17 Contract Attorney Interview Questions and Answers

As a contract attorney, you will be responsible for reviewing and drafting legal documents, researching and writing legal opinions, and providing other legal support to clients. You will need to have excellent research and writing skills, as well as a strong understanding of the law.

Before you can start working as a contract attorney, you will need to go through a job interview. During the interview, the employer will ask you a variety of questions to assess your skills and experience. They will also want to know more about your personal qualities and whether you will be a good fit for the company.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of the most common contract attorney interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with clients directly?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients and how comfortable you are doing so. You may answer this question by describing a time when you worked directly with a client, or you can describe your comfort level in doing so.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with clients directly because I find it to be an important part of my job as a contract attorney. In my last position, I had several clients who would call me with questions about their contracts. I always made sure to explain things clearly to them and make sure they understood what I was saying. This helped build trust between myself and the client.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a contract attorney?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their company. They want to know that you have the skills, knowledge and experience they need for the position but also that you are a good fit for their workplace culture. When preparing your answer, think about what qualities helped you succeed as a contract attorney so far.

Example: “I believe some of the most important qualities for a contract attorney are attention to detail, problem-solving skills and communication skills. I am always very thorough when reviewing contracts because it’s my job to make sure all parties understand the terms and conditions of any agreement. It is also important to be able to communicate effectively with clients and other professionals involved in the process. This helps me ensure everyone understands the contract and can meet its requirements.”

How do you keep up with changes in the law?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments. Your answer should show that you are committed to your professional development and eager to learn more about the law.

Example: “I have a subscription to several online resources, including LexisNexis and Westlaw. I also attend seminars and webinars hosted by my state bar association. In addition, I subscribe to newsletters from various organizations, such as the American Bar Association’s ABA Journal, which provides weekly updates on recent cases and legislation.”

What is your process for identifying and resolving potential legal issues in a contract?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how you approach a task. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

Example: “I begin by reading the contract thoroughly to understand all of its terms and conditions. I then compare it with any other contracts or documents that are related to it. Next, I meet with my client to discuss their expectations for the contract and what they hope to achieve from it. After that, I review the contract again to look for any potential issues or risks. If I find anything, I will work with my client to resolve it before signing.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified and resolved a legal issue in a contract.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your problem-solving skills and ability to resolve issues. Use examples from previous work experiences that highlight your critical thinking, analytical and communication skills.

Example: “In my last position as a contract attorney, I had to review a client’s contract before they signed it. The contract was for a software company that wanted to develop a new app. After reviewing the contract, I noticed that the company didn’t include any clauses about what would happen if the project went over budget or how much money the company would pay the developer.

I spoke with the company’s CEO and explained why these clauses are important in contracts. He understood and we added those clauses into the contract. This helped protect both parties involved.”

If a client asks you a legal question you don’t know the answer to, what would you do?

This question is a great way to see how you would handle an uncomfortable situation. It’s important that you are honest in your answer, but also show the interviewer that you have the ability to find answers and solve problems on your own.

Example: “If I didn’t know the answer to a client’s legal question, I would first try to find out the answer myself by researching it online or asking my colleagues. If I couldn’t find the answer after some time, I would call the client back and let them know I was still looking for the answer. I would then do everything in my power to find the answer before our next meeting so I could give them the information they needed.”

What would you do if you noticed a mistake in a contract you had already signed and submitted?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and challenges in your work. Use examples from past experience to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, learn from them and move forward with your career.

Example: “In my last position as a contract attorney, I noticed a mistake on one of the contracts I had already submitted. The client was about to sign it when I realized there was an error in the terms of the agreement. I immediately called my supervisor and explained what happened. She told me to fix the problem and resubmit the contract. Luckily, the client agreed to wait until we could submit a new contract.”

How well do you understand the legal system?

The legal system is complex, and the interviewer may want to know how well you understand it. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with the legal system and what helped you learn about it.

Example: “I’ve worked in a law firm for five years now, so I definitely have some experience with the legal system. However, my favorite part of working here has been our monthly seminars where we can ask questions about different aspects of the law. It’s really helpful to get clarification on certain topics, and I find that I learn more when I’m able to ask questions. I also think it’s important to stay up-to-date on current events within the legal system.”

