Graduate Jobs in Law - Barrister

Barristers act on the instructions of their clients, specialise in advocacy and use their skills, expertise and knowledge to present a case in court in the best possible way. A Barrister will often be instructed by a solicitor to advise on specific legal issues and to prepare legal documents to enable claims to be brought and applications to be made in the Civil and Family Courts.

Barristers often only become involved in a case in order to provide any advocacy needed by the client. Barristers are also engaged by solicitors to provide specialist advice on points of law. Barristers are rarely, if ever, instructed by clients directly (although this occurs frequently in tax matters). Instead, the client's solicitors will instruct a barrister on behalf of the client when appropriate.

The historical difference between the role of a barrister and that of a solicitor is that a solicitor is an attorney, which means they stand in the place of their client for legal purposes, and may conduct litigation by making applications to the court, writing letters in litigation to the client's opponent and so on. A barrister is not an attorney and is forbidden, both by law and by professional rules, from conducting litigation.

This difference in function explains many of the practical differences between the two professions.

Career path of a Barrister

Before an individual can qualify as a barrister and achieve tenancy (a permanent position in a chambers) individuals must first undertake training. Training is done over two years with one year being spent at Bar School and the other doing a pupillage.

A pupillage is typically segmented in two to three six month periods. For the first six months pupils spend most of their time work-shadowing, before getting limited opportunities to do cases themselves in the second period. Pupillages tend to be not only exciting and informative but also quite stressful experiences, as competition is intense with, for example, four to five pupils all trying to secure one of the two tenancies available. Even after achieving tenancy, individuals, as self-employed professionals, must then set about establishing themselves in their speciality

Graduate Jobs in Law - Interview Preparation

If you have been asked to an interview, it is because the firm is interested to find out more about you. To impress at interview, you must prepare yourself by researching your prospective employer and preparing for likely interview questions.

Plan and Prepare for Your Interview

Find out what is expected of you at the interview beforehand. If it’s not clear from the invitation, phone the recruitment department and ask them to clarify. Many firms supply this information on their website and will even provide practice questions for any tests you might sit to help you.

Research the Firm

• Acquired any big name clients?
• Won awards or done anything else newsworthy recently?
• Done anything for charity, the community or pro bono?
• Is it involved in any landmark cases?

Knowledge of background information will show a keen interest in the firm and the field you want to work in. It’s also good to know if the firm has had any recent setbacks so as not to make any faux-pas. Discussing the firm's setbacks at interview is perfectly fine, but only if you understand them and are measured in your discussion. Make sure you read the legal press in the weeks leading up to your interview.

Predict Questions

• What motivated you to become a lawyer?
• Why do you want to work at this firm?
• What do you have to offer that others don’t?
• Have you got any questions for me?

If you’re prepared for these questions it will give you more confidence for anything unexpected. Firms are looking for evidence that you are ambitious, driven and have not just "fallen" into law or under parental or social duress.

Candidates at Slaughter and May are asked questions about current affairs during their interview. The firm look for people who can give a clear view on a topic and can defend his or her opinion in a coherent and concise way without rambling.

The Interview

Your body language is incredibly important during interview. When you walk into the room you need to make a good impression so smile, be confident and make eye contact. If you’re dressed smartly, are punctual and well prepared, this shouldn’t be too hard.

Remember that firms are after recruits with good business skills who can represent them in the legal market. You could be the best lawyer in the world but if you are "socially awkward" you will not be able to hold meetings with important clients, thus making you a less desirable candidate. Make sure you are 100% professional is all your actions and conversations.

After the interview it might be an idea to send a brief e-mail thanking the interviewer. It is polite and will remind the interviewer of you when it comes to making the decision.

Graduate Jobs in Law - Other Careers in Law

There are about 10,000 law firms currently in private practice in the UK, and about 11,500 self-employed barristers (14,000 including employed barristers). These two areas provide a home for the vast majority of UK lawyers.

Very few who successfully complete the academic stages have the opportunity to go into private practice. Many have no choice but to work as lawyers in other organisations, such as in industry as an in-house lawyer, or for any number of other organisations that employ legal services. Others utilise the skills they have learned during their training without actually practising as a lawyer.

Legal training is a valuable commodity outside the world of solicitors and barristers. Employers value the skills you have learned throughout your legal training, such as the ability to research, collect and analyse large amounts of information; to weigh-up points and counter points; and to create a logical argument and reasoned conclusion from a set of facts. The ability to communicate clearly with the public and the profession alike is another sought after ability. Discretion, the ability to handle and work under pressure, and a first-class memory are all abilities valued in the general career market.

List of Other Careers in Law and Related Careers in Other Industries

Barrister's Clerks, Citizens Advice Bureau, Civil Service, Coroners, Court Reporters, Court Workers, Financial Institutions, Government Legal Services, Industry, Law Centres, Legal Executives, Legal Publishing, Legal Recruitment, Consultants, Legal Secretaries, Licensed Conveyancers, Local Government, Magistrates Court Services, Notaries, Patent Agents, The Prosecution Service.

Graduate Jobs in Law - Salaries & Benefits

Legal salaries vary a great deal from firm to firm. Expect small boutique style firms, local law firms and firms outside of London to pay a lot less than the largest London city firms. Other organisations, such as the Crown Prosecution Service and charities will also pay much smaller salaries than Magic circle firms.

Training Contract salaries vary between £20,000 and £35,000 plus various extras such as GDL and LPC sponsorship, Golden Hellos and perks such as free healthcare and gym membership. Staff at Magic Circle firms may even receive a small bonus. Smaller firms are much less likely to offer sponsorship for academic courses, or bonuses.

Newly Qualified salaries vary between £30,000 and £65,000 plus bonuses, perks and expense accounts. After ten years you can expect to be earning above £100,000 working for a Magic Circle firm or large London city firm. Smaller firms offer more meagre salaries between £50,000 and £100,000, whilst local firms, the Crown Prosecution Service and companies that are not law firms (but hire lawyers for their expertise) may pay salaries of £30,000 to £60,000.

Graduate Jobs in Law - Solicitor

Solicitors provide clients with legal advice and assistance. The best solicitors combine legal expertise with people management skills to help their clients with things like divorce, bereavement or arrest.

The role of a solicitor can vary a great deal in the UK. You could end up working for a huge law firm in the city, or on your own in a small office. You could also work in central or local government, an in-house legal department (at a bank, company or NGO), the Crown Prosecution Service or the magistrates' courts.

Career path of a solicitor

After studying at University you will need to do one or possibly two years of professional training at an academic institution before you can begin working for a law firm. You may choose to apply for a Training Contract whilst at University.

Training Contract

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Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

If you have successfully obtained a Law degree from a UK University, you will be able to do the LPC straight away. If you have not studied Law, you will need to do a Law conversion course first, called the "Graduate Diploma in Law" (GDL).

The GDL is a high pressure, fast moving course that is less academic and more practical than studying Law at University. Rather than studying the ethics and morality of the law, you will be studying how, when and why certain laws are applied - rather than learn what the law is, you will learn how to be a lawyer.

Legal Practice Course (LPC)

Before you become a solicitor you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The LPC will help you to develop the skills needed to work in a firm of solicitors. It must be completed by everyone who intends to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.

The LPC is even more vocational than the GDL. The course teaches you exactly how to work as a lawyer, including how to work, how to research and how to complete specific forms and processes required for certain legal issues (for example divorce or Litigation).

In Training

Conventional training contracts last for two years. During this period you should experience at least three distinctive substantive areas of English law, including both contentious and non-contentious work.

Seats

Training contracts at law firms will almost certainly be divided into "seats". These are three to six month long placements that involve you working with different teams and various areas of the law. You may be offered a choice of seat at your firm, although popular specialises (such as media law and intellectual property) may be difficult to get into due to high competition from your training contract colleagues. Some firms offer seats abroad (secondments), or even at client offices.

Professional Skills Course

Your training period also requires that you attend lectures and seminars which make up what is known as the Professional Skills Course. You will need to achieve pass this course to qualify as a solicitor.

Newly Qualified (NQ)

You will qualify as a solicitor after two years of training at a firm and after passing the Professional Skills Course. In exceptional circumstances trainees may be required to undertake an extra year of training.

Once qualified your salary will increase by at least 50% and you will usually receive job offers from rival firms. Many newly qualified solicitors choose to switch firm at this point, because of the large financial incentives recruiters may offer.

After training contracts end firms usually offer newly qualified lawyers full employment. If your performance has not been satisfactory however, firms are under no obligation to offer you further employment, and may simply show you the door. This happens to approximately 10% of all newly qualified solicitors, more during times of financial crisis and when firms are doing badly.

Your salary can increase very quickly as a lawyer particular at corporate firms. In the city, five years after qualifying you should expect to be earning in excess of £100,000 with associated benefits.

Partners & Partnership

Most law firms are run as partnerships rather than companies. This means that the partners own the law firm, rather than external shareholders. Partners also take legal responsibility for the firm, so if the firm were sued it would in fact be the partners who would be pursued. Equally, partners spread the profits between them, typically allocated on position, responsibility and experience.

Lawyers working at a firm may be offered the opportunity to become a partner if they are deemed elidgible by the other partners. Partners are selected wisely and sparingly as profits must be shared out further. Partner salaries vary from firm to firm, but will start in the region of £300,000 and proceed upwards. Partners deal directly with clients and typically work very long hours.

Exceptional performers can make partner in 10 years, but when and if this occurs will vary between situations and individuals.

It is generally considered an unrealistic career expectation to state that you wish to become a partner at a graduate level interview. Although many people become lawyers, few ever progress to partner.

Graduate Jobs in Law - Types of Law

It is impossible to list and explain all of the various types of law practised today. The following descriptions cover the legal fields most widely known and available lawyers starting out in the profession:

Comparative Law: The comparative lawyer works with international relations in trade and commerce, travel, government business, and many other areas depending upon the breadth of his/her knowledge and the needs of his/her employer. The field of comparative law is one in which there is a great deal of opportunity for advancement and challenging work.

Comparative lawyers may find their employment with business firms, with government organisations, or with any person or group which deals with countries other than the United Kingdom.

Environmental Law: One of the newest entries in the legal world, environmental law requires a concern for the nation's resources, knowledge of where the resources are, what they are used for, how and why they may be endangered or exploited, and whose job it is to protect them.

Environmental lawyers may work alone or in and for groups whose job it is to prosecute offenders and remedy the offending situation. On the other side of the coin, environmental lawyers may represent the "offenders" to prove why the exploitation is not bad or is not what it seems to be. Finally, they may mediate between concerned groups and help generate arrangements which will benefit the country, the consumers, and the corporation.

Patent Law: Patent Law is one of the few areas of legal practice which requires a specific educational background usually in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. This background is required because the work a patent lawyer does is to see that no one has already patented a client's idea and that no one "borrows" the client's idea after it has been patented. To do this the lawyer must thoroughly understand the client's idea and be able to ascertain whether differences occur in similar ideas or if, indeed, the idea has already been used or is being "borrowed".

Patent lawyers are usually employed by large firms whose research teams may constantly be coming up with new ideas to be protected or by large law firms where they handle individual clients and companies who seek the advice of the lawyer. Sometimes patent lawyers enter private practice and work as representatives to individuals and companies.

Legal Aid: Legal Aid offers a lawyer the chance to represent and protect those in our society who may not have the money or the knowledge to help themselves.

If you are considering this type of law, do not expect to make a lot of money, expect to be very busy, and realise that your services will be sought by many and may be appreciated by only a few.

For the vast majority of the lawyers who enter this type of law, the clients' appreciation when it occurs is the main reward.

Tax Law: A tax lawyer assists people or businesses in the computation and payment of taxes of all kinds: income, property, estate, etc. A good background in statistics, mathematics and/or business as well as a genuine enjoyment of working with numbers is basic necessities for a tax lawyer.

LLM degrees (the Master of Law Letters degree which follows the LLB degree) can be received in tax law in a number of law school graduate divisions around the country. This is one of the specific areas in which the LLM degree is most frequently pursued.

Tax law is a growing field because of the increasing complexity of the financial status of the United Kingdom and its citizens. If you satisfy the requirements of the field, your work in private practice or as a corporation tax lawyer can be a highly lucrative career.

Corporate Law: The corporate lawyer deals with the entirety of a corporation's activities from settling tax, employment, or labour problems, to setting up mergers between and among corporations and arranging stock options.

Generally, a corporate lawyer is one of a team of lawyers, each handling or assisting in the handling of only one of the activities areas. A corporate lawyer, therefore, may be any one of the preceding types of lawyers and also be a corporate lawyer. For instance, an environmental lawyer may be employed by Kodak and still retain both titles of environmental and corporate lawyer; one does not preclude the other.

Corporate law opportunities are almost unlimited and offer continually broadening horizons commensurate with the growth of the corporation.

Criminal Law: Criminal Law involves just what the label implies - people accused of crimes. Lawyers who specialise in criminal law may work on either side of the adversary process - defence or prosecution.

There are many more types of law from which to choose; what you choose will depend upon your present interests and your interests as they develop in law school. There is no reason to make your decision before beginning your studies as to what type of law you will practice; the legal profession changes constantly and you may find your own interests changing as you become exposed to more and more information.

Legal Training Contracts - Choosing a Training Contract

Choosing a training contract can be difficult. To make things easier you should focus, by deciding on the key factors you are looking for in a training contract, and then search through law firms accordingly.

Practice Areas

This is one of the most important factors for a candidate to consider when deciding which firms they want to apply to. There is a big difference between studying the law and practising it. As a law student, it is easy to believe that what you learn at university will correspond to the workplace. You may not find the books and lectures of a particular subject especially interesting, but the same subject may be much more dynamic and exciting when you are out in the field and working on real cases.

Whilst the larger firms may have departments that cover all practice areas, each department will be a different size and carry its own reputation within the industry. Whether you are looking to work in Corporate, Real Estate, Finance, Litigation, Employment, Incentives or Competition, doing your research about the different departments within your prospective firms will help you choose the best ones to apply to. It will also provide you with invaluable credibility when it comes to the training contract interview stage. You will probably not be given the exact combination of seats that you would like in your legal training contract. However, you can not go too far wrong if you have chosen a firm whose major practice areas match those that you are interested in.

