Types of legal interviews
Legal interviews vary significantly by stage and firm type. Training contract interviews at City and national firms: typically two rounds, the first assessing academic and commercial awareness, the second a partner interview on fit and motivation. NQ lateral interviews: heavier on technical legal knowledge in your practice area and on understanding the firm's client base. In-house legal interviews: focus on commercial judgment, cross-functional working, and prioritisation under resource constraints. US firms interviewing in London typically run a more compressed process with fewer rounds but higher intensity.
Commercial awareness questions
"Tell me about a recent deal or legal case that interested you and why." This is the most common commercial awareness question and the one candidates most often fail. A weak answer names the deal and mentions it raised issues. A strong answer: "The CMA's investigation into the Vodafone-Three merger interested me because of the tension between the regulator's structural remedies and the parties' argument that consolidation was necessary for 5G infrastructure investment. The final approval with conditions in 2024 suggests the CMA accepted that argument but wanted structural safeguards. It raises questions about how merger control frameworks handle industries where scale is a prerequisite for innovation." Prepare two or three examples at this level of depth.
Motivation and fit questions
"Why law?" Avoid clichés: "I enjoy problem solving," "I am good at writing." Tie your answer to a specific experience: a case study that moved you, work experience that showed you what lawyers actually do, a legal issue you researched independently. The most compelling motivation answers connect intellectual interest with commercial context. "Why this firm specifically?" Show you know the firm's practice areas, recent significant deals, client sectors, and culture. At least two firm-specific reasons beyond the firm's website homepage. Speaking to trainees at open days and using what they tell you is far more persuasive than anything from the website.
Behavioral questions
"Tell me about a time you managed multiple competing deadlines." Strong answer: specific priorities, a clear decision about what to prioritise and why, and how you communicated with supervisors or clients when there was risk of slippage. Show you managed the situation rather than just working harder. "Describe a piece of work you produced that you were proud of." This can be legal or non-legal but should show attention to detail, analytical rigour, and commitment to quality above the minimum required.
How to prepare
Read a quality financial newspaper (FT, Reuters) for two weeks before your interview. Track two or three developing stories in the sectors your target firm advises. Have a view on each story. Prepare for a current issues discussion: "What do you think is the biggest challenge facing [sector] from a legal perspective?" Practice answering in two to three sentences, not five minutes.