Becoming a Great Interviewer: Refining a Key Skill for Attorneys

In the legal industry, hiring the wrong attorney can have significant repercussions. For law firms, it may lead to financial losses, damaged client relationships, and decreased firm morale. For clients, it could mean subpar representation and potential case failures. For the attorney themselves, it can result in a mismatch that stifles career growth and job satisfaction. Recognizing this, Talent Engines adopts the “Go Slow to Go Fast” approach to hiring. This methodical process incorporates custom interview guides, scorecards, and personality trait assessments to ensure the best candidate is selected—benefiting the firm, the clients, and the candidate alike.

In addition to methodical hiring, the ability to conduct effective interviews is critical—not just for recruiting talent, but also for gathering insights from witnesses, clients, and stakeholders. Whether you’re interviewing a potential hire for your firm or a key client in a case, mastering this skill is essential. Here’s how legal professionals can adapt these five steps to excel as interviewers:

Understand the Role or Case Context:

For hiring, thoroughly review the job description and candidate’s resume, identifying areas to probe further. For legal interviews, understand the case, the client’s background, and the key details that require clarification to frame your questions effectively.

Craft Targeted Questions:

Combine open-ended, behavioral, and technical questions to uncover a candidate’s skills or gain critical insights into a client’s situation. For example, “Tell me about a time you navigated a complex negotiation,” or “What led to the events you’ve described?”

Practice and Prepare:

Just as attorneys prepare for cross-examinations, practicing mock interviews with a colleague or partner helps refine your approach, ensuring you can manage vague or overly detailed responses effectively.

Document Thoroughly:

Avoid relying on memory by taking detailed notes or using a structured guide to capture key points. This ensures consistency when comparing candidates or analyzing multiple perspectives in a case.

Evaluate Objectively:

No interviewee—whether a candidate or client—will have all the answers. Focus on critical insights, assess potential for growth or resolution, and reflect on your own performance to improve for future interviews.

Mastering these steps allows attorneys to conduct interviews with precision, professionalism, and empathy. At Talent Engines, we encourage leveraging these techniques to not only hire exceptional talent but also strengthen client relationships and improve case outcomes. Effective interviewing is not just a skill; it’s an essential tool for success in the legal profession.