Have you ever disagreed with a client or customer? How did you resolve the disagreement?

"Sometimes clients believe that attorneys can fix any problem where they feel they have been wronged. Unfortunately, that is not the case and it's understandably disappointing when a client learns they do not have a legal case against another party. I worked as a waitress before going to law school. One night, I had a customer who wanted a bill to be compensated because they did not like the food. As I talked to them, I made sure to emphasize that I understood their perspective and calmly explained our general procedures for handling such complaints. It's always hard to disappoint someone who is paying for a good or service. But overall, when it comes to disagreements, it is not always about being right. It's about compassionately engaging with the other party so the issue is resolved in a manner that hopefully helps everyone in the long run."

Personal injury cases are emotionally charged. The client may want monetary damages and to hold the other party accountable for the action that caused the harm. Unfortunately, not every case is going to be able to pursue legal action. You may be in a position where you need to tell the client that they do not have a legal basis to move forward. After hearing this, they may feel they did not get justice or maybe that you have caused them additional harm and distress. The hiring partner wants to know how you would handle this situation. If you have not worked with clients previously, use a situation where you have disagreed with a customer, friend, or family member. Simply use a situation where you had to deliver disappointing news to someone you were hoping to help.

What do you see as your biggest strength?

"My biggest strength is that I am a learner. I have always excelled in school because I love learning new information. Outside of school, I continue to seek opportunities to expand my knowledge, whether that is attending a conference or simply reading a new book. This is also one reason I got into law. It's a profession where things can change so you always have to stay on top with continuing education in addition to gaining real-world experience."

To be a successful personal injury attorney, you can have a variety of skills and strengths. While interviewers often ask about weaknesses, they also want to see that you know your strengths. This can also help the hiring partner assign work that you enjoy doing. Studies have shown, and common sense will tell you, that when you enjoy what you do, you are going to do more of it. Sometimes it can be difficult to name your specific strengths. When you excel at something, you may not realize that not everyone can do it well. Take time to understand your strengths. Be prepared to provide 1-3 strengths and have examples to show how you invest in your strengths to continue developing your talents.

What would you do if a case went against your personal values?

"This would admittedly be a very difficult situation. Being a new attorney, I would not want to disappoint a partner or put myself in a position where they question my dedication to the firm. It is also a challenge to expose personal values as it may reveal additional issues. However, my personal values have shaped me and I do not want to compromise those that are important to me. I would sit down with the partner and have an honest discussion about what I find challenging. I believe I could complete the task regardless, but I don't want to hate my work or feel as though my efforts are being used to fight against something I believe. I'm sure that a conversation could resolve the issue with either better understanding the case or helping the firm reassign it to someone else."

A personal injury case is not only going to be emotional for the client. The attorney is also going to bring their own emotions to the case. While it is important to remain objective and focused on obtaining the best outcome for the client, the attorney is also human. When you are working as an associate in a law firm, you may not have control over choosing clients. This is often left to senior associates or partners. As a result, you may have a case that goes against your personal values. You can use this opportunity to show you are self-aware and also that you know your limits on effectively advocating for a client.

How would you generate new business for a law practice?

"I understand that building any new business takes time, and marketing is key in creating a sustainable client base. Personal injury law is different than other specialties because you are not going to get repeat customers (or at least, hopefully, your clients are not continually suffering an injury that needs legal action). Nonetheless, you can still keep in contact with previous clients. This will help keep your name and services at the top of their mind so they can refer you to any friends or family."

One thing that is not taught in law school is how to market your law practice. Yet each law specialty has specific clients it needs to target in order to get their business. General advertising only goes so far, and you may need to get creative about how to reach new clients. Personal injury attorneys do not always have the best reputation when it comes to getting clients. As a new graduate, you may not have specific marketing experience, but you can share new ideas for marketing or feedback on any personal experience you had with the marketing efforts of personal injury attorneys.

What makes you stand apart from the other candidates we have for this position?