Client Base

The profile of a firm generally corresponds to the profile of its clients. Some people prefer to work with high profile organisations, but will usually have to contend with dealing with people from varying levels within the organisation. Smaller clients give you a chance to work more directly with the key people and your input will be more visible.

Size

The practice areas and client base of a firm are very good predictors of its size. Firms range from commercial law practices working with major global corporations to high-street firms more accessible to the general public.

Large firms bring their own disadvantages as well benefits. The larger a firm is, the more likely it is to take on a greater number of trainees. A high profile firm can bring your CV strong brand value. On the other hand, if you are working for a smaller firm, there will probably be fewer trainees. This means that you may have more interaction with qualified solicitors at various levels within the firm.

Location

This is something of a personal choice, with implications that will affect your quality of life and your career. The largest firms are based in London and the legal market which circles the capital's financial services industry is one of the most lucrative in the world. This translates into higher average pay packets for London solicitors. Aside from the careers benefits to choosing London, trainees can enjoy all the social and cultural activities that the cosmopolitan city has to offer.

However, the cost of living is higher in London and you will have to content with the traffic and rush hour crushes on the tube. Working hours are often longer at London firms and you may find a more attractive work-life balance at firms outside of the capital.

Training Structure

Traditional law training contract structures place trainees in fixed placement periods in different departments. However, there are variations in terms of the placement period, number of departments to be rotated through and the amount and type of work completed in each department. If you are undecided about which practice area you want to work in when you qualify, you may want to apply to firms which will place you in many different departments during your training contract.

Legal Training Contracts - Getting a Training Contract with a 2.2

You are far less likely to get a training contract with a top law firm, if you have not attained a first class, or 2.1 degree at university. It is much more sensible to apply to mid-size firms who accept applications from candidates with lower degree grades, than to apply to large firms. If you do well at a mid-size firm you will be able to transfer to a large firm later in your career, if this is your goal.

However, if you are only interested in getting a training contract at a top firm, you do still have a chance, although it is only slim. You will need to be persistent, will have to make contacts in organisation's HR departments and be able to demonstrate a range of non-academic skills (such as multiple languages) that your prospective employer would be interested in.

Getting Past Application Systems

Candidates with 2.2's will often be sifted out of firm's recruitment processes at a very early stage, most commonly during the initial online application process. Law firms receive so many applications for training contracts that Human Resources staff usually set-up their systems to automatically filter out candidates with a 2.2 degree grade, or below.

When making applications to firms who state that they require a minimum of a 2.1 degree grade, always make sure you have made personal contact with a member of HR at that firm first. Most firms will be able to accept your application with lower than expected grades, but can only do so if you have made them aware of the situation.

If you have a 2.2, you will need to persuade employers to take a look at your CV and that you do have something to offer them. You will need to prove your motivation and commitment to career, which can sometimes be difficult.

Mitigating Circumstances

If you have a genuine mitigating circumstance for not getting a 2.1 it is certainly worth making this clear to recruiters. HR will be lenient, but only if your circumstances really did make things difficult for you to study at university, and only if you can prove that you did have difficulties (e.g. with a doctor's note, or university letter).

Work Experience

If your degree qualification is not good, make sure you can prove yourself and your commitment to career in other ways. Work experience can really boost your applications and demonstrates real application to your desired career. Employers really like to hire candidates with experience because they need less training than other candidates and have much more commercial awareness.

Careers Fairs and Networking

By attending careers fairs you can meet current graduate trainees and HR employees that may be able to accept your application if they feel you are worth giving a chance to. Try to get as many names as you can at events like this and prove to them your value for their organisation, despite your low grades.

Legal Training Contracts - How to Get a Training Contract

Before you embark on the long and drawn out process of applying for a Training Contract you need to do your research, and decide exactly who you want to work for. Practising family law in a small regional firm will be very different from handling billion pound mergers and acquisitions. If you’re not cut out for the corporate world, be realistic and don’t apply to corporate firms, but if this is what you've always dreamed of you need to start considering the Magic circle.

Choose the Type of Firm that suits you best

Think about the culture of the firm in question and whether you would fit into it, socially, culturally and academically. Don’t let rich firm's glossy brochures sway your judgement. The best way to find out what is right for you is to embark on work experience, or even better a Vacation Placement. Recruiters and HR at top law firms see the benefits of experience as unrivalled. It’s not a prerequisite to work at a firm, but you will get a practical insight on the job and the company and learn what’s right for you by working with different teams, social groups and specialised work areas.

Get a Vacation Placement

It will be highly competitive to get a Vacation Placement (sometimes even more so than getting a Training Contract - there can be thousands of applications for less than 20 places. For this reason firms are very interested by candidates with work experience. It shows that you have something special to offer, and above all that their rivals (if you’re done work experience at different companies) are interested in hiring you.

Partake in Extra-Curricula Activities

Anything you do that is supplementary to studying shows that you are willing to learn new things and put yourself out. It also shows team work, organisational skills and that you might be a worthwhile person to have on board. So if you ran a marathon for charity, set up a break-dancing group or volunteer at the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau, use this to your advantage when applying for a job. If you still have the opportunity to get involved and do these things, the earlier you start the better.

Find out about the firm you are applying to

It is important to know what's happening right now within the firm you’re applying to. If a firm is in a phase of expansion it's likely to be a more dynamic and exciting place to work than one which is downsizing and losing clients. Search for press coverage to see if there is anything significant to note when you are thinking about your applications.

Be clear about your specialist interests

Make sure you clearly understand the industry into which you want to go. For example, corporate law is very different from environmental law. You should have an understanding of how the firm to which you are applying fits into the industry, who its main clients are, and what substantial cases they have been involved with.

Do you have strong enough grades to apply?

If you get a 2:2 when the firm requires a 2:1 then get in touch with the recruitment department before making your application and explain your circumstances. Get your personal tutor from University to confirm your situation and use any other collaborative sources of evidence that you can find. Law firms are not heartless and do understand that students do suffer from serious problems during their exams. Furthermore, law firms are clever. They want to interview the brightest candidates. They understand that there may be times when the best candidates are affected by issues out of their control and may consequently under perform. If you have other grades, qualities and attributes to back up your poor degree grade you are still likely to be called for interview.

On the other hand, if you do not have the best University grade, or even past grades, it might be a better idea to adjust your sights and apply outside the [Magic circle] and national firms. If you are constantly making unsuccessful applications, try applying to some firms in the tier below.

Legal Training Contracts - Legal Training

During your training contract at a firm you should be given experience in at least three distinctive substantive areas of English law, including both contentious and non-contentious work.

If your firm is unable to provide the requisite training, it must arrange a secondment for you to another training establishment, ensuring that the terms of the training code and contract are met during this period.

As well as giving you work experience, your firm must allow you to attend the Professional Skills Course fees: the firm will pay the course fees and grant you study leave to attend.

Appraisals

It’s a good idea to keep a record of your daily activities during the training contract, not only because it will document your work and progress but also because the SRA may ask to review it.

Your firm is required to conduct at least three formal appraisals with you during the two years of your training contract (one in the first year, one in the second year and one at the end of the training period). Ideally, however, your performance should be reviewed in every seat or every six months. If you have any concerns about your training, you should raise these with your training principal at the earliest opportunity.

Legal Training Contracts - Registering Your Training Contract

Once you have been selected as a prospective trainee, your firm must send you an offer letter setting out the terms and conditions of your employment, including:

• any conditions to which the offer is subject
• the dates on which the contract will start and finish
• the starting salary, and how this will be reviewed
• holiday and sickness benefit entitlement
• the areas of law in which you will gain experience and the skills you will practise
• any arrangements for re-employment when the training contract finishes

It is good practice and common courtesy to accept the offer in writing.
Registering your training contract

Within three months of starting your training, you and your firm should complete and sign the training contract form, and your firm should send it to be registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) within 28 days of being signed. The registration fee is covered by the firm. Until the contract is registered you are not regarded as a trainee and are not protected by the Training Contract Regulations 1990, so it is in your own interests to ensure that it is done. If your firm refuses or otherwise fails to register your training contract, think very carefully about whether you want to stay with them.

Within 30 days you will receive a letter from the SRA confirming the registration and the date of expiry of the contract.

Legal Training Contracts - Training Contract Applications

The three mistakes most candidates make in their training contract applications are: poor spelling & grammar, copying & pasting (from previous applications) and using inappropriate language.

Spelling & Grammar

Making spelling and grammar mistakes in your initial application for a training contract shows a real lack of attention to detail, which will reflect very poorly on you in the eyes of prospective employers. Considering the type of service that Law firms provide to their clients, attention to detail is crucial if you want to be given the chance to attend an interview.

Errors in drafted legal documents could cause great problems for a law firm, and if you have not been responsible or conscientious enough to effectively check through your application form, you cannot expect a good law firm to consider employing you.

In a profession where a firm's reputation and the perceived quality of its work are the foundations for its business success, application form errors will not be accepted.

Copying & Pasting

There are no short cuts to a well-written and well-constructed application. Cutting and pasting from one application to another is easy to spot, and is a waste of your time. This method may improve the time spent completing applications, but it will not improve their quality, and this is the key factor with training contract applications. Sending out a small number of well written, focussed applications, targeted to the firm in question, will result in more interview offers, than sending many unfocussed applications.

Inappropriate Language

The tone and style of your writing should match the purpose. The prose you will be drafting during yor training contract will be for legal documents, and your application should reflect this. Avoid using colloquial language, write clearly, be objective and do not waste time with flowery language. Get to the point.

Legal Training Contracts - What is a Training Contract?

A Training Contract is offered by most large legal firms to all graduate hires. A Training Contract is an agreement (a written contract) between you and your employer that you can come and work for them for two years after successfully completing your LPC legal training. During this time you will receive further training and a decent starting salary, although you won't be considered to be a fully qualified solicitor.

Firms differ as to when they offer this contract to graduates. For some firms, particularly the Magic circle firms, you will need to apply two to three years before you plan to begin work with them. For other firms, you can apply one to two years before work, and others just a few months before.

Firms require candidates to make such early applications because of the overwhelming competition for places and because many firms offer a subsistence grant to graduates studying the GDL and LPC. For example, Magic circle firms tend to pay all GDL and LPC fees for graduate hires, whilst also providing approximately £7,000 per year as a grant for living costs.

Getting a training contract (TC) can be a difficult job, especially if you plan to study the GDL/CPE conversion course or have a limited legal background. The standard of applicants for TC's is always high and the competition fierce. It is not uncommon for applicants to outnumber TC's by 25 to 1 for the best and most prestigious firms. Candidates without the right A-level grades, a good 2:1 and a gleaming résumé full of relevant work experience will be at a serious disadvantage.

The good news however, is that according to BPP Professional Education there are enough training contracts available each year to accommodate almost every qualifying law student, although the majority of these aren't with the top firms.

Qualifying Without a Degree

A training contract is not normally required for anyone qualifying without a degree; non-graduates typically advance toward qualification by passing exams administered by the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) – all the while working under the supervision of a solicitor.

• For more information about legal training contracts visit the WikiJob forums.

Addleshaw Goddard Telephone Interview

Addleshaw Goddard use telephone interviews as the first stage of the interview process for solicitors.

The questions asked will be a standard list of questions that are set for all applicants. Most will be competency based questions.

• Why law?
• Why commercial law in particular?
• Why AG?
• How do you sell AG to a client?
• How is AG distinguished from competitors?

• Can you give an example of an occasion when you organised or were involved in a situation where you worked towards objectives, for a group or other individual other than yourself?
  • How did you go about organising this?
• What role did you play within the team?
  • Why were you assigned that role?
• Can you give an example of a time when you have used networking skills?
• Give an example of a situation when you were required to designate an activity to somebody else?
  • How did you ensure that you maintained the quality of service that you would have provided yourself?
• Give an example of a time when you identified a situation in which you could achieve, this can be academic or otherwise.

Your interviewers will be trying to find out about motivation and ability to do the job. They will also be looking at how your personality operates in different environments and your suitability for the business world. Your interviewers will be keen to know why you have chosen their firm and if you have done your research into where they stand in the legal market.

Telephone Interview

Your telephone interview may be moderately intense and the questions may be very difficult. Your interviewer will most probably be neither aggressive nor friendly, just straight to the point. Your interviewer will be typing your answers during the interview, which may be off-putting and the silences (during which answers are types) can be quite daunting and awkward.

Addleshaw Goddard Training Contract

Training Contract

Sponsorship Details

Seats

Addleshaw Goddard Training Contract Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview Process

• Online application
• Telephone interview
• Assessment day
  • Instruction taking exercise
  • Group exercise
  • Interview

Telephone Interview

Addleshaw Goddard outsource their recruitment to a third party company. For the telephone interview you will have 30 minutes with an HR person with no specific legal knowledge, from this third party company. The interview will be a mix of competency based interview questions and career-motivated questions

You may be asked why you want to pursue a career as a solicitor, why Addleshaw Goddard and what you hope to gain by training with AG.

In addition to this you may be asked to demonstrate instances where you have worked well in a team, delegated responsibility and shown initative.

Your interviewer will be recording your answers on their computer during the interview. You will be able to hear the interviewer typing loudly, but do not let this put you off.

Assessment Day

• Have you ever had to delegate work?
• How did you do it?
• Why did you choose to apply to Addleshaw Goddard?

Addleshaw Goddard Working Culture

Working Culture

One of the firm's recent projects has been to offer all new graduates the opportunity to spend a week in Romania working on a community based house building project.

Allen & Overy Open Days & Careers Fairs

Open Days

On an open day you will get the opportunity to meet a number of partners, associates and trainees who work in various departments.

Your day will includes talks and workshops which provide details about specific practice areas, Allen & Overy's clients, the Allen & Overy training contract, and skills you will need to develop and improve, if you are to become a successful commercial lawyer.

You will also have the opportunity to spend some time in one legal department, where you will spend time shadowing a trainee.

Open Day Dates

Careers Fairs

Trainees, Associates, Partners and Human Resources personnel attend careers fairs and specialist law fairs throughout the year. You should aim to meet as many different people as possible but tailor your questions so that they are relevant to the person you are talking to. For example, ask trainees about the work/life balance. Ask partners about the length of time it took them to reach partner status.

You should spend as much time as possible talking to trainees, as these people will provide you with the most honest and accurate information about what it's like to work in an entry level position at the company.

