How to respond to the question, “Have you ever been asked to or encouraged to resign or been terminated by any law firm you worked for?”
I’m applying to a V100 firm and I’m unsure how to approach this question. I was terminated from a previous law firm, but I did sign a separation agreement as part of the severance package. Should I respond with “yes, but it’s confidential”? Or would it be more appropriate to say “no” since we had an agreement on the termination? I would appreciate any guidance on this!
One Response
When addressing this question in your application, honesty is crucial, but you should also navigate the situation carefully and professionally. Here’s a suggested way to frame your response:
Be Honest: If you were terminated, you should not say “No.” Instead, you could say “Yes” and briefly explain the situation without going into excessive detail.
Keep it Professional: Focus on what you learned from the experience and how you’ve grown since then. Most firms appreciate candidates who can reflect on their past honestly and show personal and professional development.
Confidentiality: If you’re bound by a confidentiality agreement, you could mention that in your response. However, you should still confirm that you did indeed leave the firm under circumstances that warrant a “yes.”
Here’s a possible way to structure your answer:
“Yes, I was previously terminated from a law firm. Due to a confidentiality agreement, I am limited in the details I can provide, but I can say that the experience taught me valuable lessons about [insert lessons or skills learned]. Since then, I’ve taken steps to improve my professional skills and ensure that I am a strong candidate for future opportunities.”
This approach maintains your honesty while also showing that you are forward-looking and focused on growth. Good luck with your application!