Describe a time when you had to present your legal research findings to a team or client. How did you communicate complex information effectively?
Theme: Experience Role: Legal Researcher Function: Legal
Interview Question for Legal Researcher: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Legal Researcher: Conducts in-depth research on legal issues, statutes, and case law to support legal arguments and decision-making. 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 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
- Context: Provide a brief overview of the project or case that required legal research and the team or client you presented to
- Research Findings: Summarize the key findings of your legal research
- Complex Information: Explain the complexity of the information you had to present and why it was challenging
- Preparation: Describe the steps you took to prepare for the presentation
- Simplification: Explain how you simplified the complex information to make it more understandable for the team or client
- Visual Aids: Discuss any visual aids or tools you used to enhance the presentation
- Engagement: Explain how you engaged the team or client during the presentation to ensure their understanding
- Clarification: Describe how you addressed any questions or concerns raised by the team or client
- Conclusion: Summarize the outcome of the presentation and any positive feedback received
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Communication skills: Assessing ability to effectively communicate complex legal information
- Presentation skills: Evaluating capability to present research findings to a team or client
- Research skills: Determining proficiency in conducting legal research and analyzing complex information
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of preparation: Not being able to provide a specific example or struggling to recall a time when you presented legal research findings
- Inability to communicate complex information: Not being able to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner or using jargon that the team or client may not understand
- Lack of collaboration: Not mentioning any collaboration or teamwork involved in the process of presenting the legal research findings
- Poor presentation skills: Failing to mention any strategies or techniques used to effectively present the complex information, such as visual aids or simplifying the content
- Lack of client focus: Not addressing how the complex information was tailored or adapted to meet the needs and understanding of the team or client
- Inability to answer follow-up questions: Struggling to provide additional details or examples when asked to elaborate on the presentation or respond to further inquiries