See also Clifford Chance interview questions and Clifford Chance training contract.
Clifford Chance is the largest law firm in the world. The firm employs almost 4,000 lawyers for 28 offices in 20 countries around the world. Clifford Chance is a magic circle law firm. Its key practice areas are Corporate and Commercial, General Commercial. The firm reportedly has revenues of over one billion pounds a year.Now see - Clifford Chance Training Contract.
Clifford Chance Training Contract
There are currently 130 vacancies for Training Contracts at Clifford Chance offered each year at the UK Head Office.
You are required to have a 2.1 law or non law degree and approximately 320 UCAS points or A B B at A Level.
Personality
Clifford Chance employs seriously hard working, intelligent and assertive candidates. The firm are one of the most powerful companies in the world and are well known for their rapid expansion.
Law Degree vs GDL
Training Contracts are given without preference to candidates from any background. GDL/LPC graduates comment that the first year training at Clifford Chance follows on well from their law school courses.
Clifford Chance actively encourages applications from both law and non-law backgrounds, of any age group, from a variety of universities and not exclusively from the UK.
Clifford Chance are also interested in applications from people seeking a change in career who have transferable skills and the intellectual ability to contribute to the firms success.
Every application received is considered on its individual merits and there is no automatic screening process.
(also see Clifford Chance company profile)
The application process for Clifford Chance is as follows:The advice you are expected to give for the case study and group exercise is of a commercial nature, and not a legal one. You do not need any specific knowledge of the law to deal with the assessment day, although questions will be testing and difficult.
Clifford Chance are looking for some level of commercial awareness, confidence, common sense and intelligence from candidates. Interviewers will ask questions that test whether you can draw logical conclusions, and if you are able to explain yourself clearly, both of which are requisite skills for all good lawyers.
You will not be expected to know the UK legal system inside out.
Meet and greet / Presentation
When you arrive you will meet other candidates and be introduced to some of the staff who will be conducting the assessment day. There is a brief presentation about the firm, with an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Tip: It's a good idea to ask something sharp and intelligent at this early stage, so that staff notice early on that you are alert and switched on from the beginning.
Test
Following the presentation you will be taken into another room with other candidates for a test. First you will be given a set of practice questions and will then have to wait until every candidate has completed these and got them right. Subsequently, you will be given the test proper, which is comprised of 35 questions which must be completed within 35 minutes. You will need to rush to complete all the questions as time is of the essence - you will be under intense pressure. Not everyone will finish the test, but you should certainly aim to do so.
The format of the test is a written passage followed by descriptive questions, not the usual "yes", "no" or "not enough information" that you may be used to. Some questions ask you to fill in two answer bubbles, rather than just one.
Group Exercise
This group exercise stage follows almost immediately after the written test. Clifford Chance divide the main group of candidates (usually about 16 people) into smaller groups of about three or four.
You will be given 15 minutes to read about a constructed scenario on your own and make notes (which you are required to submit for assessment, at the end). You then discuss the information with the two or three other members of your small group.
The scenario is about 10 pages long and includes letters and notes. It will concern a specific business problem that needs solving, for example a constructed company may want to build cleaner engines for either planes or cars, and you will have to decide a case for one.
There is not time enough to read everything and make notes. Skim all the documents for important info rather than focusing on one point or issue. After discussing the information as a group (with assessors listening to and monitoring evrything you say) you will present to your assessors. It is important that everyone in your group talks equally; assessors are looking for evidence of team work and specifically that you are someone that works well in teams. The better your team performs, the better you will be judged individually.
After your presentation you may be asked to argue/debate with another small group of candidates who have been presenting on a slightly different issue that is at odds to yours.
The worst thing you can do during the group exercise is to not talk at all. You need to be noticed although it is important not be cocky or interupt other people. Do not compete with other candidates in your small group, but do be assertive. Wait until someone has talked and listen to them. If they come up with a point you want to elaborate on give them credit for it and then elaborate.
During the actual discussion stage try to be the group member who structures the debate and organises things. Take a leadership role by organising contributions and leading the discussion to a conclusion. If anyone criticises, questions or disagrees with your points debate with them and argue your case. Explain yourself and justify your thinking.
Your assessors will be listening to everything you say and do, your body language and time management skills. Be aware of how you are coming across at all times.First year trainees are likely to come and talk with you about the work they do and you are free to ask them any questions you like. This part of the day is not assessed so feel free to ask more specific questions about working hours and social life.
Interview
After lunch the day is split. Some candidates have their interviews immediately, followed by an office tour. For others this will be the other way round.
You will be interviewed by two lawyers from Clifford Chance, most probably one partner and one associate. You will be asked to talk about your CV and explain your choice of A Level subjects and degree.The interviewers will interject with questions from time to time. The style of interview will be highly dependant on the specific interviewers you are given on the day. Some candidates find the interview very relaxed and laid back; others have been grilled.
Other Clifford Chance interview questions may include:Be yourself, be natural and answer honestly. Give complete answers and be prepared to justify life/academic choices if asked about "why this/that".
At the end of the interview you may be given the change to ask your own questions. Some good questions for candidates to ask would be:This will be given to you about 15 minutes before your interview and you will get some time to write notes. You may only receive a very short piece of information, such as a single paragraph explaining that someone has called you with a view to setting up their own business. Your question may be something like, "What commercial and legal advice would you give to this person"?
Tip: Write down everything you know related to your question in the short amount of time provided. Try to write in note form, you will then be able to use this when you deliver it as a presentation later on in your interview.See also - Clifford Chance Training Contract.