what to ask client in interview lawyer

by Pierre Labadie I 7 min read

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. ...
  2. Have you ever worked with an attorney before? If this is the first time the potential client has ever set foot in a lawyer’s office, know that if you ...
  3. Why did you decide to pursue this matter? This question will allow you to find out how serious the client is about bringing legal action and allow them to ...
  4. How can I help you? Asking this question will demonstrate to the potential client that you are willing to put their priorities ahead of your own. ...
  5. Tell me about your case. Instead of asking a litany of questions about their potential matter, ask broader questions that could very well net you more information. ...
  6. How would you like to handle communication with our office? A one-size-fits-all approach to communication with clients is usually not a good idea. ...
  7. What are your expectations of us? When it comes to clients, you should never make promises you might not be able to keep. ...
  8. What concerns you most about your case? The answer to this question could reveal a lot about this potential client. ...
  9. What is your desired outcome?

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 questions do lawyers ask their clients?

Some relevant questions to ask include:

  • Do you have time to represent me?
  • Are there other criminal defense attorneys in your office who will work on my case? May I meet them?
  • When I have questions, whom should I call? How do you prefer to be contacted? How quickly should I expect a reply?

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

You seem to mainly want an acknowledgment and (presumably) an apology from your cousin. You should also explore with your therapist any other options you might have, including legal options.

What questions would a lawyer ask?

Ask a Lawyer; Free Q&A with attorneys. Every 5 seconds someone gets free legal advice from Avvo. How it works . Ask your question—it’s free and anonymous. Get notified when a lawyer responds—usually within 12 hours. Ask follow-up questions—make sure you understand your options.

What questions do they ask during an interview?

  • What would you do in the first week, month and year in this role?
  • What techniques do you use to stay motivated?
  • What can you offer us that other candidates can't?
  • How would you manage many deadlines at once?
  • How would you work with a difficult client?
  • What would you do if you didn't agree with a client's feedback?

More items...

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What questions do lawyers ask clients?

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?

What are good questions to ask a client in an interview?

9 Business Questions to Ask a Potential ClientWhat Do and Don't You Need? ... What Problems Are You Facing? ... Who Are the Decision-Makers, and What is the Approval Process? ... What Are Your Expectations? ... What is Your Budget, and When Do You Want to Start? ... What Would You View as a Success? ... What's the Next Step and by When?More items...

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...•

How do you interview a client?

Follow these tips for interviewing in a client-centric way:Make 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...•

How do you impress a client in an interview?

One of the best ways to make a great impression—and ace the interview—is to tailor your answers to fit the client....Interview Like a Pro: How to Tailor Your Answers & Impress...Do your homework. ... Prepare specific examples. ... Review the job posting. ... Focus on their needs. ... Highlight your expertise. ... Ask questions.

What do they ask in client round?

I am glad to hear that you have cleared 2 rounds of interviews. About client interview - Client asks questions about your previous experience of project, your future goals, what you want from this current project and sees whether your profile matches with their requirements or not.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

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 you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

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.More items...•

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.

What are the stages of lawyer/client interview?

Scroll down to learn about the three key stages in a legal interview. Or click on one of the stages to go directly there: listening, questioning, advising.

What are client intake interview questions?

Client intake interview questions are part of a screening process lawyers, attorneys and paralegals use to evaluate potential clients. Private attorneys, corporate attorneys and attorneys working in law firms often use intake questions to learn more about a client's case, goals and desired outcomes.

Benefits of asking intake questions

Using the client interview before accepting new cases is essential because it allows you to better understand how you can help potential clients and whether your law services are suitable for their specific needs. Consider several more benefits of using intake interview questions to evaluate potential cases:

11 example client intake interview questions

The following examples include common intake questions attorneys may ask potential clients during their screening processes:

Why do people retain lawyers?

Legal clients choose to retain attorneys for many different reasons – to recover damages, right a wrong, enter into a contract, obtain a divorce – and it’s important to find out what your client is hoping to accomplish.

What is the first step in the client acquisition process?

The first step in the client acquisition process for legal professionals is usually the initial client interview. Here are nine interview questions you should ask potential clients and why asking them matters:

Is it a good idea to communicate with clients?

A one-size-fits-all approach to communication with clients is usually not a good idea. Some will want copies of everything sent via snail mail, others will appreciate regular emails or texts with case updates, and some clients will want to speak to you in person or via phone. Frequency must also be determined – daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed.

Creating great questions for hiring lawyers

When creating questions for lawyer candidates, you should focus on the following criteria:

Example questions to interview a lawyer

Here are a few questions you should ask a lawyer candidate and why they are important:

Hiring a lawyer FAQ

Here is an answer to one of the most common questions about hiring a lawyer:

What does a lawyer need to know?

Your lawyer needs to know the results you desire at the end of the suit. It helps them to work towards attaining them. For instance, if you want monetary compensation for something terrible that was done to you, let them know. Do not forget to tell them the amount you think would be enough for you.

Do lawyers want to know your case?

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. Do not withhold any important information from your attorney. It will increase your chances of winning in court.

Can a lawyer negotiate with a client?

You can even ask them to lower them for your convenience. Most lawyers have no problem negotiating with their clients. These are some of the many questions that your attorney might ask you during your first meeting. Be as genuine as possible because it will lay a solid foundation for your working relationship.

Why do you conduct an interview with a client?

You are expected to conduct an interview with a ‘client’ in order to obtain and convey the information required without stepping outside of what you know or can do. The information you obtain should be enough for you to take the next steps without going back to the client for more.

What to do if client claims he has permission?

If the ‘client’ claims he has permission, explain you will need to check with your supervisor first and that you are under a duty of confidentiality. You may be able to safely provide generic advice about process, e.g. what happens in probate, but don’t give anything specific. Managing client expectations.

Why do you have to open questions in an interview?

Open questions are good to get the client talking and to get the conversation flowing whereas closed questions get the details out. A good interview technique is to start with open questions and slowly narrow down to closed until you have the information you need.

What to do when you come across a conflict?

If you come across a situation where a conflict might arise, you should close the interview down and explain you need to carry out a conflict check before going any further. If they ask why, explain that you may already act for the other party and will be under a duty to them.

Can you control what your client says?

In my opinion, the best way to conquer the nerves and to get everything you need is to have a good handle on what is going to happen. Yes, you can’t control what your client is going to say but it is your interview, so it can be guided in whatever way you wish.

Can you take notes in an interview?

if you have written ‘date of birth’ already, you will only need to write the actual date in the interview.

Is it a good idea to end an interview?

If not, it’s a good way of ending the interview. This structure is easy to follow and should elicit all the information you need. Try not to script yourself; it will be easy to spot if you are rehearsed and you will be lost if something unexpected happens. However, it is worth a bit of advanced planning.

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, ...

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

  • While the exact questions you’ll ask should be customized to each potential client’s specific situation, these lawyer-client interview questions are a good starting point:
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What Answers to Client Questions Should Lawyers Prepare for?

  • The meeting isn’t just about you interviewing a potential client—the client will have questions for you, too. Being prepared for the common questions that clients have is key. Here are four common questions you should prepare to answer:
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Conducting The Lawyer-Client Interview

  • If you want to nail your initial consultation, it’s about more than just what attorney-client interview questions you ask. Follow these tips for interviewing in a client-centric way:
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Conclusion

  • Conducting a great client interview is critical to an effective client intake process. It’s also an important part of providing a client-centered experience. If you want to perfect your process, the key is to prepare with the right lawyer-client interview questions—and truly listen to their answers. By asking questions at the start, you’ll get a better idea of what your client expects from you (wh…
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