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Lawyer Interview Questions

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Lawyer interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you handle stress as a lawyer? See answer
  2. How do you manage and prioritise your caseload? See answer
  3. How would you describe your approach in the courtroom? See answer
  4. Can you provide any examples of your contributions to legal publications? See answer
  5. Please describe your academic background and articling experience. See answer
  6. How do you stay involved within the legal community? See answer
  7. Describe a previous case that had a personal impact on you. See answer
  8. Describe a case you lost and what you learned. See answer
  9. Why did you choose to focus on this field of law? See answer
  10. How do you handle cases that directly conflict with your personal values? See answer
  11. Where do you see yourself in five years? See answer
  12. How do you build trust with a client as a lawyer? See answer
  13. How does being a lawyer differ from your assumptions when you first chose law as your career? See answer
  14. What unique expertise do you bring to this law firm? See answer
  15. What’syour standard process for updating clients about their cases?
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Hire your next Lawyer today.

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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Lawyer Interview Questions and Answers

How do you handle stress as a lawyer?

A competent lawyer typically puts in long hours and must handle workplace stress productively. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to deal with stress in a healthy and productive manner. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understands the value of a healthy work-life balance
  • Ability to delegate administrative tasks to a paralegal or other team members
  • Productive stress relief habits

Example:

"I learned early in my internship not to take workplace stress home with me. I love jogging and often go for a long run while listening to notes and proceedings. It helps me relax and stay focused on a case without sacrificing time for things I enjoy. I understand how important a healthy work-life balance is in this profession."

How do you manage and prioritise your caseload?

An effective lawyer can manage multiple cases simultaneously while remaining productive. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to organise and prioritise their caseload. What to look for in an answer:

  • Attention to detail and ability to maintain focus
  • organisational skills to manage their schedule for maximum efficiency
  • Analytical skills and knowledge to prioritise cases based on urgency and deadlines

Example:

"I keep a detailed journal and calendar with deadlines and reminders so that I can effectively manage multiple cases. I prioritise based on many factors, such as filing deadlines, court dates, and urgency."

How would you describe your approach in the courtroom?

A lawyer must be courtroom savvy and arrive fully prepared. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to prepare for a courtroom appearance and their professional demeanour in counsel. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to prepare thoroughly for a courtroom appearance
  • Confidence in cross-examination and evidence presentation skills
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and mutual respect with the judge

Example:

"I spend many hours in preparation before entering a courtroom. I need to understand the case better than the opposing counsel. I study every detail of the case, such as witness testimony and police reports. I prepare a detailed strategy of all critical points I need to cover."

Can you provide any examples of your contributions to legal publications?

It's common for lawyers to submit articles and papers to various legal publications for peer review. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's contribution to any published sources. What to look for in an answer:

  • Passion for law
  • Strong writing skills
  • Interest in providing value to the legal community

Example:

"I've written several papers over my career for peer review. The Canadian Bar Association published two papers, and McGill Law Journal recently published another. I have printed copies of all my papers in my portfolio to leave with you."

Please describe your academic background and articling experience.

A qualified lawyer must complete two bachelor's degrees and articling before they're called to the bar and qualified to represent clients. The goal of the question is to understand the candidate's experience in becoming a lawyer. What to look for in an answer:

  • Successful completion of all qualifying exams and requirements
  • Relevant specialisation in the type of law your office practises
  • Academic achievements

Example:

"I completed my bachelor's degree in political science at Ryerson University. I then passed the LSAT exam with a score of 170 and was accepted into the law programme at McGill University. Once I completed my law degree, I began articling with a law firm back in Toronto that specialised in corporate law."

How do you stay involved within the legal community?

A successful lawyer typically stays involved within the regional legal community through extracurricular activities and networking events. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's interest in networking and being professionally active. What to look for in an answer:

  • Initiative to take part in professional development and networking opportunities
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with other professionals
  • Commitment to a career in law

Example:

"I'm involved in several professional groups and organisations that help me stay involved in the community. For example, I volunteer as a mentor with our local university in their law department, helping senior law students prepare for articling. I also..."

Describe a previous case that had a personal impact on you.

