20 Legal Aid Society Interview Questions and Answers

The Legal Aid Society in New York City is the United States’ oldest and largest provider of legal services to the indigent. They have been in operation for over 140 years and have a staff of over 1,000 lawyers. They provide free legal services to low-income New Yorkers who cannot afford to pay for private attorneys.

If you are applying for a job at the Legal Aid Society, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about your qualifications and experience. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Legal Aid Society Interview Process

The interview process at Legal Aid Society can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Interns can expect a phone call with a supervisor that lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a longer Zoom interview. For paralegal case handlers, the process is quick and direct, with interviews from a supervising attorney, the program coordinator, and another person who works on the helpline. Staff attorneys can expect to have a conversation with two current attorneys, during which they will be asked legal philosophy questions, personal growth questions, and case hypotheticals. Human resources candidates may have two Zoom interviews, but some report never hearing back after the interviews. Summer legal interns can expect 45 minute remote interviews with 3 interviewers, during which they will be asked about their commitment to public interest and past experiences with clients. Criminal investigators may be interviewed by HR resource staff, while communications candidates may be interviewed by a panel of 5 people, one of whom is an attorney. Sales representatives and law clerks can expect standard interview questions, while those interviewing for a internship may be asked about their views on decarceration and abolition. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though some find the Zoom format to be unprofessional.

1. How would you handle a client that is being very difficult?

Interviewers want to know that you can handle difficult clients and still provide excellent customer service. They also want to see how you will resolve the situation in a professional manner.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they are being so difficult. I would then explain my role as their legal aid attorney and what I am able to do for them. If they continue to be difficult, I would politely ask them to leave my office and find another lawyer if they are unhappy with my services.”

2. What do you know about the history of the Legal Aid Society?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have researched the organization before your interview. They want to know that you are passionate about helping others and understand the history of the Legal Aid Society.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Legal Aid Society’s rich history, as I was inspired by their work when I first became a lawyer. The society has been providing legal services for over 100 years, and it is one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the United States. It also provides free legal services to more than 1 million people each year. I would be honored to join such an important organization.”

3. Tell me about your experience in family law and estate planning.

The Legal Aid Society offers a variety of legal services, including family law and estate planning. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience in these areas. In your answer, try to highlight any specific skills you have that would be useful for the role.

Example: “I’ve worked as an estate planner for five years now. I enjoy helping clients create wills and trusts so they can leave their assets to loved ones after they pass away. I also help them plan for future medical care needs and financial situations. For example, I helped one client set up a trust fund for his children’s education expenses.”

4. Have you ever had to work with a budget in order to plan events, how did you choose where to allocate funds?

The interviewer may ask you questions like this to get a better idea of your organizational skills and how well you can work with others. When answering, try to highlight your ability to collaborate with others while still maintaining your own opinions.

Example: “I have worked with budgets before when planning events for my previous employer. I would first meet with the event coordinator to discuss what they had in mind for the event and then I would create a budget based on their initial ideas. Then, we would go over the budget together and decide where to make cuts or add more funds as needed.”

5. Do you have any experience working with clients who have mental health issues?

The Legal Aid Society handles a wide range of cases, including those involving clients with mental health issues. The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have experience working with such clients and how you handled the situation. In your answer, try to highlight any specific skills or techniques that helped you work with these types of clients.

Example: “I’ve worked with several clients who had mental health issues during my time at my previous firm. I always made sure to speak slowly and clearly when explaining legal matters to them so they could understand what was happening. I also tried to make sure they understood their rights and responsibilities as well as the consequences of not following through on court orders. This helped me build trust with many of my clients.”

6. Describe a time when you worked on a team project and it was not going well, what did you do to resolve the issue?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you communicate with others. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life situations where you had to resolve a conflict or disagreement among team members.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a case that required me to interview several witnesses. One of the witnesses I needed to speak with lived in another state. The witness’s attorney called me and said they would not allow me to speak with their client unless I paid them $500 for each time I wanted to talk to the client. I told the attorney that we could not afford to pay such an amount, but they refused to lower the price.

I spoke with my supervisor and explained the situation. They decided to hire a private investigator who found out the witness owed money to the IRS. We used that information to convince the witness to meet with us without having to pay any additional fees.”

7. Why are you interested in working at the Legal Aid Society?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your motivations and goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how you became interested in the field of law and what attracted you to working at Legal Aid Society.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, especially those who are less fortunate than I am. As someone who grew up in a low-income family, I know firsthand how important legal aid services can be. In my previous role as an attorney, I worked with many clients from lower income backgrounds, and I found that I really enjoyed being able to help them resolve their legal issues.”

8. In this role we will be working closely with clients who may be uncooperative and may lash out at us for perceived mistakes. Are you comfortable handling this type of environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to handle difficult clients and situations. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm under pressure and are willing to do what it takes to help the client.

Example: “I have worked with many uncooperative clients in my previous role as a paralegal at a law firm. I am used to handling challenging situations and know how to diffuse tense situations before they escalate. I also understand that sometimes there is little we can do when a client lashes out at us for perceived mistakes.”

9. What is one thing you wish you could change about the legal system?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the law and how you can make it better. When answering this question, try to think of something that would improve the lives of those who need legal aid.

