paralegal interview questions to ask client

• #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.

PARALEGAL Interview Questions And Answers (How To Become A Paralegal or Legal Assistant)

What concerns you most about this case?

Listening to clients concerns about their cases and understanding what worries them can help you plan more effective approaches for serving their needs. For example, a client may have concerns about court proceedings. Understanding these worries can help you provide additional counsel to help calm them and allay their worry. Clients answers can also tell you how to proceed with budgeting and whether they may require financial assistance.

What expectations do you have of our firm?

Clients often seek legal assistance with previous ideas or perceptions about working with an attorney, and this question can help you ascertain how your services can help them reach their outcomes. You can also find out whether clients expectations are above what your firm can provide, giving you insight into how your services fulfill clients needs. Another reason for asking this question is to assess whether a clients expectations about their case and overall outcome are realistic.

Have you ever worked with an attorney before?

Potential clients who have experience with legal counsel and representation may often understand more about the intake process than clients who may have little experience working with an attorney. This question can help you understand what aspects of the process to communicate in more detail. For example, you may need to provide in-depth details about the types of documents you need for evaluating a case for inexperienced clients, whereas clients who have worked with attorneys previously may already understand which documents you need from them.

How do you prepare for a lawyer-client interview?

No matter how many lawyer-client interviews you’ve conducted, it’s still important to prepare by reviewing the client’s file. You’ll also need to plan the interview structure and prepare attorney-client interview questions. You’ll also want to be ready with a strategy to manage expectations (we’ll go into more detail below).

At the pre-interview stage, consider your goals and let them guide your preparations. This means considering what you want to get out of the interview, including learning about the legal issue at hand, establishing a positive client experience, and winning the client.

A litigation paralegal may need to coordinate the design and preparation of exhibits—photographic, graphic, video, or otherwise—and other evidentiary materials for use at trial. Effective paralegals can handle this role with ease.

What steps do you take to keep up to date with legal developments in your field?

Good paralegals understand the kind of 11th hour support that trial attorneys need. Since every trial is different, this question doesn’t ask for an exact forecast of needs: it probes for the existence of a framework or checklist the candidate has used in the past.

Walk me through a situation in which you had to prepare litigation exhibits for trial. How did you approach the project?

In many ways, paralegals are at the beck and call of one or more attorneys, who may be under pressure. Your candidate must have the ability to use constructive words as feedback—and a potential avenue for improvement.

“I want to thank you for your help.  I will get a copy of the transcript to you as soon as possible.  If you think of anything after you leave , feel free to call me.  Here is my card with my number on it.  You can call me anytime with any questions or concerns you might have.  It will usually be easier to get hold of me than the attorney.  I will get this information to the attorney and I’m sure he will be in touch soon.  Do you have any questions? OK, have a nice day.  Good-bye.”

Following is an example of prepared questions for an interview.  In this case , the interview was done with a bare minimum of information heading into the interview. Basically, all that was known prior to the interview was that the client had been charged with assault on his wife, and that the alleged assault occurred at the couple’s home around 11:00 P. M. after attending a party.

“This is Dan Barber.  I am a paralegal working for Joe Lawyer, the date is August 7, 2004, it is 10:00 A.M., and today I am interviewing Robert Neeley.  Robert, are you aware that this interview is being tape recorded?  Do I have your permission?  Thank-you.  This interview is regarding an arrest for assault on the evening of July 20th, 2004.”

“OK.  I want to explain a couple of things.  I’m going to be asking a set of prepared questions.  You may not understand the purpose of some of the questions, but please be patient.  They are being asked for a reason.  However, feel free to ask me about the reason for any of the questions I ask.  I’d like to tape record this interview. Is this all right with you?”

“I will get you a copy of the transcript so you can change any of your answers if you want. When I start the tape, I will ask you to identify yourself, and acknowledge that you know this interview is being recorded. In fact, anytime the tape is stopped and started, I will ask you the same introductory questions. Do you have any questions? OK, let’s get started.”

FAQ

How do paralegals interview clients?

1. Gather every pertinent document you can manage to find. Accident reports, consent forms, and other similar documentation.
2. Understand how to put your client at ease. Think carefully about how you’ll work questions. …
3. Put together a questionnaire.

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

• Before we started working together, what were you trying to do? …
• What did you want? …
• What are your expectations? …
• What was your fear? …
• How did the other people involved in the decision all feel about this? …
• What is your overall budget and projected starting date of the project?

How do you interview a paralegal candidate?

• Why do you want to be a paralegal? …
• Why did you apply at this firm? …
• What has your paralegal experience been so far? …
• Are you planning to eventually apply for law school? …
• What areas of law are you interested in the most? …
• What are your legal research skills?