Mock Interview Forum

[user08132021]

Ok, so I had a mock interview with a firm on my campus. The interviewer asked me to tell him about a legal issue that I'm concerned about. So I discussed the first thing that popped into my head, which was nonfeasance and misfeasance from torts. At the end of the interview, he gave me good feedback, but told me I need to come up with a good legal issue to discuss.

Was the one I mentioned a cop-out, and is there something deeper that I should be discussing? I'm a bit confused...

[kalvano]

Probably means something more specific. Like award caps in tort reforms, or jurisdictional issues in suing multiple John Doe's for illegal downloading, that sort of thing.

[user08132021]

That makes sense...I'm probably going to look into a jurisdictional thing. Thanks.

[TTH]

What a different interview question.

I guess if you want to incorporate this into your future interview prep, pick a current legal issue that touches on the narrative you're selling to the firm. E.g., if you are saying you love their healthcare practice or something, you could talk about your concern about the implementation of accountable care organizations or something.

[DrGuano]

For what it's worth - I went on 29 screeners, 10 CBs - so presumably met with at least 69 attorney-interviewers and was never once asked this question. I was asked plenty of questions about specific things I did at my 1L job or previous paralegaling gig, but those were on my resume.

I wouldn't get to crazy coming up with something. On the same note, you should have plenty to talk about based on your 1L summer experience because that will come up a lot. Make sure you pay attention/understand at least one thing you do this summer.

Edit - A similar type of question when you're a 2L going through OCI will be "are you writing a note...what is it on?"

You'll have a great answer then, so don't worry about this now.

[Guchster]

Wow. Thanks for the heads up on this question. It has never been asked of me in a screener or callback; I've never even heard this question used before in a biglaw interview.

[user08132021]

I'll keep that question above in mind as I go into my 2L year...

And yeah, this was a major firm and he seemed adamant that I should have a great answer to that question. First time it came up for me as well, even in real firm interviews.

[DrGuano]

I'll keep that question above in mind as I go into my 2L year...

And yeah, this was a major firm and he seemed adamant that I should have a great answer to that question. First time it came up for me as well, even in real firm interviews.

Just to follow up - all my interviews were with the major firms. Only one's not included in that list of 29 are Wachtell, S&C, and Debevoise. All the rest are covered by that.

I think the better takeaway is just know that in some interviews you'll get asked random, atypical questions out of the blue.

I was asked by a partner from Kaye Scholer to tell him a joke. Took me by surprise as I'd say 99% of the jokes I know are incredibly inappropriate for an interview. Luckily someone told me a stupid, but clean one recently and I was able to satisfy his strange request. Another odd one - I didn't have this interviewer, but one OCI interviewer with Schulte Roth asked if you could have dinner with any 3 living people who they'd be.

Obviously much different from the substantive question you got, but my point is that you'll for the most part get standard sorts of questions. But you have to expect that a few people will throw you some curveballs.

[user08132021]

I'll keep that question above in mind as I go into my 2L year...

And yeah, this was a major firm and he seemed adamant that I should have a great answer to that question. First time it came up for me as well, even in real firm interviews.

Just to follow up - all my interviews were with the major firms. Only one's not included in that list of 29 are Wachtell, S&C, and Debevoise. All the rest are covered by that.

I think the better takeaway is just know that in some interviews you'll get asked random, atypical questions out of the blue.

I was asked by a partner from Kaye Scholer to tell him a joke. Took me by surprise as I'd say 99% of the jokes I know are incredibly inappropriate for an interview. Luckily someone told me a stupid, but clean one recently and I was able to satisfy his strange request. Another odd one - I didn't have this interviewer, but one OCI interviewer with Schulte Roth asked if you could have dinner with any 3 living people who they'd be.

Obviously much different from the substantive question you got, but my point is that you'll for the most part get standard sorts of questions. But you have to expect that a few people will throw you some curveballs.

Oh my, I definitely had the dinner question with 3 people asked of me before. I probably gave the lady a weird face. Yesterday I had a real interview, and the last lawyer I met with asked me what I want to be when I grow up?

Sometimes it's hard for me to wipe the confusion off my face with those questions.

[dood]

I'll keep that question above in mind as I go into my 2L year...

And yeah, this was a major firm and he seemed adamant that I should have a great answer to that question. First time it came up for me as well, even in real firm interviews.

Just to follow up - all my interviews were with the major firms. Only one's not included in that list of 29 are Wachtell, S&C, and Debevoise. All the rest are covered by that.

I think the better takeaway is just know that in some interviews you'll get asked random, atypical questions out of the blue.

I was asked by a partner from Kaye Scholer to tell him a joke. Took me by surprise as I'd say 99% of the jokes I know are incredibly inappropriate for an interview. Luckily someone told me a stupid, but clean one recently and I was able to satisfy his strange request. Another odd one - I didn't have this interviewer, but one OCI interviewer with Schulte Roth asked if you could have dinner with any 3 living people who they'd be.

Obviously much different from the substantive question you got, but my point is that you'll for the most part get standard sorts of questions. But you have to expect that a few people will throw you some curveballs.

exact same here. tons of interviews, a lot of softballs, some odd ones. just to add one thing: dont bullshit if u have NO idea what to say. if u didn't prepare for a certain Q (b/c its waayyy out there) or if you honestly don't know -> just tell the truth and play it cool. everybody hates bullshit and can spot it a mile away.

but by all means continue telling the white lies that u've practiced.