20 DLA Piper Interview Questions and Answers

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries. The firm helps clients with their legal needs around the world.

DLA Piper is always looking for the best and the brightest legal minds to join their ranks. If you’re interested in working for this prestigious firm, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions during your interview.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common DLA Piper interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

DLA Piper Interview Process

The interview process at DLA Piper can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For summer associate positions, the process may include an initial assessment followed by a telephone interview and finally an assessment center. The process can take up to a month to complete. For lawyer positions, the process may include an external HR recruiter contacting you by phone. The HR recruiter will ask you questions about your experience and future goals. You may also be asked to complete an online aptitude test.

1. Why do you want to work at DLA Piper?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this question, make sure you read through the job description and highlight any aspects of the role that align with your career goals.

Example: “I am interested in working at DLA Piper because I have always admired the firm’s commitment to pro bono work. In my last position, I worked on several pro bono cases, and it was so rewarding to help those who could not afford legal representation. I think that DLA Piper would be an excellent place to continue my passion for helping others.”

2. What is your experience with the legal industry?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in the legal industry and can apply your skills to their firm. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight any relevant work experience or education.

Example: “I graduated from law school with honors last year and passed my bar exam on my first try. I’ve been working as an associate at a small law firm for the past two years where I’ve helped clients with family law issues, bankruptcy filings and more. I’m excited to use my skills and expertise to help DLA Piper’s clients.”

3. When was a time that you were unable to meet a deadline and how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle stressful situations and whether or not you can prioritize your work. When answering, it’s important to show that you’re willing to take responsibility for any mistakes you make and learn from them.

Example: “I once had a client who was in the middle of a lawsuit when they asked me to draft an appeal on their behalf. I agreed but didn’t realize until later that I hadn’t given myself enough time to complete the task. I ended up working late into the night to finish the appeal before the deadline. The next day, my client won their case.”

4. Do you think there are any issues in the current legal system? If so, what would you change?

This question is a great way to show your critical thinking skills and how you can improve the legal system. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you would change and why.

Example: “I think there are two issues in the current legal system that I would like to see changed. The first issue is the lack of diversity among judges. In my experience as a lawyer, I’ve seen many cases where the judge was not representative of the client or their case. This leads to unfair rulings and decisions. My solution for this problem would be to implement a quota system for judges so that they have to hire more diverse lawyers.”

5. Have you ever had to deal with an angry client before? How did you approach the situation?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. It’s important that your answer shows you can be empathetic, while also remaining professional.

Example: “I’ve had to deal with an angry client before, but I was able to diffuse the situation by listening to what they were saying and asking questions to understand their concerns. Once I understood where they were coming from, I was able to explain my side of things and calm them down.”

6. Describe a difficult situation where you had to use strong interpersonal skills to solve the issue.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to use your communication skills to resolve the issue or help someone else solve their problem.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a case for a client who wanted to sue another company for damages they caused. The other company’s lawyer was very difficult to work with, so I used my interpersonal skills to build a good relationship with him. After several meetings, we were able to come to an agreement that satisfied both parties.”

7. Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple projects at once.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stress and prioritize your tasks. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight your ability to multitask and manage time effectively.

Example: “In my last position, I had three major projects that were due at the same time. One project was for a client who needed assistance with their business contracts, another was helping them create an employee handbook and the third was creating a new website for their company. I scheduled out all of my tasks so that I could complete each one by its deadline. This helped me stay organized and ensure that I met all of my deadlines.”

8. Are you comfortable working on a team?

Working as a legal assistant can often require you to work with other people. Employers ask this question to make sure that you are able to collaborate and communicate effectively with others. In your answer, explain how you enjoy working in teams and what makes you a good team member.

Example: “I have always enjoyed working on a team because it allows me to learn from the experiences of my colleagues. I am very comfortable collaborating with others and feel like I bring unique ideas to the table when working alongside others. I also find that I am more productive when working in a group setting rather than alone.”

9. This job requires long hours and many deadlines. Would you be able to keep up?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your work ethic and commitment. You should answer this question by explaining that you are willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed at this job.

Example: “I am committed to my career, so I would be happy to work long hours if it meant getting the job done. In fact, I have worked many late nights and weekends while working as an associate attorney, but I always made sure to get all of my work done on time.”

