Due Diligence
Due Diligence is a thorough investigation or review process that lawyers and legal professionals conduct before major business deals or transactions. It's like a detailed background check that helps companies understand potential risks and verify important information. For example, when one company wants to buy another company, lawyers perform due diligence to check the company's finances, legal issues, and contracts. This process helps protect their clients from future problems and ensures they make informed decisions. You might also see this called "legal review," "transaction review," or "legal audit."
Examples in Resumes
Managed Due Diligence process for merger and acquisition deals worth over $50M
Led Due Diligence investigations for real estate transactions across multiple jurisdictions
Conducted legal Due Diligence reviews for international corporate acquisitions
Typical job title: "Due Diligence Lawyers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Due Diligence Lawyers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a large due diligence team on a complex merger transaction?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience coordinating multiple teams, delegating tasks, creating checklists, managing deadlines, and ensuring quality control across all aspects of the review process.
Q: Describe a challenging due diligence issue you've encountered and how you resolved it.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate problem-solving abilities, risk assessment skills, and experience in providing practical solutions to complex legal issues discovered during due diligence.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What key areas do you focus on when conducting due diligence for a company acquisition?
Expected Answer: Should mention reviewing contracts, financial statements, employment agreements, litigation history, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
Q: How do you organize and present due diligence findings to clients?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they structure reports, prioritize issues, and communicate findings clearly to non-legal professionals.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a due diligence checklist?
Expected Answer: Should explain that it's a systematic tool to ensure all important areas are reviewed and nothing is overlooked during the investigation process.
Q: How do you maintain confidentiality during due diligence reviews?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic confidentiality protocols, use of data rooms, and importance of non-disclosure agreements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Document review and organization
- Basic contract analysis
- Research and fact-checking
- Due diligence checklist management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Leading smaller due diligence projects
- Risk assessment and analysis
- Client communication
- Transaction document preparation
Senior (5+ years)
- Managing large due diligence teams
- Complex transaction oversight
- Strategic risk advisory
- Client relationship management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of attention to detail in document review
- Poor understanding of confidentiality requirements
- Inability to meet strict deadlines
- Weak organizational skills
- Limited knowledge of basic business concepts
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