20 Questions

Questions to Ask a Law Student

Engaging questions to ask law students about their education, career aspirations, and experiences in legal studies to understand their journey and goals.

1

What drew you to law school and how did you decide on this career path?

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Why this works

Understanding their motivation helps you learn about their passion for law and what drives their career choice.

2

What area of law are you most interested in and why?

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Why this works

Reveals their legal interests and helps you understand what areas of law they find most compelling or rewarding.

3

What has been your most challenging course or subject so far?

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Why this works

Shows their ability to handle difficult academic material and reveals what they find most intellectually demanding.

4

How do you approach studying and preparing for exams?

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Why this works

Reveals their study strategies and work ethic, showing how they manage the demanding academic workload.

5

What has been your most rewarding experience in law school so far?

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Why this works

Shows what they find fulfilling in their legal education and reveals their values around legal practice.

6

How do you handle the pressure and stress of law school?

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Why this works

Demonstrates their resilience and coping strategies, showing how they manage the demanding nature of legal education.

7

What role do you see lawyers playing in society and how do you want to contribute?

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Why this works

Reveals their understanding of the legal profession's social responsibility and their own values around legal practice.

8

How do you approach legal research and what resources do you find most helpful?

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Why this works

Shows their research skills and approach to legal scholarship, revealing their methodology for finding and analyzing legal information.

9

What has been your experience with internships or practical legal work?

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Why this works

Reveals their practical experience and how they're applying their legal education in real-world settings.

10

How do you stay current with legal developments and changes in the law?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to lifelong learning and their approach to staying updated in the rapidly changing legal field.

11

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the legal profession today?

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Why this works

Reveals their awareness of professional issues and their understanding of the broader legal landscape.

12

How do you approach legal writing and what do you find most challenging about it?

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Why this works

Shows their writing skills and approach to legal communication, revealing their ability to express complex legal concepts.

13

What has been your experience with moot court or other practical legal activities?

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Why this works

Reveals their practical skills and experience with advocacy, showing how they're developing their legal practice abilities.

14

How do you approach networking and building relationships in the legal field?

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Why this works

Shows their understanding of professional development and their approach to building a legal career.

15

What advice would you give to someone considering law school?

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Why this works

Reveals their perspective on the profession and provides valuable insights for others considering this career path.

16

How do you balance your academic work with other responsibilities and interests?

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Why this works

Shows their time management skills and their approach to maintaining work-life balance during demanding studies.

17

What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful lawyer?

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Why this works

Reveals their understanding of the profession's requirements and what they believe makes someone effective in legal practice.

18

How do you approach ethical dilemmas and what guides your decision-making?

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Why this works

Shows their ethical reasoning and their approach to handling complex moral issues in legal practice.

19

What are your long-term career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?

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Why this works

Reveals their career planning and ambition, showing how they envision their future in the legal profession.

20

What do you think is the most important thing you've learned in law school so far?

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Why this works

Reveals their key takeaways and what they consider most valuable from their legal education experience.

Engaging with Law Students

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Effective Law Student Conversations

Show Interest in Their Journey

Demonstrate genuine curiosity about their educational experience and career development in the legal field.

Respect Their Learning Process

Acknowledge that they are still learning and growing, and show appreciation for their dedication to the profession.

Ask About Their Experiences

Focus on their academic experiences, internships, and what they're learning about legal practice.

Key Areas to Explore

Career motivation and goals
Academic experiences and challenges
Legal interests and specializations
Study strategies and work habits
Practical experiences and internships
Professional development
Legal writing and research
Ethics and values
Career planning
Industry awareness

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Assume They're Fully Trained

Remember they are still students and may not have the same level of experience as practicing lawyers.

Don't Overwhelm with Complex Cases

Keep questions appropriate to their level of training and don't expect them to handle advanced legal scenarios.

Don't Minimize Their Experience

Respect their academic experiences and the valuable insights they've gained, even as students.

Conversation Frameworks

The Career Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: 'What drew you to law school?'
2
Step 2: Follow with: 'What area of law interests you most?'
3
Step 3: Deepen with: 'What are your long-term career goals?'

The Experience Learner

1
Step 1: Begin with: 'What has been your most challenging course?'
2
Step 2: Continue with: 'How do you approach studying?'
3
Step 3: Explore with: 'What has been your most rewarding experience?'

Further Reading

"The Law School Experience" by Nancy Levit
"Law School Confidential" by Robert H. Miller
"The Legal Profession" by Deborah L. Rhode

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