When you start a career with us, you`ll join an organization with a rich history of legal innovation, advocacy and continuous reinvention that sets the standard among our peers. The interviewer may want to know how you would use social media as a PR and PR tool. Use examples from your previous experience with social media to promote events or campaigns, communicate with the community, and share information about legal services. Example: «I would first try to understand why they are so difficult. I would then explain my role as a lawyer and what I can do for them. If they continue to be difficult, I would politely ask them to leave my firm and find another lawyer if they are not satisfied with my services. Working for a legal aid client gives me the opportunity to help solve truly overwhelming legal issues for each litigant. If you are ready to register for mutual legal assistance files, read these instructions for requesting a provider number using the A-Lawyer Provider Request Form. Then, print a copy of the form for your records, sign it, attach a copy of an invalid cheque (or provide a bank stamp from your financial institution) and email it to lawyer.support@legalaid.bc.ca. Example: «I worked with several clients who had mental health issues during my time at my previous company. I always made sure to speak slowly and clearly when explaining legal issues to them so they could understand what was going on.
I have also tried to ensure that they understand their rights and obligations, as well as the consequences of not complying with court orders. This has helped me build trust with many of my clients. The interview process at the Legal Aid Society may vary depending on the position you are applying for. Interns can expect a phone call with a supervisor that lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a lengthy Zoom interview. For paralegal social workers, the process is quick and straightforward, with interviews with a supervising lawyer, the program coordinator and another helpline. Recruitment lawyers can expect to have a conversation with two current lawyers in which they are asked legal philosophical questions, questions about personal growth, and case hypotheses. Recruiters can have two Zoom interviews, but some report that they never heard anything again after the interviews. Summer interns can expect 45-minute remote interviews with 3 interviewers where they are asked about their commitment to the public interest and previous experience with clients. Detectives can be interviewed by HR staff, while communication candidates can be interviewed by a panel of 5 people, including a lawyer.
Sales representatives and articling students can expect standard interview questions, while those interviewed for an internship may be asked to provide input on incarceration and abolition. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, although some may find the Zoom format unprofessional. Example: «In my last job, I worked on a case where I had to interview several witnesses. One of the witnesses I had to talk to lived in another state. The witness` lawyer called me and said they would not allow me to talk to their client unless I paid them $500 every time I wanted to talk to the client. I told the lawyer that we could not afford to pay that amount, but they refused to lower the price. Everything we do at Legal Aid is about improving the lives of people across the country. How? By creating meaningful innovations that solve a range of legal challenges, big and small. We carry on our legacy by living our core beliefs, and we evolve our culture and opportunities to meet the challenges of the future by developing strategies for them today. Example: «My previous experience as legal counsel prepared me for this role because I am familiar with the challenges of working in a large organization. In my previous position, I worked on custody disputes, divorce proceedings and other family law matters.
This experience has given me valuable insights on how best to serve clients who find themselves in difficult situations. The interviewer can ask this question to see if you have researched the organization before your interview. You want to know that you are passionate about helping others and understanding the history of the Legal Aid Society. Example: «I believe the most important aspect of my job as a paralegal is to make sure I can provide the best possible service to each client. That means being available when they need me, answering their questions, and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their case. Example: «I have excellent communication skills, which I developed through my previous job as a paralegal. These skills have helped me communicate effectively with clients and other employees, which has allowed me to collaborate well with others on projects. My problem-solving skills also help me find solutions to difficult cases. For example, when I was working in my last job, I had to solve a case where a client had been evicted from his home. I used my problem-solving skills to research the law and find evidence to support our argument.
Example: «I`ve worked with several clients at the same time, so I`m used to managing my time efficiently. In my last position, I had 50 active cases at any given time. To balance all these cases, I would create weekly meetings with each client to discuss updates to their case and ensure they receive the legal services they need. «If you have any questions about legal aid work with LABC, please email us at lawyer.support@legalaid.bc.ca. Example: «I have worked with many uncooperative clients in my previous role as a paralegal in a law firm. I am used to dealing with difficult situations and I know how to resolve tense situations before they escalate. I also understand that sometimes there`s not much we can do when a client attacks us for perceived mistakes. We know that our employees are the cornerstone of our success.
Legal Services staff come from different countries, backgrounds and cultures. When you join us, you will be rewarded for a job well done, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills, and will be respected and valued. The Legal Aid Society of New York is the oldest and largest provider of legal services to the needy in the United States. They have been in business for more than 140 years and employ more than 1,000 lawyers. They provide free legal services to low-income New Yorkers who can`t afford private lawyers. Example: «I wish I could change the fact that many people can`t afford a lawyer when they need it most. In my last position, I helped create a program where we provided free legal advice over the phone to anyone in our county who needed help with their legal problems. This allowed us to reach more people while freeing up resources, allowing us to focus on clients facing serious criminal charges. Example: «I`m most interested in working with clients who need legal representation but can`t afford it. I think it`s important to help those who are less fortunate than we are, and I look forward to using my skills as a lawyer to provide them with the best possible service. Example: «When I meet with clients, I make sure they feel comfortable and that I know I`m there to help them navigate the legal system. In my last job, I had a client who was evicted from his apartment because he couldn`t afford to pay the rent.
He didn`t have family members to help him, so I made sure he understood what our next steps were and how we were going to get through this process together. Example: «In my previous role as legal counsel, I worked with clients who were at risk of being evicted from their homes. A client had $5,000 in mortgage arrears, but had no way to pay it off. We decided to file for bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure. However, we quickly discovered that the customer owed over $100,000 in credit card debt. He also had two children with special needs. The Legal Services Society is a place where you not only contribute and work to our mission, but also where you develop and enhance your skills in your area of expertise. If you want to work in the legal field and have the desire and commitment to work in the public interest, Legal Aid is the place for you. The interviewer can ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with people from different backgrounds. This can be an important skill for legal aid lawyers, as they often represent clients from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and statuses. In your answer, try to explain how you were able to establish a relationship with someone from a different background and what steps you took to do so. Join the dedicated team of lawyers who provide legal aid to thousands of disadvantaged British Columbians each year.
Whether you are just starting your legal career or you are an experienced lawyer, integrating legal aid into your practice will be rewarding and will offer you many opportunities and benefits. Example: «I used social media in my previous role at Legal Aid of New York to publicize our free legal clinics and provide updates on current cases and laws affecting low-income families. I also use social media to network with other legal professionals and learn about new technologies that can help us improve our public relations. Example: «I am passionate about helping others, especially those who are worse off than I am. Growing up in a low-income family, I know first-hand how important legal aid can be.
