Prepare for your Attorney interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients. It’s important to show that you have the skills and personality to interact with clients in a professional manner. In your answer, explain how you feel about working with clients and provide an example of a time when you helped a client with their legal issues.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am very comfortable working with clients. I have been an attorney for five years now and have had the opportunity to work with many different types of clients. I understand that each client has their own unique needs, so I always try to be as accommodating as possible. For example, I recently worked with a family who was going through a divorce. The husband and wife both came to me for separate consultations, but I made sure to meet with them together so they could discuss their issues together."
This question can help the interviewer determine if your skills and interests align with the position. It also shows that you have some knowledge of the law firm’s practice areas, which can be helpful if you aren’t familiar with them. When answering this question, try to mention an area of law that interests you and one that you’re qualified to practice.
Answer Example: "My favorite areas of law to practice are family law and criminal defense. I’ve always had a passion for helping others, so when I started working as an attorney, I decided to focus on these two areas. Family law is especially rewarding because you’re helping people solve their problems and create new beginnings."
Lawyers often work with clients who have conflicting goals or opinions. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle conflict professionally. In your answer, explain how you would approach this type of situation. Explain that you would try to resolve the conflict through communication. If necessary, you could involve your supervisor or other authority figure.
Answer Example: "I understand that conflict can happen in any workplace. When I encounter conflict with clients or other attorneys, I always try to approach it in a professional manner. First, I try to communicate with the other person in order to understand their point of view. If they are unwilling to listen, then I would speak with their supervisor or manager about the issue. If necessary, I would even ask for a meeting with all involved parties in order to resolve the conflict."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and determine what needs to be done. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for identifying legal issues, researching them and making decisions about how to proceed with a case.
Answer Example: "I first look at the facts of a case to determine if there is any potential for legal action. If so, I then investigate the facts further to determine what laws may have been broken and whether there is enough evidence to prove it in court. After that, I research similar cases to see how they were resolved in order to determine the best course of action for this particular situation. Finally, I discuss my findings with my client or supervisor to determine the best course of action."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your research skills and whether you have experience with legal research. Use examples from previous jobs that show your ability to find information, such as laws or cases, and apply it to a situation.
Answer Example: "In my last position, I was working on a case for a client who was accused of tax evasion. I needed to find out if there were any similar cases where the defendant was found guilty so I could use that information to support our argument that my client was guilty. After searching through several databases, I found two cases where the defendants were convicted of tax evasion and used those cases to support our argument."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and whether you have strategies for overcoming them. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your work, learn from your mistakes and improve in the future.
Answer Example: "If a client was unhappy with my work, I would first listen carefully to their concerns and ask questions to understand their point of view. This helps me identify any misunderstandings or errors in my work so I can correct them or provide further explanation. Then, I would apologize for any inconvenience or frustration my mistakes may have caused and explain how I plan to fix them. Finally, I would work with the client to develop an action plan for moving forward."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle uncertainty and whether you have a process for researching information. Your answer should show that you are willing to do whatever it takes to provide quality legal services to clients, including researching information or consulting with colleagues if necessary.
Answer Example: "If I wasn’t sure about the answers to a client’s questions, I would first try to find the answer myself by researching the relevant law or case history. If I still couldn’t find an answer, I would consult with other attorneys in my firm who may be able to help me. If all else fails, I would schedule a meeting with the client to discuss their questions in detail so that we can come up with an appropriate plan moving forward."
As an attorney, you may be required to work on multiple cases at once. Employers ask this question to see if you can manage stress and still produce high-quality work. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and prioritize your tasks. Show that you have the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
Answer Example: "I am an organized person who likes to keep track of all my cases. I find it helpful to use software like Microsoft Office or Google Docs to create spreadsheets with all the information about each client. This helps me stay organized and remember important details about each case. When working on multiple cases at once, I make sure to give each case the attention it needs. I also make sure to take breaks throughout the day so I don’t get burned out."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you might fit into their organization. If you have previous court experience, share a specific example of a case you argued in court and what the outcome was. If you don’t have any court experience, you can talk about other types of arguments you’ve made in other settings.
Answer Example: "In my last position as an attorney, I argued cases in court on a regular basis. I found that it was important to prepare thoroughly for each case by researching the law and facts involved. This helped me develop strong arguments that supported my client’s position. In one instance, I was able to use my knowledge of the law to convince the judge that our client was not guilty of the charges against him."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a case and determine the best course of action. Your answer should include a step-by-step process that shows you are organized, thorough and thoughtful when working on a case.
