Interview Questions for Lawyers & Advocates

In most countries, lawyers are not allowed to advertise; fortunately, personal branding can help the lawyer position their personal brand strongly, perfectly, and organically.

A career as a lawyer has been a symbol of prestige for generations.Advocates/Lawyers/Attorneys are in a unique position to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and to further the public good. They’re in a position to influence policymakers and leaders and to affect change around the globe.

Since 2010, I have helped many advocates build their personal brand and firmly believe that lawyers need to focus on personal branding like every other professional. Now the question is why is personal branding for lawyers important? Everyone needs to grow their brand awareness to attract more clients and drive brand engagement. And one of the best means for lawyers to personal brand themselves is through magazines, radio, newspapers and tv interviews. These interviews are a great opportunity magnet because you have a great chance of showcasing your expertise and explaining how you are different from everyone else.

Below is the list of my favourite interview questions for advocates; if you are a lawyer, you can have an idea of what kind of questions an interviewer can ask you during the magazine/tv interview.

1. What inspired you to become a lawyer?
2. According to you, what are the basics qualities that every good lawyer should have?
3. Do you consider the job of a lawyer as one of the toughest jobs?
4. Who inspired you to become a lawyer?
5. How do lawyers have the ability to put forth their side with such confidence?
6. What would you like to suggest to budding lawyers?
7. Do you remember the first time when you fought a case?
8. Tell us about your best cases.
9. Please tell us some anecdotes that happened in the courtroom.
10. What aspect of the daily job of being a lawyer interests you the most?
11. Have you ever worked on a case that was hard not to take home with you?
12. Tell us about the greatest triumph of your career thus far.
13. Which lawyer do you follow the most?
14. Who is your role model?
15. When you get free time, what do you like to watch?
16. Do you like to watch movies?
17. What kind of movies do you like to watch?
18. Who is your favorite actor?
19. Excluding legal books, do you like to read other stuff?
20. What do you like to read?
21. Do you think a lawyer must be aware of current affairs?
22. Do you like to read novels?
23. What’s your take on courtroom drama films?
24. Tell me about any particular case that was really tough for you to solve.
25. According to you, what makes one a good trial advocate?
26. What are some mistakes lawyers usually make?
27. What advice would you like to give to up-and-coming lawyers?
28. What would you like to say to those who follow you?
29. What would you advise those who don’t know how to work under pressure?
30. According to you, what are the things that make a person successful?
31. How do you feel about representing alleged child abusers?
32. What kind of things gives you the most satisfaction in your work?
33. Share your thoughts about any recent Supreme Court case you disagreed with and why?
34. If you were in court, how would you rule on the following issue?
35. Do you think it is an arduous job to remember all the legal sections?
36. What motivates you when you feel low?
37. According to you, what is the ideal work environment?
38. How do you win the faith of your clients?
39. How a lawyer can make his/her client comfortable?
40. How much research is important for a lawyer?
41. Can you walk us through your journey towards the legal field?
42. What do you think, how much the profession of the legal field has changed?
43.  Do you think the legal profession is growing?
44. Do you believe academic qualifications play an important role in a blooming legal career?
45. What challenges, according to you, did young lawyers face while starting their careers?
46. What advice would you like to give our readers, especially young lawyers and law students?
47. How long have you practiced law?
48. What do you do when you have free time?
49. Three places where you love to visit.
50. What books would you suggest to budding lawyers?
51. Is it tough to describe a complicated legal procedure to a client?
52. You are a famous lawyer now. How do you handle all the fame that comes with it?
53. Do you plan your life or not?
54. Are you an early riser or a night owl?
55. How do you keep yourself fit and healthy?
56. Do you prefer Yoga or gym?
57. What kind of music you like to listen?
58. Do you think music calms your mind down?
59. What activities you love to do?
60. What are your hobbies?
61. Do you think the work of a lawyer sometimes become too tough to handle?
62. How do you maintain your patience, as it is highly required for lawyers?
63. Do you like to meditate?
64. Tell us about some of your best experiences in the courtroom.
65. Tell us about some of your worst experiences in the courtroom.
66. Do you get enough time to spend with your family?
67. A lawyer has to do a lot of research. Are you able to leave that profession for a time when you are with family?
68. Do you have mentors in your journey to guide you?
69. Any change you want to bring in the world of lawyers.
70. What’s the scope for lawyers in your country?
71. What’s your opinion about common judicial delays?
72. What sets your firm apart from other firms in the area?
73. Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of
74. What steps do you take to prepare for a difficult case?
75. What is your role in the attorney-client relationship?
76. What sets you apart from other family law attorneys?
77. How does having experience benefit your clients?
78. What types of family law cases do you specifically handle?
79. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
80. What advice do you most often give your clients & why?
81. What’s your name and where do you work?
82. What kind of law do you practice?
83. What is a typical day at the office like for you?
84. What do you like best about your job?
85. What do you like least about your job?
86. What sort of person are you?
87. Can you provide a recent example of when you were under stress, and how you coped?
88. Have you always wanted to be a solicitor?
89. What are your views on the franchising of legal aid firms?
90. How do you stand on equal opportunities?
91. Are you a leader or a follower?
92. Give an example of when you have learnt from a mistake.
93. How much preparation on files for trial do you do?
94. What do you wish you had known about the legal profession before becoming an attorney?
95. Do you have any advice for students contemplating the legal profession?
96. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
97. Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
98. What is your major achievement?
99. How would you describe yourself?
100. How do you respond under stress?
101. How would you approach this job?
102. How do you get things done?
103. How would you decide on your objectives?
104. How do you manage your day?
105. What motivates you?
106. How do you cope without motivation?
107. Why did you decide to go to law school?
108. Why did you choose your law school?
109. Why do you think law is a viable career option?
110. What does your profession mean to you? Or What is law according to you?
111. How do you manage confidential information?
112. What makes you think you are a good lawyer?
113. What area of law most interests you?
114. What has been the hardest case you’ve faced as a corporate lawyer? How did you handle it?
115. As a divorce lawyer for over 20 years, what is it like to see so many couples break up?
116. Do you have a role model or mentor?
117. What inspired you to be in this profession or what keeps you motivated? 
118. What have you learned about yourself since you began your career?
119. How would you define wisdom?
120. Any parting advice to law students and young lawyers on building a successful career in corporate law and how important are ethics in this professional pursuit?