Top Legal Assistant Interview Questions with Example Answers [2020]

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 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: 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