1. Why did you leave your last position as Family Lawyer?
The last position I had to leave because it was a co op and they didn't have a job opening at the time. The position I haven't left but was looking for different work so I could learn new skills and move on and up as I can't in this current position.
2. Tell me how has your college degree prepared you to work in this firm?
It has prepared me to work in this firm because I know the high importantance every client is, accurate and no errors are a. P must and I know the legal terminology.
3. Explain me why do you want to work at this law firm?
Firms are looking for people with an interest in their firm and an enthusiasm for the work that they do. This is the opportunity to demonstrate that you've done your homework about the firm and know why you want to be there.
4. Tell me what skills/experiences can you bring to the firm?
We all know you have plenty of awesome skills and great experiences, but consider the attributes the firm would most want in a clerk, and share only the skills and experiences that are the most relevant.
5. Tell us what type of work environment would allow you do to your best work?
I feel one where the workload is not TOO much but not enough. Say I have 12 things due in the next 2, I will still do my best but I can do my best work when say I have around 6-7 due so I can reAlly focus.
6. Tell us what areas of law are you interested in?
Hopefully the areas of law you're interested in fall within practice groups offered at the firm. It is probably a good idea to focus this discussion on a practice group or groups that fall within the clerkship rotations on offer.
7. Explain me which subjects have you enjoyed the most?
Firms are hoping to see that your interests correlate with their practice areas. A question like this is also an opportunity to explain that rogue pass mark from second year.
8. Tell us have you ever taught a family law legal seminar?
Lawyers who are experts in their field often teach legal courses and seminars regarding various topics of family law. Typically, top-notch attorneys are involved with teaching continuing legal education seminars.
9. Tell me how do you check your work for accuracy?
I triple read everything and, if I can, I will have someone else read it over. If I need to know spellings or layouts of anything, I'll go to a credible source and check my work against that example.
10. Explain me about a time you had to handle a difficult client?
A client came into the office threatening the receptionist and being very rude and abusive about the progress of his case. I intercede and assertained why he was upset and explained the process to him as best I could. I understand that most individuals understand how the legal process works.
11. Tell me why are you the best candidate for us as Family Lawyer?
I'm the best candidate because although I may not have experience in corporate law, I am willing to learn and I am a fast learner, I can pick up a new skill or task very easily.
12. Tell me what are your hobbies?
Your interviewer is keen to learn a about you as a person, but your response should not be a straight “I like cycling and tennis.” Instead, it's a good idea to include the skills you have developed through these extra-curricular activities.
13. Explain me do you utilize mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution?
Massachusetts divorce lawyers are required by law to discuss alternative dispute resolution with their clients before filing a 1B divorce case. Make sure the attorney is versed in mediation and other ADR methods to help keep the cost down in your case.
14. Tell me what are your long and short range career goals and objectives?
My long term careers goals are to attend law school and pursue a career in internation law. My short terms goals are to learn as much about the law as I can. I want to work for a firm where I can gain real life experience and apply the education that I gained from University where I can grow as an employee.
15. Tell me why did you choose to pursue a career as Family Lawyer?
In high school, I took law in grade 11 and 12 and I loved it, I loved studying and I knew everything on tests. I also loved history but I couldn't see what career I could get with that. I knew I wanted to get into the legal field so I went to college for paralegal and I am not a licensed paralegal I only have the knowledge and I felt that legal assistant was a good way to work in the legal field.
16. Tell me how would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as detail oriented and hard working. I care very much about the presentation of my work and I take alot of pride in what I do. I want to be excellent in every task I set out to achieve, no matter how small or big.
17. Tell me why do you want to do a clerkship?
Balance what you're hoping to gain from the clerkship with the skills you believe you can bring to the firm.
18. Tell me what is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?
My greatest strength is my organization skills and my weakness is I place a lot of pressure on my self to complete all tasks given to me and if I am unable to complete the task I make sure I discuss with my attorney the time it will take to complete.
19. Tell me what accreditations do you have?
Ask the attorney about what kinds of awards and accreditations they have. Often, attorneys that are involved in the community and with the “family law bar” have access to judges and information that others attorneys lack. Different accreditations may derive from peer or judge reviews, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers fellowship.