Spend five to 10 minutes talking to each law firm at a careers fair. Law fairs are a forum allowing candidates to have quick chats with key members of staff, many of whom will provide you with their contact information to email/call at a later date if you need more information.

Be professional throughout the day, wear a suit if you have one and treat every conversation with staff as a mini-interview. Give a firm handshake, make good eye contact and smile!

Take a note of all the people you speak to during the day, or if you can exchange business cards.

Since 2007 Allen & Overy has used its very own double-decker bus to attract undergraduates to events and campus activities. The bus is decorated in the same style as the firm’s Bishops Square headquarters. Students are able to board the bus for a 15-minute drop-in session with a selection of Allen & Overy’s graduate recruitment team and trainees. There may even be a chance to pick up A&O branded products.

Questions to ask Allen & Overy at Recruitment Fairs

• Allen & Overy have made good headway in addressing staff attrition and promoting a more realistic work/life balance in recent years. Ask staff whether this has affected the firm, and if so how. Furthermore, find out if there are any future plans to take this further.
• Ask trainees about the departments they've worked in; which ones were particularly good and which ones will be best for your long-term career.
• Ask staff whether it is more important to demonstrate commercial experience or to actually have commercial awareness?

Allen & Overy Training Contract

Training Contract

By all accounts the training offered by A&O is some of the best available in the city. The firm offers 105 Training Contracts each year and the graduate recruitment team interview approximately 10% - 15% of the 2,500 annual applications.

The training is quite flexible, although you do have to do at least two seats in the core practice areas of Finance (banking or ICM) and Corporate (12 months total in two of the three departments). The rest of the training is up to you (within the needs of the business). You can do six months abroad, six months on secondment, two three-month seats in smaller departments such as employment or competition, or even three months at a local Legal Advice Centre.

A&O aim to recruit, train and develop successful lawyers who want to develop a long-term career with Allen & Overy and all the firm's future trainees take the Allen & Overy-specific LPC at The College of Law in London. The course has been specially designed to equip trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful solicitor, and is set in the context of the type of transactions Allen & Overy lawyers are involved in. The modules taken will focus on our core practice areas, to ensure that time at law school is the best possible preparation for the training contract with Allen & Overy. It will provide trainees with a sound technical and theoretical background for a career with the firm. Studying the Allen & Overy LPC also means that trainees will develop strong bonds with their new colleagues and build friendships from day one.

Litigation Course

Allen and Overy trainees are able to acquire contentious experience during their training contract. From July 2007, trainees have been offered the option of completing a Litigation course, which means trainees will no longer need to sit in our Dispute Resolution or Employment departments to gain their contentious experience if they are sure their interests lie elsewhere. This course is run by the Nottingham Law School and consists of tuition for a block of five days and a monthly visit to a legal advice centre for a year, to gain practical contentious experience.

Seats

Your training will be based on three or six month rotations, known as 'seats' of which you will take part in four to six. On these seats you will learn about a number of departments or practice areas, where you will sit with a partner or an associate who will instruct you.

After joining Allen & Overy you will meet the HR Manager to form an individual seat plan, tailored to take your interests and aspirations into consideration. Additionally you will discuss the length of your seats, and explore the possibilities of international or client secondments. You'll also nominate a "priority seat" which means you'll be guaranteed experience in a chosen department.

Allen and Overy's core areas of expertise are Corporate, Banking and International Capital Markets. As a trainee you will spend at least twelve months of your training contract gaining experience in at least two of these key areas.

As a trainee you may be able to take three or six month seats at Allen & Overy offices in other countries. If you are able to speak the language of the country you wish to travel to, this will certainly make things easier for you.

Allen & Overy offer approximately 39 international seats in 22 of their offices. Trainees usually apply to undertaken secondments in the final six months of their training contract.

Trainees are also offered a number of client based secondments, which enable trainees to spend time in another working environment and experience the clients' side of business, working alongside client's staff in client's offices. These secondments normally take place in the second year of training.

International Travel

As a trainee or fully qualified solicitor at Allen & Overy you will certainly travel internationally when working with European clients.

As a trainee you may be able to take three or six month seats at Allen & Overy offices in other countries. If you are able to speak the language of the country you wish to travel to, this will certainly make things easier for you.

Allen & Overy offer 39 international seats in 22 of their offices. Trainees usually apply for secondments in the final six months of their training contract.

Client Secondments

Allen & Overy offer trainees a number of client based secondments, which enable trainees to spend time in another working environment and experience the clients' side of business, working alongside client's staff in client's offices. These secondments normally take place in the second year of training.

Training Contract Benefits

When you accept an offer of a training contract from Allen & Overy you will not only be entitled to a top job and good salary but also financial support for ALL law school studies.

Allen & Overy will pay your course fees for the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) at The College of Law (any location). They will also pay for all course fees associated with the LPC (Legal Practice Course) although you are forced to do the Allen & Overy specific LPC, at The College of Law London.

Allen & Overy also provide students with a maintenance grant. If you are studying for the GDL this means you will receive £6,000 (if living in London) or £5,000 (if living elsewhere in the UK). If you are studying for the LPC, you will receive an annual maintenance grant of £7,000.

Students who choose to take the two year LLB course are offered a maximum of £6,000 towards course fees. Future trainees taking this course also receive a one-off maintenance payment of £6,000 for courses in London, Oxford & Guildford and £5,000 for courses elsewhere in the UK.

If you accept your training contract after commencing the GDL, LPC or two year LLB Allen & Overy will pro rata your maintenance award, but your course fees will be refunded in full.

Allen & Overy recognise high achieving students by offering a cash award of £500 for anyone who collects a first class degree and/or a distinction in the LPC after accepting a Training Contract offer.

Future trainees who decide to take time off before joining Allen & Overy are warmly supported, especially those who plan to extend, develop or gain other skills or experiences that will be useful when working at A&O. Future trainees can apply for an award of £500 to contribute towards funds required for this time off, or other equally important activites such as purchasing a new laptop, completing a language study course, or undertaking a pro bono or community initiative.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline is typically around mid-January for non-lawyers. This coming year it is January 17th, 2010. Law students should apply from 1st June - 31st July 2010.

Start Dates

Hired trainees start work in September or March each year.

Salary

The current salary for first year trainees is £38,000 rising to over £42,200 in the second year of training. On qualification, your salary will be £60,000.

Allen & Overy Training Contract Application Process

Applying to Allen & Overy

Applicants are invited to submit their application via the Allen & Overy website.

If your application for a training contract is successful, you will be invited to an assessment day which usually consists of two interviews with a partner or senior associate.

Application Tips

• Think about what you may have learned and observed from your work experience and use this in your application. For example, you may have improved a process or made a useful suggestion for a previous employer. This would make a great example to use, as it shows you are assertive, intelligent and forthcoming in the workplace.

• Candidates need to show that they are absolutely committed to a career in law and that a career with Allen & Overy would be one of their top (if not very top) choice.

• Taking on responsibility, for example managing a budget, team or project whilst at University, is a great example to use when answering a question about your skills on an application form or in interview.

Now see - Allen & Overy Training Contract Interview Questions.

Allen & Overy Training Contract Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview Process

The Training Contract interview procedure at A&O is as follows:

• Online Application
• Invitation to Interview
• Individual Partner / Associate interview
• Case Study Interview

Partner / Associate Interview

This is based on your application form. You will be interviewed by a partner or an associate who will assess your skills and knowledge, as well as your reasons for applying to Allen and Overy and your general commercial awareness.

You will be asked a series of difficult to answer interview questions and competency based questions.

Case Study Interview

This involves working with a case study. You will have 30 minutes to work through a brief and prepare a short presentation to deliver to your interviewer. The presentation is likely to be followed by a discussion with your interviewer about key points from your case study.

After both interviews, you will be given the chance to spend some time with a current trainee who will give you a tour of the offices, introduce you to other trainees and generally be available to answer any questions which you may be too scared to ask the partners!

Tip: Candidates need to show that thay are abolutely commited to a career in law and that a career with Allen & Overy would be one of their top (if not very top) choice.

Tip: Read newspapers and news websites everyday. Keep up to date with current affairs, global politics and economics. Make sure you develop your own opinions about issues and can stand up for yourself if questioned in debate.

Feedback

Allen & Overy give feedback to candidates who arrange this with the Graduate Recruitment team only after interview and not after the application stage.

Offer

Successful candidates with be contacted 7-10 working days after their interview by a member of the Allen & Overy Graduate Recruitment team who will congratulate them and explain the terms of their contract.

Candidates will not have to accept immediately, but will be given twenty-eight days to make a choice.

Acceptance

Successful candidates who wish to accept an offer to join Allen & Overy should call their HR contact and let them know they would like to start work on the previously agreed start date.

Candidates will then need to send back their signed offer letter which was delivered to them when they received the offer. Once this has been returned you have effectively become a staff member!

Rejection

Allen & Overy Vacation Placements

Vacation Placements

Allen & Overy offer 65 Vacation placements each year. Allen & Overy placements offer current students and graduates the chance to experience life working as solicitors at the firm's London office. This period of experience is paid and offers excellent training, teaching and social benefits.

Vacation placements look fantastic on the CV of anyone aspiring to become a solicitor. They also enable canny students to build contacts within law firms and establish links that they may be able to use later, when applying for a Training Contract.

• Winter: This Vacation programme last for seven days and takes place in December each year. It is open to final year students, graduates and career changers from all disciplines. The application period is the month of October for placements in December 2010.

• Summer: This Vacation programme lasts for three weeks. It is for penultimate year undergraduates (and second years on a four-year course) from any degree discipline. There are three placements to choose from, each of which start in June or July. The application deadline is 17th January 2010 for placements in Summer 2010.

• International: Allen & Overy's international internships allow a total of 12 students to work in one of 4 international offices, following a three week placement in London. The application is open to students who have been succesful in gaining a London-based summer placement, and they will be contacted about how they can apply for these.

Academic Requirements for Vacation Placements

Candidates will need to demonstrate skills in communication, teamwork, interpersonal skills and commercial awareness, to be offered a vacation placement at Allen & Overy.

• Academic - Candidates must have obtained, or be heading for, at least a 2.1 in any degree discipline and have 340 UCAS points (AAB) at A-level (or equivalent). Candidates with fluency in a language other than English are often popular with law firms.

• Experience - The more legal or commercial experience you can complete the better. More generally, experience working for any company, working in teams and earning cash is useful for your CV.

• Personality - Throughout the application and interview process you will need to demonstrate strong academic skills, the ability to work in a team, that you can communicate effectively with other people, that you are someone who is well organised and able to plan, the ability to solve difficult problems and that you are commercial awareness.

• Extra Curricular - Candidates should be interested or involved in activities outside of their academic studies. Students should be able to show that they have taken part in clubs or societies at school and university. Candidates who have volunteered for charitable organisations are often looked on favourably.

• Law Degree vs GDL - Almost half of Allen and Overy's graduate hires have studied subjects other than Law at university, and then studied the GDL conversion course. Allen & Overy also accept applications from candidates of any University, although a 2.1 (or equivalent) grade is expected.

Vacation Placements - What to Expect

In each of Allen & Overy's placements you will assist a specially assigned trainer (usually a partner or associate) on real deals. You will work in two departments (one during the shorter winter programmes) which you will be able to chose, depending on your key areas of interest.

You will join other vacation programme students to work on a case study project designed to test your research skills and expose you to the range of Allen & Overy practice areas.

Placement students will attend workshops, practice area presentations and other talks designed to inform you about the company's work and help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful commercial lawyer.

Allen & Overy pair you up with a "buddy" for your Vacation placement. This is usually a current trainee who will be able to answer your questions, offer you advice and generally help you feel at home during your time with the company, or may not, depending on how busy the individual may be and how interested they are in helping out the new boys!

As well as a lot of hard, testing work, Vacation placements offer students the chance to socialise with other like-minded future solicitors. Expect to enjoy informal drinks with your department, lunches with other placement students and special social events organised by the Graduate Recruitment team.

Remember that the term "informal" really means "not as formal as usual, but still quite formal". For example, at an informal drinks event that involves placement students and Partners, you will not be expected to raid the Allen & Overy free bar and coerce your trainer, Associate or Partner to take a trip with you to Stringfellows.

Allen & Overy Working Culture

There are several employee benefits to working at A&O:

Work/Life Balance

Of all the Magic Circle law firms, it's probably Allen & Overy who have made the most effort at addressing lifestyle issues and reducing associate attrition.

Insurance

Allen & Overy provide life, permanent health and private medical insurance for staff members.

Pension Scheme

A&O offer a contributory pension scheme for staff.

Season Ticket Loan

A&O provides a season ticket loan to all staff who require it.

Holidays

Everyone at Allen and Overy is entitled to 25 days a year holiday. Staff may be entitled to buy and sell further days.

Medical

Everyone who works for Allen & Overy is provided with private medical cover and access to the private onsite surgery, complete with its own GP, dentist physiotherapist.

Beauty Centre

Staff can also buy massages, manicures and pedicures at the specialist beauty centre in the Allen & Overy office.

Subsidised Lunch

All A&O staff are entitled to subsidised lunch provided in the company's restaurants. There are two restaurants, a bar and a gym on site for staff to use in their free time.

Sport

Allen & Overy has its own Football, Rugby and Cricket teams that play in London leagues (such as the London law league) and organise tours abroad.

There is a gym in the Bishops Square building, as well as a sports hall where you can play 3-a-side football, badminton and other sports.

Work in the Community

A&O runs a pro bono community affairs programme as part of its 'values into action' philosophy. The London office runs a secondary school mentoring programme, offers volunteering opportunities with the Prince’s Trust, and represents death row convicts in Jamaica and Trinidad.

Ashurst Training Contract

Training Contract

Your graduate Training Contract at Ashurst will consist of four six-month seats. For each, you will sit with a partner or solicitor who will be the main source of your work and your principal supervisor during that seat. You will, however, be encouraged to work with a variety of solicitors during the course of your training. Seats are generally for six months; anything less than this will not give you sufficient depth of experience for your future responsibilities.

Application Deadlines

The closing date for applications for Training Contracts commencing in September 2010/March 2011 is 31 July 2008. Finalists and graduates are, however, encouraged to apply before 1 March 2008 in order to be considered for an earlier interview.

