Top Legal Assistant Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: This question will help you understand why the candidate is interested in the position and what they hope to gain from it. It will also reveal whether they are genuinely interested in the position or just applying for any job.

Sample Answer: I am very interested in this position because I believe that I can make a difference here.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of genuine interest in the position
• - Desire to be part of a team
• - The desire to learn and grow professionally

Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that is designed to give you insight into the candidate’s personality. The best applicants will be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses in a way that is honest and not overly negative.

Sample Answer: My strengths are my attention to detail and my ability to stay organized. My weakness is that I can be a little too focused on the task at hand and not as aware of the bigger picture.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to be self-aware
• - Honest assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses

Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate will handle a situation where they are asked to do something outside of their job description. It will also reveal how well they are able to communicate and work with others.

Sample Answer: I would ask them if they were sure that it was my responsibility and if they were sure, I would do it.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to communicate clearly
• - Ability to work with others
• - Willingness to help others

Question Overview: This question is designed to find out what the legal assistant knows about the position and what they are looking for in a job. It will also help you to determine if the candidate is a good fit for your agency.

Sample Answer: I like that this position will allow me to work with a variety of attorneys and legal assistants.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The candidate’s understanding of the position
• - The candidate’s interest in the position
• - The candidate’s knowledge of your company

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what motivates the applicant to work as a legal assistant. It will also reveal how well they understand the role of a legal assistant and whether they are a good fit for your agency.

Sample Answer: I want to be a legal assistant because I enjoy working with people and I like helping them.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Desire to work in the legal profession
• - Interest in the specific job setting
• - Desire to work in a law office

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what motivates the candidate to work for your firm. It is important to find out if the candidate is motivated by money, prestige, a particular area of law or a specific office. You want to hire someone who is passionate about the work your firm does and who will be able to contribute to the culture of your office.

Sample Answer: I have always been interested in international law and I am excited about the prospect of working for an international firm like WHITE & CASE.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A desire to work in a specific area of law
• - A desire to work in a specific office
• - A desire to work for a specific practice group or department
• - A desire to be part of a specific team or project

Question Overview: This question is designed to reveal how the candidate will react to stressful situations. The best legal assistants will be able to remain calm and collected in the face of pressure and will not take out their frustrations on others.

Sample Answer: I would try to understand what was causing the stress and try to work with my boss to resolve the issue.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The ability to remain calm under pressure
• - The ability to remain professional in the face of conflict
• - The ability to communicate diplomatically

Question Overview: Conflict is an inevitable part of the legal profession. The best legal assistants are able to resolve conflicts in a professional manner. This question is aimed at learning how the candidate will handle conflicts on the job.

Sample Answer: I have had to deal with conflict in the past and I handled it by remaining calm and trying to understand the other person’s point of view.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically
• - Ability to remain calm under pressure
• - Ability to keep emotions out of the situation

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out if the legal assistant has done their research and is aware of the firm’s reputation and needs. It also reveals how well they can communicate their interest in the position and the firm.

Sample Answer: I have been impressed with your firm’s reputation and would like to be a part of it.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of research into the firm
• - Evidence of a genuine interest in the position
• - Evidence of a genuine interest in the firm

Question Overview: This is a question that is aimed at getting a sense of what the candidate thinks is important in the job. The best applicants will be able to articulate the qualities that are most important to them and will also be able to explain why they are important. This will give you an idea of how well they know the job and how well they will fit in with your team.

Sample Answer: The most important qualities for this position are the ability to work well with others and a willingness to learn new skills.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A desire to work in this specific job setting
• - The ability to work well with others
• - A willingness to learn new skills

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what the candidate has done in the past that is relevant to the job. It is a way for you to find out if they have the skills and experience you need for the job.

Sample Answer: I have experience in legal research and writing and I’ve also worked as a legal assistant.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Relevant work experience
• - Evidence of being able to learn new skills quickly
• - The ability to work well with others

Question Overview: This is a question that is aimed at finding out what qualities and characteristics your candidate admires in other people. It will help you to understand what motivates them and what they aspire to be like.

Sample Answer: I have always admired my father. He is a hard worker and has always been there for me.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Someone who is successful in their chosen field
• - Someone who is ethical and honest
• - Someone who is generous

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what the candidate knows about your firm. It is important to know if they have done their research and are familiar with your company.

Sample Answer: I know that Allen and Overy is a global law firm with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The ability to do research and be familiar with the company
• - A desire to work for this specific company

Question Overview: Legal assistants need to be able to do research on their own and be able to find the information they need. This question is aimed at finding out how well the applicant can do this on their own and what resources they use.

Sample Answer: I use a variety of resources for my research including legal databases, books, and other online resources.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of being able to find information on their own
• - Good research skills
• - The ability to use a variety of resources

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what the legal assistant values in a supervisor. The best applicants will be able to articulate what they feel makes a good manager and how they would like to be treated.

Sample Answer: A good manager is someone who listens to their employees and gives them the freedom to do their job.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Respectful of the role of the legal assistant
• - Able to give clear instructions
• - Able to delegate tasks

Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate will handle a difficult situation. The best legal assistants are able to remain calm and professional in the face of adversity.

Sample Answer: I would try to find a way to resolve the issue in a professional manner. I would not want to make it personal.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The ability to remain calm and professional
• - A willingness to work with difficult people
• - The ability to remain professional in the face of adversity

Question Overview: Legal assistants are often left to their own devices to get the work done. This question is aimed at finding out how well the candidate can work independently and if they are able to meet deadlines without close supervision.

Sample Answer: I am a self-starter and I like to be given a task and then left alone to get it done.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to work independently
• - Strong work ethic
• - Ability to meet deadlines

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out if the candidate has done their research on the firm and has a genuine interest in working for you. It is also a chance for you to learn about the candidate’s knowledge of your firm and its reputation in the legal community.

Sample Answer: I have read about your firm and its reputation for excellence. I would be honored to work here.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of research into the firm
• - Evidence of genuine interest in working for your firm
• - Evidence of knowledge about your firm

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out how the candidate handles conflict. The best legal assistants are able to resolve conflicts without making them personal.

Sample Answer: I try to be respectful of everyone I work with and to be as helpful as possible. I try to use a calm voice and not get too emotional.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to remain professional and objective
• - Ability to remain calm under pressure
• - Ability to communicate diplomatically

Question Overview: The legal profession is a demanding one, and you need to know if the legal assistant you hire is willing to work long hours when necessary. This question will reveal if the candidate is willing to put in the extra time and effort when needed.

Sample Answer: I can work 7 days a week if needed.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The ability to work long hours when necessary
• - The ability to work under pressure
• - The ability to work independently