How to Answer These Top 5 Law Firm Interview Questions?
Before reading today's newsletter, I want to announce that I will organise a FREE BigLaw Training Contract Drafting Workshop on 8th October 2026 at 1:30pm UK Time.
In this 1-hour workshop, you will learn the techniques for answering various types of common application (and interview) questions, including the classic motivational questions, commercial awareness questions, as well as competency and situational judgment questions.
You can register for this free workshop via the link HERE - see you on Thursday!
1. Why did you choose our firm?
Many candidates make the mistake of trying to impress a firm with many reasons, and their answers end up losing focus and becoming too long-winded.
In fact, law firm partners most often look for concise and clear answers, as well as a genuine response that truly reflects your career journey so far.
When answering this question, you should signpost and summarise your key reasons very concisely, drawing from your relevant experience to show your genuine interest in the firm. I will give you a few pointers as to how you can answer this question effectively by considering things such as:
How can this firm help with your long-term development, personal goals or career ambitions?
For some stronger candidates, they may even take a step further to explain briefly how this firm stands out from other competitors in similar fields — this shows your understanding of this firm's strengths and the differences between various law firms.
Mention at least one interaction you had with anyone from the firm, either from a formal open/insight day or an informal coffee chat — this is crucial because many partners tend to ask you whether you've spoken to anyone from the firm before, and if your answer to that is an immediate "NO", you can imagine how hard it can be to justify your genuine interest in the firm afterwards.
For each individual reason you outline, you should always link it back to your own personal experience or interest. At the end of the day, everyone can claim that they are interested in a firm, but their past experiences are the only undeniable evidence showing such interest.
2. What other law firms have you applied to?
Firstly, you don't need to name 10 different firms you already applied to, or to be 100% honest about the fact that you're really desperate and simply applying to as many global law firms as possible just to shoot your shot (even though that's the truth...)
While there is no magic number, I think you should mention roughly 3-4 firms and think carefully why you actually picked those firms, as well as the underlying rationale.
Ideally, in answering this question, you need to explain why you chose those firms (and even if you don't do this, the interviewers may follow up and ask why you pick them anyway), and you can often justify your choice based on one of the following reasons:
You interned there, or attended various events at those firms before, and you really like the "culture" or "people" there — your personal experience can be a good reason, especially if the firm you named is not necessarily a strong competitor of the firm you are currently interviewing at. That shows you actually care about each firm's culture and fit.
They are obvious competitors of the firm you are currently interviewing at — this shows consistency and that you are not just randomly applying to a lot of law firms based on their size or prestige.
This is one of those motivational questions you definitely should prepare in advance, apart from the typical why commercial law or why this law firm questions.
3. Tell us about a time when you juggled multiple tasks? (i.e. the "time management" or "competing priorities" questions)
This is by far one of the most common competency questions that almost all law firms will ask, because commercial lawyers are super busy and often need to juggle multiple deadlines and tasks on a daily basis (and I experienced it firsthand myself...)
The key to tackling this question effectively is to outline the specific approach or steps you actually took to handle conflicting priorities. Some examples of what you can say are as follows:
breaking big, complex tasks into smaller, manageable sub-tasks.
prioritising all your tasks based on urgency and importance. Tasks that are both urgent and important should be completed first.
delegating some of your tasks to other para-professionals/trainees, or ask other lawyers for help – you don't have to do everything by yourself and sometimes knowing when to rely on your team instead to deliver client work efficiently and meet all the important deadlines is more important.
4. Can you briefly introduce yourself?
In the interview coaching circle, there is this go-to formula for answering the "tell me about yourself" kind of question, namely the "Present Past Future" formula:
Present – talk about the stage you are at and what you’re doing now (e.g. I am a law graduate from [x] University with 1.5 years of paralegal experience at [y] firm)
Past – discuss some of your past experience and the accomplishments you’ve achieved. Pick experience that is aligned with, or relevant to, the firm.
Future – End your answer by connecting your present and past experience with what you’re looking forward to (or your career ambitions), and thus why you are interested in this specific role/firm.
You don't need to tell them your entire life story in an introduction question like this. Instead, pick the most relevant experience, and connect them to why you are even sitting here today for this interview. Keep your introduction brief and concise.
5. What do you think clients are looking for in a law firm?
This question appeared a lot in previous year's video interview questions, and sometimes in assessment centres too.
This is technically a commercial awareness question testing your understanding of how law firms pitch themselves to potential clients, and what constitutes high-quality legal service that appeals to business clients.
Here are some examples of what you can say when tackling this question to show your understanding of clients' expectations:
A commercial advisor as opposed to a legal advisor — clients don't just want someone who advises on the correct legal position, but they need lawyers who actually understand their sectors or industry customs. That's why nowadays there are more and more law firms adopting a sector-based approach, or trying to build strong relationships with some selected industry clients to build their niche.
An innovative or tech-savvy law firm — the one good thing about legal tech is that it saves lots of time and thus reduces the billable hours involved in a client matter, thereby potentially driving down the total cost for a client.
A firm's internationality or global network - law firms are expanding because a lot of their clients are also expanding and inherently international. If a client with 100 chain stores across the world wants to pick a law firm, they probably want a firm with a large global presence which can handle everything under one roof, i.e. a "one-stop shop."
Land Your Dream BigLaw Training Contract Despite Your Background!
P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you secure your dream legal roles: 1. Take my Free Application Templates & Interview Master Sheet [Get it here]. 2. Watch my Free BigLaw Training Contract Application Masterclass [Watch it here]. 3. Book a Free 1:1 Call with Me [Have a chat today than to waste any more time].
Also, another call to apply for my BigLaw Academy Winter Cohort to be part of my November 2026 cohort. I had been teaching my framework to students one-on-one for years, producing over 20 successful stories in the last cycle alone. Now I’m packaging it so more people can access it.
This is a very small cohort of at most 8 to 12 students. You get direct access to me throughout, a small yet ambitious peer group, and less than one-third of the price of my 1:1 programme. I won't offer another cohort that soon again after this Winter Cohort. There are only 3 spots left for the early bird price. Applications close by end of this October and I accept students on a rolling basis.
The timing of this cohort aligns perfectly with the application timeline for the upcoming spring/summer vacations schemes as well as the direct training contract applications, so if you want to start having more clarity on your application and interview strategies, apply for the BigLaw Academy Winter Cohort here.
Have a good rest of the week!
Gordon Chung
