University of San Jose-Recoletos

School of Law
Practicum V
Prof: Atty. Christian Fernandez

Name: Buddy Brylle P. Ybanez Date: Sept. 8, 2020 Lecturer: Atty. Angelee Ygnacio-
Emboy

INSIGHT PAPER on How to Interview a Client

Knowing how to interview a client is very helpful in practicing law. Having a good
skill in interviewing clients will give a lawyer a good reputation in the practice. I am very
fortunate that this taught was in my law school. This will greatly help in my practice
when I become a lawyer in the future.

First thing to do in interviewing a client is knowing the role of the lawyer and the
end goal of the client. Ask your client what kind of legal assistance is needed to cut any
unnecessary discussions. Ask general questions first then go to the specific and
relevant questions in your case. You must to ask your client if he had a lawyer handling
his client before and the status of the case to avoid any conflict with other lawyers.

In interviewing the client, it is very important that you are courteous to your client.
You must treat your client equally; there must be no indicia of special treatment. Make
your client feel wanted and welcomed. You must be professional to your client or at
least act like a professional. You must be honest and confident in answering the
questions of your client, this will give a good impression to your client. It must be
remembered that the best advertisement in the practice of law is having a good
reputation.

The lecturer advised that if you want to have a good experience in practicing law,
being a Public Attorney is a good option. However, the lecturer warned us that being a
Public Attorney is very hard. You are bombarded with a lot of cases but this will teach
you to think and solve legal problems quickly. I am very happy that the USJR School of
Law gave us this important lecture. It is not very useful in taking the bar but it is very
useful in practicing when we become lawyers.