what to ask a lawyer during an informal interview

1. Are you a generalist or a specialist? – Since the legal field covers a broad swath of industries and subject matters,...
2. How long have you practiced law? – This is a critical question to ask a lawyer because it takes years of time and...
3. Do you have previous experience handling a case, project, or a company such as mine? – It’s not just the amount of...

Full Answer

What should you ask during a law firm interview?

1. Are you a generalist or a specialist? – Since the legal field covers a broad swath of industries and subject matters,... 2. How long have you practiced law? – This is a critical question to ask a lawyer because it takes years of time and... 3. Do you have previous experience handling a case, ...

How to ask for an informational interview?

What to look for in an answer: Passion for different areas of the law. Ability to engage in all job-related activities. Evidence of diligence and motivation. Example: “I enjoy the daily aspects of both the legal research of being a lawyer as well as being able …

What to look for in a good lawyer?

Ask the interviewer if the firm looks favorably upon pro bono projects. Ask if they encourage associates to do more than 50+ hours of pro bono cases a year.

How do you ask good interview questions?

Ask engaging and insightful questions . Your goal is to learn more about the industry, the practice area, and the typical duties of an attorney at the organization. Keep your questions professional, but this is an opportune forum to ask about daily responsibilities, work-life balance, and new trends that may exist in the industry.

What questions should I ask at an informal interview?

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

How do you impress a law firm interview question?

How do you introduce yourself in an informational interview?

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

What are the best interview questions to ask?

How do you stand out in a law interview?

How do you sell yourself in a law firm interview?

How do you impress a lawyer?

What should I talk about in an informal interview?

How do you ace an informal interview?

What should you never do in an informational interview?

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 do new associates do?

Therefore, many larger firms pair new associates with more experienced ones, and the new associates mostly conduct legal research or writing, and assist in trial preparation and other mundane tasks. In contrast, when you work with a medium or larger firm, you may have to wear many hats. For instance, you may conduct legal research, write briefs, ...

How does constructive criticism help you?

Constructive criticism can help you improve and make you a better attorney. Understanding how criticism is administered and how often you’ll be evaluated and by whom will help you prepare for performance reviews. It will also help you understand the law firm’s overall expectations so you can exceed those expectations.

How to thank the interviewer?

You should thank the interviewer right after the interview and later in a thank you note. In your message, list one or two things you learned during the interview. This is a courtesy that can help you leave a good impression on the interviewee.

What is informational interview?

Informational interviews are a great way to learn more about a company, industry or profession. While there are many online resources to understand the average salary and common responsibilities of various career paths, having a personal conversation with someone who has experienced it first-hand can offer you a unique perspective ...

Should you research your interviewee ahead of time?

While you should research your interviewee ahead of time, they may reveal more personally meaningful or unreported accomplishments when answering this question. You might learn specific ways to set yourself apart from other applicants in the future .

What Work is Like

1. Could you describe one of your typical workdays?#N#2. What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?#N#3. What parts of your job do you find most challenging?#N#4. What do find most enjoyable?#N#5. Are there any negatives to your job?#N#6. How many hours do you work in a typical week?#N#7.

State of the Industry

9. Is this field growing enough so that there's room for someone like me?#N#10. Are too many or too few people entering this profession?#N#11. What developments on the horizon could affect future opportunities?#N#12. This industry has changed dramatically in the past five years.

Money and Advancement

18. What would be a reasonable salary range to expect if I entered this field? What is the long-term potential?#N#19. What is the advancement potential in the field? What is a typical path?#N#20. How did you get your job?#N#21. If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why?#N#22.

Skills and Experience

24. What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?#N#25. What qualifications do you seek in a new hire?#N#26. How do most people enter this profession?#N#27. Which of my skills are strong compared to other job hunters in this field?#N#28.

Fitting In

31. Do you think my objective is clearly stated, realistic and achievable?#N#32. Considering my background, how well do you think I would fit in this company and/or profession?#N#33. How does your company compare with others we've discussed?#N#34.

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is an informative meeting held with someone about a specific position, company, or field you have an interest in and want to learn more about. It should be a safe environment where you are free to ask questions and gain insightful feedback.

How long should an informational interview last?

It is not considered a job interview and typically shouldn’t last longer than thirty minutes at most . It’s not a traditional job interview wherein your objective is to be hired for a specific job. Informational interviews are vital because they:

Why is informational interview important?

Informational interviews are vital because they: Create an opportunity to learn, grow and obtain firsthand knowledge about a person, company or industry.

How to improve interpersonal skills?

Boost your interpersonal skills by engaging in a conversation, actively listening and asking engaging, intelligent questions. Before you ask for an informational interview, you should do preparatory research about the position, the company and the person you are meeting and create compelling questions to ask them to make the most out of the meeting.