Start Dates

September 2010 and March 2011.

Salary

Training Contract Benefits

• Annual holiday entitlement of 25 days per year (rising to 27 days on qualification).
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Private medical scheme and annual health screening.
• Option of joining the firm's life assurance scheme.
• Free membership of health and fitness club.
• In-house consultation and treatment with a doctor, dentist and physio.
• Subsidised food bar.
• Dry cleaning and delivery service.
• Subsidised acupressure massage, Indian head massage and reflexology offered onsite.
• Childcare vouchers.
• Various discounts and concessions available at nearby retail outlets.
• Trainee solicitor bonus scheme, payable quarterly.
• Scholarships for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) covering course fees and £7,500 towards the cost of maintenance while attending a full-time course and sitting examinations.
• A £500 prize if you achieve a first class honours degree having accepted our offer of a Training Contract. We will also award a prize of £500 if you achieve an overall distinction in the Legal Practice Course.
• A bursary towards language tuition.

Ashurst Training Contract Interview Process

Application and Interview Process

• Online Application
• First Interview
• Second Interview

Online Application

You will be asked to include a short introduction about yourself, including why you have chosen to pursue a legal career and why you have chosen Ashurst. You will also be asked for a full account of your school and university careers, including exam results. You will also be asked about your skills and achievements, languages, outside interests and work experience, and how these might be useful to a career at Ashurst.

The first interview

You will meet Stephen Trowbridge, Graduate Recruitment and Development Manager, for 30 minutes. The first interview will be mainly focused on your CV. Stephen will go through your study (and work experience) with you.

[This section is missing information on the interview structure and details regarding testing - please help your peers by adding info if you have it!]

The second interview

You will meet two partners, or a partner and a senior associate, from our recruitment committee for 45 minutes.

Ashurst Vacation Placements, Internships and Open Days

Vacation Placements

There are three vacation placement schemes each year at Ashurst.

At Easter, Ashurst have one intake of primarily final year non-law undergraduates and all graduates. This lasts for two weeks.

The summer scheme has two intakes of primarily second year law undergraduates. Both last for three weeks.

You are welcome to apply for whichever scheme is most convenient for you. If you are offered a place, you will spend each week in a different department, shadowing a solicitor and becoming fully involved with his or her daily work. The aim is for you to get as broad and comprehensive a view as possible, over a short period of time, of life as a City solicitor at Ashurst.

During the placement, employees of Ashurst will give a number of talks relating to the firm and its various areas of practice. The firm also arrange a variety of trips and, in the summer, will provide you with the chance to visit one of their European offices.

Ashurst organise several social events where you can informally meet Ashurst solicitors of different levels of seniority and from different departments. At these events, you can ask any questions you may have about life as a trainee - and beyond. There are other social events too, such as softball matches or touch rugby, as well as nights out with our trainees.

Tip: Although "social" events at City firms are opportunities to let your hair down, you should bear in mind that everything you do whilst on your placement will be judged and discussed. Although a drinks party with free bar and buffet may seem like an excellent excuse to get plastered, in reality this would be a very bad idea. Acting irresponsily when potential future colleagues, and employment decision makers are around could at worst cost you a Training Contract and at best label you as "that Trainee who heckled the HR team at the placement drinks party". Either way, bad idea.

By the end of the placement, you will have had the chance to get to know many of the people who work at Ashurst. You will have experienced first hand the wide cross-section of the work Ashurst undertakes and most importantly, you will have gained a real feel for the working culture at the firm.

Ashurst will introduce you to current trainees when you are on your placement. Many of these people were of course, once on a placement at Ashurst themselves. With that in mind, the schemes are largely administered by a committee of trainees.

Open Days

Ashurst don't hold organised public open days. The firm do however allow prospective applicants to visit for an individual guided tour of the office, conducted by a current trainee. This gives you a good opportunity to have a one-to-one talk with a trainee, meet a selection of the firm's employees and get a feel for the office environment.

Beachcroft Application Process

Applying to Beachcroft

Application Requirements

Beachcroft Interview Questions

Interview Questions

• Online application
• Assessment Centre
• Panel Interview

Berwin Leighton Paisner Training Contract

Trainees spend six months in four seats with their progress reviewed every three months, during the Berwin Leighton Paisner Training Contract. An induction covers the practical aspects of working in a law firm, from billing to client care. There are technical education programmes for each department, with weekly skills sessions and seminars for trainees as well as Professional Skills Courses.

Induction Programme

The induction programme lasts between one and two weeks and takes place at the start of your training contract. You will be trained how to use BLP's IT systems and library resources, develop your understanding of the firm, the different practice areas, support services and the trainee role through a variety of presentations and workshops. You will also make a start on the PSC that all trainee solicitors are required to complete as part of their training contract.

During your training contract all trainees will receive structured help and assistance from their supervisor. Trainees are also allocated a Partner Mentor.

Professional Skills Course

The PSC is organised and run in-house by BLP's own training team and is supported by external trainers and is ongoing throughout the training contract.

Salary

1st year trainees = £37,000
2nd year trainees - £40,000

Sponsorship
Students offered training contracts will have both their GDL and LPC+ course fees paid although we do not pay these retrospectively. A maintenance grant of £7,200 will also be provided for each course.

LPC

The firm runs the UK's first tailor-made LPC Course, called the LPC+. All trainees will study at the College of Law, where tutors are joined by lawyers from Berwin Leighton Paisner and trainers who help to deliver some of the sessions, using BLP precedents and documents, discussing how theory is applied to real cases and transactions.

Seats

Trainees are given a choice over seats and preferences are usually met. All trainees do a seat in real estate and corporate finance and it is a Law Society requirement that you do a minimum of three months’ contentious work which can be met either by doing a litigation seat or a non-litigation seat with contentious aspects.

Secondments

Trainees interested in completing a seat on secondment during their training contract in the EU can spend up to six months in the firm's Brussels office.

Trainee Retention

BLP's retention rates for trainees range from 80%-90%.

Now see - berwin leighton paisner training contract interview questions

Berwin Leighton Paisner Training Contract Application Process

Applying to Berwin Leighton Paisner

(for information about interviews and interview questions see BLP interview questions)

The Training Contract application and interview procedure at Berwin Leighton Paisner is as follows:

• Online application
• Telephone interview
• Assessment day

Training Contract application deadlines usually fall in June/July. Applicants to BLP should have a minimum of 2.1 at degree and 320 UCAS points (ABB) at A Level.

For information about interviews and interview questions see Berwin Leighton Paisner interview questions)

Berwin Leighton Paisner Training Contract Interview Questions

(also see BLP Application Process or ask questions in the WikiJob discussion forum)

After making an online application to Berwin Leighton Paisner successful Training Contract candidates will be invited to the following interviews:

• Telephone interview
• Assessment day
• Partner interview

Berwin Leighton Paisner interview a high number of candidates (approximately 500) for just 40 training contracts each year.

Telephone interview

At this first interview stage you will be asked various questions, some of which may be very similar to questions asked in your Berwin Leighton Paisner online application. Previous candidates have been asked:

• Why law?
• Why Berwin Leighton Paisner?
• Why choose a city firm over a regional?
• What do you think is unique about Berwin Leighton Paisner/the culture at BLP?
• What do you think is unique about being based in London?

You will also be asked about your module marks and university/college grades, if these are not consistent. Candidates are also likely to be asked about an important (or current) commercial issue, such as the credit crunch. You will need to explain this issue, and talk about its implication for law firms.

Berwin Leighton Paisner are also likely to ask you for feedback from any vacation schemes you may have completed and any work experience you may have on your CV. You will be asked competency based questions.

This interview will last for approximately 20 minutes.

For more information ask questions about Berwin Leighton Paisner on the WikiJob discussion forum.

Assessment Day

The Berwin Leighton Paisner assessment day will be structured as follows:

• Arrival
• Presentation
• Drafting exercise
• Negotiation exercise

The presentation and the negotiation exercise are the key parts of the assessment. Your assessors are looking for clear, confident and articulate candidates. Do not be afraid to voice an opinion, or to stand up for yourself if others do not share your views.

At the start of your assessment day you will be given specific information about a firm you may have heard of. You will then use this information for several exercises as instructed by your assessors.

Presentation

Once you have had time to digest the company information provided, you will be asked to do a client pitch. It is very important to be articulate, keep eye contact with your audience, talk with clarity and stand up for yourself if asked difficult questions by your assessors. However, it is highly unlikely that you will be asked any questions after you have given your presentation.

You will have five minutes to talk about why you should be team leader for a project. Make sure you have researched Berwin Leighton Paisner before your interview, so you can discuss how your strengths make you most suitable for this role. Find out about several recent cases BLP have dealt with in each of the firm's main areas of law.

Do not continue writing when other people are giving their presentations. Your assessors will not like this.

Drafting Exercise

After your pitch, you will draft a letter to a client giving advice about a certain legal issue. This may relate to advice on an issue/dispute between a landlord and tenant. No legal knowledge is required.

Your draft letter will be judged on content, spelling, punctuation and structure but does not have to be excessively long.

Negotiation Exercise

This exercise is performed in teams of two. Your pair will be representing one company and another two person team will be representing another. The negotiation will involve one company buying the other. You must negotiate the best deal for your client.

For this exercise you must be assertive, but not overly so. You must not be argumentative.

If you impress during the assessment day you will be invited to a final stage partner interview at BLP.

For more information ask questions about Berwin Leighton Paisner on the WikiJob discussion forum.

Partner Interview

During the partner interview you will be asked questions about your CV and application form by a partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner. It is likely there will be several commercial awareness competency questions, a question about legal ethics and almost certainly a question about the firm and specifically what they do. Towards the end of your interview your interviewer will ask your to answer a short case study question.

It's very important to properly research the firm so you can talk at length about the work they do and demonstrate your knowledge during the partner interview.

Expect the following questions at interview:

• Why have you chosen a career in law? Why commercial law?
• Why Berwin Leighton Paisner? What distinguishes Berwin Leighton Paisner from its competitors?
• Why have you decided upon a city firm over regional firms/smaller firms?
• Who are Berwin Leighton Paisner's competitors and what distinguishes the firm from them?
• What are the day to day aspects of trainee's work?
• What recent BLP cases have been of interest to you?

Why berwin leighton paisner? What distinguishes BLP from its competitors?

For this question, consider what attracts you to the firm. There are several characteristics that make berwin leighton paisner stand out from its competitors such as:

• Ambition: BLP has doubled in size over the last five years. This is impressive for a firm that originally consisted of three different offices. The growth of Berwin Leighton Paisner is also attractive for job applicants as it suggest there will be many opportunities available to future trainees.

• Training: BLP hire relatively few trainees each year, considering their size. The firm have stated that they do this to ensure a higher standard of training, which makes the firm an attractiveproposition for graduates keen to develop their knowledge of the law and relevant skills in a select pool of closely supervised and well taught trainees.

• Focus on organic growth: BLP have an emphasis on organic growth. The firm prefer to promote from within and tend to recognise staff achievements, rather than simply pursuing structural promotion. Berwin Leighton Paisner are not a magic circle firm, which to a certain extent allows them to be less hierarchical and more meritocratic than some of their magic circle competitors.

• Opportunity to work in several practice areas: Berwin Leighton paisner offer excellent service across all practice areas (litigation, corporate and property). This allows the company to provide a comprehensive training experience for graduate trainees, unlike otherfirms whose work may focus too highly in one core area. At Slaughter and May for example, 70% of the work is corporate.

BLP's main competitors are Ashurst, SJ Berwin and Herbert Smith. What distinguishes BLP is the firm's consistant growth over the last five years, across all practice areas. Competitor firms such as SJ Berwin may be a specialist in one practice area (in SJ Berwin's case this is private equity) but less capable in other areas, such as litigation.

BLP's emphasis on client relationship partners, its involvement in the Olympics and its future objectives (the firm wants to be the most respected law firm in the UK, rather than the largest) also stand it apart from from competitors. A concrete example of this objective being realised is the growth of BLP's Joint Venture vehicle "BeProfessional", a project which aims to help smaller companies develop in the UK.

What are the day to day aspects of trainee's work?

The main thing to emphasize in your answer to this question is that it really depends on the department you are working in. For example, a trainee working on a corporate seat would be doing company searches, due diligence exercises and proof reading articles of association. During a seat in litigation however you would be preparing instructions to counsel, drafting summary grounds and sending bundles to counsel's clerks.

What recent BLP cases have been of interest to you?

Two recent high-profile Berwin Leighton Paisner cases have been working in conjunction with the London Olympics 2012 and working with Tesco (a long-term BLP client). BLP has also enjoyed recent success with AIM listings.

Case study question

Towards the end of your partner interview you will be asked a Case study question. This question may require you to think about the various issues that are involved when companies are formed and when two companies merge.

Your interview will continue after your case study question, although subsequent questions should focus on your CV and application and the interview should become more of a discussion about you and who you are.

Your interviewer will ask you questions about your choices at A Level and for Degree. Be prepared to explain your academic results if these are not consistent.

You may also now be asked to give feedback from vacation schemes and work experience placements you have taken part in. Your interviewer will ask for your reflections and opinions of the firms you worked at.

Further Information about Berwin Leighton Paisner

Ask: questions about interviews at Berwin Leighton Paisner on the WikiJob discussion forum.

Also see: Berwin Leighton Paisner Training Contract Application Process and Working Culture at Berwin Leighton Paisner.

Berwin Leighton Paisner Working Culture

Working at Berwin Leighton Paisner

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CMS Cameron McKenna Application Process

Applying to CMS Cameron McKenna

To apply to CMS Cameron McKenna you will need to complete an online application form and subsequent verbal reasoning test found on the firm's website.

Application Requirements

To apply for a Training Contract at CMS Cameron McKenna you will need to have 320 UCAS points (or equivalent) and a 2:1 degree. If you are a non-law student, you can apply at any time in your final year, or after graduation. If you are a law student, you should apply to the firm after you receive your results in your penultimate year. The deadline for applications for training contracts is 31 July 2008.