10. What is something you have learned from a past mistake on your part?

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from past mistakes and grow as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you learned quickly or something that helped you improve in the future.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a case where we were representing a client who had been injured by another party. During our research, I found out that the other party had also been involved in previous accidents with injuries. I brought this information to my team, and we decided to use it as evidence for our case. Unfortunately, the judge ruled against us because of this information, but I learned from this mistake and now understand that we should not have used that information.”

11. What type of law are you most interested in practicing?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the firm and its practice areas. It also gives them an idea of what type of work you would be most passionate about doing if hired. When answering this question, make sure to mention one or two specific practice areas that interest you the most.

Example: “I am very interested in working with clients who are looking for help with mergers and acquisitions. I find it fascinating how companies can combine their resources to create something even more valuable than they were before. Another area that interests me is helping small businesses get started by providing them with legal advice on incorporating.”

12. Can you tell us about a time where you missed the mark and failed to deliver for a client?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to failure and what steps you take to ensure it doesn’t happen again. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your ability to learn from mistakes and apply that learning to future projects or assignments.

Example: “In my first year as an associate at my previous firm, I was working on a case where the client needed help with a contract negotiation. I had done extensive research on the company’s contracts and knew exactly what we should ask for in the negotiations. However, when presenting our offer to the opposing counsel, they were able to convince us to give up some of our negotiating points. I felt like I failed the client by not being prepared enough for the meeting.”

13. How has technology changed the way that lawyers practice law?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the legal industry and how it has changed over time. When answering this question, you can discuss specific ways that technology has helped lawyers in their practice.

Example: “Technology has completely changed the way that lawyers practice law. In my last role as an associate attorney, I was able to use software to help me research cases and find relevant information for clients. This saved me a lot of time when working on projects and allowed me to spend more time with clients during meetings.”

14. What qualities should a successful lawyer possess?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you possess the qualities needed for success in their firm. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific skills and traits that are important to your career as a lawyer.

Example: “A successful lawyer should have excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. They should also be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. I believe these three qualities are essential to being a successful lawyer.”

15. Which law school did you attend?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how you got into law. If you went to a prestigious school, they may be impressed with your credentials. However, if you attended a less-known institution, they may want to know why you chose that school over others.

Example: “I attended University of California at Berkeley School of Law. I was accepted early decision and knew it would be a great fit for me. The school has an excellent reputation in the legal community and offers many opportunities for students.”

16. What are you looking for out of this position? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are motivated and have goals. It also helps them understand what your career path might look like if they decide to hire you. When answering this question, be sure to include details about how you would use this position to help you achieve your personal or professional goals.

Example: “I am looking for an opportunity where I can grow my legal knowledge and experience while helping clients with their needs. In five years, I see myself as a partner at DLA Piper working on complex cases and mentoring junior associates.”

17. Does anyone else depend on your income?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your responsibilities and how they might impact your work. If you have children or other dependents, be honest about their ages and what kind of support they need from you.

Example: “I am married with two young children who are in daycare during the day while I’m at work. My husband works as well, but he’s often on call so his schedule can vary week-to-week. We rely heavily on my income to cover our expenses.”

18. A good lawyer knows how to read people, how would you describe your ability to read others?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the ability to read people and understand their emotions. This can be an important skill for lawyers, as they often need to know how clients are feeling in order to best represent them.

Example: “I think it’s very important to be able to read others and understand what they’re feeling. I’ve always been good at reading people, which has helped me throughout my career. For example, when I was working on a case where a client was being sued by their landlord, I could tell that they were nervous about the situation. I used this information to help them feel more confident about our representation.”

19. How do you stay organized?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your time management skills and how you plan to stay on top of deadlines. Your answer should include some strategies that you use to keep track of projects, meetings and other important dates and information.

Example: “I have several organizational tools that I use to stay on top of my work. For example, I use an online calendar to schedule all of my appointments and client meetings. I also use a task manager app to create lists for each project I’m working on so I can check off items as they’re completed. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t forget any steps in completing a project.”

20. How is your communication style different online than it is in person?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of clear and concise communication. It also allows them to see how you might interact with their team members online.

Example: “I am very aware of my tone when I’m communicating online, especially in email. I try to be as professional as possible while still being friendly. In person, I tend to speak more quickly and use hand gestures to help convey my points. This helps me connect with others on a personal level.”