videos on how to ask good questions to your client as an attorney

by Ned Gulgowski 6 min read

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

May 22, 2017 · Those 10 questions are just meant to get the right answers out of your clients, but then when you do edit this down into a case study, or a video, or an interview of some sort, then you want to make sure all of the big pieces from the client’s journey are represented there, and you’ve got the best pieces from that journey into a nice tight ...

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

Apr 09, 2015 · Ask them. Lawyers should be as good at answering questions as they are at asking them. If a lawyer rushes you or makes you feel that your questions are naïve, you may need to keep looking. Taking the time to ask questions at the beginning will give you a much better chance of having a solid and successful attorney-client relationship.

What questions would a lawyer ask?

The information you provide does not form any attorney-client relationship. Please do not provide any description of your situation and do not ask any questions on the form. Please only provide the information the form requests. We must first conduct a conflict check and confirm there is no conflict of interest before we contact you.

What questions does an attorney ask?

Nevertheless, there are several questions you can ask an attorney that are designed to reveal how this individual thinks about legal issues and how they approach business relationships. Knowing this information will enable you to weed out the attorneys who don’t fit your specifications and hone in on one who does.

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How do lawyers ask questions?

0:165:25How to ask questions like a lawyer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first secret is that what we're doing we're not really asking questions what we're doing isMoreThe first secret is that what we're doing we're not really asking questions what we're doing is making statements. That sound like questions and those are statements that the witness.

What are some questions an attorney might ask a new client?

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?Nov 28, 2019

How do lawyers interview clients?

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...•Oct 4, 2021

How do lawyers try to trick you?

Some lawyers play a trick on plaintiff's lawyers by making arguments that require the plaintiff to amend the case so that he or she spends an exorbitant amount in legal fees at the very early stages of the case. ... This usually requires pleading the case law, rules of procedure and some facts regarding the case.Aug 5, 2016

What are the questions asked in client interview?

Client Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to AnswerWhat Are Your Prices? ... What's Your Working Process? ... What Happens if We're Not Happy With Your Work? ... What Experience Do You Have? ... Why Do You Think We're a Good Fit? ... What Value Can You Bring to Our Business?Nov 9, 2015

What questions can lawyers ask?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

How do you prepare for a client interview?

Preparing for a client interview? Don't forget these three critical steps.Do your research. Ahead of time, do some research to find out more about the organization that's going to interview you. ... Self-reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and experience. ... Make sure you know the logistics in advance.

How do you start a client interview?

Begin by introducing yourself and shaking hands, then engage in a bit of small talk. Use this opportunity to get to know your client and let her know that she can trust you. Trust building is vital at this early stage, so explain that whatever the two of you discuss will be strictly confidential.

What are the elements that make up a successful lawyer client interview?

the purpose of the initial client interview; ● the structure of an effective client interview; ● preparation for the interview; ● appropriate client care; ● listening and questioning techniques; ● providing appropriate advice and information; ● establishing a professional relationship with the client.

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

How do you deal with stress when being sued?

How to Deal With Stress During a LawsuitGet a Reliable Legal Counsel. Often, the frustration comes from having a legal counsel that is not experienced enough to get a positive outcome. ... Engage in Calming Activities. ... Lighten the Schedule. ... Avoid Stimulants. ... Get Enough Sleep. ... Remain Active.

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Listen carefully to the questions you are asked. If you don't understand the question, have it repeated, then give a thoughtful, considered answer. DO NOT GIVE AN ANSWER WITHOUT THINKING. While answers should not be rushed, neither should there be any unnaturally long delay to a simple question if you know the answer.Apr 22, 2015

Who is Warwick Brown?

Warwick Brown. Warwick Brown has led business development and account management teams in Australia and Europe for more than 15 years and worked with some of the world's most prestigious firms, including Merck & Co, Deutsche Bank, McKinsey & Company and Vodafone.

Can you add videos to your watch history?

Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.

Lawyer-Client Relations: Socrates Was On to Something

Case in point: Your first meeting with a new client. There will never be a better or more important time to ask all sorts of questions. At this meeting, it should be your No. 1 priority to launch what you hope will be a long, productive relationship to achieve best lawyer-client relations, by learning all you can upfront.

1. Why did you come to me?

In Colorado, where I live, 632 people just passed the 2014 state bar exam. That brings us to a total of 21,726 active lawyers here. And this is one of those big square empty states. Just imagine how many lawyers a client can choose from in other places.

3. What worries you most about this matter?

The answer to this will tell you so much about the person you are dealing with, as well as the dynamics you should expect. If the answer is something like “that your services will be too expensive,” or “that I don’t know what this is going to cost,” you’ve been put on notice to over-communicate about money.

4. Have you ever worked with a lawyer before?

If this is his first time, you will know to be gentle. More than that, you will know that you must guide this client through the experience, to serve as the host or narrator so it’s always clear what is going on.

5. How would you like me to communicate with you?

Depending on the focus of your practice, one-size-fits-all communication with your clients may not be a good idea. If you have any room at all for flexibility, it will improve the experience for clients and you if you can tailor how you communicate to meet the client’s needs and preferences. (Give it a good hard think.

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.

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

Do attorneys quote hourly fees?

While most attorneys will quote you an hourly rate or a fixed fee upfront, it’s important that you understand what this quote does and does not cover. For instance, will you also be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for expenses, such as transportation?

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

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Before The Lawyer-Client Interview

  • Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check
    As our guide to client intake for law firms explains, an important part of an effective client intake processis to take steps to ensure that a potential client is a good fit before moving forward. Not every legal issue will be a good fit for you, your practice area, workload, and firm size. But that’s …
  • Review the client’s file
    The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.
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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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