CMS Cameron McKenna Interview Questions

CMS Cameron McKenna Interview Questions

Following the initial application and online assessment, the interview process at CMS Cameron McKenna is as follows:

• Assessment day (including group exercise, presentation and partner interviews)

• Presentation
• Interview with HR
• Analysis exercise

Successful candidates will be asked to stay after lunch and the second half of the assessment day. The afternoon portion of the assessment consists of:

• Group exercise
• Partner interview

Presentation

Interview with HR

Analysis exercise

You will be given an analysis exercise which will be a mini case study style question, requiring you to assess some written information and then write a response based upon your reaction to this.

You will have an hour to work through the information given to you and write your response. You will be given the choice of writing by hand, or using a laptop.

Previous candidates have been given several responses to an invitation to tender for a Private/Public project. The candidate's job is to then decide which was best, by analysing each one and discussing their pro's and con's.

Group exercise

The group exercise at CMS Cameron McKenna involves organising a marketing event. Candidates will be split into small groups and given a large amount of information to digest in a relatively short amount of time. Each group must then decide on who to invite to the marketing event, the programme and other factors. You will be observed by your assessors throughout the exercise.

Partner interview

It is highly likely that you will be asked some of the following questions during your partner interview:

• Why Cameron McKenna?
• Where else have you applied to?
• What do you think you can bring to Cameron McKenna?
• Why law?
• What makes you a good lawyer?
• Tell me about a recent commercial issue that you find interesting.
• What are the implications of this for lawyers?

CMS Cameron McKenna Training Contract

Training Contract

Seats

Secondment

Training

Graduate trainees at CMS Cameron McKenna will complete all the Professional Skills Course core elements including the Advocacy elective before starting their Training Contract. This will be studied for whilst completing the LPC at BPP.

The firm have a specialist training team who will offer trainees continued training options throughout their training contract, including workshops on presentation skills and computer software.

Training Contract Sponsorship

CMS Cameron McKenna Vacation Schemes and Open Days

Vacation Schemes

Undergraduates have the opportunity to spend two weeks at CMS Cameron McKenna to find out more about working culture our firm, and to gain an insight into the work of a solicitor.

The vacation scheme allows you to spend one week in two different practice areas, and undertake various educational company presentations, workshops and social events.

CMS Cameron McKenna vacation schemes are run during Christmas, Easter and summer holiday periods.

Open Days

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.

Academic Requirements

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.

Workplace Diversity

Clifford Chance Training Contract Interview Questions

Clifford Chance Training Contract Interview Process

(also see Clifford Chance company profile)

• Online application
• Online Verbal reasoning test
• Assessment day

Assessment Day

• Meet and greet / Foral company presentation
• Test
• Group exercise
• Interview
• Case study

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.

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.

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.

• What other firms have you applied to?
• What do you think started the credit crunch?
• What is your biggest disappointment?
• What other careers have you considered?
• Do you enjoy working in a group/alone?
• How do you feel about long working hours?

Be yourself, be natural and answer honestly. Give complete answers and be prepared to justify life/academic choices if asked about "why this/that".

• To what extent is the work the London office deals with international in character?
• Clifford Chance is a the largest law firm in the world with offices in 20 countries. What opportunities are there for secondments for lawyers?
• I am a candidate who wants responsibility from day one. Clifford Chance is such a large firm I am worried about becoming a small cog in a large wheel. What responsibilities are given to graduate hires?

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"?

See also - Clifford Chance Training Contract.

Clyde & Co Interview Questions

• Online application
• Assessment day with graduate recruitment team
• Partner interview (with two partners)

First Assessment Day

• Case study
• Interview with the firm's HR team
• Verbal reasoning test

The case study and verbal reasoning parts of the assessment day may be interchanged.

Case Study

The case study consists of a commercial/contract related question. This will almost certainly be about a bus that has crashed and injured its passengers. You will be asked to give advice to a passenger on his/her chances of success in pursuing a civil action against the bus driver or the employer involved in the incident. A series of different side stories will also be given to candidates, including something about a fast car that happened to cross paths with the bus, the activities on the bus just before the accident occurred and a mechanic report the day before the accident that falsely suggested the bus was in good shape.

Clyde & Co state clearly that candidates do not need any legal knowledge for the assessment centre or case study, but in practice, a general knowledge of tort and contract may be useful.

Interview

The interview takes about 20 minutes. It is purely focused on your job application. Make sure you know your job application by heart and make sure you are able to expand on it in discussion. Be prepared for competency based questions about your work/academic experiences. HR may also ask you to talk about a recent commercial activity that has attracted your attention, and to elaborate further on the subject.

Critical Reasoning Test

This is a standard verbal reasoning test with about six to seven passages, each containing four to five questions. Overall there are 30 questions and candidates are given 30 minutes to complete the test.

• Multiple choice answers (candidates must decide is statements are "true", "false" or if they "can not say");
• Answers that require candidates to decide on the best substitute for the word 'X' in a passage (a list of words to choose from is provided).

Partner Interview

The Partner Interview that I attended at Clyde & Co recently was slightly different to some of the others I have attended. You will be interviewed by two Partners and I found that one Partner kept relatively quiet whilst the other Partner was asking me most of the questions. I am not sure if this will apply to every interview, but the Partners who interviewed me really tried to put me on the spot with quite a few of the questions, I suppose they do this to see how you'd react in that sort of situation with a client. The interview was more relaxed than some of the others that I have been to and they didn't bother asking any competency questions - they were more interested in why I had applied to them and my sporting activites, previous work experience etc. The advice that I'd give to anybody going to an interview is be prepared to back up your answers, and don't give answers that you are unable to back up. I actually enjoyed the interview, it was more exciting than many and the Partners both seemed like people I would enjoy working with.

Clyde & Co Vacation Placements

Clyde & Co offer a two week Summer placement scheme aimed at penultimate-year law students, final-year students of other disciplines, GDL and LPC candidates, as well as anyone currently considering a career change.

The scheme provides an opportunity for students to spend two weeks at Clyde & Co, meet lawyers at every level, experience the differences between academic study and legal practice and undertake a variety of work.

Interns will have the opportunity to assist lawyers in different practice areas, each handling a range of work types. They will gain experience of commercial law in practice and could be involved in any of the following:

• negotiating transactions and drafting documents
• attending trials, arbitrations and meetings
• liasing with clients
• instructing foreign lawyers

DWF Training Contract Interview Questions

The DWF application and interview process is as follows:

• Online application form
• Interview and paper based verbal reasoning SHL test
• Assessment Centre

Online Application Form

• Which of the options studied did you enjoy the most and why? (Please refer to your most recent qualification).
• Please detail any extra-curricular activities and leisure interests, including any relevant responsibilities and achievements.
  • What do these say about you?
• Please detail the reasons why you have chosen to pursue a career in Law.
• Please tell us why you want to work for DWF and what qualities you would bring to the firm.
• What has been your greatest personal achievement and why?
• Please give a recent example of a team in which you have been involved.
  • What was your role and what challenges did you face?

Interview

The first stage of the DWF interview process is a 45-minute long partner interview, with one partner and one member of the firm's HR team. The interview features CV based questions and competency based questions.

• Why did you choose the A-Levels you took?
• What first interested you in law/why law?
• Why DWF?
• What do you want to achieve from your TC?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What have you learned from your legal/non-legal job roles?
• What skills have you developed that you think you can use during your TC?
• How is the current economic climate affecting law firms?
• In light of the current economic climate, what could you do during your TC to help?
• Tell us about a time you rushed into making a decision and what would you do differently?
• What do you do outside of work?

The interview is immediately followed by a paper based verbal reasoning test by SHL. You will be given 25 minutes to answer 52 questions. In this test there will be about 13 passages, each followed by 4 questions.

Assessment Centre

The Assessment Centre lasts for half a day. DWF tend to hold two a day so the schedule may differ depending upon whether you have a morning or an afternoon slot.

The day starts with an introduction to DWF and description of what the assessment centre will entail. You are also given your schedule. There are four tasks, but you may be given these in any order:

• Interview (with three partners)
• Presentation
• Group exercise
• Numeracy/Priority Test (SHL Fast Track Test)
• Buffet Lunch
• Office tour

Interview

This interview will be taken by three partners. It is expected to last around 45 minutes. Try not to be daunted by the fact there are three partners. Three partners are used because each service area of the firm is looking for something different from candidates.

• Did you enjoy your degree and if so why?
• What was your favourite subject that you studied on your degree?
• What skills do you think you have that will make you a good lawyer?

The bulk of the interview is based on scenario questions. Each partner will use an example from the area in which they practice and quiz you on what you would do. For example, if a client had suffered an injury and came to you looking for compensation, what questions would you ask them? As you anwser the question, further questions are raised.

The last question is usually something that is set to throw you. They commonly vary between what film/book/character/song best describes you? At the end of the interview there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Presentation

For this section of the assessment centre you will have to choose one of three potential questions. All questions are based on the current economic/legal climate so make sure you keep up to date with your current knowledge of commercial awareness issues. You will have 20 minutes to prepare your notes and a flip chart, should you choose to do so, and up to 10 minutes to make your presentation. After the presentation you will be asked some questions based upon the information you gave, and questions that delve a little deeper into the topic. The whole task takes about 45 mins.

Group Exercise

For the group exercise you will be placed with three other candidates and be given a verbal reasoning problem to discuss and hopefully resolve. There is no right or wrong answer, this exercise is an analysis of your interactions, communication and teamwork skills.

This is a standard exercise so the advice on group exercises will be useful. Be assertive and prepared to challenge others if you feel you should, but do not be confrontational. Make valid points but do no overspeak or interrupt others. Make sure you listen to what everyone says and be mindful of the time.

Numeracy/Priority Test

This is the SHL Fast Track Test. You will be given five sets of cards which contain differing information. The final cards in the set will have some information missing and you need to use the information on the other cards to work out what information is missing.

Although most of the information is numerical, this isn't a numerical test per se but more of a test of logic and logical reasoning. It will be useful for candidates to take practice logic tests before undertaking this section of the assessment centre.

Buffet Lunch

Some current trainees and members of HR will be present. Use the time to talk to them and ask any questions you may have.

Office Tour

The day finishes with a tour around the office conducted by current trainees.

• For more information on DWF visit the WikiJob forums.

Eversheds Training Contract

Training Contract

Eversheds hire approximately 80 graduate each year.

Sponsorship Details

The Training

Seats

Eversheds Training Contract Application Process

Applying to Eversheds

Although 60 per cent of Eversheds' trainees have studied law, the firm accept and welcome applications from all degree disciplines. All candidates can apply for vacation schemes and training contracts.

Training Contract Application Process

The Eversheds online application form is open all year round. If you pass the application screening and the psychometric/ability tests, you will be invited to an assessment centre where you’ll be able to demonstrate your skills in different situations, and find out more about the firm.

Assessment centres are run in all Eversheds' offices, throughout the year. They include a commercial role-play, in-tray exercise, business analysis exercises and an interview.

Now see - Eversheds Training Contract Interview Questions.

Eversheds Training Contract Interview Questions

The Eversheds' training contract interview process consists of:

• Online application
• Online numerical aptitude test
• Online verbal reasoning aptitude test

• Partner Interview
• Written exercise (business letter)
• Group exercise (negotiation exercise/business analysis)

Application Process

Online Application

The online application is the most competitive part of the interview process at Eversheds. It is designed to test applicants and to find the best candidates at this early stage.

You need to give yourself enough time to complete the application form. It’s a good idea to print out a blank copy of the form and draft your answers, but there is also a save function on the Eversheds' website.

Check your application form for spelling mistakes and any errors before you submit it. When you do, remember to print a copy for yourself and keep it safe. If you are offered an interview, you will need to prepare and it will be essential to check what you have written on your application form.

Online Tests

Once you have made an online application you will automatically be invited to take an online numerical reasoning test. If you pass this, then two days later you will be asked to complete a literacy test. You will also have to do a practise test first (six questions in approximately 10 mins). The hardest part of the tests is timing. You will have to complete approximately one question each minute.

Eversheds state on their website that not many applicants actually finish the test, so do not worry too much if you finish with some questions still to go.

Assessment Centre

The dress code for the Eversheds' assessment centre is smart business dress.

The firm assume candidates have no knowledge of the law during the application and assessment process. Consequently all candidates are on an equal footing. Knowledge of the law is not required, although commercial knowledge is very important for the Eversheds interview and furthermore, your career at the firm.

You will be interviewed at whichever office you have applied for.

• Partner Interview
• Written exercise (business letter)
• Group exercise (negotiation exercise/business analysis)

Partner Interview

• Why law/Eversheds?
• How have you researched the firm?
• What distinguishes Eversheds from other firms?
• Name a business which you believe is successful and explain why.
  • What does that business need to do differently to continue its success?
  • What advice would you give to a potential competitor?
• Environmental issues/CSR are increasingly important, why?
• If you were acting for Tesco, what initiatives could you put in place to help them be greener?
• What two issues do you think are affecting the business world? (Commercial awareness).
  • Which one do you think is the greater issue?
• What makes a good trainee/what would make you a good trainee?

• Give an example of when you have worked in a team.
• Give an example of when you have worked with others to achieve a goal (teamwork).
• Give an example of when you have worked with others to solve a problem (Problem solving).

Written Exercise (Business Letter)

This exercise consists of reading and assessing a large quantity of information from various sources. The test requires candidates to sum up this information and give their opinions on it.

Candidates should expect about eight to 10 sides of A4 information for you to read. Eversheds may use several situations to assess candidates, but it is likely you will either:

    * Need to provide advice for a client (based on business information only), or:
    * You will be asked to pretend to be a trainee, who must write a report to a partner regarding a potential client.

You may have a set of financial figures as well as memos, letters and magazine articles in the material you receive to write your report. Try to use and refer to all of it.

Eversheds are really expecting candidates to provide some strategic analysis in this exercise. You may feel you are exceeding the remit of the question providing this, but it is actually what they are really after. You should also offer advice

• For specific interview feedback and further details on this exercise see this post - Eversheds Training Contract - Application to Offer - in the WikiJob forum.

Group Exercise

• For the first part candidates must work in a team (group discussion/business analysis).
• The second part involves your team coming up against another team in a negotiation exercise.

Assessors will be watching and evaluating teams and individuals throughout both sections of this exercise.

You/your team will have the opportunity to quiz a partner playing the role of someone key to the exercise during this time.

It is essential to contribute intelligent input to this exercise. Unfortunately, almost all candidates will realise this and it can consequently be hard to make your contributions without interrupting others. Try to contribute as much as possible, but make sure you remain polite at all times.

