20 Cravath Swaine Interview Questions and Answers

Cravath Swaine is one of the world’s most prestigious law firms. Based in New York City, Cravath Swaine has a long history of representing some of the world’s largest companies in complex legal matters.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Cravath Swaine, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your experience, qualifications, and motivation for seeking a position at the firm. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Cravath Swaine interview questions and answers.

Cravath Swaine Interview Process

The interview process at Cravath Swaine is generally pretty long, taking anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. However, it seems that the difficulty of the interviews varies depending on the position you’re applying for. For example, positions like legal assistant and paralegal seem to require more difficult interviews than other positions. Additionally, it seems that the interviewers are mostly interested in getting to know the candidates on a personal level, rather than testing their knowledge of the law.

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My only weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too many tasks at once. To combat this, I make sure to prioritize my tasks and set deadlines for myself.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without consulting with anyone else.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you make decisions and whether you are able to think independently. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “When I was a law clerk at Cravath Swaine, my supervisor asked me to review a case that involved a client who had been accused of insider trading. The client claimed he didn’t know what his employee was doing when he invested in certain stocks. However, there were several inconsistencies in his story. I decided to interview the employee myself to get more information about the situation. After speaking with him, I realized that the client knew exactly what was going on and was lying about it.”

3. How would you handle it if you were assigned an important task but didn’t have enough information or instructions on how to do it?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to ask for help. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative, but also know when to ask for assistance.

Example: “If I was assigned an important task without enough information or instructions, I would first try to figure out what the client wanted by asking questions and researching online. If this didn’t work, I would immediately contact my supervisor so they could provide me with more information on how to proceed. This ensures that I don’t waste time working on something that isn’t in line with the client’s expectations.”

4. Describe a time when you worked under pressure in order to meet a deadline.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle pressure and deadlines. Use examples from your previous work experience to describe a time when you had to meet a deadline, what steps you took to ensure that you met it and what the outcome was.

Example: “In my last role as an associate attorney at Cravath Swaine, I worked on a case where we were representing a client who needed our help with a contract dispute. The opposing party wanted us to provide them with more information about the contract, but we didn’t have all of the details because they were in possession of our client. We had two weeks to gather the necessary documents and respond to the opposing party’s request.”

5. Do you think that Cravath Swaine is the firm for you? Why or why not?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your interest in working at their firm. It’s important that you are honest with your answer, but also make sure it’s positive. You should highlight any aspects of the company that appeal to you and explain why they appeal to you.

Example: “I think Cravath Swaine is the perfect fit for me because I’m passionate about intellectual property law and this is one of the best firms in the country for IP law. I’ve always been interested in technology and how it can be used to solve problems. I feel like I would thrive in a position where I could use my skills to help clients develop new technologies.”

6. What was the most difficult project you ever worked on?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you overcame the challenge and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “The most difficult project I ever worked on was when my team had to create an entirely new website for our client in just two weeks. We were already working on other projects at the time, so we didn’t have much time to dedicate to this one. However, we managed to pull through by allocating tasks among ourselves and staying late if necessary. In the end, we created a beautiful website that exceeded our client’s expectations.”

7. Give us an example of a time when you were successful at getting a large gift, what was your strategy?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with clients and get them excited about the firm. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you got the client excited about the firm and what made them want to give such a large gift.

Example: “When I was working at my previous law firm, we had a very wealthy client who wanted to donate $100,000 to our organization. At first, they were hesitant to give us that much money, but after talking to them for a while, I learned that they really liked our mission statement and thought we could use their donation to help more people. After explaining why they should give us so much money, they agreed to do so.”

8. What does corporate law mean to you?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the law and how you can apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, make sure to highlight what drew you to corporate law in the first place.

Example: “Corporate law means a lot to me because I have always been interested in business. In high school, I took several business classes and interned at my local bank where I learned about financial regulations. After learning more about corporate law, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in it. I enjoy working with businesses to help them achieve their goals while staying within legal guidelines.”

9. How has your past experience prepared you for this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the job.

Example: “Throughout my career as an attorney, I’ve developed many valuable skills that have prepared me for this opportunity at Cravath Swaine. For example, in my previous role, I was responsible for managing several cases at once while also collaborating with other attorneys on those cases. This experience has taught me how to prioritize tasks and work efficiently under pressure. It’s also helped me develop strong communication skills and build relationships with clients.”