"Your firm has a wonderful reputation in the community and has attorneys that are doing great work for their clients. I'm sure that you have a variety of qualified candidates for the position. I believe that what makes me different is that I took time off between undergraduate studies and law school. This allowed me to get experience in the workplace and it also helped me realize that I truly wanted to practice law. It was not a career path that I rushed into. I have taken the time and believe this is the best position for me to help clients."

This question requires you to know your strengths and how you will fit into the firm's culture and help the business grow. Answering this question does not require you to brag about your accomplishments. Focus on how you can help this firm. Perhaps you bring a certain background to the practice that expands their representation. Or you can discuss any connections you have with the firm if you networked with other attorneys before applying. Be authentic and share what you want them to focus on when they look at your resume and interview in their discussions on who to hire.

Why do you want to work at our firm?

"Being a new lawyer, I want a variety of experiences and the opportunity to work with multiple partners and clients. I chose to apply here because of the firm's larger size. That way, I will have the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of senior partners."

There are many different types of law firms that range in size, practice areas, and reputation. The interviewer wants to know that you have applied to their firm for a specific purpose and that you are not simply trying to get a job. Be sure to have a specific reason for wanting to join their team.

Where else have you applied?

"I want to work in a mid-size law firm such as yours that has a personal injury law practice. In Cityville, there are only a few such firms. I also believe I could do well in a smaller law firm so I have been networking with attorneys who work at XYZ Firm and 123 & Associates. However, I am focusing my efforts on working at your firm because I greatly admire the work that Partner A has been doing in personal injury law. I am looking to develop my law career to be similar to theirs and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work here with them."

There may be a variety of reasons why a hiring partner may ask this question. Typically though, they want to know that you have consciously decided to work for their firm and that you are not applying everywhere just to get a job. You do not have to specify which firms/companies you have applied to - unless you want to provide those specifics. But it is probably best to simply explain in general where you are focusing your job search efforts.

Do you have any courtroom experience?

"In my third year of law school, I knew that I wanted to focus on personal injury law. When I shared this with my professor, she recommend that I sit in on a real courtroom to observe. I was able to see a lot of different cases presented in front of a judge. It helped me see how important it is to be organized and detail-oriented when appearing before a judge. While I have not represented clients in court before, I have an understanding of what it takes to be successful in court. I look forward to assisting the lawyers at this firm when their cases go to trial."

Being in a courtroom requires that you follow certain protocols, rules, and traditions. If you follow and respect the rules of the court, you are going to gain the respect of your colleagues. Forming good relationships with judges and opposing counsel can be almost as important as preparing your actual case. As a new graduate, you may not have real-life courtroom experience, but your law school should have prepared you on at least the basics of appearing in a courtroom. You can explain your general observations on the best practices. If you took litigation courses or did moot court in law school, share those experiences and how you can translate them into real practice.

What was your least favorite course in law school?

"I did not enjoy my Federal Taxation course that I registered for in my second year. It was focused on transactions and numbers. When I practice law, I want to help people do more than simply follow the rules. I want to pursue justice. However, the tax course did teach me how to read statutes filled with rules and exceptions. In order to understand the case law, and perform well on the exams, I had to master an area of law that is notoriously filled with loopholes and technicalities. For me, I am best motivated when I feel as though I am applying the law in a way that helps specific individuals get justice."

Hiring partners may ask questions like this to get to know you better. They can probably guess which courses you liked if you want to practice personal injury, so now, they want to know what you disliked. This allows you to talk about what you learned from something you did not enjoy. You may not love every task that will be assigned to you as an associate, but it is important to show that you will take these opportunities to learn new skills or lessons.

What other areas of law do you enjoy?

"I really enjoyed my contracts class in law school because I could apply it to so many real-life scenarios. It helped me better understand my apartment lease. It helped me understand why it is so important to read the entire document before signing anything. And when it comes to personal injury matters, I believe it will also help me with things such as understanding insurance policies or waivers that clients may have signed. I didn't come across another law school course that could be applied to so many different things."

Depending on the workload, there may be opportunities to assist partners that specialize in a different area of law. Or the hiring partner may simply want to know more about you. Be honest in your answer, but if you are interested in areas of law that are unrelated to personal injury law, be prepared to explain any apparent discrepancies. You do not want to make it seem like you are interested in personal injury simply because there is a current job opportunity.

