Law Firm Interview Questions, Plus Questions To Ask

Interviews could determine your success in the field of law. Know which questions to expect and which you should ask to ace your interview. Then practice, practice, practice to hone your interview skills.

Law office interview questions

During your interview, you'll want to demonstrate your capabilities as a lawyer while showing you'd be a pleasant person to work with.

Legal job interviews vary from firm to firm, but the following questions are common.

• Why did you decide to leave your current job?
• Why did you choose law as a career?
• What do you find most interesting about law?
• Why did you choose our law firm?
• What valuable assets could you add to our firm?
• In the past, has your focus been facilitation or trial?
• Tell me about a complex case you've handled.
• Tell me about a case that didn't go in your favor. How did you handle it? What did you learn?
• How well do you understand the local court system?
• What are your biggest strengths as a lawyer?
• What are your weaknesses? What have you done to address them?
• How are you under pressure?
• What was your favorite class in law school?
• Tell me about your internship or externship experiences.
• How do you stay organized?
• Have you written any legal papers?
• Describe how you establish trust with a client.
• How would you deal with a difficult client?
• How would you handle a client who is unhappy with the outcome of their case?
• What's your process for writing complaints, counterclaims, etc.?
• I see there's a gap in your work history. What were you doing during that time?
• How would your friends and family describe you?
• What are your passions outside of law?
• Do you have a connection to the city?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Tell me something about you that isn't on your resume.

Law internship interview questions

Expect some overlap with the law firm interview questions for attorneys but with less focus on professional experience.

Demonstrate the experience you have that will make you a good hand around the office.

Common questions include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to be a lawyer?
• Have you done any volunteer legal work?
• Tell me about your previous internships.
• What makes you a good candidate?
• How are your multitasking skills?
• Describe your approach to legal research and analysis.
• Are you comfortable under pressure?
• Do you have legal writing experience?
• Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict.
• Tell me about your undergraduate thesis.
• What area of law do you see yourself specializing in?
• What would you do if you found case law that did not align with your research?
• What are you hoping to get out of this internship?
• What are your future goals?

Questions to ask at a law firm interview

At the end of the interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. Asking questions allows you to show genuine curiosity and interest in the position, and that you've done your research on the firm.

Tailor your questions to the type of law firm. For example, if you want to become a family lawyer, you might be curious as to whether the firm handles more divorce or standalone child custody cases.

Some questions to consider:

Attorneys and interns

• What are your firm's values?
• What's your training procedure?
• Are you reliant on a small client base or large client base?
• Who are your typical clients?
• How much work is expected to be completed weekly?
• How much collaboration is expected with attorneys?
• Will I receive regular performance reviews?
• Outside of regular duties, what other tasks will I be expected to take on (e.g., writing blog posts)?
• Are there any opportunities for cross-training?
• How does the firm stay active in the community?
• What challenges do you face at your law firm?
• What are the next steps in the process?

Attorneys

• What qualities are you looking for in an attorney?
• Why do you like working here?
• What, if any, major changes have occurred during your time at the firm?
• What motivated you to start the firm or apply for a position here?
• How did you handle [case you've studied that they litigated]?
• How many lawyers have you hired in the past year(s)?
• How does your typical work day look?
• What are the steps to becoming a partner in your firm?
• What are the firm's plans for the future? Do you have intentions to expand, open up more offices, etc.?

Interns

• What qualities are you looking for in an intern?
• What does a typical day look like for an intern?
• Will I be expected to deal with clients directly?
• How will this position prepare me for my legal career?
• After the internship, is it common for you to offer full-time roles?

Tips for attending a law firm interview

• Take a look at the law firm's website. Learn about the practice and who works there.
• Look up cases the attorneys have litigated. Mentioning a case the interviewer worked on and asking them a question about it shows your interest.
• Review your resume. Think up questions you would ask yourself if you were the interviewer. Come up with responses to the questions and practice with a friend or in the mirror.
• Dress appropriately. Appropriate dress varies firm to firm, from business formal to casual. Photos of the attorneys available on the firm's website could give you an idea.
• Arrive early.
• Keep a calm demeanor.
• Be kind to secretaries and others you see while at the firm.
• Turn off your cell phone.
• Kindly greet the interviewer, and give a firm handshake.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Ask about the interviewer's personal experience to make yourself more personable.
• Naturally weave in information about your experience and accomplishments you're not asked about.

Technology for family lawyers

Use the right family law software to make life easier once you begin practicing.

Many child custody lawyers rely on Custody X Change's professional software for their daily practice.

• It helps you make visual custody schedules for clients to compare.
• It lets you calculate scheduled and actual parenting time.
• It cuts the time needed to create a thorough parenting plan.

You can customize this to fit your situation with Custody X Change.

If you link with your clients, you'll also be able to guide them as they gather custody documentation. For instance, you'll be able to edit their journal entries, categorize their expenses, and print out messages they've exchanged with their co-parent.

Custody X Change helps you thrive as a family lawyer by keeping your clients happy.