20 Reed Smith Interview Questions and Answers

Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm represents clients in a variety of industries, including financial services, life sciences, health care, technology, and media.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Reed Smith, you can expect to be asked a mix 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 Reed Smith interview questions and answers.

Reed Smith Interview Process

The interview process at Reed Smith can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For summer associate positions, candidates are selected to interview via OCI at their law school. The interviews are relatively standard, and some good conversation can be had. It totally depends on what associate you are interviewing with, though. Candidates should come prepared to ask questions to show interest in the firm.

For legal secretary positions, the interview process consists of phone calls and then an in person meeting. Depending on what you are applying for, it can be intimidating, but you will meet with a number of different people before they make an offer.

For summer legal intern positions, the interview will be with a senior partner and associate. They will review your resume and ask you questions. Be confident and ask them questions at the end too. The interview can be intimidating, but just try to relax.

HK summer vacation scheme interviews will last 30-45 minutes with the grad recruitment manager. There will also be a group discussion and translation test during the vacation scheme, with a partner interview at the end.

The vacation scheme interview will begin with an application online. Candidates are then invited to take a situational judgment test. After that, there is a case study

1. Why do you want to work at Reed Smith?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what you like about Reed Smith and why you are excited to work there. Your answer should include specific details about the company that make it unique or interesting.

Example: “I have always been interested in working at a large law firm, so when I saw Reed Smith was hiring, I applied right away. I am impressed by the size of the firm as well as its reputation. I also love how diverse the attorneys are here, which makes me feel welcome and supported. I think this is an amazing place to start my career.”

2. What is your experience with legal research and writing?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the law and writing skills. You can use this question to highlight any experience you have with legal research or writing, including internships, part-time jobs or freelance work.

Example: “I’ve been doing legal research for three years now as a paralegal at my current job. I also did some freelance research last summer when I was looking into different types of contracts. I found that there are many different kinds of contracts, but they all serve similar purposes. For example, a contract could be used to hire someone for a specific project or it could be a long-term agreement between two parties.”

3. Do you have any experience working in a team environment?

Reed Smith is a large law firm, so it’s likely that you’ll be working in teams to complete projects. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience collaborating with others and how well you work as part of a team. Use your answer to highlight any teamwork skills you possess, such as communication, problem-solving or leadership.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different teams throughout my career, including the college newspaper where I was a reporter and editor. In both roles, I had to collaborate with other writers and editors to create content for our publications. I also led a team of five people at my last job, which required me to delegate tasks and provide feedback to ensure everyone was completing their assignments.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize tasks, how did you determine what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and determine what tasks are most important. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you know how to prioritize your time and complete projects on time.

Example: “In my last position, I had a lot of different clients with various deadlines. To make sure I was meeting all of their needs, I created a calendar where I could write down each client’s deadline and project. Then, I would color code each task based on urgency so I knew which ones needed immediate attention. This helped me stay organized and ensure I met every deadline.”

5. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your team and clients. Your communication style is a key factor in determining whether or not you would be successful at Reed Smith, so it’s important to answer honestly.

Example: “I consider myself an empathetic communicator. I try to put myself in my client’s shoes when they’re explaining their case and use that perspective to better understand what they need from me. In addition, I always make sure to thoroughly explain any information I relay to my team members or colleagues. This helps ensure everyone understands the same things and reduces confusion.”

6. Have you ever worked on an assignment that was not successful? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to failure and learn from your mistakes. It can also show them that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you failed at something but learned from the experience and improved as a result.

Example: “When I was working on my first case as an associate attorney, I made a mistake in one of my arguments. My client lost the case because of my mistake. After the trial, I met with my supervisor to discuss what happened. They helped me realize that making mistakes is part of learning. From then on, I took extra time to double-check all of my work.”

7. Describe your experience with legal technology.

Technology is an important part of the legal industry, and employers want to know that you’re familiar with the latest innovations. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have using technology in a law firm setting.

Example: “I’ve been working as a paralegal for five years now, and I’m very comfortable with all of the software we use at my current job. In fact, I often train new employees on how to use our case management system and other programs. I also regularly attend webinars about new technologies so I can stay up-to-date on what’s available.”

8. What are some of the challenges facing law firms today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your understanding of the law industry. It also helps them determine whether you have any ideas for how to improve things in the future. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific challenges and explain what you would do to overcome them.

Example: “One challenge facing law firms today is that clients are looking for more efficient ways to work with their lawyers. They want to know they’re getting the best service possible while spending as little time and money as possible. I believe one way to solve this problem is by implementing technology into our practices. This allows us to provide more streamlined services to our clients without having to hire additional employees.”

9. Can you give us a few examples of times where you had to interact directly with clients?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific examples of how you helped clients understand the law or navigate their legal issues.

