NAME: Cynthia Guadalupe Inda

OCCUPATION: Trial attorney

When I mention that I’m a lawyer, many people are surprised to learn that I spend a great deal of time interviewing people. In fact, I like to think of my job as asking questions and culling information in ways similar to talk show hosts, counselors, and reporters. But before I confuse you, allow me to explain these aspects of my career.

When I was with a district attorney’s office for a number of years, my biggest challenge was interviewing many witnesses for the dozens of cases I was assigned in a limited amount of time. In order to do my job effectively, I needed to interview all the witnesses quickly and efficiently—but not make them feel rushed.

The talk show host aspect of my job is putting people at ease during an interview. People are often intimidated by lawyers, so I look people in the eye, smile, and try to be as down-to-earth as possible. (I think I’m this way in real life, so I just have to remember to treat my interviewees as I would my friends and family.) When dealing with Spanish-speaking witnesses, I always conduct interviews in Spanish. This helps to put people at ease because the law doesn’t seem as terrifying in one’s own language.

The counselor aspect of my job is having empathy for people’s situations. I often tell people who are afraid to bring charges or get involved in any way that I understand their fear and reticence. I’ll say something like, “I know that there are other things you’d rather be doing; just tell the judge exactly what you are telling me.” If an interviewee is very upset, I’ll often switch the subject away from the task at hand; I get them talking about themselves instead of the law. They usually relax and it makes it easier to get back to the interview questions.

The reporter aspect of my job is in culling information from my interviewees to focus on what is essential to the case. Preparation really matters here. When I have witnesses on the stand, my questions are targeted toward the achievement of a goal. I ask open-ended questions, but I also have a series of background and clarifying questions to help make my point. When I’m cross-examining a witness, however, my questions are much more closed: I try to ask only questions that call for “yes” or “no” responses. The facts established by the “yes” or “no” answers I’m searching for give less credibility to the opposition’s case.

Effective interviewing skills are crucial to my professional success and the well-being of my clients. Interviewing is not all work—I have fun getting to know people and helping them achieve justice.