Do you have any experience working with clients from other countries?

If the company you’re interviewing with has clients from other countries, your interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with people who speak a different language. Use your answer to highlight any foreign language skills you have and explain how you’ve used them in previous roles.

Example: “I do have some experience working with clients from other countries. In my last role as a contract attorney, I worked on several projects for international companies. My clientele was mostly French-speaking, so I learned basic French phrases that helped me communicate more effectively with my clients. This also helped me understand their concerns better when they would call or email about issues.”

When negotiating a contract, what is your process for determining the other party’s priorities?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your critical thinking skills to a contract negotiation. Your answer should demonstrate that you are able to analyze information and make decisions based on what is most important to the other party.

Example: “When determining another party’s priorities, I first try to get an understanding of their goals for the contract. This helps me determine which terms they will be more likely to compromise on and which ones they won’t budge on at all. For example, if one party wants a specific term in the contract because it would benefit them greatly, but the other party doesn’t care as much about that term, then I know that we may be able to negotiate a different term instead.”

We want to ensure our contracts are legally sound. How would you go about doing that?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure their contracts are legally sound. Use examples from your experience of how you would go about ensuring a contract’s legality, such as researching case law or consulting with other legal professionals.

Example: “I would first make sure I thoroughly understand the terms of the contract and what each party expects from it. Then, I would research any relevant case law to see if there are any precedents for similar situations. If not, I would consult with my colleagues to get their opinions on the matter. Finally, I would review the contract again to make sure everything is in order.”

Describe your writing process when creating a contract.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you approach a task and whether your process is effective. Your answer should include the steps you take when creating a contract, including any tools or resources you use along the way.

Example: “I start by researching the client’s business and what they need from their contract. I then outline the main points of the contract and create an initial draft. After that, I review my work for errors and make changes as needed. Finally, I send the final version to the client for approval.”

What makes you stand out from other contract attorneys?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other contract attorneys they may be considering for the position. When answering this question, think of a few things that make you stand out. These can include any certifications or special training you have. You can also mention any awards you’ve received in your career.

Example: “I am certified as a contract attorney by the American Bar Association. This certification is something I worked hard to achieve because it shows my commitment to upholding ethical standards when working with clients. It’s important to me that I provide honest advice to my clients so they feel comfortable trusting me. Another thing that makes me stand out is my extensive knowledge of business law.”

Which areas of law do you most want to work in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your career goals. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on the company and its work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention areas of law that are relevant to the job description or ones that you’re passionate about.

Example: “I’m most interested in working as a contract attorney. I find contracts fascinating because they’re so important to businesses and organizations. I think my skills as a writer would be especially useful when drafting contracts, which is why I was excited to see that your company offers contract attorney positions.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of legal writing?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you prioritize your work and what skills you use most often. Your answer can show the interviewer that you understand the importance of legal writing, which is an important skill for contract attorneys. When answering this question, consider discussing a time when you wrote something that helped someone or made a difference in your career.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of legal writing is clarity. Contract law is complicated, so I always make sure my writing is easy to read and understand. In my last position, I was working with a client who had questions about one of our contracts. I took some extra time to explain the terms clearly to them, and they were able to understand it much better after talking with me.”

How often do you review your contracts?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you ensure your contracts are legally sound. Your answer should show that you take pride in your work and want to make sure it’s accurate.

Example: “I review all of my contracts before I send them out to clients or other parties involved. This is because I want to be sure there aren’t any errors, but also because I want to make sure the contract reflects what we discussed during negotiations. If a client asks for changes after they sign their contract, I’ll go back through the document to see if I can accommodate those requests.”

There is a new law that impacts the way your contract should be interpreted. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to test your ability to stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments. It also shows that you are willing to learn and adapt as needed. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you would find out about new laws and what steps you would take to ensure your contract complies with them.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of contracts and other legal documents. I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs that provide updates on recent legislation. If there was a law that impacted the way a contract should be interpreted, I would make sure to read up on it so I could apply it to my work.”