If other candidates make commercially incorrect points make sure they (and your assessors) know you do not agree.

If you need to come to some sort of resolution on a deal during the negotiation portion of the exercise, ask the other side for their best offer, then negotiate from that point. Work out in the planning (group discussion) phase what you/your team really want(s), and what you're prepared to compromise on. Try and maximise gains, whilst giving away as little as possible, but still making the other side feel as though they have a result. The ideal outcome is a win-win situation for everyone.

• For specific interview feedback and further details on this exercise see this post - Eversheds Training Contract - Application to Offer - in the WikiJob forum.

Eversheds Vacation Schemes and Open Days

Vacation Schemes

Eversheds run vacation schemes in Easter and summer for all graduate or undergraduate.

You apply online between 1 October 2007 and 31 January 2008. You will then have to take two ability tests during which the firm screen you against set criteria.

Vacation schemes involve up to twelve interns spending two weeks with Eversheds. During this time interns will spend a week in two different departments. Interns are paid £240 (london) per week and work closely with Trainees, Solicitors and Partners on live client work.

Interns are given a trainee buddy who will look after them throughout their time at Eversheds and also a supervisor who will give them work, assist them on the work they will be doing and give them any information they may need.

Applications

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) Interview Questions

Interview Questions

The application and interview process at Field Fisher Waterhouse is as follows:

• Online application

• Interview with graduate recruitment
• Individual presentation
• Group exercise
• Written exercise (in the form of a case study)

• Partner interview

Assessment Day

Interview with Graduate Recruitment

• Teamwork
• Organisation
• Commercial awareness

• Are you an organised person?
  • Do you get nervous before exams?
• Tell us when you lead a team
• Tell us when you have dealt with a very difficult client
• Give me an example of when you have worked as a team for a common goal.
  • How did you divide the work load?
  • How many people were in the team?
  • What was the outcome?
• Why law?
• Why Field Fisher Waterhouse?
• Which seats are you interested in?
• Tell me about a commercial issue that interested you recently

Individual Presentation

Candidates should be informed of details regarding the presentation before the assessment day itself. The subject of your presentation will probably be about selling Field Fisher Waterhouse at a university event.

Try not to just discuss the information you have picked up from the firm's brochure. Your assessors will be listening to a great deal of presentations on this topic, so try and be individual and make clear intelligent points.

Be confident during your presentation. If possible use notes rather than a whole sheet of info, or better still, don't use anything. Keep eye contact with your audience throughout the exercise.

At the end of the presentation you will get asked questions so try and anticipate what will come up and prepare yourself and your answers.

Case Study

The case study exercise will probably be to do with writing a letter of advice based on a detailed scenario, with the help of various statutory provisions. No prior knowledge of the law is required.

You will be rushed for time during this exercise. Try not to spend time planning or making notes. Read the scenario, then the law, try to understand it and then try and find key issues as you go/write.

Group Exercise

The group exercise will consist of a discussion regarding a topic which will be watched by a partner and a member of HR and then the group will present to the partner and member of HR on the topic that was given. Each member of the group will be expected to speak.

Partner Interview

• If you had to invest in two companies in the LSE which companies would it be and why?
• What do you think about the energy sector? What about alternative energy resources?

Make sure you have kept up to date with large commercial issues before your interview. The partner interviewing you will want to see evidence of your commercial awareness.

Now see - Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW).

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Training Contract

===The Training Booby

Contract===

Freshfields recruits about 100 people a year to start as trainee solicitors in the London office. Freshfields has a very broad practice and encourages its trainees to see as much of it as possible. The firm has a flexible three month seat rotation system; trainees are able to visit up to eight different practice areas, and high priority is given to trainees' preferences, both in terms of which seats they visit and how long will be spent there.

There are large numbers of secondments available to the firm's overseas offices and to clients, as well as to the Free Representation Unit and Liberty.

Salary & Benefits

Trainee Solicitors currently receive £39,000 p.a. for their first year and £44,000 p.a. for the second. Newly qualified solicitors receive £66,000 p.a.

Freshfields operates a flexible benefits system. Options include pension, life assurance, critical illness insurance, income protection insurance, private medical insurance and dental insurance. Other benefits include an interest free loan when you start, an interest free season ticket loan, on site gym, restaurant, doctor and dentist.

Freshfields pays full fees for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) and gives a maintenance grant of £6,250 for those on the GDL and £7,250 for those on the LPC. Grants are also offered towards the cost of a PC, and towards language courses or voluntary work.

The Legal Practice Course

Prospective trainees are required to undertake the LPC at BPP Law School in London, where they will undertake a tailored LPC and take part in the firm's "Simulated Office" programme. This programme is designed to help prepare the firm's future trainees as fully as possible for working life, giving them the opportunity to manage meetings, handle “clients” and learn how the Freshfields office works.

Now see - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Working Culture or Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Training Contract Application Process

Applying to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Training Contract Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview Process

• Online application
• Assessment day

Assessment day

The assessment day at Freshfields id divided into the following:

• Meet and greet
• Writing exercise
• Reading exercise
• Interview

Writing exercise

After a meet and greet, you will again be taken to a private room and given a 45-minute writing exercise. For this, you will need to argue for and against a one-line statement/proposition.

This statement will be something like "Should firms have a seven seat training contract?" and you will need to write one page arguing for this, and one page arguing against it.

Reading exercise

Immediately following the writing exercise you will be given the reading exercise. For this you will be given 25 minutes to read and assess an article from the Financial Times, or something similar (not business related). Subsequently you will have 45 minutes of questioning by two lawyers on the subject of the article. These lawyers will test you with difficult questions that may force you to take time to think, before giving your responses. At the end of this section you will have time to ask questions to these lawyers, about anything you wish.

Interview

Finally, you will meet two different lawyers (who may be a partner and associate, two associates, or a similar combination) for an hour long talk. Questions will ask you to explain why you have chosen law as a career, why you have chosen Freshfields as a firm and your CV, education and academic qualifications. There will almost certainly not be any commercial awareness or current events type questions. Competency based questions are also unlikely.

Your day will finish, with a tour of the office and an opportunity to ask further questions should you wish.

Go back to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Vacation Placement Application Process

Vacation Placement Applications

Easter and summer vacation schemes are offered for students in their penultimate year at university. Applications will be accepted between 17 November 2008 and 16 January 2009.

It is recommended that you apply as early as possible after 17 November as there may not be places left by the application deadline.

Applications should be made on the firm's online application form which can be found here.

Now see - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Vacation Placement Interview Process

Vacation Placement Application and Interview Process

The application process for vacation placements at Freshfields is:

• Online application
• Verbal Reasoning Test (they only started using this in 2008 for their Vacation Scheme Applicants)
• Interview day

Interview Day

Your vacation placement interview day will be as follows:

• Meet with trainee
• Written exercise
• Reading exercise
• Interview

After this, you will be moved to another room where you will have 30 mins to read an old Financial Times article about a foreign industry that you aren't likely to have any prior knowledge about.

Next, you will meet one partner and one associate for an interview and to discuss the reading exercise. First, you will be asked to briefly describe the article you read. You will then discuss the article with your two interviewers for approximately 45 minutes. The interview will then switch to your application and CV for a further 15 minutes. The questions asked here will be more straight-forward. Finally, you will be given a chance to ask questions. The interview is reasonably casual and both interviewers should be quite friendly, although their questions may be challenging and should certainly test your intelligence.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Vacation Placements

Vacation Placements

Easter and summer vacation schemes are offered for students in their penultimate year at university. Applications will be accepted between 17 November 2008 and 16 January 2009.

Applications should be made on the firm's online application form.

• 23 March to 9 April
• 22 June to 10 July
• 13 July to 31 July
• 3 to 21 August

Interns spend three weeks at the firm during which they sit in one of the London office's eight departments (corporate; finance; dispute resolution; real estate; tax; IP/IT; employment, pensions & benefits; and antitrust, competition & trade).

The salary for the three week scheme is £825 (net).

• Freshfields Website
• Freshfields WikiJob profile

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Working Culture

Similarly to other magic circle firms, Freshfields has a reputation for long working hours.

Corporate Social Responsibility

In 2006 Freshfields was the first major international law firm to produce an externally audited corporate social responsibility report. The firm has won a number of awards including CSR Firm of the Year 2007 at the Legal Business Awards and the Law Society of England and Wales’ Excellence in Social Responsibility Award 2007.

The firm is Certified CarbonNeutral® across all its offices. The firm has a CSR website which covers People and Diversity; Climate Change and the Environment; and Community and Pro Bono Legal Advice.

Workplace Diversity

Freshfields runs a number of programmes designed to attract applicants from non-traditional backgrounds, including Target Chances, Pure Potential and the Sutton Trust's Pathways to Law initiative. Since 2001, graduates from over 60 universities worldwide have started training contracts in the firm's London office. The firm welcomes applications from talented non-law graduates and those changing career.

Herbert Smith Training Contract

Training Contracts at Herbert Smith

As a trainee, you will rotate around four seats of six months each, including one seat in litigation, one seat in corporate and a further non contentious seat in either finance or real estate. You can also apply for a specialist seat such as IP, tax, trust, EU and competition, employment, pensions and incentives or our advocacy unit. Alternatively, you can apply to go on secondment to a client or to one of our international offices.

The Training

• The Professional Skills Course
• The Legal Education Programme

Professional Skills Course

Herbert Smith's Professional Skills Course (PSC) is a pretty comprehensive and relatively balanced training programme which meets all the Law Society requirements. It is developed to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of skills and procedures relevant to developing yourself into a successful solicitor at Herbert Smith.

The course is spread over your two year training period and is structured to minimise disruption to your office and on-the-job training. The firm offers a limited amount of study leave and provides access to a academic helpline.

Legal Education Programme

This is the first of a series of career-long training programmes. It includes inductions and internal training courses designed to complement your work experience. You are also invited to attend all the training and lectures for qualified fee-earners relevant to your current department or group. Lectures take place regularly and can be given by external academic lecturers and other guest speakers. In addition, you join know-how groups in each of the three main areas of practice to discuss current business and changes in law and procedures. The chart below illustrates how your training fits in with the overall timescale of your contract and your seats.

Herbert Smith training programme

First Seat (1-6 months) Legal Education Programme (LEP)

• Legal Research - tour of library, key research tool e.g. Westlaw
• Legal Research Exercise - use of hard copy and electronic resources, case law, legislation and commentary
• Company Research - resources availability particularly - Companies House Direct database
• Company Research Exercise

Second Seat (7-12 months) LEP

• Induction to new division/ department
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme

• Second seat trainee development centre

Third Seat (13-18 months) LEP

• Induction to new division/ department
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme

• Client care and professional standards element 2.
• Advocacy (This assumes litigation will be your third seat).

Fourth Seat (19-24 months) LEP

• Induction to new department (voluntary if second time in department)
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme

Herbert Smith Training Contract Application Process

Applying to Herbert Smith

Selection Criteria

Applications are welcome from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, or anyone wishing to commence a training contract in two years’ time. The firm recruits from a wide range of universities, with some 50% of the annual intake studying non-law subjects.

Sponsourship details

Herbert Smith Training Contract Interview Questions

Herbert Smith interview and application procedure

The interview and application process at Herbert Smith is:

• Online application
• Interview day

Interview day

• Case study questions
• Partner interview

Case Study

Upon arrival you will be taken to a private room and given one hour to read through a case study and answer four questions. The case study is quite technical. You will have contracts to look at and these may be ambiguously worded. Pay attention to exactly what the questions ask of you.

The case study will consist of approximately eight pages of information. There will be a few pages which are contracts and a few which are information about the issue/companies in question. Herbert Smith recommend that candidates spend roughly 25 minutes reading through the case study information and the other 35 to answer the questions set out as part of the study. Candidates should have plenty of time to complete the case study.

Partner Interview

After the hour long case study exercise, two partners will join you for a further hour long interview. They will start by discussing the case study with you, although they won't necessarily ask you about the questions which were printed with the case study.

This discussion is relatively relaxed, and candidates are free to ask questions if they don't understand something, or need something explained in more detail. Your interviewers are interested in how candidates solve problems, and the way answers are structured, and less interested in candidates coming to the correct answer.

Herbert Smith Vacation Schemes and Open Days

Vacation Placements at Herbert Smith

Each year, Herbert Smith runs vacation schemes during the winter, spring and summer vacations.

If you are considering a career in law, participating the schemes provide a good opportunity to find out what you can expect working here and you will gain an insight into how a large international law firm operates.

The firm runs five schemes each year with a total of 130 places available. Each scheme runs for two weeks and during that time you will have an opportunity to sit with a partner or associate in a different practice area each week. In addition, there will be a range of talks, workshops and social events for you to enjoy, which will enable you to get to know people in the firm on an informal basis.

Hogan Lovells Interview Questions

Hogan Lovells Training Contract Interview and Application Process

The Training Contract interview procedure at Hogan Lovells is as follows:

• Online Application
• Psychometric tests
• Individual interview
• Assessment day

Assessment Day

The assessment day lasts from 10am to 4pm. It consists of:

• Meet and greet
• Psychometric reasoning test
• Group exercise
• Lunch
• Interview

Psychometric test

Group exercise

Lunch

Interview

• Explain the difference between Contract and Tort
• Give three arguments for and against trial by jury
• Have there been any commercial situations in the news recently that have caught your attention?
• What steps have you taken to research becoming a solicitor?
• Why do you want to be a solicitor?
• Why Hogan Lovells?
• Where else have you applied?

It is important to do plenty of reserch into the firm and to keep abreast of current affairs (particularly business), although you do not need to go into too much detail during your interview.

Try and identify key trends in current affairs before your interview and why they should interest you as future commercial solicitor.

Hogan Lovells Training Contract

Training Contract

We have an intake of up to 75 trainee solicitors per year, composed of law and non-law graduates. A trainee at Hogan Lovells spends six months in four different seats to gain as broad a range of experience as possible. All trainees spend six months in a corporate or finance seat and six months gaining contentious experience in a dispute resolution seat. In the second year of training, there is the option to spend a seat on secondment either to one of the firm's international offices or to the in-house legal department of one of our major clients.

From 1st October 2011 we are recruiting training contracts starting in August 2014 and February 2015.

