Assistant Counsel Interview Experience at Grubhub

I recently interviewed for the Assistant Counsel position at Grubhub and would like to share my experience to help others preparing for this role. As an Assistant Counsel at Grubhub, the position focuses on providing legal support across various commercial areas such as contract management, marketing, product counseling, labor and employment issues, and regulatory compliance. You’ll also be working closely with internal business teams, representing the legal department while managing a range of legal matters.

Overview of the Role

The Assistant Counsel position at Grubhub involves working with in-house lawyers to provide legal advice on a variety of business operations. This includes helping with contract management, negotiating agreements, advising on marketing campaigns, handling employment law matters, and ensuring compliance with regulations that apply to Grubhub’s operations. You will also be responsible for managing legal risks and providing practical solutions to business problems. This position is highly collaborative, and you’ll be engaging with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and operations, to ensure that Grubhub meets all its legal requirements while achieving business goals.

Interview Process

The interview process for this role was structured and involved several stages. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Initial Screening (HR Interview)

Overview: The first interview was with an HR recruiter. This conversation focused on my background, why I wanted to work at Grubhub, and how my experience aligned with the role’s requirements. The recruiter provided details on the job responsibilities, expectations, and what it’s like to work at Grubhub.

Example Question:

• “What interests you about working at Grubhub, and why are you looking for a new opportunity?“

2. Technical Interview with Legal Team

Overview: The next step was a technical interview with a senior lawyer from Grubhub’s in-house legal team. This was a deep dive into my legal expertise, particularly related to commercial contracts, marketing law, and product counseling.

Key Areas Covered:

• Contract Law: I was asked questions about my experience with contract negotiations, drafting, and reviewing agreements.
• Regulatory Compliance: I was questioned about my knowledge of compliance matters, particularly in the tech and food delivery industries.
• Problem-Solving: I was asked to solve legal scenarios and provide real-time solutions for common legal challenges that could arise in the business.

Example Question:

• “Can you walk us through the process of negotiating a commercial contract? What key considerations do you keep in mind to ensure the contract is favorable to your company?“

3. Onsite Interview (Multiple Rounds)

The onsite consisted of multiple rounds of interviews with various team members to assess both my technical abilities and how I fit into Grubhub’s culture.

Round 1 - Case Study/Role Play

I was given a case study related to marketing law and asked to provide legal advice on a proposed marketing campaign. This exercise tested my ability to apply my legal knowledge to practical business scenarios.

Example Question:

• “Grubhub wants to launch a new marketing campaign targeting college students. What legal issues should be considered regarding advertising to minors, and how would you approach drafting the terms and conditions for this campaign?”

Round 2 - Behavioral Interview

This round focused on understanding how I work with cross-functional teams, handle multiple priorities, and manage conflict. They wanted to see how I collaborate with business stakeholders and other departments.

Example Question:

• “Tell us about a time when you had to manage multiple competing legal priorities. How did you balance your workload and ensure that everything was addressed promptly?”

Round 3 - Team Fit and Cultural Interview

In this round, I met with members of the legal and business teams to discuss Grubhub’s culture and values. The interviewers wanted to assess whether I would thrive in their dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Example Question:

• “How do you handle working in a high-pressure environment, and how do you maintain a balance between being responsive to the business needs and ensuring compliance?“

4. Final Round (Leadership and Vision Alignment)

Overview: In the final round, I met with senior leadership, including the General Counsel. This discussion centered on my long-term career goals, how my experience aligns with Grubhub’s mission, and my approach to handling legal challenges at a strategic level.

Example Question:

• “Where do you see the future of food delivery services in terms of regulatory compliance, and how can Grubhub prepare for potential changes in laws and regulations?”

Key Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, the following skills and experience are crucial:

• Commercial Law: Strong background in contract law, including drafting, negotiating, and reviewing various commercial contracts.
• Regulatory Compliance: Experience in navigating complex regulatory environments, particularly in tech, e-commerce, or food delivery industries.
• Marketing Law: Understanding of marketing regulations, including advertising laws, data privacy concerns, and consumer protection.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with business teams, including marketing, product, and operations, to ensure that legal considerations are integrated into business strategies.
• Problem Solving: Ability to think critically and provide practical legal advice that aligns with business objectives while mitigating risk.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documents, presenting advice to stakeholders, and handling negotiations.

What to Expect

• Legal Scenarios: Be prepared to work through case studies or real-life legal scenarios where you will need to advise on contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, or marketing law.
• Behavioral Questions: Expect a strong focus on how you handle multiple projects, manage stress, and collaborate across teams.
• Cultural Fit: Grubhub places a lot of emphasis on its work culture, so be ready to discuss how your personal and professional values align with theirs.

Final Tips

• Familiarize Yourself with Grubhub’s Legal Landscape: Understand the specific legal challenges faced by companies in the food delivery and tech industries. Being knowledgeable about food delivery laws, marketing regulations, and data privacy will help you during the interview.
• Showcase Your Commercial Experience: Highlight your experience in negotiating contracts, providing legal advice on business operations, and managing compliance issues. Provide examples where you’ve worked with cross-functional teams to solve complex legal challenges.
• Be Prepared for Behavioral Questions: Focus on showing how you handle high-pressure situations, manage multiple projects, and ensure that legal risks are minimized while meeting business needs.