Top Legal Assistant Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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 aimed at finding out what the legal assistant’s long-term goals are. It will also reveal whether they have any plans for further education or professional development.

Sample Answer: I see myself working in the legal field for many years to come.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of professional growth
• - Desire to pursue further education or training
• - Desire to work in the legal profession

Question Overview: This question is aimed at finding out what motivates your candidate to work as a legal assistant and where their personal and professional goals lie. Whether or not your candidate has future aspirations to be a practicing attorney themselves, make sure their personal passions align with your firm’s needs.

Sample Answer: While I am not a lawyer, the legal profession has long excited me. Being a legal assistant is my way of playing a role in it.”

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A passion for the field of law
• - Particular subject matter interest
• - Desire to be in this specific job setting

Question Overview: Legal assistants are under a lot of pressure, and it is important to know how they handle it. This question is aimed at learning how the candidate deals with stress and whether they are able to stay calm and focused in a high-pressure situation.

Sample Answer: I take a few minutes to breathe and then I get back to work.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Acknowledgement of the stress of the job
• - The ability to stay calm and focused
• - The ability to manage time well under pressure

Question Overview: This question is designed to give you a sense of what the legal assistant has done in the past and how well they have performed. It will also give you an idea of what they are looking for in terms of a career path.

Sample Answer: I have worked as a legal assistant for several years and have enjoyed each position I’ve held.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of a strong work ethic
• - Good references
• - A desire to continue to grow professionally

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: The legal profession is a very structured and hierarchical environment. You want to know how well the legal assistant fits into the structure of your firm. They should be able to articulate how they fit into the values of your company and how they will contribute to the overall goals of the organization.

Sample Answer: I am a self-motivated person who is also able to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to improve my performance and that of others around me.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A clear understanding of your company’s values
• - Evidence of being able to work well within a hierarchical structure
• - The ability to communicate effectively with others

Question Overview: This question is aimed at learning about your candidate’s educational background and how they have developed their skills. It will also reveal their personality, interests and how they have handled challenges.

Sample Answer: I was a member of the student council and was involved in a lot of clubs. I was also on the track team.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The ability to communicate well
• - The ability to work with others
• - The ability to learn from mistakes

Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that is designed to reveal the candidate’s self-awareness and honesty. The best applicants will be able to identify a weakness and explain how they are working to improve upon it.

Sample Answer: I sometimes get so focused on the task at hand that I forget to take breaks. I’ve learned to schedule breaks into my day and make sure to take them.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Self-awareness
• - Acknowledgement of a weakness without making excuses
• - Evidence of working on the weakness

Question Overview: This question will help you to understand what the legal assistant’s career goals are. It is important to know that they are looking for a long-term career in the legal field and that they are not just looking for a job to pay the bills.

Sample Answer: My short-term goal is to learn everything I can about the legal profession and to gain experience in this field. My long-term goal is to become a practicing attorney.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Long-term career goals
• - Short-term goals that align with your firm’s needs
• - Desire to work in this specific job setting

Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it gives you a chance to see how the candidate views the position and whether they have done their research. If they have done their homework and are familiar with your firm, it is a good sign. This question will also reveal whether they are interested in the position for the right reasons.

Sample Answer: I am very interested in this position because I have been following your firm for some time and know that you are one of the best firms in the area. I am very interested in working for a firm like yours.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of research into the company
• - The desire to work in this particular area of law
• - The desire to work for this particular company