California Blog Online

As you finalize your hiring decisions, it is also important to plan for future growth in your legal department. This can be accomplished through offering professional development opportunities and cross-training. This will provide you with a better opportunity to retain your talent and reduce the risk of losing critical expertise and skills. Check References For candidates in the legal industry, strong references are essential to securing employment. Unlike resumes and interviews, where candidates present themselves in the best light possible, reference checks offer third-party validation of professional competence. In an industry that’s highly networked and competitive, a glowing endorsement from a respected colleague can set you apart, while a lukewarm or unprepared reference can raise red flags. With that in mind, it’s important for both employers and job seekers to understand how to manage and prepare effective references. Navigating the legal landscape of reference checks can ...

Another way to assess a lawyer’s reputation is through online reviews and testimonials. However, it’s important to remember that a good reputation can be hard earned, and it can easily be skewed by lunatics who troll review sites and even vengeful opposing parties. Finally, be sure to check the lawyer’s license and disciplinary records. This can be done through your state bar or by consulting a website like Avvo, which offers details on nearly every lawyer in the country. You should also be able to find the breakdown of cases that a lawyer typically handles on their website. A high percentage of medical malpractice cases, for example, indicates that a lawyer has substantial experience in this area. To make the most of your interview time, prepare a list of questions to ask the candidates. These should include behavioral-based questions that assess the candidate’s problem-solving abilities, work style, and ethics. In addition, you should also consider asking hypothetical questions t...