Interrogatory
An interrogatory is a formal written question used in legal proceedings where one party asks another party to provide specific information under oath. It's like a written version of interview questions used during a lawsuit. Legal professionals use interrogatories to gather information before a trial, helping them understand the other side's position and collect important facts. This is part of what lawyers call "discovery" - the process of collecting information for a legal case. Think of it as a formal Q&A document that must be answered truthfully because the answers are given under oath.
Examples in Resumes
Drafted and reviewed Interrogatories for complex commercial litigation cases
Managed responses to Interrogatory requests in over 50 civil cases
Assisted senior attorneys in preparing Interrogatories and other discovery documents
Typical job title: "Legal Professionals"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Legal Professionals
Legal Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle complex interrogatories in multi-party litigation?
Expected Answer: A senior legal professional should explain their process for organizing multiple sets of interrogatories, tracking responses, ensuring compliance with court deadlines, and coordinating with various parties involved.
Q: What strategies do you use when drafting interrogatories to obtain maximum useful information?
Expected Answer: Should discuss techniques for writing clear, specific questions, anticipating potential objections, and ensuring questions are within the scope of permissible discovery while avoiding redundancy.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key components of a proper interrogatory response?
Expected Answer: Should mention verification requirements, proper formatting, objections if applicable, complete and truthful answers, and meeting deadlines.
Q: How do you ensure interrogatory responses comply with court rules?
Expected Answer: Should explain checking local court rules, verifying response deadlines, proper signature requirements, and following formatting guidelines.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of interrogatories in legal discovery?
Expected Answer: Should explain that interrogatories are written questions used to gather information from other parties in a lawsuit, helping to prepare for trial and understand the other side's case.
Q: What are the basic rules for responding to interrogatories?
Expected Answer: Should know about response deadlines, the requirement for truthful answers under oath, and the basic format for responses.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of interrogatory format
- Ability to draft simple interrogatory responses
- Knowledge of filing deadlines
- Basic legal document organization
Mid (2-5 years)
- Drafting clear and effective interrogatories
- Managing multiple sets of responses
- Understanding objections and privileges
- Coordinating with attorneys on complex responses
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic discovery planning
- Managing large-scale discovery projects
- Training junior staff
- Expert knowledge of court rules and procedures
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of attention to detail in document preparation
- Missing court deadlines
- Poor understanding of legal terminology
- Unfamiliarity with basic discovery rules
Related Terms
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