Answer Example: "When working on a case, I first assess the situation and gather all relevant information. I then analyze the facts and make an objective decision about the best course of action. Next, I develop a plan of action and determine all possible outcomes. Finally, I implement the plan and monitor its progress until the case is resolved. This process helps me ensure that I am providing the best possible representation for my client."
This question is a great way to show your employer that you are motivated to learn and grow in your career. It also shows them that you’re interested in becoming certified in specific areas of law, which can help you stand out from other candidates. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific certification that you’re interested in gaining or a general goal of becoming certified in multiple areas of law.
Answer Example: "I am currently working toward becoming certified as a family law attorney. I’d also like to become certified as a divorce attorney someday. I find divorce cases to be fascinating because they involve so many different aspects of law."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you collaborate with others and your ability to lead a team. Use examples from past experiences where you worked well with others, communicated effectively and completed projects on time.
Answer Example: "In my last position as an attorney at a law firm, I worked on cases with other attorneys and support staff members regularly. When working with other attorneys, I found it helpful to communicate regularly about the progress we were making on our cases and any challenges we faced. This helped me stay organized and ensured that we were all working toward the same goals. With support staff, I tried to meet with them once a week to go over any issues we were having and discuss solutions."
This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. It’s important to be honest, but also show that you have confidence in your skills as an attorney. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a skill or trait that you’re proud of or something that makes you unique.
Answer Example: "I believe my experience as a lawyer makes me stand out from other attorneys. I’ve been practicing law for over five years now, which has given me plenty of time to develop my skills and learn new strategies for handling cases. In fact, I recently won a case that many other attorneys had tried but failed to win. My experience has shown me that hard work pays off."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how well you’ll fit into their organization. Use your answer to highlight any unique skills or knowledge you have about court systems, such as if you’ve worked with multiple court systems in the past or if you’re familiar with specific laws within each system.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both state and federal courts, so I’m familiar with both systems. In my last position, I worked exclusively with federal cases, so I’m excited to expand my knowledge of state courts. I also have some experience with international courts, as I helped a client navigate through a European court system."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and what’s important to you. Your answer should show that you value client care, which can include things like communication, responsiveness and attention to detail.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important aspect of client care is communication. As an attorney, it’s my job to keep my clients informed about their case and any changes or updates. I always make sure to return calls or emails promptly, and I try to write down any important information so my clients have it later. In my last position, I was able to help a client because I had written down that they were allergic to certain foods."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you communicate with clients and whether you have a system in place to keep them informed about their case. Your answer should include a specific example of when you updated a client on the status of their case, including the method you used to do so.
Answer Example: "I always make sure to update my clients on the status of their case at least once a month. In my last position, I had a client who was waiting on some paperwork from another state, so I called them every week to let them know if there were any updates. This helped them feel more involved in the process and ensured they knew exactly what was going on with their case."
This question is a great way to test your knowledge of current laws and how they impact cases. It also shows the interviewer that you are up-to-date on what’s happening in the legal world. When answering this question, try to mention the specific law and what impact it has on your client’s case.
Answer Example: "I would first make sure that my client was aware of the new law and explained its implications. If the client still wanted to move forward with the case, I would find a way to apply the new law to their situation. For example, if the client was facing charges for driving under the influence, I could argue that the new law makes it harder to prove intoxication."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Use examples from your past experience to show that you can handle this type of situation professionally.
Answer Example: "In my last position as an attorney, I had a client who stopped paying their legal fees halfway through our contract. I met with them to discuss the issue, and they said they no longer wanted to continue with our services. I explained that we had an agreement and they still owed me money for the work I had done so far. They agreed to pay me what they owed if I would agree to drop the case."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific type of law. Estate planning and probate are two related areas that attorneys often specialize in, so this answer can show the interviewer what kind of work you enjoy doing.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked on several estate planning cases over the past few years, including helping clients create wills and trust documents. I also assisted with the probate process when one client passed away, helping to organize and file all necessary paperwork with the court. This experience has taught me a lot about how to help clients plan for the future while also ensuring their wishes are carried out after death."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach negotiations and whether you have experience with this process. Use examples from past cases to explain your strategies, and highlight any skills or traits that helped you succeed in these situations.
Answer Example: "In my experience, it’s important to be prepared for negotiations with opposing parties. I always make sure to have all the facts about the case at hand so that I can accurately discuss the details with the other party. This helps me avoid making any missteps or misleading statements during the negotiation process. In addition, I try to be as friendly and polite as possible when speaking with opposing parties. This can help build rapport and create a more positive atmosphere during negotiations."
