Mastering the Art of Legal Interviews
Securing a lateral move demands careful preparation and thought. Whether you're a seasoned attorney or just beginning to explore lateral opportunities, the interview process presents a pivotal opportunity to showcase your skills, personality, and alignment with your prospective firm's goals.
Navigating the complexities of legal interviews can feel overwhelming. This article breaks down critical perspectives and practices that attorneys should incorporate to excel in the interviewing process.
Success Favors the Well Prepared: Why Interview Preparation is Non-Negotiable
Attorneys understand preparation. Preparation is a core aspect of successfully practicing law and advocating for clients. Similar to practicing law, preparation is everything when it comes to a legal interview. Firms aren’t solely evaluating your resume and experience; they’re considering how well you’ll integrate into their current firm culture and represent their clients. To make a significant impression, a well-researched and structured approach is necessary. If you come to an interview unprepared it signals to the interviewer that you will handle their client matters the same way.
Interviewers assess your interpersonal skills, experience, and professionalism. They’ll also take note of how well you convey enthusiasm and interest in their firm. Even beyond qualifications, interviewers want to ensure you'll fit seamlessly into their culture.
Knowledge is Power: Conduct Thorough Research
Before stepping into any interview, take the time to deeply research the firm. Understanding the firm’s key practice areas, current clients, and long-term goals will allow you to tailor your responses to their priorities. Look at the firm size, key locations, partner structures, major industries and areas of practice. If you are working with a legal recruiter, they should be able to provide you with the basic background information for any firm you meet.
If you haven’t been provided the names of your interviewers in advance, request them from the recruiter, firm, or company. Take the time to review any firm biographies or the LinkedIn accounts of the interviewers you will be meeting. Look for common ground, such as similar matters you have handled or professional affiliations. The more you understand about the interviewer, the easier it will be to bring up topics in the interview that may impress them.
If you are meeting with a law firm, review the firm website, specifically the webpages focused on the group you are interviewing with. Many of these websites, include press releases highlighting major matters or provide information on the types of clients they work with. This will allow you to know the industry focuses within the practice and major accomplishments by the group.
Use news platforms such as Bloomberg Law, American Lawyer, and Law360 to gain insights into the firm’s trajectory. A simple Google search can also provide key information quickly.
Know Thyself: Conduct a Skills Self-Assessment
Interviewers want to see how well you understand your abilities and how they align with the position’s demands. Being prepared to articulate your strengths and outline your career trajectory is critical. Reflect on your unique experiences, accomplishments, and skills.
If a job description exists for the role, start by closely reviewing the description. Take the time to contemplate what parts of your practice align with the key aspects listed in the job description. Consider how you can highlight that during your conversations with the interviews. If you are missing elements in the job description, consider comparable skills or experiences that you can highlight.
Take the time to evaluate your interest and career goals and be prepared to articulate them. Prior to your interview, take the time to consider three points about you that you want the interviewer to know and consider how to bring them up in the conversation.
Self-awareness will allow you to respond confidently when asked, "Why should we hire you?"
Practice Makes Perfect: Practice Answering Common Questions
There are standard questions that are commonly asked in interviews. We’ve all be asked to tell an interviewer about ourselves or discuss strengths and weaknesses. Rather than answering these on the fly, take the time to think through them in advance. By preparing for the most common questions, you will likely be able to start the interview on a strong footing.
It can be helpful to jot down notes and practice your answers out loud. Be careful not to memorize your answers. Sounding natural and conversational is important. Consider the length of your answers. Your answers shouldn’t be monologues and should not be longer than two minutes. Successful interviews feel like good conversations with both sides contributing equally.
Prepare responses to typical interview questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). For example:
"Tell me about a case where you overcame a significant challenge."
Situation: A client faced a major compliance issue…
Task: I was responsible for ensuring they met regulatory requirements…
Action: I reviewed filings, developed a compliance timeline, and liaised directly with regulators…
Result: The client avoided penalties and strengthened future compliance practices.
If you are working with a legal recruiter, ask them to role play the common questions with you. This can help you try out different ways to answer the questions. A legal recruiter can also help you work through difficult questions and determine the best way to answer them.
Other commonly asked questions include:
Why are you considering a lateral move?
Can you share a time you led a team or project?
Why are you leaving your position?
Tell me something not on your resume?
Why are you interested in this firm/company?
Where do you see yourself in a few years?
The Right Question Can Open a Thousand Doors: Prepare Insightful Questions for the Interviewer
You may be given the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions. While the best questions flow naturally from the conversation, having questions ready for the interviewer shows your interest in the role and the firm. Avoid asking questions easily found on the firm's website. Instead, focus on topics that demonstrate you’ve done your homework:
"How does the firm support lateral hires in the transition process?"
"What are the firm’s immediate priorities for this role?"
"Can you share recent developments in [X practice area] that are shaping the team’s strategy?"
Why did you join this firm/company?
What is your favorite part of working here?
A Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way: Send a Follow-Up Thank You Email
Within 24-48 hours, send personalized thank-you emails to your interviewers referencing specific parts of your conversation. This reinforces your enthusiasm and keeps you top-of-mind.
Example template:
"Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the [position] at [Firm Name]. I enjoyed learning about your team’s recent venture into [X area]. Our conversation solidified my interest in contributing my [skills/experience] to [Firm’s goals]. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions."
In addition to being polite, thank you emails may also prompt the interviewer to send internal feedback which will help move the process along.
Master Your Legal Interviews with Confidence
Excelling in legal interviews is about more than just answering questions; it’s about delivering a unique brand of professionalism, thoughtfulness, and preparation that sets you apart. By applying the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to showcase your expertise and make a lasting impression on prospective employers.
Looking for tailored support in your lateral job search? Partner with experts who understand the needs of attorneys. Contact us today to elevate your career and secure the position you deserve.
