what to ask a lawyer during an informational interview

SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS . The Organization and the State of the Industry • What characteristics does a successful attorney have at this organization? • What are the current trends/changes you have seen in this practice area? • What developments on the horizon do you see affecting the practice area in the future? •

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What are some questions to ask a lawyer in an interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include: 1. How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage?

What are some good questions to ask during an informational interview?

Below are several questions to consider asking a professional during your next informational interview: 1. Why did you decide to work in this industry? The question is a great way to get to know your interviewee and understand whether your goals and motivations align.

What topics should I review in my interview with an attorney?

The following are general topics of discussion you should review with any attorney you sit down to interview regardless of the particulars of your case. 1. Are you a generalist or a specialist?

What information should I provide my potential lawyer?

Prior to that, you should thoroughly brief your potential attorney as to the details and context surrounding of your case. The more information you provide, the better they’ll be able to expound upon the various legal matters. 1. How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage?

What questions should I ask in an informational interview?

Questions To Ask: Informational InterviewWhat are your main responsibilities as a...?What is a typical day (or week) like for you?What do you like most about your work?What do you like least about your work?What kinds of problems do you deal with?What kinds of decisions do you make?More items...

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?

What should I ask at an informational interview consultant?

Here are 10 great questions you can ask:What drew you to the management consulting industry?What has been your favorite case team to work on and why?Did anything surprise you about [Firm] when you started working there?I noticed on LinkedIn that [you worked in x office or on a case in y industry].More items...

What should you avoid asking in an informational interview?

Two questions you should never ask in an information interview: Avoid asking if the employer or company is hiring right now. Avoid asking any questions you could have easily answered for yourself with a bit of research.

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

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

What questions should I ask my lawyer mentor?

Questions to Ask Your Mentor How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing? How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney? What is a typical work day like for you? What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?

What are the five common mistakes you should avoid in an informational interview?

10 Killer Mistakes To Avoid in an Informational InterviewArrive too early. Don't come more than five minutes before an appointment. ... Dress down. Offices are much less formal these days. ... Forget your resume. ... Fail to prepare. ... Walk in without a goal. ... Have no ask. ... Ask for a job. ... Assume unlimited time.More items...

How many questions should you ask in an informational interview?

5-7 questionsBecause most informational interviews last 30 minutes, you won't have time to ask all of the questions. Choose 5-7 questions that are most important to you. First it is helpful to build a rapport with your contact person and find out more about his/her background.

How do you conduct yourself before an informational interview?

Give a brief overview of yourself and your education and/or work background. Be prepared to direct the interview, but also let the conversation flow naturally and encourage the interviewee to do most of the talking. Respect the person's time. Limit the meeting to the agreed-upon timeframe.

Should you take notes during an informational interview?

And finally, take notes during your conversation. Your contact will appreciate the fact that you respect their advice. Write down key points you don't want to forget, but don't let your note taking distract from the flow of your conversation.

Should you dress up for an informational interview?

You wear appropriate business attire to an informational interview. An informational interview should be treated as seriously as a regular interview. You will be in a business environment and might meet key decision makers, so you want to come across as prepared and professional.

How long should an informational interview take?

20 to 30 minutesAn informational interview is a brief meeting between a person who wants to investigate a career and a person working in that career. The interviews usually last 20 to 30 minutes at the most. The purpose of an informational interview is not to get a job.

How to find the right lawyer for my case?

Finding the right representation takes time. You need to thoroughly weigh your options and do everything in your power to enlist the best law firm for your particular case . To provide further clarity, you must ask poignant questions such as those discussed above. Their answers will help you decipher whether they’re a good match according to personality, suitability, experience, reputation, and temperament.

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 mistakes did I make as an entrepreneur?

One of the biggest mistakes I made early on as an entrepreneur was hiring cheap lawyers or not using an expensive lawyer nearly enough, thinking I was saving money for my business. But over the years, the school of hard knocks taught me just how expensive cheap legal help can be.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Hourly rate – This the most common fee associated. Depending on the lawyer and their firm, it could vary from a $100 per hour to $1000s per hour.

What does a defense attorney do?

Defense Attorney – Defend the accused of their crimes as is their constitutional right.

Is a lawyer a generalist or a specialist?

1. Are you a generalist or a specialist? – Since the legal field covers a broad swath of industries and subject matters, it’s exceedingly rare to find a lawyer who’s well versed in several sects of law. Typically, as is the case for most professionals, they tend to specialize and focus on a specific legal field.

Do lawyers go to court?

You might be surprised by the fact that a significant majority of lawyers never go to court. TV might have you believe that 99% of a lawyer’s time takes place in the midst of a trial, wherein they wax poetic soliloquies, convince jurors, and outrage judges with their antics; but in truth, the vast majority of lawsuits wind up in a settlement. As a result, even your average litigator won’t spend a substantial portion of their time in the courtroom.

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.

How to get to know someone you're interviewing?

Get to know more about the person you're interviewing and their company. Find information via company websites, professional profiles, videos and other types of media. This information will inform the type of questions you ask.

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 ...

Why is the question important in an interview?

The question is a great way to get to know your interviewee and understand whether your goals and motivations align.

How long does an informational interview last?

Informational interviews generally last for 20 to 25 minutes in person, or they can take place via email.

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.

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 .

Do professionals keep their salary private?

Many professionals may opt to keep information about their own salaries private, but they may offer general information about pay, like average salaries or standard earnings for entry-level employees.

Craft a Professional Email

Spend time crafting a professional email to the individuals that interest you. Below I provide a template from themuse.com.

Come with Questions

Have some preset questions to open the conversation. Once again, here are some sample questions.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

An effective informational interview involves dialogue. With that said, some questions you should be prepared to answer. Remember, during the informational interview you’re also being interviewed.

Why is it important to ask questions about other employees?

This question is valuable because it opens the possibility for you to engage in additional career conversations that can increase your social capital and broaden your opportunities to earn positions in the hidden job market (positions that are not advertised online). Based on your interests, you can ask about other employees at the same company, professionals in a specific field, or people with a similar set of life experiences who share some of your interests. This question should be asked toward the end of the conversation.

Why do you ask a question about your career?

This question will push the other person to share the most relevant details of their career path and how they ended up in their current job. It also shows that you did some research about their background and education. Asking this question gives you a view into the key decisions and steppingstones that propelled them to where they are today (and how you can get there, too).

What is it called when you talk to someone about your career?

These chats are often called “informational interviews, ” or, as I like to say, “career conversations.”

What is career conversation?

Career conversations are a means to informally learn about roles, organizations, and industries. They’re also a strategic way to develop internal advocates, provide you knowledge needed to land positions you are seeking, and be referred into formal interview processes.

What Work is Like

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

State of the Industry

9. Is this field growing enough so that there's room for someone like me? 10. Are too many or too few people entering this profession? 11. What developments on the horizon could affect future opportunities? 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? 19. What is the advancement potential in the field? What is a typical path? 20. How did you get your job? 21. If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why? 22.

Skills and Experience

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

Fitting In

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