Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Practice Management • Chain of Custody • Spoliation

Statute of Limitations

Term from Legal Practice industry explained for recruiters

A Statute of Limitations is a legal time limit that sets how long someone has to start a lawsuit or legal proceeding. It's like a legal deadline that varies depending on the type of case (such as personal injury, contracts, or criminal matters). Legal professionals need to understand these time limits because missing them can result in a case being dismissed permanently. This concept is fundamental in law practice and appears frequently in various types of legal work, from civil litigation to criminal defense. Other terms for this concept include "limitations period," "time limits," or "filing deadline."

Examples in Resumes

Successfully managed over 100 cases while ensuring compliance with Statute of Limitations deadlines

Created tracking system to monitor Statute of Limitations dates for multiple jurisdictions

Advised clients on Limitations Period requirements across different types of claims

Conducted research on Statute of Limitations exceptions and tolling provisions

Typical job title: "Legal Professionals"

Also try searching for:

Litigation Attorney Legal Assistant Paralegal Civil Litigation Attorney Personal Injury Lawyer Legal Secretary Claims Attorney

Where to Find Legal Professionals

Professional Associations

Legal Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle cases with multiple jurisdictions and different statutes of limitations?

Expected Answer: A senior legal professional should explain their system for tracking different deadlines across states/jurisdictions, mention use of calendaring software, and discuss how they ensure compliance through proper documentation and team communication.

Q: Describe a situation where you had to determine if an exception to the statute of limitations applied.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of tolling provisions, discovery rules, and ability to research and apply exceptions to standard limitation periods, with emphasis on protecting client interests.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What systems do you use to track statute of limitations deadlines?

Expected Answer: Should mention specific calendaring or case management systems, describe backup procedures, and explain how they ensure deadlines aren't missed.

Q: How do you explain statute of limitations to clients?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate complex legal concepts in simple terms, explain importance of timely filing, and show how they ensure client understanding.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the basic purpose of a statute of limitations?

Expected Answer: Should explain that it's a time limit for filing legal claims, mention that different types of cases have different time limits, and understand why these deadlines exist.

Q: How do you determine the statute of limitations for a basic personal injury case?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to identify applicable state law, know where to find the information, and understand when the clock starts running.