Some cases affect a lawyer on a personal level. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate handles a difficult or emotional case. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience working on challenging cases
  • Strategies to separate work from personal feelings
  • Ability to remain professional and composed

Example:

"I represented a victim's family in an impaired driving case that resulted in someone's death. As hard as I tried, this affected me on a personal level. I always remained professional while representing them, but it was challenging to see how the accident affected the family. My job as a lawyer is to find the best solutions for my client, regardless of the situation."

Describe a case you lost and what you learned.

Inevitably, even the most skilled lawyer will occasionally lose a case. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's response to failure and how they use the experience for improvement. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the case
  • Ability to learn from failure by analyzing the situation and planning improvements
  • Interest in pursuing continual professional improvement

Example:

"I recently lost a private litigation case. After hearing the decision, I went back through my files to evaluate my case and where I could've made improvements. I made detailed notes on ideas to implement the next time I come across a similar case."

Why did you choose to focus on this field of law?

A lawyer typically specialises in a particular area of law. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's motivation for choosing their speciality. What to look for in an answer:

  • Motivation for choosing this specialisation
  • Relevant academic focus or training to prepare for this field
  • Interest in or passion for their area of speciality

Example:

"During law school, I had a strong interest in all the family law courses I attended. I continued this interest and completed my articling with a larger law firm specializing in family and estate law. I've continued to pursue this interest and made it my specialisation."

How do you handle cases that directly conflict with your personal values?

A successful lawyer must remain unbiased and objective despite their personal view. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to handling conflicting personal and professional opinions. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in following the law and separating personal views from their case
  • Ability to remain professional and objective
  • Focus on their role as a lawyer

Example:

"When I feel personally conflicted, I remind myself that my profession and career requires me to remain objective and provide the best case for my client. Staying objective means working within the framework of the law, not according to my personal feelings."

Where do you see yourself in five years?

A successful lawyer has professional goals and objectives to strive towardss constantly. The purpose of the question is to determine the candidate's long-term career plans and how they fit into your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to organise and plan long-term goals and set realistic objectives
  • Interest in long-term planning and career development
  • Knowledge of possible career paths as a lawyer

Example:

"In five years, I see myself as a partner in a small law firm specializing in corporate intellectual property law. I also want to be a student mentor at the law council and have several papers published in law journals. Working for this organisation appeals to me because there's room for career growth. I'm confident I'd make an excellent addition to your team and welcome the development opportunities and challenges this position offers."

What's your standard process for updating clients about their cases?

A successful lawyer maintains open discussion with their clients about the case. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's approach in updating clients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to provide updates and translate legal terminology for clients
  • organisation to update clients about pending events
  • Ability to build trust and strong client relationships

Example:

"The contact frequency with a client depends on the complexity and urgency of their case. I'm conscious of the money clients pay for my services, so I provide quick, concise, and critical updates. This may happen daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the details of the case. I make sure I'm available to discuss details and answer questions when clients need me."

How do you build trust with a client as a lawyer?

A lawyer needs to build rapport, trust, and confidence with the people they represent. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's approach to creating a professional relationship bond with their clients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in serving others with empathy, respect, and dignity
  • Communication skills to develop an open, honest dialogue with their clients
  • Interpersonal skills to relate with a client and create a sense of ease and familiarity

Example:

"I've learned that the quickest and easiest way to build trust with a client is to listen. I sincerely listen to their concerns and empathise with them. Remaining nonjudgmental and objective also helps to build rapport."

How does being a lawyer differ from your assumptions when you first chose law as your career?

The reality of being a lawyer may differ from a candidate's expectations. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience in choosing law as a career. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the full scope of duties and responsibilities as a lawyer
  • Awareness of their strengths and weaknesses in their profession
  • Commitment to the career path

Example:

"Being a lawyer is definitely different from how the entertainment industry portrays us. It isn't always a glamourous career, but it's even more rewarding than I could have expected. I'm able to impact people's lives and represent those who don't have a voice."

What unique expertise do you bring to this law firm?

A competent lawyer brings a unique skill set to their practise. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's areas of expertise and how it benefits your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of professional strengths
  • Enthusiasm for the role
  • Interest in contributing to the success of the firm

Example:

"I have expertise in the area of corporate intellectual property law. I've worked with several large corporations and successfully defended their cases. I feel confident that I can immediately provide excellent service to your corporate clients by protecting their intellectual property rights."

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