Legal Secretary Interview Questions
"As a legal secretary, your interpersonal and organizational skills will enhance the experience for both the attorney and client. During an interview, expect to be asked about what you believe makes an effective secretary, how you work alongside others, and any of your previous legal duties. Think about how you would go about handling difficult people or prioritize projects when faced with tight deadlines. To leave an impression, bring a positive attitude to show that you can bring excellent customer service to the work environment."
what do you think the most important characteristic of a successful secretary is?
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anticipation - the answer was given to me after I gave a different answer. I was told legal secretaries should be able to know what the attorneys need before being asked. Less
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Over the years, one thing that I have constantly learned is whatever you do in life, whether it is work,home or self you have to be on top of the things. Prioritize, structure what is important and needs your immediate attention and then then go for it. Knowing and prioritizing will pave a path to success and getting things done. Less
Give an example of a time when you gave great customer service.
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Be specific. I was a litigation paralegal before, so my "customer service" was handling needy clients. I picked one I recalled that needed extra hand holding and that I made myself available for as I felt like I gave her what she needed. Less
What would you do when dealing with three different lawyers asking you to do a task at the same time
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Time management Evaluate the jobs by priority Communicate with the lawyers Ask for priority levels Less
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Do multitasking , Use your intellectual to to finish the task on minimum time limit set the priority task and the deadline time for each task . Take all the lawyers in concol set the priority and finished the job Less
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I will finished this work is given dedline I confident on my ability I will finised work I will take permission how much time one work finished after take second work Less
What's your primary concern when choosing a job?
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Company culture and whether I can learn from the job.
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can foresee my future and to step up for my career
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Provide different opportunities and develop my potential.
Have you heard about our company?
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I have heard of the company from Long time ago 1970's actually in my country there is factory of Van Heusen and is very popular brand for shirts and pants, most of the school wear a style of shirt that is called the Cubayera Less
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I told her I was familiar with the name but since their website was down I was inable.to read up on then besides reviews. Less
How do you handle difficult attorneys?
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I gave an example of working with an attorney described as a monster and how he and I got along extremely well; friends to this day (20 yrs later). I answered that I have not had an attorney that remained difficult after some adjusting for both of us. Less
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I have been dealing with lawyers for 36 years. I don't argue with lawyers, I JUST OUT PERFORM THEM! Lawyers don't do the tedious, resourceful, challenging, menial tasks like discovery and verification. We "gofers" do the hard work, i.e. Legal Secretaries, Auditors, Document Control and Contract Management personnel. During the discover period, I ensure pertinent documentation is pursued to the nth degree. Then I DOCUMENT the fact that I was (not them) the FONT OF THE DISCOVERY EVIDENCE they require to support their deliberations. I have little tolerance for "Credit Stealing " or "Blame Shifting" lawyers. I don't tolerate condescension from "baby lawyers". The sooner lawyers and I get to the meeting of the minds about those roles, the better. Ill-mannered lawyers are their own worst enemies. I always remind him or her that EVERY litigation has a winning and a losing lawyer. They hate me... until I save their backsides. Then we are suddenly best friends...NOT. Less
What do you think you need in order to be successful in this position.
2 AnswersHow would you handle a situation where 2 attorneys requested their work as priority?
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I would also ask all parties involved what their *absolute* deadlines were. If said deadlines left me unable to effectively perform the task, I would enlist assistance. Less
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I would first ask what their deadline for completion is, and then enlist the help of another team member for assistance. Less
All normal questions for this position
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I agree with the other answer. I also am employed at DLA Piper and find this company to be one of the worst employers I've ever had. Ineffective management and toxic environment. Consider yourself lucky to have escaped unscathed.... Less
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How unfortunate. I am employed at DLA Piper and found the interview process to be grueling in all senses of the word (time, format, etc.). I'm sorry you had this experience. But to be honest in my humble opinion, you should be glad you didn't get the job. DLA is filled with ineffective management and is an awful place to work. Less