The first interview with a client is very important. A lawyer has to appear professional, reliable and communicative. It’s often not possible to prepare for the interview as you hardly know the details of the case. But what lawyers should have at hand is a client care letter – a type of agreement between the lawyer or law firm and the client – where the services, terms and conditions, fees and other details are set forth.
The following concerns a short preliminary interview:
Step 1: Ice-breaking
Step 2: Preliminary problem identification
Step 3: Documents exchange (client care letter and client’s papers)
Step 4: Arrange the following interview
| Greetings / Small talk
| Polite request / Offer
| Confirming understanding / Response
|
| Hello, Mr./Mrs./Ms./ ……..
I’m ……..
This way, please.
I’m going to counsel you on your matter.
I’m assigned to counsel you.
Will you take a seat, please?
Would you like a cup of tea/coffee /anything refreshing?
Can I ask you how you got the information about our firm?
Did it take you long to get here?
Maybe we’ll get down to business?
Let’s get down to business.
| Could you tell me about your problem?
Could you explain that to me, please?
Will you please (pass me the paper, show me the document, repeat that to me?
Would you mind repeating that to me?
Would you mind answering a few questions?
I’d like you to have a look at ….
I’d like to know more….
Do you think you could ….?
Shall I ….?
Would you like me to ….?
| I see.
It’s clear.
It’s quite clear.
Now I understand.
I see what you mean.
All right.
O’K.
Sure.
Of course.
Quite so.
Absolutely.
Naturally.
Great.
Fine.
|