What is the most memorable personal injury case you've read?

"I think that medical malpractice cases are very interesting to read. Medical professionals are highly trained, experienced, and must follow specific rules and regulations. However, they are also human, and humans make mistakes. The cost of a mistake is costly in the medical field, with the ultimate cost being someone's life. It is always interesting to see how a judge or jury balances the emotions with the legal requirements in such cases."

In all areas of law, it is important to stay current on different developments. You can share a case that you read in law school or one that has been in the news recently. If you can have an example from your local court, it will show the hiring partners that you understand how to stay connected with developments in local case law. It's fine if you do not have such an example. You can still use this question to illustrate what you find interesting about personal injury law.

Tell me something about you that is not on your resume?

"One of my favorite activities is running. I actually try to run one marathon each year and signup for multiple 5Ks throughout the year. I've been running since high school and love the different benefits it brings. It gets me outside, helps clear my mind, and is an opportunity to focus on one thing. The races appeal to my competitive nature although I haven't won a race yet!"

Law firms have a certain company culture. The hiring partner wants to know not only how your education or skills will benefit the firm, but how you will fit within this culture. A question like this is another opportunity to share who you are as a person. While it is tempting to make yourself fit in by providing an answer you believe they will like, it is better for everyone to simply be honest. Interviews are more than a hiring partner interviewing you; you should also be interviewing the firm. This is a place where you will spend the majority of your day. You will find it more enjoyable if your values and passions truly do fit within the company culture of the law firm where you work.

What goals did you have starting law school?

"I decided to go to law school because I love helping people. While you can help people in a variety of professions, I believed becoming an attorney would provide me with an opportunity to work with diverse clients. It seemed like every day in an attorney's life would be different, and I found that exciting. I wanted a career that would allow me to share my knowledge and build relationships. The law school application process was very competitive, and I worked very hard to put myself in a position to achieve these goals."

People decide to attend law school for a variety of reasons. Some people love to argue and they want to be in a courtroom. Others love to negotiate and they want to facilitate transactions. There are some people who do not have specific goals when starting law school and use the experience to decide how to best use their education after graduating. Overall, there is no wrong answer. This question helps the hiring partner better understand you as a person. They are interested in your observations and what you learned about yourself during your time in law school. They want to know that you have thought through your different options and it wasn't something that you just decided you should do - it's something that you truly wanted to do.

What would you describe as a fair trial?

"There are many terms in law that are open to interpretation: reasonable, justice, and fair. A definition of those terms can change depending on whether you are on the plaintiff or defendant side of the case. It can change depending on the area of law you are practicing. In my opinion, a fair trial is one where the legal system performed at each stage in the way it was intended. It does not mean that your client always will win or have favorable outcomes. But the legal system is designed to settle disputes. If the dispute was resolved, it was a fair trial."

The concept of justice is a focal point in personal injury law. Clients want to be compensated for certain logistical aspects of the injury, for example, lost wages or medical costs. But they often want justice - and not everyone defines this the same way. And if you are representing a defendant in a personal injury action that makes it to trial, they want a fair trial. And once again, not everyone defines fair the same way. This question may be looking at how you approach a courtroom knowing that while there are rules in place to make it fair, it is also filled with humans that have agendas, biases, and expectations. As an officer of the court and an advocate for your client, focus on your trust in the system to achieve the best outcome for your client.

What is your opinion on taking a case on contingency?

"Taking a case on contingency may be challenging. The client may question how much you are working when there is no money in your pocket immediately motivating you. And as the attorney, you are agreed to put in hours of work with no guarantee that you will receive money in exchange for that effort. However, overall I think it is a fair way to get compensation for a personal injury case. I am not motivated by the amount of money I am getting paid; for me, my motivation is seeking justice for those who have been wronged. I am interested in learning more about how the firm manages finances when it has a lot of cases on contingency."

