Tape recording initial client interview

Tape recording initial client interview

It will be useful for the attorney to back up the initial interview with the client by tape-recording the entire session or taking notes. Which approach is more productive will depend partly on what the attorney is most used to doing, and partly on what the attorney feels the likely effect of each method may be on the client. A client who seems quite sensitive to being understood clearly might find the taking of copious notes distracting and limit what he or she says drastically. As an alternative, therefore, the attorney should consider the advisability of tape-recording the entire session. This should never be done without the client's consent, as in many states such behavior constitutes a crime.FN79