10. What are some tools you use to keep up with the latest trends?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your ability to stay up-to-date with industry news and information. Your answer should include some specific examples of how you keep yourself informed about current events in your field.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters that provide me with updates on new laws, regulations and case studies. I also have a few online forums where I can ask questions or share my thoughts on certain topics. I find these resources very helpful for staying up-to-date on what’s happening in the legal world.”

11. Have you had projects that didn’t do well? How did you manage it?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills. It’s important that you show how you can learn from mistakes and apply what you’ve learned to future projects.

Example: “I once had a project where I was working with a client who wanted to make changes to their website every week. This made it difficult for me to meet deadlines, which led to my team missing several deadlines. To solve this issue, I spoke with the client about setting realistic expectations. They agreed to give us two weeks notice before making any changes to the site. We also created a schedule so we could plan ahead for upcoming tasks.”

12. Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s career advancement opportunities. It also gives you the opportunity to show that you have goals and ambitions for your future in law. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of what you would like to achieve professionally over the next five years.

Example: “I hope to be working as an associate at Cravath Swaine by then. I know that there are many steps along the way, but I am committed to putting in the work necessary to get there. I believe that if I continue to do my best and put forth my effort, I will be able to reach my professional goals.”

13. What is a recent trend in the market that has caught your interest?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the market and how you stay up-to-date with current events. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific trend that has caught your attention and why you find it interesting.

Example: “I have noticed more companies are starting to offer remote work options for their employees. I think this is great because it allows people to work from home or other locations while still being able to do their job effectively. This also helps reduce traffic in major cities where many businesses are located.”

14. Tell me about a time where you disagreed with your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important to show that you’re willing to voice your opinion, but also respect authority when necessary.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about a client we were representing. I felt like our team was not doing enough research on the case, so I voiced my concerns during a meeting. My manager listened to what I had to say, and then explained why they thought it was best to proceed as planned. After hearing their reasoning, I agreed with them and continued working on the case.”

15. What process and planning would you do to prepare for an upcoming class you were teaching?

This question is a great way to show your ability to plan ahead and organize. It also shows the interviewer that you are organized, dependable and have good time management skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would prepare for a class or project.

Example: “I always make sure I am prepared for my classes by reading through all materials before the start of each semester. This helps me get familiar with the course material and allows me to ask any questions to my professor if I need clarification on anything. I also like to meet with students individually at least once during the first week of class so they feel comfortable asking me questions.”

16. If hired, how would you leverage your past experience at Cravath Swaine?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand how your past experience can benefit their company. Use examples from your resume or cover letter to explain how your previous work helped you develop skills and abilities that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I believe my time at Cravath Swaine has prepared me for a career as a paralegal because I learned valuable legal research techniques, developed strong communication skills and gained confidence working with attorneys. These experiences have given me the tools I need to excel in this position.”

17. What kind of connections do you have with the community? How involved are you?

Cravath Swaine is a large law firm, and they want to know that you are willing to get involved in the community. They ask this question to see if you have any connections with local organizations or charities. When answering this question, make sure to mention at least one organization you volunteer for or one cause you support.

Example: “I am very passionate about animal rights, so I volunteer at my local shelter once a week. I also donate 10% of my income to various wildlife conservation groups. I think it’s important to give back to our planet, and I hope to work for a company that shares these values.”

18. What issues will the legal industry face in the next 5 year?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the legal industry and how it’s changing. You can use this opportunity to discuss any changes you’ve noticed in the field, as well as what you think will happen in the future.

Example: “I believe that one of the biggest issues the legal industry will face in the next five years is the lack of diversity. I have worked with many law firms over the past few years, and I notice that most are predominantly white male. This means they aren’t getting the best representation for their clients because they don’t understand different cultures or backgrounds. I would like to see more diverse hiring practices so we can get a better understanding of our clientele.”

19. How long have you worked in the legal industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to be honest when answering this question, as it can help them determine if you’re qualified for the position. If you’ve only worked in the legal industry for a short period of time, consider including other relevant work experiences that relate to the job.

Example: “I have been working in the legal field for five years now. I started out as an intern at Cravath Swaine & Moore where I learned valuable skills that helped me land my current role as a paralegal.”

20. How would you deal with stubborn or difficult clients?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging personalities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you helped a client overcome their stubbornness or difficult personality traits.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding and wanted everything done immediately. I tried my best to accommodate his requests while also maintaining the quality of my work. Eventually, he realized that I couldn’t complete all of his tasks as quickly as he would have liked, so he started to give me more time to finish projects. He eventually became one of my most loyal clients.”