Many personal injury cases are taken on contingency; this means that the firm (and attorney) only gets paid if the client wins a monetary settlement. The percentage amount received from the client's settlement is negotiable, but an example may be that the firm receives 30% from the settlement or judgment awarded to the client. The risk in this arrangement is obvious because you may put in hours of work and not end up getting paid. Explain how you manage expectations - both yours and your client - when the case is taken on contingency.

Why do you want to work in a law firm?

"I have always wanted to work in a law firm. I enjoy learning, and I believe my best opportunity to learn more about personal injury law is to work with partners and other associates who have more experience and can share it with me as I assist them. Firm & Associates has a great reputation. I have also met other associates at networking events, and they have great things to say about working here. While working in law firms can require longer hours than other positions, I know that the work will help me establish my knowledge in personal injury law."

After graduating from law school, working in a law firm is the traditional career path, but law school graduates have many options, including within corporations (many positions are JD-preferred), starting their own practice, or working for non-profits. Law firms may be perceived as offering higher pay but also have a reputation for long hours and challenging paths to becoming a partner. The hiring partner is most likely wants to know your motivations. They want to know if you simply like the pay structure, the perception of working at the firm, or if you are looking to stay there long-term and help the firm grow its client base. Take this opportunity to explain your personal career goals.

Tell me about your community involvement.

"To support the community, I mentor young high school students to prepare them for job interviews. I also support an annual fundraiser by attending a luncheon and silent auction. I like to focus my energy on a couple of causes rather than attend every event. However, since I did not grow up in Cityville, I make an effort to meet new people at area business networking events. For example, I attend a few Chamber of Commerce lunches a year. I understand the importance of creating and maintaining a diverse client base within our community, and I look forward to supporting the firm's efforts in that area."

Law firm partners are in the business of bringing in new clients. If you are applying to a firm and would like to be on a partner track, the leadership will be interested in knowing how you plan to build your clientele. They may be interested in knowing more about your networking skills and evaluating how you spend your time outside of work assignments.

What skills do you believe are important in personal injury law?

"It seems that personal injury clients are highly emotional - and rightly so. They experienced an injury or wrongdoing that could have devastating effects on their life. They are coming to a personal injury attorney to seek justice. But the attorney should do more than just recite the statute or quote a court case. They have to be a good listener; they listen to not only the facts of the client's case but how the injury has affected the client. And sometimes, the client may not be able to pursue a case against the wrongdoer. Being able to have those conversations while being sensitive to the client's situation is a skill that is critical to practicing in this area of law."

Many personal injury cases involve injured clients and there are many emotions involved. It is not only the client who may be emotional but family and friends may also be involved with opinions on the right course of action. To handle these cases, you will need more than your knowledge of the law. You will rely on relationship-building skills, communication, and emotional intelligence. Cases can also be lengthy so you may need excellent organizational skills to follow up during different stages of the case. If you have experience with personal injury, think about what helped you in that situation and include those elements in your answer.

Why are you looking to work in personal injury?

"I am interested in personal injury law because I want to hold the appropriate parties accountable for wrongdoings. Whether it is a car accident or an accident in the workplace, I believe it is important that the victim be compensated and the parties make appropriate changes to prevent further incidences. It is an opportunity to not only help the client but also their family and others who were affected by their accident."

There are various specialties within the practice of law and as a new associate, you can choose any one of them. Explain what draws you to personal injury law. Perhaps you have a passion for helping the injured get monetary compensation. Or maybe you focus on policy issues and you see this as an opportunity to drive change in the laws or regulations. This is an opportunity to express the unique aspects of this practice that appeals to you.

Did you take any alternative dispute courses in law school?

"Yes, I took a course on negotiations. It was an interesting course because the professor would review textbook material for about half of the class, but then we would break up into groups for mock negotiations for the remaining time. Learning negotiation techniques is one thing, but being able to apply them in a real situation helped solidify the principles. It was also helpful to receive immediate feedback on my negotiation techniques from classmates."

