20 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Interview Questions and Answers

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices worldwide. Skadden’s attorneys provide a full range of legal services to clients, including mergers and acquisitions, securities law, litigation, and tax law.

If you’re applying for a job at Skadden, you can expect the interview process to be intense. Skadden is known for being one of the most selective law firms in the world, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of sample Skadden interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Interview Process

The interview process at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as legal assistant or intern, the process may be shorter and less difficult than for more senior positions, such as associate or attorney. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with friendly staff and reasonable questions. However, some applicants have found the process to be more difficult than expected, especially for summer associate and clerk positions.

1. What are your career goals?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your career aspirations and how they align with those of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific goals you have for yourself or what you hope to achieve in your legal career.

Example: “I want to continue growing as a lawyer and am looking forward to taking on more responsibility at my current firm. I’m hoping to eventually become a partner here and would like to work toward that goal by continuing to provide excellent service to clients and colleagues.”

2. Why do you want to work at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom?

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 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and why it’s important to you that you work there. When preparing an answer, think of specific reasons why you’re interested in working at this law firm.

Example: “I’ve always been fascinated by the legal field, so I decided to pursue a career as a paralegal. After researching different law firms, I learned that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has a reputation for being one of the best law firms in the country. I would love to be part of such a successful team.”

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

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience working in law, be sure to share what that was like. If you don’t have any legal experience, consider sharing an example of when you had to work with lawyers or other professionals.

Example: “I worked as a paralegal at a small firm where I helped attorneys prepare for court cases. It was my job to organize documents and ensure they were ready for trial. I also assisted them during trials by taking notes and asking questions on their behalf.”

4. How would you handle a particularly difficult client?

This question can help interviewers assess your problem-solving 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 an obstacle or challenge.

Example: “I once had a client who was very upset about the outcome of their case. They were expecting a much different result than what they received, but I explained that we did everything within our power to ensure they got the best possible outcome. The client understood, but still felt disappointed. We talked for another hour after the meeting ended, and by the end of the conversation, the client seemed more at ease. It’s important to me that my clients feel comfortable and supported throughout the entire process.”

5. Describe how you approach a large project that has many moving parts.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from past projects to describe how you plan out a large project, set deadlines and communicate with team members.

Example: “I start by creating a timeline for the entire project that includes all of the steps I need to complete. Then, I break down each step into smaller milestones so I know exactly what needs to be done when. For example, in my last role, I was tasked with managing a merger between two companies. I created a timeline that included specific dates for filing documents with the SEC, hiring new employees and other important details. This helped me stay organized throughout the process.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “When I was working on a case for a client who had been injured in an accident, there were several factors that made it difficult to determine exactly what happened. The other driver involved in the accident claimed they didn’t see my client before hitting them, but my client’s injuries suggested otherwise. After speaking with both drivers multiple times, I realized that the other driver may have been distracted by their phone when the accident occurred. This led me to request additional information about the other driver’s cell phone usage prior to the accident.”

7. What is the most challenging part of working in a law firm for you?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you find challenging and how you overcome those challenges. It also helps them determine if your skills match the job requirements. When answering this question, think about a time when you faced a challenge in your previous role and how you overcame it.

Example: “The most challenging part of working in a law firm for me is having to meet deadlines on tight schedules. In my last position, I had to work with several clients at once, which made meeting all deadlines difficult. However, I learned that by prioritizing tasks and delegating some responsibilities to other team members, I could get everything done while still providing excellent service.”

8. If hired, what would be the first thing you would do to get started?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s work ethic and how they plan their day. It also gives you an idea of what kind of person they are, as it shows their priorities and values.

Example: “I would start by getting acquainted with my new coworkers and learning everything I could about the firm. Then, I’d make sure that all of my computer equipment was set up properly and ready for use. Finally, I’d begin reading through any documents or files that were given to me so I can get started on them right away.”

9. What was the last book you read?

This question is a great way to see what kind of books the candidate reads. It can also show you if they are well-read and have an interest in current events, politics or other topics that may be relevant to your law firm.

Example: “The last book I read was ‘A Higher Loyalty’ by James Comey. I am interested in politics and wanted to learn more about his experience as FBI director under President Obama and then President Trump. The book was very interesting and gave me insight into how he handled some of the situations he faced.”

10. How do you stay organized?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you approach your work and whether you have strategies for staying on top of deadlines, organizing files and other responsibilities. Your answer should highlight your organizational skills and show that you are committed to managing your time effectively.

