Can you provide an example of a challenging legal research project you completed?


 Theme: Legal Research  Role: Legal Assistant  Function: Legal

  Interview Question for Legal Assistant:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Legal Assistant: Supports lawyers by organizing documents, conducting research, and drafting legal documents. This role falls within the Legal function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here

 Sample Answer 


  Example response for question delving into Legal Research with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Project Description: Provide a brief overview of the legal research project, including the context and objective
  •  Challenges Faced: Explain the specific difficulties or obstacles encountered during the project
  •  Research Methodology: Describe the approach taken to conduct the legal research, including the sources used and any unique strategies employed
  •  Analysis & Findings: Outline the key findings or conclusions derived from the research, highlighting any significant legal precedents or interpretations
  •  Problem-Solving Skills: Discuss how you applied critical thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and arrive at a solution
  •  Collaboration & Communication: Explain how you collaborated with colleagues or superiors, and effectively communicated your research findings
  •  Outcome & Impact: Summarize the outcome of the research project and its impact on the legal matter or case it was related to
  •  Lessons Learned: Reflect on the lessons learned from the project and how it has contributed to your growth as a legal professional

 Underlying Motivations 


  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

  •  Research skills: Assessing my ability to conduct thorough and effective legal research
  •  Problem-solving abilities: Evaluating my capacity to tackle complex legal issues and find solutions
  •  Analytical thinking: Determining my aptitude for analyzing legal information and drawing conclusions
  •  Attention to detail: Examining my attention to detail in conducting legal research and presenting findings

 Potential Minefields 


  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

  •  Lack of specific details: Not providing specific details about the project or the challenges faced
  •  Inability to explain the research process: Not being able to explain the steps taken to conduct the research
  •  Limited knowledge of legal research methods: Showing a lack of understanding of commonly used legal research methods
  •  Failure to highlight problem-solving skills: Not emphasizing how challenges were overcome and solutions were found
  •  Lack of relevance to the legal field: Providing an example that is not directly related to legal research or the legal field