Therefore, you should allow the client to narrate his/her problem with least interference.

How do you communicate with clients?

6 Tactics For Effective Client CommunicationHave an Emotional Connect with the Client. ... Keep the Communication Concise, Clear and Context-driven. ... Keep A Check on the Tone. ... Use Emphasis and Subordination Appropriately. ... Be an Active Listener. ... Use a Client Communication Tool.

What communication skills do lawyers need?

Communication skills for lawyers are essential because communication shapes the way a client sees the attorney and the firm.Communicate Clearly and Often. ... Set Your Expectations. ... Improve Listening Skills. ... Show Curiosity and Bring Value. ... Sound Counsel. ... Avoid Unnecessary Automation. ... Prepare You Speech.More items...•Sep 20, 2021

What are some best practices for communicating effectively with clients?

10 Best Practices in Customer CommunicationAim at the right target. ... Keep your promise to be available. ... Do not assume all customers want the same thing. ... Speak your customer's language. ... Know the ropes. ... Avoid close-ended responses. ... Keep calm. ... Address the customer's issue.More items...

What to do when asking lawyer interview questions?

The best thing you can do when asking your lawyer-client interview questions during your initial consultation is just listen. This is the time when the client should be doing most of the talking. Follow client communication best practices and try to avoid cutting them off or filling in pauses.

Why is client interview important?

The client interview is part of your overall client intake process, so it’s important to track it for efficiency and ensure that no potential clients get missed. If you’re using online client intake software, you can easily track and see a potential client’s status in stages (for example, “needs a follow up”).

How to conduct a conflict check?

Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check 1 Pre-screen: Before you book the interview, have a set pre-screening process. Ask for basic information (for example, via an intake questionnaire) to help you decide if the client may (or may not) be a fit for your firm. You can make this process simpler for the client by using an online intake forms tool, like Clio Grow. 2 Conflict check: You’ll also want to do a conflict check before proceeding to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or other reasons that will prevent you from working with someone. Here again, an online intake tool can make this easier for you and the client. Clio Grow, for example, can be part of a robust conflict check process.

What to do after reviewing client file?

Once you’ve reviewed the client’s file, prepare your questions for the client, and take some time to anticipate questions that the client may have for you. We’ll discuss more on what answers (for clients) lawyers should prep for before the interview below.

What should be the first step in a client interview?

Review the client’s file. The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.

How to make a client feel comfortable?

You may deal with the law every day, but pursuing a legal issue can be stressful, draining, and even scary for potential clients. With this in mind, do your best to be emotionally sensitive and make them feel as at ease as possible.

Is it bad to not show up for an interview?

Especially if you’ve taken the time to thoroughly prepare for the interview, there’s nothing worse than a no-show. While some no-shows are unavoidable, often a simple confirmation email and a reminder can ensure your potential client makes the meeting.

Lawyer-Client Relations: Socrates Was On to Something

Case in point: Your first meeting with a new client. There will never be a better or more important time to ask all sorts of questions. At this meeting, it should be your No. 1 priority to launch what you hope will be a long, productive relationship to achieve the best lawyer-client relations, by learning all you can upfront.

1. Why did you come to me?

In Colorado, where I live, 632 people just passed the 2014 state bar exam. That brings us to a total of 21,726 active lawyers here. And this is one of those big square empty states. Just imagine how many lawyers a client can choose from in other places.

3. What worries you most about this matter?

The answer to this will tell you so much about the person you are dealing with, as well as the dynamics you should expect. If the answer is something like “that your services will be too expensive,” or “that I don’t know what this is going to cost,” you’ve been put on notice to over-communicate about money.

4. Have you ever worked with a lawyer before?

If this is his first time, you will know to be gentle. More than that, you will know that you must guide this client through the experience, to serve as the host or narrator so it’s always clear what is going on.

5. How would you like me to communicate with you?

Depending on the focus of your practice, one-size-fits-all communication with your clients may not be a good idea. If you have any room at all for flexibility, it will improve the experience for clients and you if you can tailor how you communicate to meet the client’s needs and preferences. (Give it a good hard think.

What does it mean when a client tells you that they chose your law firm because you came highly recommended?

However, if a client tells you that they chose your law firm because you came highly recommended then you know that quality is a high priority to the client. The answer to this question can also give you insight into what a client is expecting. For example, if the client says they were impressed by your guarantee of fast communication then you know ...

What is a lawyer/client relationship?

Creating a strong lawyer/client relationship is about timely delivery and stellar service, but it’s also about understanding your client and their needs and never making assumptions. Creating a strong lawyer/client relationship is about timely delivery and stellar service, but it’s also about understanding your client and their needs ...

Why do clients choose law firms?

If they tell you that your firm was chosen because you’re cheaper, you know that funding their legal needs is a primary issue . However, if a client tells you that they chose your law firm because you came highly recommended then you know that quality is a high priority to the client. The answer to this question can also give you insight into what a client is expecting. For example, if the client says they were impressed by your guarantee of fast communication then you know that they expect fast responses to questions. Keep track of the important reasons the client gives for choosing your law firm and let those answers inform how you handle your relationship with them.

Before The Lawyer-Client Interview

• Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check
  As our guide to client intake for law firms explains, an important part of an effective client intake processis to take steps to ensure that a potential client is a good fit before moving forward. Not every legal issue will be a good fit for you, your practice area, workload, and firm size. But that’s …
• Review the client’s file
  The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.

See more on clio.com

What Lawyer-Client Interview Questions Should You Ask Potential Clients?

What Answers to Client Questions Should Lawyers Prepare for?

Conducting The Lawyer-Client Interview

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