what questions should i ask in an interview for a attorney position

by Leatha Gorczany 9 min read

Top behavioral questions to ask lawyers Tell me about the greatest triumph of your career thus far and how you made it happen. Why this matters This question helps you to understand both the candidate’s experience and their ability to effect positive change. You’ll also gain insights into their work style, personal goals, and passion for the job.

11 Questions to Ask During Your Legal Interview
  • What type of cases and deals are distributed to new associates? ...
  • What kind of tasks do new associates typically handle? ...
  • What makes this firm stand apart from others? ...
  • How do you consider the firm will grow in the next five years?

Full Answer

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Top hard skills interview questions for lawyers. Tell me about a complex legal issue you worked on. Describe the complexity and tell me how you approached it. Whether you need a litigator, a …

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

Apr 21, 2021 · What to look for in an answer: Passion for different areas of the law. Ability to engage in all job-related activities. Evidence of diligence and motivation. Example: “I enjoy the …

What are some questions they might ask at an interview?

Jun 29, 2021 · Having questions prepared also shows the law firm your values, work ethic, and priorities. Preparing can help you appear more confident during your interview, as well. …

What questions should I ask a CEO during an interview?

Here, we have compiled a list of 11 questions that you should ask an attorney upon that initial free consultation: 1. “How long have you been practicing law?” This question is important to …

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What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include:
  • How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage? ...
  • What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? ...
  • What are the risks if the case does fail? ...
  • What are the odds of a settlement? ...
  • How long should I expect this to take?

What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interview
  • What do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ...
  • How would you describe your organisation's culture? ...
  • Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide? ...
  • What have past employees done to succeed in this position?

How do you impress a law firm interview question?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.
  1. Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ...
  2. Be presentable and dress your best. ...
  3. Come prepared to ask questions. ...
  4. Be personable and show enthusiasm. ...
  5. Be genuine. ...
  6. Promptly send a thank-you note.
Oct 28, 2020

How do you prepare for a law firm interview?

How To Prepare For A Law Firm Interview
  1. Etiquette and confidence are key. ...
  2. Dress for the job. ...
  3. Make your resume stand out from the crowd. ...
  4. Win them over with your writing samples. ...
  5. Know -- and promote -- your strengths. ...
  6. Get familiar before you go in. ...
  7. Tailor your approach to the position you're interviewing for.
Jun 1, 2010

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

7 good questions to ask at an interview
  • Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ...
  • How could I impress you in the first three months? ...
  • Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ...
  • Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?

What are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer?

Best Questions to Ask the Interviewer
  • How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
  • What are you looking for in a candidate?
  • What are the biggest challenges of this job?
  • How would you describe a typical day in this position?
  • What is the typical work week?
  • Is overtime expected?
Feb 14, 2018

What should I bring to a law interview?

Always bring copies! You can't assume your interviewer will have them. Bring any personal care items you might need: gum, mints, a toothbrush (if you're coming for a meal), extra hosiery, eyedrops, touch-up makeup, etc. And don't forget directions (including parking locations, if you're driving).Jul 17, 2015

How do you impress a lawyer?

Asking good questions is also an opportunity to sell yourself. They should be clear, thoughtful and relevant. Asking a lot of smart questions about the firm and your practice area also shows interest, and thus motivation. It also makes you look good by showing that you are intelligent, savvy and well-prepared.

How do you do well in law interview?

8 key legal interview tips
  1. Research the business. Before you go to the interview, spend several hours thoroughly researching the business. ...
  2. Be positive. ...
  3. It's all in the timing. ...
  4. Leave salary negotiations to your recruiter. ...
  5. Mirror the mood of the interviewer. ...
  6. Dress appropriately. ...
  7. Work on your key message.

How do you answer tell me about yourself in an attorney interview?

According to Laura, the best answers to "So, tell me about yourself" demonstrate confidence and leave the other person wanting to know more about you. And, a successful answer combines preparation and presentation-it's not just about what you say, but how you say it.

How can I impress interviewer?

How can I impress the interviewer with my answers?
  1. Be passionate. Have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic when talking about yourself and your career. ...
  2. Sell yourself. ...
  3. Tell stories. ...
  4. Ask questions. ...
  5. Ask for the job.
Nov 29, 2021

How do you answer what is your greatest weakness?

List of Weaknesses for Job Interview
  1. Lack of Patience.
  2. Lack of Organization.
  3. Trouble with Delegation.
  4. Timidity.
  5. Lack of Tactfulness.
  6. Fear of Public Speaking.
  7. Weak Data Analysis Skills.
  8. Indecisiveness.
Dec 14, 2021

General questions

These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture:

Questions about experience and background

These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role:

In-depth questions

An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role.

Sample interview questions and answers

Review these sample interview questions and answers to form your own responses:

Law firm interview tips

Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner:

Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.

What aspect of the daily job of being a lawyer interests you the most?

Every lawyer has strengths and weaknesses. Some attorneys do things better than others. This question will test what a lawyer believes that they are good at and what interests them. If they indicate that they dislike a critical basic area of the job, it can help you determine where they would be a good fit in your company.

Have you ever worked on a case that was hard not to take home with you? How did you handle the situation?

Depending on the type of law they practice, lawyers may have to work on cases that evoke emotions like those in family cases or criminal trials. This question allows an interviewer to gauge a candidate's ability to maintain their mental health when working on particularly difficult cases.

Interviewing with confidence

There are many considerations when preparing for a law firm job interview. What should I wear? How much do I share? How do I answer this question? To effectively communicate your desire to be part of a law team, you must prepare thoughtful questions in your interview.

Why ask questions at a law firm interview?

Asking questions during a law firm interview matters because the answers provide you with helpful information about the firm and your potential role. Having questions prepared also shows the law firm your values, work ethic, and priorities. Preparing can help you appear more confident during your interview, as well.

Tips for creating law firm interview questions

Creating poignant questions for the interviewer requires some research. Relevant questions will impress them and increase your chance of being asked back for a second interview. Here are some tips to consider when preparing your questions:

Insightful questions to ask and why

Review these questions to pose during your law firm interview, and learn their benefits.

More law firm interview questions to consider

The interview will answer some of your prepared questions with organic conversation, making it important to have several selections to increase your chance to learn about the firm and role. Here are some example questions to choose from or to inspire others, which you can edit to suit a specific firm:

Can an attorney handle auto accidents?

For instance, if you need someone who specializes in auto accidents, then he/she should be able to handle it. The attorney should also be able to provide evidence of being successful at taking on those cases.

What is a personal injury attorney?

When seeking out a personal injury attorney, it is essential that you come prepared not only with your personal documents related to your case, but questions for that attorney.

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General Questions

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These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture: 1. What adjectives would your friends use to describe you? 2. What are your biggest strengths? 3. How do you handle feedback? 4. What is your biggest accomplishm…
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Questions About Experience and Background

  • These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role: 1. What was your favorite course in law school and why? 2. Tell me about a case you were lead on that substantially broadened your knowledge of the legal field. 3. Which extracurricular groups were you involved in during law school? 4. Tell me about your law school i…
See more on indeed.com

In-Depth Questions

  • An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role. 1. How do you build trust with a client? 2. How would you keep clients i...
See more on indeed.com

Law Firm Interview Tips

  • Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner: 1. Familiarize yourself with recent court rulings. 2. Research the law firm. 3. Bring examples of papers you've written.
See more on indeed.com