Elevating Client Intake Processes: Tools and Techniques for Paralegals and Associates

Dolly Hernandez
Dolly Hernandez | Rafool, PLLC

Dolly Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in complex marital and family law matters. She assists individuals in the dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, paternity, and prenuptial agreements.

Live Video-Broadcast: April 10, 2025

1 hour CLE

This program is available to All-Access Pass Members.
Subscribe to Federal Bar Association CLE Pass...
Co-Sponsored by myLawCLE
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ live webinars.
Learn More

Program Summary

The client intake process spans the first call a potential client initiates to a law firm, followed by the conflict check, and leading up to gathering information and conducting the client interview. A client interview is the crucial first step where an attorney has the opportunity to meet the client, obtain the client's expectations relative to their matter, and determine whether the client and law firm are a fit and can work together to accomplish the client's goals. Prior to conducting the client interview, the attorney should gather information that is available about the client, including, but not limited to, any past or pending lawsuits. By providing information to the client at the client interview, the attorney obtains a sense for who the client is and can build on this information throughout the client interview to build trust, engage the client, and establish rapport. Managing the client's expectations should be a priority and realistic expectations should be identified along with a preliminary roadmap on how to meet the client's expectations all while effectively communicating to the client any challenges posed during the pendency of a matter.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE. 

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Understanding the importance of client interviews
  • Techniques for effective communication
  • Key questions to ask during the initial meeting
  • Building trust and rapport with clients
  • Essential element
  • Managing expectations and navigating difficult conversations

Date / Time: April 10, 2025

  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
  • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Mountain
  • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Speaker_Dolly Hernandez_FedBarDolly Hernandez | Rafool, PLLC

Dolly Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in complex marital and family law matters. She assists individuals in the dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, paternity, and prenuptial agreements. With a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and extensive speaking engagements and publications in family law, she is recognized for her expertise, having been included in “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Florida Super Lawyers” multiple times. Active in various legal associations, including the American Bar Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association, she has held leadership roles and contributed to significant legal publications. Additionally, she is fluent in Spanish and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, demonstrating her commitment to both her clients and the community.

Agenda

I. Understanding the importance of client interviews | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

II. Techniques for effective communication | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

III. Key questions to ask during the initial meeting | 2:20pm – 2:30pm

IV. Building trust and rapport with clients | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

V. Essential element | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

VI. Managing expectations and navigating difficult conversations | 2:50pm – 3:00pm

  • Setting realistic expectations with clients
  • Techniques for handling difficult conversations
  • Strategies for managing client emotions
  • Effective communication during challenging situations

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
1 Ethics / Professionalism

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
1 General

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
1.2 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Illinois

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Indiana

Pending CLE Approval
1 NLS Credit

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
1 Law Practice Management

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
1 Law Office Management

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
1.2 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
60 Ethics / Professionalism

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
1.2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Nevada

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
1.2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
1 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
1 Law Practice Programming

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
1 Other (Office Management)

Receive CLE credit in Washignton via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Pending CLE Approval
1 Law Practice Management

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
1.2 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

More CLE Webinars
Upcoming CLE Webinars
Insurance and Bad Faith Litigation in Fire Loss Cases
Insurance and Bad Faith Litigation in Fire Loss Cases Thu, March 20, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Divorce Law 101 (2025 Edition)
Divorce Law 101 (2025 Edition) Fri, March 21, 2025
Live Webcast
Gun Trust 101 (2025 Edition)
Gun Trust 101 (2025 Edition) Fri, March 21, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Ethical Strategies with Law Firm Podcasts
Ethical Strategies with Law Firm Podcasts Mon, March 24, 2025
Live Webcast
AI-Generated Trade Secret Litigation
AI-Generated Trade Secret Litigation Wed, March 26, 2025
Live Webcast
1031 Exchanges 101 (2025 Edition)
1031 Exchanges 101 (2025 Edition) Thu, March 27, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay