Why this matters:

The best solicitor candidates are able to quickly establish their credibility by demonstrating their expertise. This often means performing preliminary research before meeting with a new client or stakeholder to gain a better understanding of the challenges they’re facing. While more details will emerge during their conversations, entering meetings with a base level of knowledge is critical to earning their trust.

What to listen for:

• A high level of professionalism, and commitment to building trust
• Indication of an appropriate level of research
• Mention of questions that demonstrate an awareness of current issues

Why this matters:

In order to accurately and thoughtfully discuss any legal decision, a solicitor must have a firm understanding of the legal principles underpinning the case and the variables involved. As such, their answer will reveal a lot about their level of knowledge and their critical thinking skills. It may also showcase their ability to persuade, even if you don’t agree with the conclusion they come to.

What to listen for:

• An answer that’s both compelling and ethical
• Detailed legal basis for why the decision was viewed as incorrect

Why this matters:

This question can give you an idea of how established the candidate is in their career, as well as where their priorities lie. It will show whether they’ve achieved a large victory, or if they have until now played a more supportive role. This also demonstrates how invested they are in helping their employer grow. Most important, this question helps to indicate whether the candidate will find fulfillment at your organization.

What to listen for:

• Alignment with your organization’s mission and goals
• Details on why the success was meaningful

Why this matters:

Solicitors often have to juggle a robust and varied caseload, so excellent time-management skills are essential. To ensure deadlines are met and clients or stakeholders are satisfied, the candidate must be able to prioritize tasks effectively and stay organized. They also need to know when to delegate or outsource work to ensure timely completion at a high standard.

What to listen for:

• Ability to delegate or outsource work appropriately
• A firm commitment to meeting deadlines
• Specific time-management techniques such as time blocking

Why this matters:

Solicitors often have to negotiate on behalf of their clients or employer. This requires them to build a rapport with the opposing party, listen to their concerns and demands, and strategize a solution. By asking this question, you can test your candidate’s negotiation skills while also getting a sense of how discrete they are, as revealing sensitive case details may be a red flag.

What to listen for:

• Example of reaching a successful and mutually beneficial compromise
• Demonstration of a suitable level of discreteness

What to listen for:

• Dedication to going above and beyond
• A proven track record of putting stakeholder satisfaction at the forefront
• The ability to recognize when an action is in the organization’s best interests

Why this matters:

This question helps you assess a candidate’s passion for their work. Since the legal field is vast and complex, most solicitors specialize in one area of law — such as commercial, tax, or intellectual property (IP) law — and so have developed deep subject matter expertise. If your new hire is passionate about the type of law they’ll be practicing every day, they’re likely to seek out opportunities to refine their skills.

What to listen for:

• Signs of a desire to expand existing knowledge
• Intellectual curiosity and a personal connection to a particular area of law

Why this matters:

Depending on the area of law your organization is involved in, you may decide to swap out inheritance tax for another relevant legal concept, but the goal is the same: to test your candidate’s communication skills. Solicitors often have to deal with laypersons, so a strong candidate needs to be an excellent communicator capable of sharing knowledge in a clear, concise, and accessible manner — thereby enabling them to build confidence and develop trust.

What to listen for:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• An ability to break down complex legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand
• Avoidance of legal jargon and terminology that lay people might not be familiar with

Why this matters:

Regardless of what type of law they practice, solicitors must be tuned in to the trends and changes impacting their industry. Otherwise, the advice they provide may not reflect the current reality of the industry. You need to know that your candidate stays abreast of the latest developments and is always thinking about how it will impact their employer or clients.

What to listen for:

• A keen understanding of the industry, and how it’s evolving
• Understanding of regulatory changes, social issues, and economic trends
• References to news sources for keeping current, such as legal websites or journals