Employers utilize a special selection process when hiring fresh law graduates for criminal law cases. You will of course, have to consult with various criminal lawyers before taking interviews. This helps in gaining better insight of what is to come. However, here are some questions every employer must ask before deciding to hire someone as an associate exclusively for criminal law cases.
“What is your moral stance on criminal law?”
This is to gauge response towards tough situations where the lawyer is under pressure but has to remain calm. For example, if one is a criminal defense attorney and has to meet with a client at the confinement center; they will have to be very calm and composed regarding the nature of the
meeting. Criminal law is very rewarding once lawyers get the hang of it.
“What do you feel you still need to work on?”
You must also have an innate capacity to grow and learn. It is said that a criminal lawyer might fail at their job if they stop learning from their previous cases or mistakes. Therefore, it is suggested that newer criminal law associates are well acquainted with their firm’s library. Criminal law entails a greater responsibility. This primarily includes saving someone’s life. Hence, one needs to ensure they have all their corners covered before going on to argue points that may not even be in their favor.
“What else can you bring to the table?”
The kind of contacts one makes in the legal fraternity has a huge bearing on a lawyer’s standing in the legal fraternity. Hence, if one is looking for long-term employment, they must show their employer’s one’s worth their time and that hiring them is not a paycheck gone to waste.
“What kind of salary are you looking for?”
A lawyer needs to be cooperative about the pay they are getting. Learning criminal law involves more field work than it does academic knowledge. Do not expect a high paycheck or even an independent cubicle for the months during which the professional is just learning how to get the hang of criminal law.
The selection process depends on how well a potential candidate sells oneself to partners and senior associates. Thus, these are basics one has to be aware of in order to make sure a candidate aces most of the interview. a potential lawyer is suggested to maintain a very serious attitude and also show the employers all the things they are capable of.
Therefore, in a nutshell, the following things have to be considered when hiring a criminal lawyer:
- Their cost
- Their qualification
- Experience
- Feasibility
Once you filter out your options based on the core elements mentioned above, it becomes easy to further narrow down your options. A well-qualified lawyer must come with a few years of experience. This ensures that they are able to implement their theoretical approaches practically. You should feel at ease when communicating with them. And lastly you should be able to afford them. If you are satisfied with the other four aspects, it is best to negotiate and compromise on the cost to ensure best results.
Vera Ray is a practicing criminal lawyer working as a law professor with over two decades of experience in teaching different sorts of family law cases. She believes good lawyers, like DJP solicitors, are a benefit to humanity.