Whose Story is it, Anyway? - Guiding Students to Client-Centered Interviewing Through Storytelling

Abstract:     
Persuasively telling a client's story is vital to meaningful and successful representation. This article explores both the challenges facing students as they try to master this skill as well as the challenges of teaching this skill through the lens of one simple exercise. This exercise has proven extremely effective in teaching law students critical lessons about client-centered interviewing. Conducted effectively,and coupled with directed discussion, the exercise has also been invaluable for teaching client-centered representation, interviewing techniques, attorney-client confidentiality and the impact of demographics on the attorney-client relationship. Through their experience with the exercise, each of these concepts acutely resonates with the students. By completing the exercise, law students come away with a commitment to telling their clients' stories, and the skills needed to do it well.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 28

Keywords: professional ethics, lawyer client relationship, interviewing, clinical education, storytelling

JEL Classification: K14, K19, K41

Accepted Paper Series