Personal injury cases are commonly settled before reaching a trial before a judge or jury. If you have experience with negotiation and alternative dispute resolution techniques, this could be highly beneficial for your client. Personal injury cases require you to constantly evaluate what will help achieve the desired outcome for your client. And sometimes, the desired outcome is not necessarily a specified amount of money. Maybe they are more interested in getting an apology or holding the other party accountable to make changes that can prevent the incident from happening again. A personal injury attorney may need to get creative in how settlements are negotiated. While not all skills can be learned in a law school course, the material can provide a helpful foundation.

Have you written a legal memo?

"Yes, I not only wrote various memos in my legal writing course during law school, but I also wrote many during my time as a summer associate at ABC Firm. I love research and writing and I find the IRAC style of writing very helpful. I have been assigned some questions to research that do not have a simple yes or no answer. The traditional legal memo provides a structure that helps organize the information in a way that everyone expects. The feedback at ABC Firm was that my writing was very straightforward and informative. I take pride in being able to organize complex information. I'm happy to share some writing samples if it would be helpful for you to see my work."

As an associate, you will likely be assigned legal memos to write on various questions that a partner may have. You should have been taught the general format in your legal writing course. You may have completed memos if you worked an internship or had other work experience before or during law school. Partners will use your memos to formulate their course of action on a particular issue. They will use your research and analysis to draft motions, petitions, or client communications. Use this opportunity to showcase your writing skills by explaining how you approach these assignments and that you understand how important they can be to partners.

What projects show that you have initiative and creativity?

"Recently, my family wanted to get together in a different state for a vacation/family reunion. It was a situation where multiple people said it would be nice, but no one was really taking action to make it happen. Finally, I decided to choose an actual location and had to coordinate everyone's schedule to find a time that worked. We all knew that it was important to reconnect, but it's hard to be the person that takes on the administrative details of organizing something like that. It showed me that if something is important, you need to put in the hard work to make it happen."

Working as an attorney is more than just knowing the law. Sometimes you have to be creative to get the results your client wants. This question is looking at whether you know how to address issues and not get stuck thinking inside the box. Share a time when you were flexible and worked through issues in a new way to create a better outcome for everyone. This does not have to be limited to a workplace example. Perhaps you have an example of an interaction at school or between friends or family that shows you can take initiative and be open to new possibilities.

What do you think is a good way to keep clients informed about the progress of a case?

"I believe that consistent communication is an important aspect of the attorney-client communication. I would obviously immediately inform the client of any substantial developments such as a settlement offer. However, if the case is complex and will take a longer time to resolve, I would set weekly check-ins with the client. This would not only help me review their case with them, but also provide an opportunity for them to share any changes they have."

Personal injury cases are not necessarily resolved quickly. There are also various parties involved that may try to reach a settlement at multiple points of the case. But a client should be informed about the case consistently, not just when a settlement offer is presented. The hiring partner is looking to see if you understand that consistent communication is the key to a successful client-attorney relationship. You may have to balance multiple clients and cases, and this gives you an opportunity to explain how you will overlook one.

How do you build trust with a client?

"I believe building trust starts with communication. I would take the time to listen to the entire story that my client wishes to share with me. I understand that is probably going to include more than the facts of the accident. They may want to share past stories or experiences they've had after the accident. Listening to all the information helps me determine their approach to the situation. I can then tailor my explanations in a way that they will hopefully understand better. Listening is only part of effective communication. I would make an effort to talk with clients in a way that doesn't intimidate them. The law is filled with jargon and technical terms that aren't helpful for clients to understand what it means for their case. I believe it's part of my job to take complex information and make it accessible for my clients. I would also focus on setting clear expectations in our conversations. I believe all of this would help establish a trusting relationship with the client."

A personal injury client is working with you to pursue remedies for an injury they have suffered. Maybe they chose the firm based on its reputation of success for personal injury clients, but they want to know that they can trust YOU to get the results. This is an opportunity to showcase your relationship-building skills. Or perhaps you can explain how you have overcome certain obstacles - for example, if you look younger than your colleagues, maybe you have been consistently underestimated and learn how to overcome this at the start of new working relationships.

How do you prioritize work tasks?