Example: “In my last position as a paralegal, I worked directly with clients on a daily basis. One client in particular was going through a divorce and had many questions about what would happen next. I explained the process to them and answered all of their questions so they could feel more comfortable. Another time, one of my clients called me because they were having trouble paying their bills. I spoke with them for over an hour, explaining different options that they could take to help get back on track.”

10. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to solve a complex problem and the steps you took to do so.

Example: “At my previous law firm, I was working on a case where we were representing a client who was being sued by another party for breach of contract. The other party claimed that our client owed them money because they failed to complete their end of the contract. However, our client argued that they did not owe the other party any money because they completed their part of the contract. We needed to find evidence to support our client’s claim.”

11. What area of law are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with their law firm. It also helps them understand what you might be able to contribute to their team. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have a passion for the field of law and are eager to learn more about the specific area of law they practice.

Example: “I’m most interested in family law. I’ve always had an interest in helping others, so when I learned how many families could use legal assistance, I knew that was where I wanted to focus my career. I enjoy working with clients who are going through difficult times and helping them find solutions.”

12. What are your thoughts on the current state of our economy?

The economy is a major factor in the law industry, and it’s important for employers to know how you feel about current economic trends. This question can help them determine whether your views align with their own. In your answer, try to show that you’re aware of what’s going on in the world while also expressing optimism about the future.

Example: “I think we’re currently in an interesting time where there are many opportunities for growth. While I’m not sure exactly what the next few years will bring, I am hopeful that our economy will continue to improve. As a lawyer, I would love to see more people have access to legal services. It’s my hope that as the economy improves, more people will be able to afford representation.”

13. Tell us about a time when you were able to effectively build rapport with a client.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with clients and whether you have any special skills or techniques that make your relationships more effective. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was very upset about his case. He had been charged with fraud and was worried he would go to jail for several years. I listened carefully to him as he explained his situation and asked questions to clarify some of the details. After we talked for a while, he felt much better and agreed to my recommendations on how to proceed with his case.”

14. When there are multiple assignments due at once, how do you decide which one should be completed first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Your answer should show that you have a system for organizing tasks, but also highlight your ability to make quick decisions when necessary.

Example: “I always start with the most urgent task first. If there are several urgent assignments, I’ll complete those one at a time until they’re all finished. After urgent assignments are completed, I move on to important ones. Then, if there’s still time left in my day, I’ll do any remaining tasks.”

15. We need someone who can communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written. Is this something that you feel comfortable doing?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills. It’s important for a lawyer to be able to communicate clearly and concisely with clients, opposing counsel and judges. Your answer should include examples of how you’ve done this in the past.

Example: “I feel very comfortable communicating clearly and concisely. In my last position, I was responsible for writing many memos and letters to clients about their cases. I would write these communications so that they were easy to understand and included all relevant information. This helped me build strong relationships with my clients.”

16. What kind of software programs are you familiar with?

Reed Smith uses a variety of software programs to complete their work. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using the same ones they use at Reed Smith. If you don’t, you can explain what other programs you’re familiar with and how you would learn new ones quickly.

Example: “I’m very comfortable working in Microsoft Office. I also have some experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Drive. I’ve used these programs for my freelance work, so I feel confident that I could adapt to them at Reed Smith. I am always open to learning new programs as well.”

17. What is your experience with preparing legal documents?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a variety of legal documents, including contracts, wills and trusts. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your ability to create professional-looking documents that are easy to read and understand.

Example: “In my last position as an associate attorney, I was responsible for creating all types of legal documents, including contracts, wills and trusts. I found this responsibility challenging at first because I had no prior experience in these areas. However, I took advantage of opportunities to learn more about each document type by asking questions and researching online resources. Eventually, I became comfortable enough to complete most documents on my own.”

18. Do you consider yourself more of a leader or a follower?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership style and how you interact with others. Your answer should show that you are a strong leader who is able to motivate and inspire those around you.

Example: “I consider myself more of a leader than a follower, but I also understand the importance of working well in teams. In my previous position, I was promoted to team lead after only two years on the job. This promotion came as a surprise to me, but I accepted it because I knew I could do the job well. As a team lead, I learned how to delegate tasks effectively and communicate clearly with my team members.”

19. What do you think you will bring to the firm if hired?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. It’s important to be humble, but also confident in your abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of specific skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I believe I will bring my strong communication skills to Reed Smith. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different types of people, which has helped me develop excellent conflict resolution skills. I am also very organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great candidate for this role.”

20. Tell us about a time when you resolved a conflict between other members of a team.

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to resolve conflict. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a team resolve a disagreement or problem, and highlight your communication skills and teamwork abilities in your response.

Example: “In my last position as an associate attorney, I was working on a case that required me to collaborate with several other attorneys. One of the attorneys I worked with had a different approach than the rest of us, which led to some disagreements between her and the other members of our team. We talked about the issue and came up with a solution so we could all work together more effectively. The client was happy with the results, and I learned how important it is to communicate openly with my colleagues.”