Prepare for your Corporate Counsel interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Corporate counsel often handles mergers and acquisitions for their company. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with this type of legal work and how well you understand it. In your answer, explain that you are familiar with the process of mergers and acquisitions and the different types of documents involved in these activities.
Answer Example: “Yes, I have worked on several mergers and acquisitions in my previous positions. I am familiar with the legalities surrounding these processes, including the necessary documentation and approvals required by both companies. I also understand the importance of ensuring that all confidential information is protected during these processes.”
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important qualities for corporate counsel, such as communication skills, problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
Answer Example: “I believe the most important qualities for a corporate counsel are communication skills, problem-solving ability and attention to detail. A successful corporate counsel must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and other stakeholders, solve problems quickly and efficiently, and pay close attention to detail when reviewing documents and contracts. These skills are essential for success in this position.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you would apply the company’s policies and procedures to real-life situations. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to challenge authority when necessary while still maintaining a professional demeanor.
Answer Example: “I would first approach the executive and ask them if they were aware of the policy they were breaking. If they were, then I would explain that they need to comply with the policy or else face consequences. If they continue to disregard the policy, then I would document the incident and report it to my supervisor so that they can decide what action to take.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your legal expertise to make decisions that are beneficial to the company. Your answer should include an example of when you used this process in the past and what factors influenced your decision.
Answer Example: “I first determine whether there is a legal requirement for action, such as a contract or regulation. If there is not, I then consider the financial impact of taking action or not taking action. If there is a significant risk but no legal requirement for action, I discuss the situation with my supervisor to determine whether we should take action based on company policy or best practices.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your negotiation skills and how you use them to benefit your company. Use examples from previous roles where you successfully negotiated a settlement or contract that helped your company save money or time or gain new clients or customers.
Answer Example: “In my last role as corporate counsel for a large software company, we were in the process of developing a new product when one of our developers accidentally deleted some critical code. This mistake could have caused us to miss our deadline for releasing the product, but I negotiated with the developer to pay for half of the cost of rebuilding the code if they completed the task within two weeks. The developer agreed, and we were able to release the product on time.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action when necessary and that you have a plan for dealing with employee misconduct.
Answer Example: “If I discovered that one of my employees was stealing company funds, my first course of action would be to meet with them privately to discuss the evidence I have against them. I would try to get them to admit to their wrongdoing without alerting anyone else at the company. If they refused to admit their guilt, I would still take disciplinary action against them but would do so in a way that protected the company’s interests.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle conflict in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to mediate between parties, collaborate with others and solve problems.
Answer Example: “If I noticed two departments were clashing over legal issues, I would first try to understand the root of the problem. I would then meet with both departments separately to discuss their perspectives on the issue and find out what they hope to achieve through it. After gathering this information, I would create a plan for how we can resolve the conflict while still meeting everyone’s needs. This might involve creating new policies or procedures or adjusting existing ones.”
Corporate counsel often have a lot of responsibility, and employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress that comes with the job. In your answer, explain how you manage stress in your life. Share a specific strategy that has helped you in the past.
Answer Example: “I am a very organized person, so I often use my calendar to keep track of all my tasks. This helps me stay on track with my projects and ensures I don’t forget anything. I also try to take breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge. Taking breaks helps me stay focused when I return to work.”
Corporate counsel often work with patent law, so employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary experience. If you don’t have any experience working with patent law, consider explaining how you would approach learning about it. You can also mention any other legal experience you have that relates to patent law.
Answer Example: “I’ve worked with intellectual property law in the past, so I’m familiar with the basics of patent law. However, I would definitely take time to learn more about the specifics of patent law if I were hired for this position. I find that it’s always beneficial to learn more about new areas of law.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what steps you take to ensure it’s completed thoroughly and efficiently. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for reviewing contracts, including any tools or methods you use to ensure they’re complete and accurate.
Answer Example: “I first read through the contract thoroughly to make sure I understand all of its terms and conditions. Then I check for any missing information by comparing it to previous versions of the contract or other relevant documents. If I still can’t find the missing information, I contact the person who drafted the contract to get more details. Finally, I review the contract again to make sure all of the details are correct and accurate.”
This question is an opportunity to show your ability to create a positive work environment for employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you would take to ensure that all employees feel comfortable approaching you with questions or concerns.
