Interviewing for a legal assistant position is not very different from applying for other jobs. As with any job interview, you should be well prepared, present yourself effectively, and make sure you leave a pretty good impression on your interviewer. However, there are some key points that you have to remember if you want to increase your chances of landing a legal assistant position. Below are some helpful tips for a successful interview.

Do your homework

Before your interview, it is important that you do some research about the organization and gather information on the company's background, performances and future plans. Find out all that you can about the company through personal contacts, written materials, or the internet. It is also best to know the biographies, accomplishments and legal practices of the attorneys that you might be working with in the future.

During the interview, you should ask relevant questions to show your interviewer that you have indeed done sufficient research about the company. Also, make sure you find out what kind of law the company is specializing in. For example, if the position of legal assistant is for real estate law, you should have some knowledge about closings and real estate law.

Refresh your memory

Most people tend to forget certain terminologies over time. It's either you have been out of work for a long time, or simply don't encounter all the technical or legal terminologies in your previous or current job. It's time to go back to your old notes and books, and refresh your memory with some of the legal terminologies that the interviewer may use during the interview.

Wear appropriate business attire

You should wear the appropriate business attire. Though law firms have casual business attire, it is still advisable to look presentable during your interview. Prepare the relevant materials that you will need to take with you, like a complete portfolio containing copies of your resume, transcript of records, certifications, references, and other pertinent materials that show your accomplishments.

In addition, make sure that you have a pen and a piece of paper with you so that you can take down notes during the interview.

Be on time

Show your enthusiasm to join the company and let your interviewer know that you are very interested in what they do and what they can offer. In the legal world, time is very important. Never arrive late for your interview; you should make it a point to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This will show the interviewer that you are serious about the job you are applying for.

Stress on your best qualities and always stay calm

Try to present yourself as a person who is helpful, thoughtful and trustworthy. Bear in mind that legal assistants are required to keep confidential business information, so being prudent is very important. Remember to maintain eye contact at all times, listen attentively to the interviewer's questions and take time to organize your thoughts. Make sure you take part in an interesting conversation about the firm, your work, and yourself. Relax and stay calm throughout the interview.

Relate qualifications to the need of the company

When you are asked questions about your qualifications or experience as a legal assistant, you should direct your answers to what you know about the company, and relate your strengths and accomplishments to the needs of the company.

Give specific examples of your credentials as a legal assistant, and if possible, give a complete account of the different projects you have done in the past, your responsibilities in those projects and the importance of those projects to your position as a legal assistant in your previous working environments.

Do not pass judgment on your former employer

Never say anything awful about your current or previous employers. Always keep in mind that the legal world is very small. Who knows, the person you are spiteful of may be a friend or relative of your interviewer.

Show interest in the position you are applying for

As the interview comes to a close, you should let your interviewer know that you are very much fascinated with the position that the company is offering and inquire about the next step that you will need to take to complete your application. It is also good to ask when you can expect to hear from them about your application. At the same time, don't forget to shoot a thank you email within 24 hours after your interview.

Watch the video related to law assistance

This is a strange one. Claudia Smith of California Rural Legal Assistance threatens to press charges against Jeff Schwilk of the San Diego Minutemen for throwing away a tortoise shell. The shell is what's left of a turtle used by illegal aliens in a Santeria sacrifice in the mcgonigle Canyon shanty town on the Northern Edge of San Diego County. Claudia Smith and California Rural Legal Assistance are currently under federal investigation for wrongfully using federal tax money to fund frivolous litigation and class action lawsuits on behalf of unidentified "members of the general public." (illegal aliens)

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Amy Nutt

One of the top Toronto Colleges offers Legal Assistant classes for you to succeed in the Law area.

Individuals from all different career and college backgrounds make their way into law schools. The best method for preparing to become a lawyer is to gain a broad range of basic skills. There really is no set major for pre-law undergraduate work. From English to philosophy and science to art, people with all sorts of backgrounds are considered for entrance into law school. So since there is no set degree requirement, what are law school admission counselors looking for?

Law school admissions counselors typically look for individuals with excellent analytical and problem solving skills. For those still getting their undergraduate degrees, it would be wise to seek out a pre-law advisor to help you select your coursework. In addition to analytical skills, law schools also look for individuals with excellent communication skills (both writing and oral communication). Critical reading and researching are also important skills to master and be able to prove.

While there is no specialized path for undergraduates seeking to become lawyers, it is important to maintain a high grade point average. Most graduate programs only accept students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and law school is not exception.

The higher your GPA, the better off you'll be (but rest assured that you can still go to law school without a 4.0 or even a 3.5 GPA). In addition to your GPA, extracurricular activities are also a plus. Any activities that show leadership or problem solving skills will only be a beneficial.

Selecting the right law school

When you decide to seek admittance to law school (which can be during your senior year in college or after you've taken a break from college altogether), you will need to narrow down your options. Typically, the following factors play a large role in deciding where to attend law school; location, cost, areas of specialty, financial aid, and prestige of the institute.

You will also need to take into consideration your strengths and weaknesses. Since there are costs to apply to law school, you also need to factor in your background (i.e. your GPA, LSAT scores and letters of recommendations). Unfortunately, if you barely earned a 3.0, scored poorly on the LSAT, and lack the experiences that a law school admissions counselor would look favorably upon, then you probably don't want to only apply to top tier Ivy League schools. If you do, then you may find that you aren't accepted into any law school come the next school year.

LSAT

The LSAT is the law school admissions test. All law schools approved by the ABA require LSAT scores for admissions. This exam does not cover any legal topics. Instead, it tests you on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning. Law schools want to make sure you possess excellent analytical and problem solving skills and the LSAT sets out to do just that.

Scores for the LSAT range from 120 to 180 (with 180 being the highest). The average LSAT score falls around 150. The higher you can score on the LSAT; the better off you will be (although if you have strengths in other areas, you can still get into law school with a lower LSAT score).

Admissions

While admissions requirements vary from law school program to law school program, it is common for the requirements to include the following; undergraduate GPA, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

You will need to provide official transcripts and LSAT scores to show your qualifications. Usually, you will submit these to the LSDAS (the law school data assembly service). The LSDAS streamlines admissions for most all law schools in the country. You will also need to submit your letters of recommendation and the personal statement to the LSDAS.

When selecting people to write a letter of recommendation for you consider asking those who know your abilities to solve problems and realize your potential to become a lawyer. College professors and employers are excellent choices.

The personal statement should essentially let the law school admissions counselor know why you want to be a lawyer and inform them of your qualifications. You would want to stress any qualifications that relate to becoming a lawyer. For example, work as an intern in a law firm would be important to showcase (as are countless other examples).

Tie in your experiences with your desire to go to law school. Be sure to write your essay concisely, keeping in mind grammatical rules. However, there is no reason to write in legalese. Just write naturally and personably.

Remember that law schools accept people from all sorts of backgrounds. If you have an interest in pursuing a law degree, then you should start pursuing it today.

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A walking tour of CLS.

Help answer the question about law school

What is law school like? Is animal rights law a good field to go into?
I am a college freshman right now and I am trying to decide exactly what I would like to major in! I am very interested in law, especially animal rights and environmental law. Is law school as stressful as I have heard? I was also wondering what kind of lawyer has more of a research based job as opposed to a court room job. And if you are a lawyer, do you enjoy it? Thanks so much for any of your answers!

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