Example: “I use several different tools to stay organized. I keep all my documents in an online file storage system so I can access them from any device. I also use a calendar app to schedule important meetings and appointments and set reminders so I don’t forget anything. Finally, I make sure to leave plenty of time between assignments so I can meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.”

11. What aspects of this position interest you the most?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interests and motivations. It also helps them determine if you are a good fit for the position. When answering this question, be sure to highlight aspects of the job that align with your skills and experience.

Example: “I am most interested in the opportunity to work on high-profile cases. I have always been passionate about law, but it was my internship at a small firm where I learned how important it is to provide clients with excellent service. Now, I am ready to take on bigger challenges and represent some of the biggest companies in the world.”

12. This job requires working long hours, can you commit to those types of hours?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your work ethic. They want to know that you are willing to put in the extra time when needed and can handle working long hours. In your answer, explain how you stay motivated during busy times and what strategies you use to manage your time effectively.

Example: “I am used to working long hours as part of my current job. I find that it’s important to take breaks throughout the day so I don’t get burned out. I also make sure to leave enough time at the end of the day to complete all tasks before leaving.”

13. What type of law interests you the most?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the firm and its practice areas. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two specific areas of law Skadden Arps practices in.

Example: “I am very interested in corporate law, especially mergers and acquisitions. I find the process fascinating and would love to work with clients who are looking to buy or sell companies. I also think it’s important for businesses to understand their legal rights when making these types of decisions.”

14. How comfortable are you speaking in front of an audience?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your public speaking skills. This skill can be important in law firms because you may need to present information to clients or other members of the firm. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you presented information and how that went.

Example: “I have experience presenting in front of an audience. In my last role as a paralegal, I was asked to give a presentation on the company’s new software program to all of the attorneys in the office. I was nervous at first but found that once I started talking about the software, I became more comfortable. The feedback from the attorneys was positive, so I think I did a good job.”

15. Would you consider yourself a hard worker? Are you willing to put in extra hours if needed?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your work ethic. They want to know that you are willing to put in the extra effort when needed and will be able to handle the workload of their firm. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize how much you enjoy working hard and doing what it takes to get the job done.

Example: “I consider myself a very hard worker. I am always looking for ways to improve my performance and do whatever it takes to meet deadlines and exceed expectations. In my last position, I was given an important project with a tight deadline. I stayed late every night until it was complete, which helped me impress my supervisor.”

16. Have you ever dealt with a difficult situation while working on a team project?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use examples from your past experience to explain what happened, the steps you took to resolve it and what you learned from the situation.

Example: “In my last role as a paralegal, I was working on a team project with two other paralegals. We were all given different tasks to complete, but we had to submit our work together. One of the paralegals didn’t do their part of the assignment, so I ended up having to do more than my share of the work. I spoke with the person who didn’t do their work about the issue, and they agreed to finish their task by the deadline.”

17. As a lawyer, it’s important to keep up with current events. How do you make sure you’re informed?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your personality and how you interact with others. It also helps them understand what kind of person you are, which is important for any organization to know about their new hire.

Example: “I make sure I read at least one major newspaper every day. I subscribe to several news apps on my phone so that I can stay up-to-date while I’m commuting or waiting in line somewhere. I also have a few favorite podcasts that I listen to during my commute. This way, I can learn more about current events and keep up with the latest legal developments.”

18. Can you tell us about a time when you helped resolve a conflict between two people?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you resolve conflicts and disagreements. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “At my last job, I had a coworker who was always late for work. This caused them to miss important meetings and deadlines. When I asked why they were so often late, they told me that their child was sick and they needed to leave early to take care of them. After talking with them about the importance of being on time, we came up with a solution where they would come in an hour earlier each day to make up for any missed time.”

19. What would you say is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your ability to self-evaluate. When answering this question, try to pick something you’re actively working on or have made progress toward improving.

Example: “I would say my biggest weakness is delegating tasks. I’m very detail oriented, so sometimes I want to do everything myself. However, over the past year, I’ve been trying to delegate more of my work to junior associates. It’s helped me become more comfortable giving others responsibilities and has allowed me to focus on higher-level projects.”

20. How well do you work under pressure?

Working at a law firm can be challenging, especially when you’re under pressure to meet deadlines. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to work well under stress and complete your tasks on time. In your answer, explain that you are able to manage your time effectively and prioritize your tasks. Show them that you know how to balance multiple projects at once.

Example: “I am very organized and I always plan ahead for my assignments. This helps me stay focused and avoid procrastination. When I’m working under pressure, I try to take deep breaths and focus on one task at a time. I find that if I break down large projects into smaller ones, it’s easier to get everything done by the deadline.”