Training Contract Salary

From 1 May 2011, the starting salary for trainee solicitors will be £38,000 per annum, rising to £43,000 in the second year. For qualified lawyers the salary upon qualification is £61,000. According to Hogan Lovells own statistics, the firm retain around 75% of trainees upon qualification.

Training Contract Benefits

Lovells offer to pay GDL and LPC course fees and provide a maintenance grant of £8,000 for all students reading the LPC and GDL in London and £7,000 for students reading the GDL elsewhere.

In addition, the firm offers one of the most financially rewarding benefits packages to pre-joiners of any law firm in London:

• £1,000 advance in salary on starting your training contract
• £500 for a First Class degree result
• £500 for getting the top overall marks within the Lovells LPC cohort
• Interest-free season ticket loan (for London Underground and over ground services) during the LPC year
• Hogan Lovells discount card offering discounts at retailers who are local to the firm.

Application Requirements

We look for a strong consistent, academic performance and candidates must have achieved, or be likely to achieve, at least a 2:1 (or equivalent consistently through their degree). Our reputation means that we attract the brightest and most able graduates, but we are looking for more than academic qualifications. You will be happy working in a team yet capable of, and used to, independent action. You will demonstrate ability and desire for lateral thinking and will be capable of close attention to detail. Above all, you will have a single-minded ambition to succeed in a top law firm.

Hogan Lovells Vacation Placements

Vacation Placements

We offer up to 50 places over two summer vacation schemes. Each scheme is carefully designed to give students the opportunity to gain a broad insight into the work of the firm, as the time is split between three of our major practice areas.

Applications for our summer 2012 schemes open in 1st October 2011 and close on 31st January 2012.

We also hold open events throughout the academic year for final year non-law and penultimate year law students, and for first year law students. The events are carefully structured to give you a detailed insight into the work of a City law firm and life as a City lawyer. For further information on the dates and application deadlines for the open events, please see our website.

Laytons Application Process

Applying to Laytons

Application dates

Laytons Interview Questions

Laytons graduate interview and application process

The application and interview process for Laytons is as follows:

• Online application
• Assessment day
• Individual interview

First interview

The first interview stage at Laytons lasts five hours in total and is led by three partners, who are your assessors. The first interview stage consists of:

• Group exercise
• Case study
• Individual presentation
• Discussion question

Group exercise

This consists of a bridge building task. Candidates will be separated into small groups of three to four people. Each group will then have 10 minutes to build a bridge out of A4 paper and paper clips. The winner will be the group whose bridge is still standing after a further 10 minutes.

Case study

Presentation

You will be asked to prepare a five minute presentation on a topic of your choice and given 20 - 30 minutes to do so. You will then present this to your assessors and the other candidates attending the assessment day. At the end of your presentation you will be asked questions for five minutes. Your assessors will ask most of the questions, but other candidates may also be allowed to ask you about your talk.

Discussion question

Second interview

If you are successful at the assessment day you will invited to an individual interview. This will once again be with three interviewers (who will most likely be partners).

This interview lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. You will be asked about your CV, application form, work experience (including vacation schemes), University choice and module choices at University.

Previous candidates have also been asked about:

• Current issues in the news
• You motivation for a career in law
• Why you applied to Laytons
• What you think you can bring to Laytons
• Which other law firms you have applied to

In preparation for your interview make sure you read the general news as well as commercial /business news. It is very likely your interviewers will ask about current affairs, and importantly your reaction to them.

Laytons Training Contract

Mature students

Training Contract Benefits

Seats

Laytons Vacation Placements

Each Laytons' office runs a vacation placement scheme, which enables potential future employees to experience life at the firm and get hands-on experience in the firm's core practice areas.

Lewis Silkin Interview Questions

Lewis Silkin application and interview process

The application and interview process at Lewis Silkin is:

• Online application
• First stage interview
• Second stage assessment day
  • Psychometric test

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Lewis Silkin Training Contract

Lewis Silkin Training Contract

Five training contracts are available at Lewis Silkin each year. This consists of six four-month seats, in four of the firm's five departments. During each seat your work will be organised in conjunction with a partner or senior associate.

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Application requirements

Training

Linklaters Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview and Application Process

Linklaters hire 130 trainee solicitors and offer experience to 100 vacation scheme students at the London office every year.

After making an online application you will be invited to an interview day which consists of:

• Critical reasoning test
• First Interview
• Meeting with trainees and office tour
• Second Interview (partner interview including case study)

The interview day will last for four hours.

Critical Reasoning Test

This is the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, and lasts about one hour. The test involves fairly short passages followed by a series of statements which you must determine to be true of false based on the information given in the passage.

You will be sent a practice paper through the post (or via email) prior to your interview. It is certainly worth going through this several times to make sure you understand exactly what you will be doing. This test is difficult, and quite unlike those used by other firms.

First Interview

The first interview is predominantly application based and will be taken by a member of HR, a Managing Associate or Partner. Make sure you know your CV and online application very well and be ready to elaborate and explain your role in any activities you may have cited. You need to be able to talk about yourself competently.

Expect general questions such as:

• Why law?
• Why Linklaters?
• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?
• Which practice areas are you most interested in, and why?
• What did you enjoy most on your degree, and why?
• What do you think about the long working hours associated with law?

Interviews vary depending on your specific interviewer. Some candidates may find their interview is entirely application based. Others may be asked more taxing commercial awareness style questions. You should be prepared for both types of interview.

The interview is not too formal, and you should be prepared to do most of the talking as it is likely you will be given a lot of space in which to do so.

Interview with Partner (including Case Study)

Case Study

You will be given a memo to read prior to your second interview. This will be based on a Client who has a "problem". You will have 20 minutes to read this and then prepare a brief for your "supervisor" (the interviewer). This memo tests your commercial awareness and you will be expected to pick up any commercial issues "hidden" in the memo.

Partner Interview

This second interview will be with a Partner. Following the presentation of your case study you will talk more about your application, education, knowledge of the law and commercial awareness. You should be prepared for more specific questions such as:

• If you had x amount of money how would you invest it?
• In which country should the next office be opened?
• What do you do if your boss gives you too much work?
• What do you do if you have an issue with a colleague which you can't resolve?

Linklaters deal with a lot of the big investment banks so you should find out about the work they do in preparation for this interview. You might find it useful to read the WikiJob Investment Banking section as part of your research.

Tip: Research the firm thoroughly. Make sure you can justify why you have chosen to apply to Linklaters, why you want to work there and what unique abilities you are able to offer the firm.

Tip: Make sure you know about some recent big cases and deals the firm have been involved in. Questions on this topic are likely to come up at interiew, and your knowledge of the firm's work will be tested.

Linklaters Training Contract

Linklaters Training Contract

The Training

The training contract itself is built around four six-month seats or placements in a range of practice areas. There are opportunities for client secondments and overseas placements, throughout your training contract.

Training Contract Benefits

Linklaters recruits graduates from both law and non-law disciplines. The firm meets the costs of the GDL and LPC, as well as offering a generous maintenance grant for both courses.

Starting salary for Trainees is £37,400 rising to £44,000 in year two and to approximately £65,000 upon qualification (plus hefty bonus).

Academic Requirements

Linklaters are looking for candidates who've done their research on the firm and are well prepared on their application form and subsequently for their interview. The firm are one of the very best in the industry and consequently like to see candidates who’ve gone the extra mile or can offer something that sets them apart form other candidates. Bright, enthusiastic people with keen business minds will do well.

Linklaters Vacation Placements and Open Days

Linklaters Vacation Placements

For 1st year Law students Linklaters run a 2 day insight scheme called Pathfinder which is run over the Easter holidays.

For students who aren’t studying Law, there are two options to get on a vacation scheme. For those in their final year, there's a two-week Christmas Vacation Scheme (with around thirty places available); and, for those in their penultimate year, two Summer Vacation Schemes, each lasting four weeks (with around eighty places available).

Law students should apply for the Summer Vacation Schemes when in their penultimate year. the firms four-week summer schemes may additionally offer an opportunity for some students to spend two weeks in another European office

Vacation Scheme Application and Interview Process

• Critical reasoning test
• Interview with graduate team
• Meeting with trainees and office tour
• Interview with partner
• Offer of training contract scheme (if successful on vacation placement)
• Training Contract Interview with partner (including case study)

Open Days

• the selection process for open days is just a shortened online application.

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Martineau Training Contract Interview Questions

The Martineau assessment process consists of an online application and assessment day.

Online Application

The Martineau online application asks candidates a variety of questions about what they have to offer the firm, and about their life and experiences.

Read through your application several times before submitting it. Spelling errors, mistyped or missing words, grammar and punctuation mistakes are not acceptable. Attention to detail is a skill which lawyers pride themselves on and something that Martineau will be looking for evidence of in candidate's applications.

Assessment Day

• Group discussion
• Presentation
• Meeting with current trainees
• Interview
• Role play
• Office tour

The assessment day takes place in either London or Birmingham.

Martineau assess candidates on their ability to communicate effectively in a group discussion, their confidence in being part of a role play with limited preparation time and whether candidates can talk about your chosen topic of presentation and stick to their views even when challenged by an interviewer.

Interview

As part of the assessment centre, there will also be a formal interview. This is usually conducted by a panel of two people, typically a partner and a member of the Human Resources department. As part of this interview you may be asked to perform a role play, although the majority of the interview will be based on your application form and CV.

Competencies

Candidates are scored throughout the day, in relation to a number of key competencies the firm believe are essential for candidates to possess in order to become a solicitor in a commercial firm.

At the end of the assessment day each candidate's scores are added up and a decision is made (usually on the day of the assessment centre itself) as to whether each candidate will be offered a training contract.

Re-read your application form before your interview, as it may be several months after your initial application that you are invited to interview. Be prepared to talk about your application form at length, and for your interviewers to ask about specific details you have included in your application.

Nabarro Training Contract

Training Contracts at Nabarro

Training Contract Salary

Training Contract Sponsorship

LPC: Nabarro pay students' full fees and provide a maintenance grant of £7,000 if studying the LPC in London or Guildford. They offer £6,000 if you are studying elsewhere.

Training

Secondments

There is a possibility that graduates may be able to take seats abroad in Brussels on secondment. Trainees will return to the seat they wish to qualify into for the remaining four months of the contract.

Nabarro Training Contract Interview Questions

Nabarro Interview and Assessment Process

• Online application
• Assessment centre

Assessment Centre

The Nabarro assessment day consists of:

• A group exercise
• Lunch
• Partner interview
• Written exercise

Group Exercise

For the group exercise your team will be given a list of companies, and asked to determine which are the best to invest in. Make sure you work as a team to answer this. Let everyone speak, but make sure you make intelligent points and argue your case if others dismiss you.

Lunch

Free wine and food is provided by Nabarro. Make sure you stay clear of the wine. Use this time to talk to other graduate candidates and to your assessors. If you can, try to talk to any current graduate trainees who are currently working for the firm. They will be able to give you a more accurate insite to working culture, than you might have come across before.

Partner Interview

Following the group exercise you will have an hour long interview with either two partners, or one partner and one senior associate. This is more discussion style than interview.

You will be asked questions about yourself, your CV and application and some general questions such as:

• If you could change one law what would it be?
• What do you think of [legal issue]?

Written Exercise

Nabarro Working Culture

Working and Training at Nabarro

Holiday

Working hours

Norton Rose Application Process

Training Contract Application Process

Norton Rose offer about 60 training contracts to students and graduates each year.

Application Requirements

Norton Rose employs candidates with excellent and consistent academic records. Candidates are expected to have obtained a minimum of a 2.1 degree in any discipline, from any university, and at least 26/320 UCAS points at A-level, or equivalent.

Now see - Norton Rose Interview Questions.

Norton Rose Interview Questions

Norton Rose Interview Process

• Online Application
• Assessment day

Assessment Day

• Tour
• Presentation
• Partner interview (with two partners)
• Meeting with current trainees
• Group exercise

• Why are you interested in Norton Rose?
• Why do you want a career in law?
• Why are you a suitable employee for Norton Rose?

Interview Dates

Now See - Norton Rose Training Contract.

Norton Rose Training Contract

Training Contracts

Seats

Norton Rose offer trainees six seats during their two year training period. Trainees can choose which areas to work in, although not all trainees will get their first choice. Candidates may also be able to take one or two seats in an international office or with a client firm, on secondment.

Secondments

Approximately 80% of trainees at the firm take at least one seat abroad. Trainees do not need to have a second language to work abroad.

Salary

Training

Retention Rate

Working Culture

Now see - Norton Rose Application Process.

Olswang Training Contract

Training Contract

The Training

Benefits

Olswangs offer full GDL/CPE funding and a maintenance grant of £6,500-£7,000. The fees for the LPC are also entirely covered by the firm who offer a further maintenance grant of £6,500-£7,000 for this academic year.

Olswang Training Contract Interview Questions

The application and interview process at Olswang consists of the following:

• Online application
• First round interview (with HR)
• Second round interviews (with two partners)

Online Application

The online application deadline is usually on or around the 31st July.

First round interview

Your interview will last for about 30 - 45 minutes. You will be interviewed by a member of the HR team and asked basic questions about your CV and several competency based questions.

You may also be asked several commercial awareness questions, including questions on current affairs which interest you. If you have studied law, you may be asked about a current legal issue. You may also be asked about general commercial issues such as the credit crunch and why you want to work as a solicitor.

Second round interviews

This is made up of the following:

• Commercial awareness/comprehension test
• Written exercise/case study
• Psychometric test
• Partner interview (with two partners)

Commercial awareness/comprehension test

The 'comprehension' test requries candidates to read a contract and then answer questions about it. This will be relatively straight forward, with no trick questions.

Written exercise/case study

The written exercise will be about a business startup. You will have to write out the stages you would go through, from thinking up an idea for a business to actually starting it up. You will have 30 minutes to complete this exercise.

Psychometric test

The psychometric test is made up of 50 questions. You will have 15 minutes to answer all of these.

Partner interview

Finally you will have an interview with two partners. This will be relatively relaxed, similar to your first round interview but with a few more 'serious' questions regarding commercial issues such as the credit crunch (in particular how this could impact a firm like Olswang compared to a Magic Circle firm.

See also - Common Interview Questions and Assessment Centres.