"When I am working with others on a project, I make sure that we are all on the same page about priorities and deadlines. If I am receiving multiple tasks from a senior associate or partner, I would verify with them about which one they would like completed first, second, etc. If they do not have a preference or there is no pressing deadline, I usually take a quick look at all the tasks before deciding on how to prioritize them. I like checking things off my list, so I would likely first tackle the task I could complete quickest. The satisfaction of getting it done would motivate me to move on and complete the next tasks."

Personal injury law may involve different compensation as some cases are taken on contingency. As a result, it can be difficult to evaluate which task to get done first. Perhaps you work the most on the case that can result in the largest settlement for the client (and therefore a larger paycheck for the firm). Or perhaps a client has a case that addresses an issue you are particularly passionate about and you dedicate more time to their case. If you have not worked in this area of law before, you can explain generally how you organize and manage your time to get assignments completed. Keep in mind that in a law firm, you will be getting your assignments from a partner and they may provide guidance on what needs to take priority in your workload.

Explain a situation where you had to perform a lot of research. How do you feel about that kind of work?

"One of the reasons I want to get into personal injury law is that I love investigating different issues. Before law school, I worked at an insurance company as a claims adjuster and my primary role was to obtain the facts about the incident from the insured party. It helped me understand what questions to ask. It was detail-oriented work, and I found that it was easy for me. I developed skills in that job that I enhanced in law school. I am looking forward to applying those skills in this position."

Personal injury cases can involve a lot of research. If you want to practice law because you enjoy client interactions, then you may be disappointed with the paperwork side of the job. Since laws often change, there is a lot of research and prep work before working with a client on which remedy to pursue. Associates are often assigned the prep work for the case. You may be recording facts, reviewing insurance policies, obtaining police reports and other documents. You then have to be able to synthesize all the information and present it to the managing partner and/or client. Be prepared to explain how you would efficiently tackle the task.

How do you assign tasks to others?

"When I work with another team member to complete an assignment, I make sure that they have all the critical information and understand that I am always available for questions. I would give them a deadline to have the project back to me, give them some ideas on where to start, and provide them any relevant information I already have so they do not duplicate efforts."

As a new associate, you may have the ability to ask for assistance from paralegals, secretaries, or interns. If you are new to delegating tasks, think about what information you like to have included when you receive assignments. This is also an opportunity to share how you like to have tasks assigned to you.

What kind of training are you looking for as a personal injury associate?

"I learn best by doing. I find it helpful to observe a task or assignment, but it's not until I actually do it myself that I understand what questions I have about it. I would expect opportunities to observe partners meeting with clients, taking depositions, and drafting court documents. I would love the opportunity to work on first drafts of any communication pieces, whether those are court filings or client updates. I would learn best through the feedback that is provided to me after completing assignments.I like working independently. I do not need someone watching over my shoulder. I am not afraid to ask questions, especially in work such as this where our client's health or livelihood could be at stake.Overall though, I am grateful for any knowledge that a partner or colleague can pass on to me. It is one of the reasons I look forward to working in a law firm. Learning does not have to be done through formal assignments or feedback."

Law school teaches its students a lot about the law, but it does not provide much real-life experience in practicing law. New associates expect (and should get) training on the job. While each person has a different learning style, partners are not going to hold your hand. This question will help them gauge what experience you already have and what you need further assistance with as you enter their practice. Think about how you best learn and share this with the hiring partner.

Do you prefer working for plaintiffs or defendants in a court case?

"My overall goal is to serve the client that brings a case to me so they can achieve their desired outcome. In general, I seem to prefer the plaintiff's side. Although not every injured party is going to be entitled to a legal remedy, the cases that do make it to settlement or court represent opportunities to get justice for that person. The reward of actually being able to help a person recover compensation for an injury or institute change to prevent an incident from recurring is exactly why I want to practice in this area of law."

Not only do law firms specialize in an area of law but will also usually focus on either defendant or plaintiff cases. You should understand which work the firm you are interviewing with does so you can tailor your response appropriately. If you do not have specific experience in representing clients in a courtroom, you can provide the theoretical knowledge that you have. Or you could share a recent court case you learned about and explain why you would have preferred to be on the plaintiff vs. defendant side of the case.