Example: “I wish I could change the fact that many people are unable to afford an attorney when they need one most. In my last position, I helped create a program where we provided free legal advice over the phone to anyone in our county who needed help with their legal issues. This allowed us to reach more people while also freeing up resources so we could focus on clients who were facing serious criminal charges.”

10. What do you think is the most important aspect of helping clients get access to services they need?

This question can help the interviewer understand your perspective on helping clients and how you might approach this role. Use examples from your experience to highlight what you think is most important in providing legal services to those who need them.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of my job as a paralegal is making sure I am able to provide the best possible service to each client. This means being available when they need me, answering their questions and ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their case.”

11. Do you have any relevant volunteer or internship experiences

The Legal Aid Society is looking for candidates with a passion for helping others. If you have any relevant volunteer or internship experience, be sure to include it in your answer.

Example: “I volunteered at my local food bank every Saturday during the school year. I helped sort and organize donations, as well as assisted clients who came into the facility. It was an amazing opportunity to help people in need while also learning about how organizations like this operate. I learned valuable skills that I can apply to my work here.”

12. If hired, how would you use social media as an outreach tool?

The interviewer may want to know how you would use social media as a tool for outreach and public relations. Use examples from your past experience using social media to promote events or campaigns, engage with the community and share information about legal services.

Example: “I have used social media in my previous role at Legal Aid Society of New York City to create awareness around our free legal clinics and provide updates on current cases and legislation that affects low-income families. I also use social media to connect with other professionals in the legal field and learn more about new technologies that can help us improve our outreach efforts.”

13. How would you balance multiple cases at once?

This question can help interviewers understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I have worked with multiple clients at once before, so I am used to managing my time efficiently. In my last position, I had a caseload of 50 active cases at any given time. To balance all these cases, I would create weekly check-in meetings with each client to discuss their case updates and ensure they were receiving the legal services they needed.”

14. What skills can you bring to our organization?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they can benefit the Legal Aid Society. To answer, you can list skills that are relevant to the position and explain how you developed them.

Example: “I have excellent communication skills, which I developed through my previous work as a paralegal. These skills helped me communicate with clients and other staff members effectively, which allowed me to collaborate well with others on projects. My problem-solving skills also help me find solutions to challenging cases. For example, when I worked at my last job, I had to solve a case where a client was being evicted from their home. I used my problem-solving skills to research the law and find evidence to support our argument.”

15. What part of the job description resonated with you the most?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the position and are excited about the opportunity. When answering this question, make sure to highlight one or two aspects of the job description that really speak to you and explain why they appeal to you.

Example: “I am most interested in working with clients who need legal representation but can’t afford it. I think it’s important to help those who are less fortunate than us, and I’m eager to use my skills as a lawyer to provide them with the best possible service.”

16. What are some things you can do to help keep up employee morale during stressful times?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can help others stay motivated during challenging situations. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a team overcome challenges or maintain morale in the face of adversity.

Example: “I believe that it’s important for leaders to be approachable, so I make sure to spend time with my team members outside of work. This helps me get to know them better as people and understand their needs. When we’re under stress, I try to remind everyone that our work is meaningful and that we are all working toward the same goal.”

17. Provide examples of both successfully completed projects and failed projects. What made them successful/failure?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to challenges. When answering, try to focus on the positive aspects of each project and how you overcame any obstacles or challenges that arose.

Example: “In my previous role as a legal aid attorney, I worked with clients who were facing eviction from their homes. One client was behind on his mortgage payments by $5,000, but he had no way to pay it back. We decided to file for bankruptcy, which would allow him to avoid foreclosure. However, we soon discovered that the client owed over $100,000 in credit card debt. He also had two children with special needs.

We discussed our options and determined that filing for bankruptcy would be best for the client. It took us several months to gather all of the necessary documentation and fill out the appropriate paperwork, but eventually, we were able to get the client’s debts discharged.”

18. When meeting with clients, how do you make sure their needs are met?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with clients. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a client achieve their goals or overcome challenges.

Example: “When meeting with clients, I make sure they feel comfortable and know that I am there to help them navigate the legal system. In my last position, I had a client who was being evicted from his apartment because he couldn’t afford to pay rent. He didn’t have any family members who could help him, so I made sure he understood what our next steps were and how we would get through this process together.”

19. Tell me about a time when you were able to build a relationship with someone from a different background than yours.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with people from different backgrounds. This can be an important skill for legal aid lawyers, as they often represent clients who come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. In your answer, try to explain how you were able to build a relationship with someone from another background and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “I once represented a client who was charged with assault after getting into a fight at a bar. My client had been drinking that night and didn’t remember much of the incident. He told me he grew up in a rough neighborhood and had never really interacted with anyone outside of his social circle. I decided to meet my client at a coffee shop near where he lived to get to know him better before our next meeting. By taking the time to get to know him, I was able to understand why he acted out the way he did.”

20. How has your past experience prepared you for this role?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific skill or experience that you have that will help you succeed in the role.

Example: “My past experience as a legal aid attorney has prepared me for this role because I am familiar with the challenges of working within a large organization. In my previous position, I worked on cases involving child custody disputes, divorce proceedings and other family law matters. This experience has given me valuable insight into how to best serve clients who are going through difficult situations.”