20. Tell us do you enjoy working as part of a team?
I do love working as a team. Honestly, I'm a expert at adapting, working in a team or on my own would not slow me down in any way.
21. What are you doing to better yourself as Family Lawyer?
If the opportunity presents itself. I would take courses.
22. Tell me what interests you about a career in commercial law?
Firms want clerks that are interested in the work they do, so demonstrate that enthusiasm!
23. Tell me how do you handle stressful situations as Family Lawyer?
Go straight to the point. Stress does not help to achieve our goal.
24. Tell me an example of a situation where you demonstrated an eye for detail?
Where I did my placement, he handed my paperwork to do for small claims court and I noticed he had spelt the name of the client wrong and the numbers on the schedule A had been mixed up from adding more so I made sure I re did the form and changed the schedule A so there were no problems with the form being returned.
25. Explain me which areas of law are you most interested in?
When I first was in school I liked landlord tenant board but as I finished I realized I might want to be an administrative paralegal and I am up to any area of law.
26. Tell us do you offer any different types of representation?
Some lawyers offer flat fee rates (we do not), or “scrivener” services which is when the attorney helps drafting documents only. Some attorneys also offer limited scope representation where they just represent the client for one particular hearing or issue in a case. Additionally, many attorneys offer mediation services. Finally, our firm offers hourly consulting services.
27. Tell us what experience do you have with divorce cases?
Find out from the attorney what experience they have resolving cases. Do they actively try and settle cases? Do they have lots of court experience? Ask the divorce lawyer to talk specifically about cases they have handled like yours.
28. Tell me how do you communicate with your clients?
Divorce lawyers communicate in different ways with their clients. Most currently practicing lawyers utilize a variety of communication methods, including phone, email, and so forth. If a divorce lawyer is unwilling to communicate via email, for example, they likely do not utilize technology to his or her benefit (which ultimately keeps your costs down).
29. Tell me what have you learned from the other attorneys/paralegals you've spoken with today?
I have learned a little about what it will take to be a part of this team. I have also learned how they work and what they would expect from me.
Yes, I may be the first person at the law firm that the client will talk to so I must make sure to be precessional and friendly with any client even if some may get angry I need to talk to them and help them know that I understand and I am only trying to help.
31. Tell us how familiar are you with the law we practice at our firm, or the law I specialize in?
I am not too far familiar seeing as I went to school for paralegal I did not learn about corporate law, real estate, nor wills and estates but I am happy to jump in and learn as well as researching everything on my on time.
32. Tell me what do you estimate the total cost of my massachusetts divorce to be?
Divorce lawyers are not permitted to guarantee results, nor can they predict exactly what the overall cost of a particular case will be. However, an experienced divorce attorney should walk you through the different ways that your case will cost less or more. For example, the opposing attorney and/or opposing party's conduct and cooperation will have a significant impact on the overall cost of the case. Also, ask the attorney about how attorney fees might be paid by the other party.
33. Explain me about yourself personally?
Divorce lawyers are people too, and his or her response to this question may be eye-opening for you. If the attorney doesn't get along with many people, works 15 hours a day, has conflict in the office, these may be red flags. A divorce attorney's ability to communicate and get along with other divorce lawyers, and the court, is imperative to the resolution of your case. A lawyer who promotes conflict in your case is not someone you want representing you. There are many ways that an experienced divorce lawyer can be extremely aggressive, yet very cooperative with the other side and cordial to the Probate and Family Court. You should try and connect with an attorney that shares your values and works to effectively advocate for you, in a respectful manner with everyone else involved in your case.
I really just want to save as much money as I can so I can buy a home with my boyfriend and be able to get married. If we don't have a home to move into after we get married I wouldn't want to move back in with my parents.
35. Tell us how do you manage your research work considering there is so much to look through?
I just do it step by step, I know how to research, I make sure I figure out what I am going to research first and I find that then I will go onto the next, I have not done much researching other than in school or my time at JBC