Olswang Vacation Placements and Open Days

Vacation Placement/Internship

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain Vacation Schemes

Vacation Scheme

Prospective candidates must submit an online application. They will then have to undergo an online verbal reasoning test. If successful, candidates are invited to the firm’s office where they will be given a presentation on the firm, a guided tour and an interview. The interview is with one member of human resources and is highly competency based.

Each year twelve students are offered vacation schemes at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain. These interns spend two weeks at the firm, in two different departments. Students will be paid £250 per week.

Also See - Reynolds Porter Chamberlain

SJ Berwin Training Contract

Training Contract

SJ Berwin Training Contract Application Process

Applying to SJ Berwin

• Vacation Scheme: The closing date for the summer 2008 vacation scheme is 31 January 2008.
• Training Contract: The closing date for training contracts commencing in 2009 and 2010 is 31 July 2008.
• Open Days: Applications for open days in December 2007 and January 2008 open in October 2007.

SJ Berwin Training Contract Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview Process

The interview process at SJ Berwin consists of:

• Online application

• First round interview

• Second round interview
  • Case study / Presentation
  • Partner interview

First Round Interview

The first round interview at SJ Berwin is fairly informal. You will be interviewed by a member of the HR team and an associate from the firm. Your interviewers will discuss your application and CV, so make sure you know these well and have read through them before your interview.

• Your university
• Why you chose to study the degree you did
• Why you want to do law
• Why you have applied to SJ Berwin

You may also be asked several competency based questions.

Your interviewers will not focus too heavily on commercial issues during this first interview. You will mainly be asked about your application, yourself and your experiences. The interview will last for approximately one hour.

Second Round Interview

• Case study / Presentation
• Partner interview

Case Study / Presentation

You will be given 20 minutes to read through some information and put together a short presentation before your interview begins. This case study will probably involve an imaginary SJ Berwin client who have come to the firm for legal advice.

You should present clearly, coherently and with confidence. Your presentation should end with what is in your opinion, the advice SJ Berwin should give the imaginary client.

Partner Interview

You will be interviewed by two partners at SJ Berwin. The interview will start with you delivering your case study presentation and answering any questions the partners may have following this.

The rest of the interview is a more prolonged and slightly more taxing version of the first round interview. You will be asked more probing questions about why you want a career in law and why you would be good as a lawyer. You will also be asked about your application and CV and you may be asked further competency based questions.

You will also be asked about commercial issues, and specifically any issues you may have discussed on your application. You should also prepare to talk about other commercial issues, as it is quite likely the partners interviewing you will ask you to discuss another recent commercial/legal issue.

Simmons & Simmons Application Process

(see also Simmons & Simmons interview questions)

Training Contract

Applications for training contracts commencing September 2014/March 2015 should be made from 01 November 2011. Law undergraduates cannot apply for a training contract until their penultimate year, while non-law students must apply during their final year or later. However, the firm is happy to accept training contract applications from graduates, mature and international students and career changers.

Insight Workshop

Applications for the 2011/2012 winter insight workshops should be made from 01 October 2011. Insight workshops are aimed specifically at non-law students, and undergraduates usually apply in their penultimate or final year. However, Simmons & Simmons also offers places to graduates, mature and international students and career changers.

Vacation Scheme

Applications for the 2012 summer vacation scheme should be made from 01 November
2011. The vacation schemes at Simmons & Simmons are aimed at both law students and non-law students. Undergraduates usually apply for vacation schemes in their penultimate or final year. However, Simmons & Simmons are also happy to offer places to graduates, mature and international students and career changers.

Deadlines

All applicants should be submitted via an online application form which can be found here.

• The deadline for training contract applications is 31 July 2012.
• The deadline for vacation scheme applications is 31 January 2012.
• The deadline for insight workshop applications is 15 Novemebr 2011.

Further Information

Now see - Simmons & Simmons Interview Questions.

Simmons & Simmons Interview Questions

The application and interview process for a training contract with Simmons & Simmons is:

• Online application
• Assessment centre

Online application

This requires you to fill in various personal details and submit responses to several questions that require you to discuss your motivation for applying to the company, your motivation for studying law and your extra-curricular activites.

Assessment day

The assessment day lasts about three hours altogether. It consists of:

• Case study questions
• Individual interview
• Office tour

Case study questions

This takes place with one associate. There are two case study questions:

• First case study question - this is a contract law problem. You will have to discuss the question and your response with your interviewer.
• Second case study question - you will have to read through several pages of information and then draft a (non-legal) letter. No discussion is required, this is just a written exercise and lasts for 40 minutes.

Interview

• Why did you get ....(your particular grade).... in a certain subject?
• Why did you choose your specific university.

You will also be asked specific questions about your CV and online application. Some questions may be competency based. There are no questions on commercial issues, although you may be asked to discuss an ethical dilemma.

Now see - Simmons & Simmons Training Contract.

Simmons & Simmons Training Contract

Simmons & Simmons recruits 50 trainees to start a training contract in either September or March each year. Future trainees are recruited two years in advance in order for them to be able to undertake the GDL (if applicable) and the LPC before commencement of their training contract.

Seats

Trainees undertake four six-month seats during their training contract. During these seats they will sit with either a partner or a lawyer, allowing them to gain hands on experience in four different areas of our business.

Secondment

During their training contract, trainees may be able to go on one of a number of possible secondments: either an international secondment to one of their offices, or a client secondment to one of their major clients.

Professional Training Available

Please help to develop this wiki by adding information about professional training available at Simmons & Simmons

Now see - Simmons & Simmons Working Culture.

Simmons & Simmons Vacation Schemes, Insight Workshops and Open Days

Simmons & Simmons runs two summer vacation schemes, two winter insight workshops and several open days throughout the year. These opportunities help candidates find out about the working life of a solicitor and specifically the working culture at Simmons & Simmons.

You will also gain a picture of working life in an international law firm and gain first-hand experience of a legal working environment.

Vacation Schemes

Simmons & Simmons runs two four-week schemes over the summer, which enable you to find out about the firm first hand.

• Attending talks and meetings given by current trainees and associates
• Work shadowing partners, associates and trainees
• Completing similar tasks to that of a trainee
• Social meetings and evenings with employees of the firm

In addition, you will receive a weekly salary of £250.

Insight Workshops

Simmons & Simmons' insight workshops are aimed specifically at non-law students, and provide an introduction to the world of work as an international lawyer in the City. You will spend three days in the firm (in either December or January) and have a chance to experience two different departments shadowing members of the firm's legal teams as they work on current cases.

Open Days

Open days at Simmons & Simmons are aimed towards anyone with an interest in persuing a career in the law. During the day, you will hear presentations from a number of their lawyers about their careers and the transactions and deals they have worked on.

You will also participate in a Corporate Negotiation Game which will provide you with an opportunity to experience first-hand the type of work that is undertaken at the firm.

The day is designed to be interactive so that you can find out as much as possible about Simmons & Simmons. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask partners, associates and trainees questions on both a formal and an informal basis.

Now see - Simmons & Simmons Training Contract.

Simmons & Simmons Working Culture

Corporate social responsibility

Simmons & Simmons was the first international law firm to achieve CarbonNeutral status across all of its offices worldwide.

Now see - Simmons & Simmons.

Slaughter and May Interview Questions

Training Contract Application and Interview Process

The Application procedure for a Training Contract at Slaughter and May is as follows:

• Online Application
• Individual interview with two Partners

Online Application Form

Use a simple, intelligent and straightforward writing style on your application form. Whoever will be reading your application is likely to read several hundred (if not thousand others). For this reason, keep your writing style and thought process clear.

Make sure you grab recruiters attention by focussing on your achievements.

Interview Preparation

Unlike interviews at other law firms, Slaughter and May do not use assessment centres, aptitude tests or modern testing techniques during interview. Instead it seems that interviewers just want to hear you talk and see what kind of person you are.

Interviews are more relaxed than most candidates expect, but despite the relaxed atmosphere, you must remember to remain professional and confident at all times. Remember, you are being assessed on how you would potential come across to the firm's clients if you were hired.

Slaughter and May interviews are more like conversations. The direction of the conversation is dictated as much by you as by the partners, and this cannot be planned or prepared for.

Tip: Work through your CV and think through all the pro/cons and issues associated with each experience or achievement so you know what to talk about if these come up in your interview.

The Interview

There are no time limits to interviews at Slaughter and May but most last between 45 minutes and 90 minutes.

Slaughter and May do not use tests as part of their Training Contract recruitment process. You will normally be interviewed by two partners.

Interview Questions

There have been cases of the following debate topics come at interview, the purpose to demonstrate your analytical and argumentative skills.

• The value of conceptual art.
• Issues associated with donating organs after death.
• The ethics of stem cell technology.
• Your approach to applying for Training Contracts.
• Why you applied to Slaughter and May?
• What you think clients want from a law firm?
• Is conceptual art just a commercial business at heart?
• Do you feel uncomfortable donating your organs after death?
• Would you refuse an organ transplant following an accident?
• Would you have a moral issue working for a drug company that sold medicines for HIV at inflated prices?
• What are your thoughts on the current issues effecting Northern Rock? (Bear in mind that Slaughter and May represent the treasury).
• Should governments apologise for events that happened in the past?
• What is the rationale for a potential acquisition, if Northern Rock are taken over following the recent crisis?

Expect to have your ideas and beliefs challenged and be prepared to stand up for yourself. Make sure your argument is balanced; you do not want to appear as one-sided, narrow minded or argumentative.

Post Interview

You may wish to send a short and simple email to each partner that you talked to, but only one each. if you do, thoroughly check your wording and spelling to make sure there are no errors. Your subject header should be simple too: e.g. "Thank you". Don't try to be witty or smart, just be gracious and thanks them for their time. This shows good people skills and sensible client management. It will also help to keep you on the partners' minds at decision time.

Referees

It is worth noting that Slaughter and May always call your referees and do not hold much regard for written references. Consequently, you should make sure you submit your strongest referees.

Offer

Rejection

Slaughter and May Vacation Placements and Open Days

Slaughter and May Vacation Placements

Slaughter and May offer 100 vacation placements each year. Slaughter and May is possibly the only law firm prepared to admit that Vacation Schemes are of limited value, both to students (who won't really be able to work on anything important) and to the recruitment team (who will be too busy with their own work to oversee most of the tasks Vacation Placement students complete).

One candidate was told in a recent interview with a partner at Slaughter and May that vacation schemes are almost entirely for the student's benefit, so that they can see what life in the firm is like and whether or not the Law is the profession for them.

Spending time on a vacation placement will certainly not be detrimental to your CV and many firms will find this experience proof that you are committed to a life working as a solicitor. What Vacation Schemes do is demonstrate that you've made an effort to find out about a legal career by taking the time to apply to several companies, interview and eventually spend holiday time wearing your suit and tie in an office. This demonstrates commitment to career.

Some firms tend to regard the presence of a vacation scheme on a CV as part of the filtering process. For example, if a candidate has been offered a vacation scheme at Herbert Smith, then he/she has effectively been given the "thumbs-up" from another major city law firm. This adds value to the candidate, and consequently other firms may be more interested in interviewing them.

Slaughter and May Open Days

Travers Smith Training Contract

Training Contract

Seats

Secondments

Travers Smith Training Contract Interview Questions

Training Contract Interview Process

The training contract interview process at Travers Smith is as follows:

• Online application
• First interview
• Second interview

First Interview

Your interview will be a straight forward discussion session, where a lawyer from the firm (most probably a partner or associate) will ask you questions about yourself, your application and your CV. You may also be asked a couple of competency based questions.

These will include common questions such as:

• Why have you chosen a career in law?
• Why have you chosen Travers Smith?
• What do you think you will you be doing in your first year at Travers Smith?

You will also be asked tougher questions which relating to ethics and law, morals, and issues involving torture, the death penalty, the ethics of war, etc. In the past candidates have been asked:

• If you could change any law, what would it be?
• An investment bank has just accepted lots of money from a foreign investor. They will give this money to their staff in the form of bonuses - is it right for them to do this?

Interviewers may try to confuse you and try to get you to contradict yourself. Make sure you are prepared to argue your point of view, whatever it is. Your interviewers want to see you backing up your opinions with sensible, intelligent reasoning, and not getting confused and backing down when things get tough. Your interview should last 45 - 60 minutes.

Second Interview

The second interview is with two partners, usually the graduate recruitment partner and one other. This usually lasts around an hour and a half, and you will be asked a wide variety of questions. The interview will be highly business/economics-based, and you should prepare for this and pay attention to the Financial Times and general news in the lead up to your interivew.

You will be asked about specific modules you studied at university (if you studied law) and other hypotheticals.

Trowers & Hamlins Interview Questions

Trowers & Hamlins Interview Process

• Online application
• Online psychometric profiling exercise
• Online aptitude test

• Verbal reasoning test
• Partner interview
• Professional conduct question

• Final partner interview

Assessment Day

Verbal reasoning test

The verbal reasoning test at Trowers & Hamlins is a mixture of short maths and verbal reasoning questions. This is slightly different to the tests other firms usually set, which generally ask candidates to decide if something is 'true', 'false' or if it is 'impossible to tell'. Instead, each question is followed by several potential answers, and candidates must decide which one to choose.

Interview

The training contract interview will be conducted by either a partner and a member of the HR team or two partners. At the end of the interview candidates will be asked a professional conduct question.

Professional Conduct Question

Candidates are given a scenario which requires them to deal with an imaginary major client as part of the professional conduct question.

The question will ask candidates to imagine that they are the only person working late one night at the firm, when a major client company calls. This client will threaten to take their business elsewhere, unless you do something which you believe may be illegal (such as to shred documents).

It will be up to candidates to decide whether or not to risk losing the client for the firm, by not agreeing to do what they are asking, or to agree to the clients demands, even though they may be illegal.

Office Tour

At the end of the interview there will be an opportunity to meet one of the firm's graduate trainees, who will take you on a tour of the firm.

Trowers & Hamlins Training Contract

Training Contract

Seats

Secondments

Sponsorship

Trowers & Hamlins Vacaton Schemes

Vacation Schemes

Trowers & Hamlins offers 30 vacation placements each summer at both their London and Manchester offices. Each placement lasts for two weeks and offers students and graduates the opportunity to experience working life in two different departments.

Interns will be paid for their work.