Interview Questions--Legal Intern

1. Why are you interested in this firm?

Ans: Your firm handled (insert name of case I read on their website) which I found to be exciting because it was just like another case I was reading in this class I got an A in. I've also asked some upper class-men about your office and they said it's a great work environment.

2. Why did you go to law school?

Ans: I went to law school because I want to be able to make a difference. Legal work allows me to be competitive and to work for justice, both of which are important things in my life.

3. Do you think your grades are an accurate reflection of the kind of work you will do as an attorney?

Ans: Law school has been a challenge, and I think my grades reflect that. More important than my grades, which by the way have steadily improved over my academic career, is my dedication to the work I do. My performance during my summer jobs is the best indicator of how I will work, and you will find that my previous employers were all pleased with me (or at least forgot who I am and so will not remember the fuck ups). .

4. What would you say is your greatest weakness?
Ans: My greatest weakness is that I get too personally involved with my work. For instance, when I am working on trial prep, and then the case settles favorably, I feel as though it should have gone to trial anyway, despite knowing that the settlement is what's best for our firm and our client.

5. Tell us about a recent mistake that you have made.

Ans: I accidentally misfiled a case at work that was set to go to trial the next week. As soon as I realized this, I alerted my supervisor and disaster was averted.

6. What do you do for fun?

Ans. I enjoy jogging, skydiving, and traveling to exotic countries.

7. Tell us about your style of leadership.

Ans: I lead by taking the initiative and working proactively with my peers to come up with solutions.

8. If you don't get hired by this firm, what will you do?

I will analyze what I could have done better during the interview and take that knowledge with me into my next interview with [rival firm name].

9. Do you have any questions for us?

Ans: Will I have a key so that I can come in and work on the weekends?

10. We value creativity among our associates. With that in mind, what kind of plant would you be, and why? Ans. I would be a tree, because they are tall, strong, and live a long life.

Sample Interview Questions--Lawyers

1. Why do you want to be a lawyer?
2. Why did you decide to attend law school?
3. Why did you choose this particular law firm?
4. In what school activities have you participated? Why?
   Which did you enjoy most?
5. How do you spend your spare time?
6. What jobs have you held? How were they obtained, and why did you leave?
7. What courses have you liked best in law school? Least? Why?
8. Is your GPA an accurate reflection of your abilities? Why or why not?
9. Why did you apply to our firm (or respond to our desire to interview you)?
10. What do you know about our firm?
11. Do you feel your legal education has been good?
12. What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this field?
13. What makes you think you're a good lawyer?
14. How interested are you in sports?
15. If you were starting law school all over, would you still attend?
16. What is your rank in school? Is your GPA a good indicator of your abilities?
17. Was your involvement in school activities worth the time you devoted to them? Why?
18. What characteristics do you think a person needs to be a successful attorney?
19. Why do you think you would like practicing law?
20. What do you think you'll be doing during your first year with our firm?
21. Do you prefer working with others or by yourself?
22. Who are your best friends? Why?
23. What areas of law interest you?
24. Can you take instructions without feeling upset?
25. How did previous employers treat you?
26. What have you learned from other jobs you have held?
27. Can we get recommendations from your previous employers?
28. What interests you about our firm? Why would you want to represent our clients?
29. Have you ever had to withdraw from a class?
30. Have you ever had any difficulty getting along with fellow students or faculty?
31. What is the source of your spending money?
32. Do you like routine work?
33. Define cooperation.
34. What interests you about the legal system?
35. Are you willing to fight to get ahead?
36. What area of law interests you? Why?
37. What job with the firm would you choose if you were given the choice?
38. Which of our practice areas interest you and why?
39. What types of people seem to rub you the wrong way?
40. What are your special abilities?
41. What do you think the disadvantages of practicing law are?
42. What have you done that shows initiative and a willingness to work?
43. How many hours a day do you think a person should work?
44. What are your goals?
45. Do you have any questions for us?
46. Tell me about a professional failure and how you handled it.
47. Why should we hire you over our other applicants?
48. Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task under a tight deadline while working with someone who was difficult to get along with.
49. What are the three most important things that you contribute to an organization? What are the three most important things that you could contribute to our firm?
50. What are some of the most imaginative and creative things that you have done in a job?How do you deal with stress or conflict? What clues have you come to recognize as signals that you may be under too much stress?
51. How would a good friend describe you?
52. What kind of people do you find most difficult to work with?
53. What do you think are the most important characteristics and abilities for any person’s success? 
54. How do you rate yourself in these areas?
55. When have you failed?
56. Describe the circumstances and how you dealt with, and learned from, the experience.
57. Describe the work environment that you consider optimal for your personal satisfaction and best performance.
58. Scenario: You are an attorney working at our firm on a day when you are the only person in the office. An elderly woman comes into the office asking to see a lawyer right away. She does not have an appointment but says that she needs to sign some papers. She has no papers with her. What do you do?
59. Scenario: You are meeting with a 65-year-old gentleman to take will instructions. He tells you that he has three adult children who are financially well off. He advises that he is divorced, pays spousal support to his ex-wife, and is currently living common law with another woman. Although he has no problems sharing most of his personal information, he refuses to answer any questions about his assets and tells you to write down $1 as his net worth. How do you proceed?
60. Tell me about what you would consider a major accomplishment.
61. How do you manage your day?
62. What motivates you?
63. If offered this position, how long do you plan to stay with us?

Interview Questions with a Technology Law Practice

1. How does your experience and education qualify you for the position in our Technology Law Group?
   Focus on the aspects of your experience that apply to this position. Include any information technology experience, knowledge or training.
2. Tell me about a challenging situation in which you had to apply both your legal skills and technical knowledge.
3. Would you say that your strength is in drafting or in the substantive review of documents? Why?
   Regardless of where your strength is, provide examples of why drafting or substantive review is a strength. Can you tie it to technology or some aspect of this position?
4. How would your current law firm assess your drafting ability?
5. What the biggest mistake that you've made in your legal career? What did you learn from that mistake?
6. You've supervised project teams before, what steps do you take to insure that project teams work effectively and efficiently?
7. What experience do you have in negotiating technology contracts?
8. Give me an example of your ability to work under pressure and deal with deadlines in the legal environment.
9. Based on your knowledge of technology, what technological changes do you see in the next five years that will have the greatest legal impact?
10. What salary are you seeking?
    How does your experience and qualifications match up to the job? Do you know how much other companies are paying? Check Salary.com for complete salary information.
11. Do you have anything to add?

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

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