Answer Example: “I believe it’s important for employees to feel comfortable approaching senior management about legal issues. To create a culture of transparency within the department, I would first ensure that all employees are aware of the company’s confidentiality policy. I would also hold regular meetings with employees so they can ask questions about any legal issues they may be facing. This will allow me to answer any questions they have and explain any changes to the company’s policies.”
Corporate governance is a broad term that can refer to many different types of issues within a company. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with governance issues and can apply your knowledge to their company. In your answer, explain what corporate governance means to you and provide an example of when you used your knowledge to help a company.
Answer Example: “I have extensive experience working with corporate governance issues. During my time as a legal assistant, I worked on several projects related to corporate governance. For example, I helped prepare documents for shareholder meetings, monitored compliance with corporate bylaws and assisted with the creation of new policies. I also have experience drafting contracts and agreements that adhere to corporate governance standards. My understanding of corporate governance principles and practices allows me to quickly assess new situations and provide effective solutions.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or knowledge you have.
Answer Example: “I am an excellent communicator who enjoys working with others. I have been a corporate counsel for five years, and in that time I’ve developed strong relationships with my colleagues. I know that collaboration is key to success in this position, so I would be happy to work with anyone who needs my help. My team at my current job agrees that I am an excellent team player.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with the legal system and how you might fit into their company’s culture. Use this opportunity to highlight any law schools that are familiar to you or that you have worked with in the past.
Answer Example: “I have worked with several law schools throughout my career, including Harvard, Yale and Georgetown. I find that working with these schools helps me better understand the challenges that corporate counsel face and provides me with valuable insight into how to best serve my clients.”
This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your priorities and how you view the role of corporate counsel. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of all aspects of corporate counsel work, but you can also highlight one or two aspects that are particularly important to you.
Answer Example: “I think communication is the most important aspect of corporate counsel work because it’s essential for me to communicate with other professionals in the company, such as executives and managers, as well as outside counsel. I want to make sure everyone has the same information so we can make decisions together. Also, I value collaboration because it helps me get input from others on how to handle different situations.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of legal risk assessment and how often you use it in your work. Use examples from your experience to explain how you perform legal risk assessments and what steps you take to ensure the company is following all laws and regulations.
Answer Example: “I perform legal risk assessment on a regular basis, usually once per month. I use a variety of tools and resources to help me assess the company’s current legal situation and potential risks. For example, I review all contracts, emails and documents for any potential issues or violations. I also speak with employees about their concerns or questions so I can address them before they become bigger problems.”
This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to resolve the conflict.
Answer Example: “I would first meet with both executives separately to hear their sides of the story. Then, I would bring them together to discuss the issue so they could work through it together. If the conflict was still not resolved, I would ask each of them to write down their concerns on paper so we could look at them objectively. This helps me understand the root of the problem and find a solution.”
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your legal expertise and how you apply it in the workplace. Use examples from past experiences where you helped ensure contracts were legally binding, including the steps you took to ensure their validity.
Answer Example: “I use several strategies to ensure that contracts are legally binding. First, I ensure that all parties involved in the contract understand their responsibilities and agree to them. Second, I make sure that all details in the contract are accurate and clear so there are no misunderstandings later on. Finally, I review the contract multiple times before signing it myself to make sure there are no mistakes or omissions.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from past experiences where you had to communicate with a client who was unhappy with your work or who had different expectations than you did.
Answer Example: “In my last role as corporate counsel, I had a client who was very demanding and often changed his mind about things. He would call me at all hours of the day with questions about his case and requests for updates. At first, I was frustrated by his constant contact, but I realized that he needed me to be available at all times. So, I started setting aside time each day to answer his questions and give him updates on his case. This helped me manage his expectations and ensured that he was satisfied with my work.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you react in a crisis situation and whether you have experience making quick decisions. Use examples from past experiences where you had to act quickly to solve a problem, such as when you were working on a project deadline or had to respond to an urgent email from a client.
Answer Example: “In my last role as corporate counsel for a large financial institution, I had to respond quickly when one of our clients called us about an issue with their account. The client was concerned about some unusual activity they had noticed on their account, and they wanted to make sure it wasn’t caused by someone hacking into their system. I immediately investigated the situation and determined that the unusual activity was due to human error by one of our employees.”