Structure of Legal Interview

I.

PRELIMINARY
A. Put the client at ease. Be as welcoming as possible. Concentrate on your client.
1. Shake hands.
2. Use your clients surname (Mr. Smith/Ms. Smith) then ask them how they would like to
be called later on.
3. Maintain pleasant facial gesture, good eye contract.
4. Engage in small talk (e.g., weather, typhoon Nona, etc.)
5. Offer refreshments.
B. Explain how the interview will be conducted.
1. How long it will last.
2. Format.
3. What information you will be looking for.
4. Assure the client that what will be discussed are all confidential.

II.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM

A. Let the client do at least 70% of the talking. Let him describe the problem. The remaining 30%
is for you to make brief clarificatory questions.
B. Do not take notes until you have a good understanding of the issues presented to you.

III.

CLARIFICATION STAGE
A. The lawyers turn to talk. Ask questions based on the facts presented.
B. Paraphrase and summarize the clients description of the problem or issues.
C. Invite the client to confirm, affirm, and correct your understanding of the facts and check every
information you obtained.

IV.

ADVISING STAGE
A. Now give a legal advice to your client. Help you client reach a sound decision by identifying the
advantages and disadvantages in each possible choice. If you feel that your clients choice,
decision or ideas are wrong, do not be afraid to say so and give your reasons. (Rule 19.03 A
lawyer shall not allow his client to dictate the procedure in handling the case.
B. However, if the issues presented are complex or are difficult questions of law, you can
postpone the giving of advice until such time that you can make a further study of the matter.
C. If you cannot make a legal advice right away, make a deadline for the client to return and stick
to the deadline.

V.

CLOSING
A. Give the client:
1. an indication of what is expected to happen next (simple procedural matters that will
take place after you part ways in the interview portion);
2. an idea of the expected timeframewhen you will expect to hear from the other side,
especially if there is a possibility that the case might be settled;
3. an opportunity to ask if there are other matters which he would like to take up; and
4. an explanation on how you are going to charge professional fees for handling the case
(it is advisable to make a written contract of legal services in order to bind the client
and to send a letter reiterating and confirming what you previously discussed).
Dos
DONTs
Probe
Dont cross-examine
Inquire
Dont challenge
Suggest
Dont demand
Uncover
Dont trap
Draw out
Dont pump
Guide
Dont dominate
DONT:
-go to an interview unprepared.
-neglect good grammar

-beat around the bush

-talk too much
-ask vague questions

Possible Questions:
1. Good afternoon. I am Atty. Sheila Rojales. (shake hands)
2. Pleased to meet you, Ms. _______? Okay ra ba Ms. ___________ ako itawag nimo?
Init kaayo sa gawas no? Grabe na gyud ang epekto sa global warming..
Or
Kusuga sa ulan oi. May gani wa ka nabasa sa ulan, sir? Naa pa diay gihapon bagyo?
3. Naa tay (juice/softdrinks), maam. Feel at home.
4. Before ta magsugod sa atong interview, tagaan sa ka nako ug overview kung unsay pamaagi
ani para makabalo pud ka sa dagan. Dali ra ni mahuman mga one hour or less. Bale
mangutana ko sa imo first sa imong personal info like name, age, etc, and of course kung
unsay nahitabo para mahibaw an nato unsa ang problema ug para makadecide ta ug unsay
best nga legal action to take. During the interview, mag ask pud ko ug mga followup or
clarificatory questions, and Ill be taking down notes pud.
5. Ayawg kabalaka maam kay tanan nga atong paghisgutan diri ron purely confidential, walay
mugawas ani. As a lawyer, I am bound by the attorney-client privilege. So ayaw kaguol ana.
Okay ra?
6. Okay ra sa imo atong irecord ni nga interview, maam?
7. Pwede nimo idetalye sa ako unsa ang nahitabo mahitungod ani nga kaso? (Let her do the
talking, but you can still ask few clarificatory questions: what, when, where, who, why)
8.

So based sa imong gisulti maam ug sa akong nasabtan mao ni ang nahitabo. Ingna ko
maam ha kung sakto ba ko or dili

9.

So nakasabot nako maam sa issue Now ganahan unta ko muhatag dayon ug legal advice
nimo karon dayon kay para dili naka mubalik ba pero gusto pud nako siguruon nga ang
akong matambag nimo mao gyuy the best nga legal option para sa atong defense. So kung
okay lang sa imo maam, ako sa ning studyhan ug maayo, mga 3 working days lang, baliki ko
para maplastar nako ang unsay atong next step ani. Pangitaon jud nako ang the best way
para di ka mahasol or madak an ug gasto. Okay ra, maam? So 3 days from now, Friday man
ta ron sir noh. Wednesday next week sir magstorya tag usab para sa best next step nato.
Okay ra?

10. Before ta magbulag bulag, naa pa ba kay gusto idugang nga detalye nga makatabang sa ato
sa pagsolve ani nga kaso?
11. Okay. So para klaro pud sa ato duha maam magdraft ko ug written contract of legal services
then ako ra dayon ipabasa sa imo inig sunod kita nato next week.
12. Salamat kaayo sa pag anhi, maam. Ayaw kabalaka kay studyhan ni nakog tarong para
madepensahan nato imong position. Kita rata sunod semana puhon. Ayo ayo. God bless.
(Smile. Shake hands. Lead him to the door.)

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