How do you approach legal research and analysis?
Theme: Research Role: Legal Consultant Function: Legal
Interview Question for Legal Consultant: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Legal Consultant: Provides expert advice and guidance on legal matters to individuals or organizations. 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 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
- Understanding the Research Objective: I begin by thoroughly understanding the research objective or the legal issue at hand. This involves carefully reviewing the client's instructions or the problem statement to identify the key legal questions that need to be answered
- Identifying Relevant Sources: Next, I identify the relevant sources of law that may provide guidance or precedent for the issue. This includes statutes, regulations, case law, legal treatises, and scholarly articles. I also consider any applicable international or comparative law
- Conducting Initial Research: I start by conducting preliminary research to gain a general understanding of the topic and identify any existing legal frameworks or principles that may be relevant. This involves using legal databases, online resources, and libraries to gather primary and secondary sources
- Analyzing & Synthesizing Information: Once I have gathered the necessary resources, I carefully analyze and synthesize the information to develop a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles and arguments related to the issue. This includes identifying relevant legal doctrines, precedents, and legal theories
- Applying Critical Thinking: I apply critical thinking skills to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of different legal arguments and theories. This involves assessing the credibility and persuasiveness of the sources, considering counterarguments, and identifying any gaps or inconsistencies in the legal analysis
- Drafting Research Memoranda: Based on my analysis, I prepare research memoranda summarizing the key findings, legal principles, and arguments. These memoranda are structured in a logical and organized manner, providing clear and concise explanations of the legal research conducted
- Communicating Findings: I effectively communicate my research findings to clients, colleagues, or superiors in a clear and concise manner. This may involve presenting the information orally, through written reports, or by participating in legal discussions or meetings
- Staying Updated: To ensure the accuracy and relevance of my research, I stay updated with the latest legal developments, including new legislation, court decisions, and legal commentary. This involves regularly reviewing legal publications, attending seminars, and participating in professional networks
- Maintaining Ethical Standards: Throughout the research process, I adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring that all sources are properly cited, respecting client confidentiality, and avoiding any conflicts of interest
- Seeking Feedback & Continuous Improvement: I actively seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors to improve my research and analysis skills. I am open to constructive criticism and continuously strive to enhance my legal research techniques and stay updated with emerging research methodologies
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
- Analytical skills: Evaluating my capability to analyze complex legal issues and provide insightful conclusions
- Methodology: Understanding my approach to organizing and structuring legal research
- Attention to detail: Assessing my ability to identify and analyze relevant legal information accurately
- Problem-solving: Evaluating my capacity to apply legal research and analysis to solve complex legal problems
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of organization: Not having a systematic approach to legal research and analysis
- Inadequate use of resources: Relying solely on one source or not utilizing various legal databases and tools
- Poor understanding of legal concepts: Struggling to explain fundamental legal principles or lacking knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
- Inability to prioritize information: Difficulty in identifying key facts and issues from a large volume of legal materials
- Lack of attention to detail: Making errors in citations, misinterpreting case law, or overlooking important details