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Hello beautiful people—I’m a junior associate preparing for a screener at a firm I would love to go to this week and wanted to seek out your general advice on how you approach interviews, especially if you run interviews. Do you suggest memorizing answers? How in depth to go when asked about current matters? Can I discuss issues that have been briefed in some jurisdictions (so our position is public) but not yet in others (so elements of our approach could change)? What are the things you hear that make you go, there’s the kiss of death?

Any thoughts appreciated.

They're much different than OCI. Generally firms want laterals with specific experience and they'll use the interviews to assess whether your experience meets their needs. In lit (which it sounds like you do), firms typically want lawyers who have experience taking depos, drafting motions and discovery, managing e-discovery, etc., as well as interacting with clients and supervising others, rather than just doc review and legal research. You're a junior so experience won't be quite as important though. Prepare to play up what you've done but don't stretch the truth too far.

Don't discuss anything non-public. I'd also avoid memorizing answers, but give some thought to how you're going to answer questions about your current matters and what kind of experience you have.