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

•  Situation: I encountered a situation where I had to deal with conflicting legal authorities
•  Conflict Identification: I carefully analyzed the conflicting legal authorities to understand the nature and extent of the conflict
•  Research: I conducted thorough research to gather relevant information and understand the context of each legal authority
•  Evaluation: I critically evaluated the credibility, relevance, and applicability of each conflicting legal authority
•  Consultation: I sought guidance from senior colleagues or legal experts to gain additional insights and perspectives on the conflicting authorities
•  Analysis: I compared and contrasted the arguments, reasoning, and interpretations presented in each legal authority
•  Synthesis: Based on my analysis, I synthesized the relevant principles, rules, and precedents from each conflicting authority
•  Resolution: I formulated a well-reasoned and balanced approach to resolve the conflict, considering the hierarchy of legal authorities and the specific context of the issue
•  Documentation: I documented my analysis, findings, and resolution in a clear and concise manner for future reference
•  Communication: I communicated my findings and proposed resolution to relevant stakeholders, such as supervisors, colleagues, or clients, ensuring clarity and transparency
•  Feedback: I welcomed feedback and suggestions from others to refine and strengthen my resolution, if necessary
•  Implementation: I implemented the resolved approach in practice, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
•  Monitoring: I monitored the outcome and impact of the resolved approach, making adjustments if needed and learning from the experience for future cases

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

•  Problem-solving skills: Ability to navigate conflicting legal authorities and find a resolution
•  Analytical thinking: Capability to critically analyze legal sources and identify inconsistencies
•  Decision-making abilities: Capacity to make informed decisions based on the analysis of conflicting legal authorities

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

•  Lack of experience: If the candidate has never encountered conflicting legal authorities before, it may raise concerns about their ability to handle complex legal research tasks
•  Inability to provide specific examples: If the candidate is unable to provide a clear and specific example of a situation where they dealt with conflicting legal authorities, it may indicate a lack of practical experience or attention to detail
•  Lack of critical thinking skills: If the candidate fails to demonstrate how they resolved the conflicting legal authorities by analyzing and evaluating the relevant factors, it may suggest a lack of critical thinking skills
•  Ineffective communication: If the candidate cannot effectively explain how they communicated their resolution to others involved, it may indicate poor communication skills or difficulty in conveying complex legal concepts
•  Ignoring ethical considerations: If the candidate does not mention considering ethical implications while resolving conflicting legal authorities, it may raise concerns about their understanding of professional ethics and integrity

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Legal Researcher in Legal function. View details for the Legal Researcher here

• Describe your process for organizing and managing legal research materials.
• Tell me about a time when you had to work on multiple legal research projects simultaneously. How did you prioritize and manage your time?
• Can you provide an example of a complex legal issue you researched and how you approached it?
• Tell me about your experience in legal research.
• How do you ensure the accuracy and reliability of your legal research?
• How do you stay updated with changes in laws and regulations?
• What is your approach to analyzing and interpreting legal information?
• How do you handle tight deadlines when conducting legal research?
• What are the key qualities or skills that a legal researcher should possess?
• How do you ensure confidentiality and data security in your legal research work?
• What steps do you take to verify the credibility and authenticity of legal sources?
• How do you approach legal research for unfamiliar or niche areas of law?
• How do you handle situations where you encounter contradictory legal information?
• Describe a time when you had to present your legal research findings to a team or client. How did you communicate complex information effectively?
• What role do you think technology plays in legal research? How do you leverage technology in your work?
• What legal databases or research tools are you familiar with?
• How do you ensure that your legal research is thorough and comprehensive?
• Tell me about a time when you had to work collaboratively with attorneys or other legal professionals on a research project.
• Tell me about a time when your legal research contributed to a successful case or project outcome.