Job opportunities for legal support professionals are expected to grow as the numbers of law school graduates declines.

Additionally, demand for these positions will be high as many firms in an attempt to cut costs are relying on paralegals to do work that was previously done by entry-level associates.

Consequently, legal support jobs are becoming more demanding and more firms are expecting job candidates to have previous practice experience, a bachelor’s degree, and certification from an ABA-approved paralegal program.

The most sought-after specialization in the legal industry is litigation which will continue to create legal jobs in insurance defense, medical malpractice, commercial litigation, and employment law.

There is also a need for paralegals with experience in healthcare law as the Affordable Healthcare Act (AHA) continues to change the legal landscape for health care facilities and practitioners.

In some states, paralegals are allowed to go to court and appear in front of a judge to present uncontested motions. This trend may continue, so it will be vital for legal support professionals to stay current with changes in the legal field and pursue as much continued learning as possible.

As with many professions, the transition from paper records to electronic records has taken root in legal offices. Document management and the ability to process paper into an electronic format quickly and efficiently will be increasingly critical.

Some firms have even created a newly titled position, a litigation support specialist, which specializes in both information technology and legal procedures.

The role of litigation support professionals is expected to increasingly become a vital function of law offices in both the private and public sectors. Paralegals who recognize technology as a survival tool in the age of increasing file volume and complexity will be in demand as eDiscovery replaces paper discovery in trials.

20+ Best & Most Common Legal Assistant & Paralegal Interview Questions:

What experience or hands-on training do you have with case processes and technologies?

Discuss your experience with document imaging and scanning. What is the largest volume of documents you have worked with?

Have you ever created litigation graphics that were used at trial?

Talk about a time when you had very little time to prepare, but were expected to make a significant contribution to an important project with a very tight deadline.

How do you manage multiple priorities at the same time?

Are you a CLA?  Do you plan to become one? Why or why not?

Have you ever summarized a deposition?

What would you do to assist a stressed-out attorney who is about to go to trial?

What do you consider the top three most important qualities of a successful paralegal? Do you have them?

Are you okay with working long hours/overtime?

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Do you know how to use LEXIS-NEXIS or Westlaw?

Give an example of your ability to organize lots of information.

Discuss your experience with litigation support activities.

Are you familiar with the latest litigation support software?

Have you ever not completed an assignment?

Talk about a time when you appeased an angry client.

What is your experience with attending depositions?

Talk about a case where you were particularly proud of your legal research skills.

How do you stay informed about the latest technological advancements in the field?

Have you prepared a subpoena?

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM AROUND THE INTERNET:

“How do you think your experience at a law firm will fit in with an in-house legal department“ – Interview Question by GlassDoor.com