Master Your Paralegal Interview
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Behavioral
At my previous firm, two senior attorneys required draft pleadings for separate cases due the same Friday.
I needed to prioritize, allocate resources, and ensure both filings were accurate and on time.
I created a detailed schedule, delegated research tasks to junior staff, and set interim check‑ins. I also communicated progress updates to both attorneys daily.
Both pleadings were submitted ahead of deadline, received commendations for quality, and the attorneys praised my organizational skills.
- How did you decide which task to prioritize first?
- What tools did you use to track progress?
- Clarity of the situation
- Demonstrated prioritization and delegation
- Effective communication
- Vague timeline, no specific actions
- Explain the context and competing deadlines
- State your responsibility to meet both
- Detail the planning, delegation, and communication steps
- Highlight the successful on‑time delivery and positive feedback
While reviewing a contract for a real‑estate closing, I noticed a typo in the property address that could invalidate the deed.
I had to correct the error before the signing deadline without compromising the client’s trust.
I flagged the issue to the supervising attorney, cross‑checked the original deed, and prepared an amendment with the correct address. I then informed the client and the title company of the correction.
The amendment was filed promptly, the closing proceeded on schedule, and the client appreciated the diligence, reinforcing the firm’s reputation for accuracy.
- What steps do you take to prevent similar errors?
- How did you communicate the mistake to the client?
- Attention to detail
- Ethical handling of errors
- Clear communication
- Blaming others, no corrective action
- Identify the document and error
- Explain your responsibility to correct it
- Describe the steps taken to verify and amend
- Conclude with the successful outcome
Our firm handles sensitive client files, including medical records and financial statements.
Ensure all confidential data remains secure and is shared only with authorized personnel.
I follow the firm’s confidentiality policy: lock physical files, encrypt digital documents, use secure file‑sharing platforms, and verify recipient permissions before transmission. I also conduct briefings with staff on privacy protocols.
No breaches have occurred during my tenure, and audits consistently rate our department’s data security as exemplary.
- Can you give an example of a confidentiality breach you prevented?
- What software do you use for secure document sharing?
- Understanding of confidentiality rules
- Specific security measures
- General statements without concrete steps
- State the importance of confidentiality
- Outline physical and digital safeguards
- Mention verification and staff training
- Result: zero breaches
Legal Knowledge
During case intake, clients often ask about procedural documents.
Explain the distinct purposes and requirements of summonses versus subpoenas.
I clarified that a summons notifies a defendant of a lawsuit and compels a response, while a subpoena commands a person to appear in court or produce evidence. I highlighted that summonses are filed by the plaintiff, whereas subpoenas can be issued by the court or an attorney and may require a court order.
Clients understood the procedural steps, reducing confusion and ensuring timely compliance.
- When might a subpoena be challenged?
- What are the service requirements for a summons?
- Accurate definitions
- Clear contrast
- Mixing up definitions
- Define summons and its purpose
- Define subpoena and its purpose
- Contrast filing authority and required actions
At my previous firm, I was responsible for managing the early stages of civil litigation.
Guide the team through intake, complaint drafting, filing, and serving the defendant.
I gathered client facts, performed conflict checks, and drafted the complaint. After attorney review, I filed the complaint electronically with the clerk, paid filing fees, and obtained the docket number. I then prepared the summons and proof of service, coordinated with a process server, and tracked service confirmation in our case‑management system.
All cases were filed within statutory deadlines, and the firm maintained a 98% on‑time service rate, avoiding dismissals for procedural defaults.
- Step‑by‑step clarity
- Awareness of deadlines and filing fees
- Skipping conflict check or service tracking
- Intake and conflict check
- Draft and review complaint
- Electronic filing and docketing
- Prepare summons and proof of service
- Engage process server and track service
A senior attorney needed precedent for a breach of contract argument.
Locate relevant case law and summarize key holdings.
I started with Westlaw, using Boolean operators and jurisdiction filters. I reviewed headnotes, checked citators for subsequent treatment, and noted any distinguishing facts. I then compiled a memorandum with case citations, brief facts, and relevance to our argument.
The attorney incorporated two strong precedents, strengthening the motion and contributing to a favorable settlement.
- What do you do if primary sources are outdated?
- How do you ensure you’re not missing unpublished opinions?
- Effective use of research tools
- Citation accuracy
- Relying on a single source
- Select database and search strategy
- Apply filters and citators
- Summarize findings in memo
Situational
A client learned that a deadline for a trademark renewal had passed, risking loss of rights.
Address the client’s concerns, assess options, and mitigate damage.
I listened empathetically, apologized for the oversight, and immediately reviewed the docket for any grace period or reinstatement options. I coordinated with the attorney to file a petition for reinstatement with a reasonable cause explanation and kept the client updated throughout the process.
The trademark was reinstated within 30 days, preserving the client’s rights and restoring confidence in our firm.
- What documentation supports a reinstatement petition?
- How do you prevent future missed deadlines?
- Empathy, proactive problem‑solving, knowledge of procedural remedies
- Deflecting blame, no action plan
- Acknowledge client’s frustration
- Explain immediate assessment steps
- Detail remedial actions taken
- Outcome and client reassurance
During discovery, opposing counsel requested internal emails that could contain attorney‑client privileged communications.
Determine privilege applicability and respond appropriately while complying with discovery rules.
I consulted the supervising attorney, reviewed the email chain for privilege markers, and prepared a privilege log citing the basis for each withheld document. I filed a motion to protect privileged material and communicated the response to opposing counsel, offering to meet and confer if disputes arose.
The court upheld our privilege claim, and the dispute was resolved without sanctions, preserving client confidentiality.
- How do you differentiate attorney‑client from work‑product privilege?
- What if the opposing party challenges the privilege claim?
- Understanding of privilege doctrines, procedural compliance
- Unilateral withholding without log
- Identify potentially privileged material
- Consult attorney and create privilege log
- File appropriate motion and communicate
The evidence list omitted a key email chain referenced in the witness outline.
Correct the discrepancy and ensure the evidence list is complete before filing.
I cross‑checked the master file index, located the missing emails, and updated the evidence list with proper citations. I alerted the trial team, secured the original files, and confirmed that the updated list complied with the court’s formatting rules before re‑submitting it.
The corrected evidence list was accepted without objection, and the trial proceeded smoothly with all necessary exhibits available.
- What tools do you use to track evidence inventories?
- How do you handle last‑minute evidence additions?
- Detail orientation, systematic verification, communication
- Ignoring the issue, vague explanation
- Identify the missing item
- Locate and verify the document
- Update evidence list with correct citations
- Notify team and re‑file
- legal research
- document management
- client communication
- case management
- confidentiality