Describe a time where you made a mistake. How did you rectify the situation?

"In law school, I accidentally switched project deadlines for two of my courses. As a result, I was not prepared to submit an assignment that was worth 1/3 of my final grade. I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself, but ultimately it was a mistake that could not be undone. I had to figure out how to best move forward. I immediately contacted my professor and explained what had happened. I apologized and asked if there was any way to still successfully complete the course after turning in the project late. Thankfully, she was very understanding and willing to give me an extension. She did give me a lower grade to account for it being late but assured me that as long as the other projects were completed timely and done well, I would be fine to continue in the course. From then on, I double-checked all my deadlines. I was lucky in the sense that this happened in school. When you are working on a client's case, missing a deadline for a motion or filing can have detrimental effects on the client's outcome. I am thankful it was a lesson I could experience where it only affected me."

Everyone makes mistakes, and hiring partners are aware that mistakes happen. It is important to answer this question honestly and show that you can accept responsibility, be held accountable, and take appropriate steps so that the issue does not repeat itself.

Associate Attorney - Personal Injury (Entry-Level) Interview Questions

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1. Have you ever disagreed with a client or customer? How did you resolve the disagreement?
2. What do you see as your biggest strength?
3. What would you do if a case went against your personal values?
4. How would you generate new business for a law practice?
5. What makes you stand apart from the other candidates we have for this position?
6. Why do you want to work at our firm?
7. Where else have you applied?
8. Do you have any courtroom experience?
9. What was your least favorite course in law school?
10. What other areas of law do you enjoy?
11. What is the most memorable personal injury case you've read?
12. Tell me something about you that is not on your resume?
13. What goals did you have starting law school?
14. What would you describe as a fair trial?
15. What is your opinion on taking a case on contingency?
16. Why do you want to work in a law firm?
17. Tell me about your community involvement.
18. What skills do you believe are important in personal injury law?
19. Why are you looking to work in personal injury?
20. Did you take any alternative dispute courses in law school?
21. Have you written a legal memo?
22. What projects show that you have initiative and creativity?
23. What do you think is a good way to keep clients informed about the progress of a case?
24. How do you build trust with a client?
25. How do you prioritize work tasks?
26. Explain a situation where you had to perform a lot of research. How do you feel about that kind of work?
27. How do you assign tasks to others?
28. What kind of training are you looking for as a personal injury associate?
29. Do you prefer working for plaintiffs or defendants in a court case?
30. Describe a time where you made a mistake. How did you rectify the situation?

Associate Attorney - Personal Injury (Entry-Level) Interview Questions

1. Have you ever disagreed with a client or customer? How did you resolve the disagreement?

2. What do you see as your biggest strength?

3. What would you do if a case went against your personal values?

4. How would you generate new business for a law practice?

5. What makes you stand apart from the other candidates we have for this position?

6. Why do you want to work at our firm?

7. Where else have you applied?

8. Do you have any courtroom experience?

9. What was your least favorite course in law school?

10. What other areas of law do you enjoy?

11. What is the most memorable personal injury case you've read?

12. Tell me something about you that is not on your resume?

13. What goals did you have starting law school?

14. What would you describe as a fair trial?

15. What is your opinion on taking a case on contingency?

16. Why do you want to work in a law firm?

17. Tell me about your community involvement.

18. What skills do you believe are important in personal injury law?

19. Why are you looking to work in personal injury?

20. Did you take any alternative dispute courses in law school?

21. Have you written a legal memo?

22. What projects show that you have initiative and creativity?

23. What do you think is a good way to keep clients informed about the progress of a case?

24. How do you build trust with a client?

25. How do you prioritize work tasks?

26. Explain a situation where you had to perform a lot of research. How do you feel about that kind of work?

27. How do you assign tasks to others?

28. What kind of training are you looking for as a personal injury associate?

29. Do you prefer working for plaintiffs or defendants in a court case?

30. Describe a time where you made a mistake. How did you rectify the situation?