The client or employer screens for whether you can spot inconsistencies in legal documents and escalate them appropriately, since even small figure errors can create liability. They also want to see that you respect the attorney's decision-making authority on substantive changes.
Use the STAR method to show the specific discrepancy, the documents you compared, and the exact escalation step. Emphasize that you did not make silent edits and that you flagged the issue with enough context for the attorney to decide quickly.
Start by naming the document type and the exact field where the mismatch appeared, for example a contract amount, a date in a notarial certificate, or a case caption in a pleading. Explain that you compared the client's instruction against the draft, and when you saw the difference, you did not edit it yourself. Say plainly that you flagged it to the attorney or supervising lawyer in writing, with a short note that included the instruction, the draft text, and your recommendation for which one appeared correct. Emphasize that you asked for confirmation before making any change, and that you waited for the go-ahead. If the attorney was unavailable, mention that you left a clear message and did not proceed with the substantive edit until you heard back. This shows you understand that in legal work, the lawyer owns the final judgment call, and your role is to surface risks, not to fix them silently. If the discrepancy involved a client-facing figure, add that you also noted the potential liability so the attorney could decide whether to contact the client. Keep your tone measured and professional, and if the interviewer asks in Taglish, match that register but keep the substance precise.
A common mistake is saying 'Kasi iba yung amount, binago ko na lang po para tama' and quietly editing without asking. Instead, explain that you flagged the discrepancy and got the attorney's confirmation before changing any substantive terms.
Situation
In my previous role as a legal assistant at a small law firm, I was preparing a demand letter for a client's unpaid invoice. The client's intake notes stated the outstanding amount was PHP 320,000, but the draft I received from the attorney said PHP 230,000.
Task
I needed to resolve the discrepancy before the letter went out, because sending the wrong amount could weaken the client's claim and damage trust.
Action
I first compared the intake form, the client's email thread, and the attorney's draft side by side. I then highlighted the exact figures and attached both versions in an email to the supervising attorney, asking which amount was correct. While waiting for confirmation, I prepared a corrected version of the letter with the PHP 320,000 amount clearly marked as pending verification.
Result
The attorney confirmed the lower figure was a typo and approved the corrected letter before it was sent. The client later thanked us for catching the error, and the firm avoided sending a demand with an incorrect amount.
Verifying every figure against the source document before finalizing is part of a legal VA's role.
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