Interrogatories
Interrogatories are written questions that lawyers send to the other party during a lawsuit's discovery phase. Think of them as a formal Q&A process that helps lawyers gather information before going to trial. They're like detailed questionnaires that must be answered under oath, making them an important tool for legal professionals to understand the facts of a case and prepare their strategy. When someone's resume mentions interrogatories, it usually means they have experience in litigation and know how to handle the pre-trial information gathering process.
Examples in Resumes
Drafted and responded to Interrogatories in over 100 civil litigation cases
Managed complex discovery process including Interrogatory preparation and review
Assisted senior attorneys with Interrogatories and document requests in class action lawsuits
Typical job title: "Litigation Paralegals"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Litigation Paralegals
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage multiple sets of interrogatories across different cases with approaching deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss organization systems, deadline tracking, prioritization methods, and experience coordinating with attorneys and other staff to ensure timely responses.
Q: Describe a situation where you had to object to interrogatories and explain why.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of common objection grounds (overly broad, irrelevant, privileged) and experience in drafting appropriate objection language.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take when preparing interrogatory responses?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of gathering information from clients, reviewing documents, checking facts, and working with attorneys to ensure accurate and complete responses.
Q: How do you ensure interrogatory responses are properly verified by the client?
Expected Answer: Should discuss verification requirements, client communication process, and importance of having responses sworn under oath.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of interrogatories in a legal case?
Expected Answer: Should explain that interrogatories are written questions used to gather information from other parties during discovery, helping build the case and prepare for trial.
Q: What are the basic rules about interrogatory format and timing?
Expected Answer: Should know basic court rules about number of questions allowed, response deadlines, and proper format for answers.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of interrogatory format
- Ability to draft simple interrogatory questions
- Knowledge of filing and response deadlines
- Document organization skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Draft and respond to complex interrogatories
- Manage multiple discovery deadlines
- Client interview skills
- Understanding of common objections
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic discovery planning
- Training junior staff
- Complex case management
- Advanced objection drafting
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of court deadlines and filing requirements
- Unfamiliar with legal terminology and document formatting
- Poor attention to detail in written work
- Lack of experience with legal document management systems
Related Terms
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