what to ask a lawyer in an interview?

by Prof. Raleigh Gleichner 5 min read

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? – If you expect your case to go to...
  2. What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? – Before you dive in and begin spending money on a lawyer’s...
  3. What are the risks if the case does fail? – This is a good...

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?

Full Answer

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

The best answers demonstrate that the mistake made this candidate a better lawyer. If a mistake fails to come to mind, probe the candidate about regrets or misgivings. Tell me about a …

What questions should I ask during an interview?

Apr 21, 2021 · 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

What questions will you be asked 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? – If you expect your case to go to... 2. What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? – Before you dive in …

How to answer tough law school interview questions?

Jun 29, 2021 · Here are some example questions to choose from or to inspire others, which you can edit to suit a specific firm: What is this firm’s greatest strength, and why? How does the organization handle failure? Can you describe any team-building opportunities the firm hosts or supports? Can you detail for ...

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

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

How should I prepare for a lawyer interview?

How To Prepare For A Law Firm InterviewEtiquette and confidence are key. ... Dress for the job. ... Make your resume stand out from the crowd. ... Win them over with your writing samples. ... Know -- and promote -- your strengths. ... Get familiar before you go in. ... Tailor your approach to the position you're interviewing for.More items...•Jun 1, 2010

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

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interviewWhat do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ... What do you find most challenging about working for this organisation? ... How would you describe your organisation's culture? ... Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?More items...

How do you stand out in a law firm interview?

Six Ways to Stand Out at Your Law Firm InterviewDo 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.Oct 28, 2020

What are common interview questions?

10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer ThemCould you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? ... How did you hear about this position? ... What type of work environment do you prefer? ... How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? ... Do you prefer working independently or on a team?More items...•Nov 11, 2021

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 are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

The 5 Best Questions to Ask in An InterviewWhat do you expect from team members in this position? ... Will those expectations change over time? ... What is a typical day like at [company name]? ... Where do you see the company in five years? ... What are the next steps in the job process?

What are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer?

Best Questions to Ask the InterviewerHow would you describe the responsibilities of the position?What are you looking for in a candidate?What are the biggest challenges of this job?How would you describe a typical day in this position?What is the typical work week?Is overtime expected?More items...•Feb 14, 2018

What are the top 3 questions to ask an interviewer?

8 Questions To Ask An InterviewerQUESTION #1: What do the day-to-day responsibilities of the role look like?QUESTION #2: What are the company's values? ... QUESTION #3: What's your favorite part about working at the company?QUESTION #4: What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it?More items...•Mar 28, 2022

Can you tell me about yourself sample answer?

I've worked hard in my education and now I'm ready to apply my knowledge into practice. While I don't have any real-life work experience, I've had a lot of exposure to the business environment. A lot of my courses involved working with real companies to solve real problems.

How do you handle stressful work situations?

Common stress management strategies include:Staying positive.Using stress as a motivator.Accepting what you can't control.Practicing relaxation methods, like yoga or meditation.Choosing healthy habits.Learning how to manage time better.Making time for your personal life.More items...•Jun 29, 2021

What should I ask my partner in a law firm?

Questions to ask partners Does the US cultural influence make any difference on your day to day work? How involved are you with US lawyers on a typical case? Does this pose challenges regarding time zones? How involved is London in the firm's overall decision making?Dec 3, 2018

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 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.

How much does an estate lawyer charge per hour?

Depending on the lawyer and their firm, it could vary from a $100 per hour to $1000s per hour. Flat fee – These are an option for cases that are more predictable, such as the drawing up of an estate plan. If this is what they offer, make sure to ask whether or not there are services and expenses that aren’t covered.

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.

Can a tax lawyer help with divorce?

If you’re going through a divorce, a tax lawyer won’t be of much help. So, although you can obtain the services of a general practitioner of the law, it’s often better to select the best fit for your case. 2.

Why do you ask questions in a law firm interview?

Asking questions during a law firm interview matters because the answers provide you with helpful information about the firm and your potential role. Having questions prepared also shows the law firm your values, work ethic, and priorities. Preparing can help you appear more confident during your interview, as well.

Why is it important to prepare for an interview?

Preparing can help you appear more confident during your interview, as well. Relevant questions show your intelligence, analytical thinking skills, and initiative. Although it is a small step to take during your interview preparation, having questions establishes you as a strong candidate for the law firm.

How to communicate your desire to be part of a law firm?

To effectively communicate your desire to be part of a law team, you must prepare thoughtful questions in your interview. Asking these can help you gauge whether the firm is a good fit for you, and it sets you apart from other candidates. Let's look at some tips to consider when preparing questions to ask during a law firm interview, ...

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:

Commitment to Public Service

Why did you decide to switch from private sector to public interest work?

Key Questions to Ask your Interviewers

The following are types of questions to consider asking a prospective public interest employer. These kinds of questions should help you determine whether the job will be a good match for you.

Public Defender Interviewing Process

Interviewing for a public defender job is uniquely challenging — interviews can be confrontational, are frequently intense, and usually involve on-the-spot hypotheticals. Watch this video of OPIA and a panel of practicing public defenders to learn the nuts-and-bolts of effective PD interviewing.

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General Questions

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. T...
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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…
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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.
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