what to ask in lawyer interview

by Caden Towne 6 min read

  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 ...
  2. How long have you practiced law? – This is a critical question to ask a lawyer because it takes years of time and practice for a lawyer to become ...
  3. Do you have previous experience handling a case, project, or a company such as mine? – It’s not just the amount of experience that matters, but the relevant experience. ...
  4. How do you negotiate? – How your lawyer approaches dispute resolutions, negotiations, or contracts matters deeply. Since contracts are the lifeblood of the business world, they demand a facilitator. ...
  5. What is your fee structure and billing process? – The costs involved will depend heavily upon the particulars of your case. ...
  6. Who else in the firm would work on my case? – There are typically several others involved in handling your case, including other lawyers, junior attorneys, and paralegals. ...
  7. How long should I expect to retain your services? – Similar to billing, it’s important to make queries as to the estimated timeframe of legal actions. ...

Questions You Should be Prepared to Answer and Ask
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • How would your friends describe you?
  • How would you describe yourself as a person?
  • Why this particular geographic area?
  • What is the latest non-legal book you've read?
  • What are your outside interests and hobbies?
  • Who is your hero/heroine?

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Ask the lawyer A number of questions arise: Can you show the tenant’s demand ... Do you know the expression “no good deed goes unpunished”? Bottom line: Consultation with counsel here also is advisable. Is the tenant’s conduct a breach of the ...

What questions should I ask during an interview?

These ones have generally worked well for me:

  • What is the culture of the office like? - This is the real question to ask to find the answer to "Am I going to be the oddball in my ...
  • Could you walk me through an average day/week in this position? ...
  • What would success look like in 30/60/90/180 days? ...
  • What would a career trajectory or advancement look like in this position? ...
  • Why is this position open? ...

What questions will you be asked in an interview?

What Not to Ask When Interviewing Candidates . Subject Questions permissible to ask in an interview. Question to avoid in an interview. Name Inquiry whether an applicant’s work records are under another name, for purposes of access to these records: “Have you worked for the University under a different name?” A. Inquiry into any title which

How to answer tough law school interview questions?

How to Answer Tough Law School Interview Questions In law school interviews, it's important to explain why you're a strong candidate, experts say. May 10, 2018 By Ilana Kowarski Trial lawyers and appellate lawyers are often asked questions by judges who expect an immediate response. These attorneys cannot waver over what to

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What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

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

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A LawyerWhat's Your Experience? ... What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? ... What Will This Cost? ... Can You Charge Me A Flat-Rate Fee? ... Where's My Contract? ... Can I Avoid Going To Court?

How do I ace a lawyer interview?

8 ways to prepare for a legal job interviewHighlight your successes. ... Be knowledgeable about what you've done. ... Frame your experience for the role. ... Know what's going on. ... Sell your soft skills. ... Prepare your questions — and your answers. ... Dress to impress. ... Relax and be yourself.

How do you impress a law firm interview question?

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 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 you answer a lawyer question?

Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, “I think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion” if you can answer positively. If you do know, then say so. You can be positive about important things which you would naturally remember.

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...

What should I ask in an interview?

7 good questions to ask at an interviewCan you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ... How could I impress you in the first three months? ... Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ... Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?More items...

Why did you choose law?

In Law, over the years, you develop marketable skills. That way, you never have to bother about job security, unlike most other careers. The fact that the job involves upholding justice in society and standing up for what is right makes the society respect a lawyer.

How do you answer tell me about yourself?

How to answer “tell me about yourself”Mention past experiences and proven successes as they relate to the position. ... Consider how your current job relates to the job you're applying for. ... Focus on strengths and abilities that you can support with examples. ... Highlight your personality to break the ice.More items...

How do you answer tell me about yourself in a law firm?

1. Tell me about yourself. This is where you should have your personal story ready. This should be a quick 1-2 minute summary (but no more than 2 minutes!) of what you did before law school, how that path led you to law school, and why you want to be a lawyer at your interviewer's firm.

How do you answer a law firm interview question?

Prepare by crafting an answer that includes what you love about the type of law the firm/organization handles and what about the job opportunity (or law firm) piqued your interest. Look at the job description and the firm's website for details you can include in your answer.

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, ...

How long does a screening interview last?

A screening interview frequently lasts about 20 minutes. This is also true of on-campus interview programs where law schools host multiple employers to interview their students. Those programs generally are set up so that an applicant has roughly 20 minutes to interview with several employers.

Why are big law firms good?

Big Law firms are great places to start a legal career because associates receive top-notch training and get exposure to high-profile work with big-time clients. It’s inevitable that you’ll pick up useful skills while there.

What to do when you are sick of talking?

At other times, particularly when it’s late in the day and the interviewer is sick of talking, you might have to lead the conversation with your questions. To that end, it’s important to do two things for every interview (1) prepare a set of questions and (2) listen carefully throughout the conversation for things you want to ask about at the end.

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:

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Basic Interview Format

  • A screening interview frequently lasts about 20 minutes. This is also true of on-campus interview programs where law schools host multiple employers to interview their students. Those programs generally are set up so that an applicant has roughly 20 minutes to interview with several employers. For the most part, these interviews proceed in the following manner: 1. Introduction…
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16 Great Questions to Ask

  • While genuine curiosity in the firm and the individual usually lead to the best questions, here are 16 great questions you can ask your interviewer:
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Some Questions to Avoid

  • As a law student, our law school’s career services recommended against asking these questions because they can make interviewees seem lazy or unmotivated. However, if you get an offer, you may ask these questions during your second look. We wrote an article herewith 20+ questions you can ask during your second look. 1. (to a corporate associate) Ho...
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General Questions

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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: 1. What adjectives would your friends use to describe you? 2. What are your biggest strengths? 3. How do you handle feedback? 4. What is your biggest accomplishm…
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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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