macfarlanes assessment centre

When is the deadline for the first year insight scheme? This 32-week course includes everything you need to ensure you are fully prepared to work in commercial practice. Diversity Schemes. They discuss adjustments required by our employees and ensure these are implemented. Yes, we have four inclusive staff network groups: Each network has a steering group committee of partners, associates and business services staff who meet regularly to discuss the strategy of the group and to arrange events. Brain power - clever people who can think on their feet. You will also be assigned a partner who will act as your mentor throughout the training programme. Our DAWN network focuses on ensuring the whole firm is more confident in its understanding of disability. The written task was the hardest as there was a lot of time pressure. Click herefor more information on dates. You can apply for the training programme in your penultimate year and onwards if you are a law student, or in your final year and onwards if you are a non-law student. How would you deal with a disruptive associate when you are giving presentation ? We also run a practice area open day where you can meet representatives from every practice area. Interviewers were polite and asked not too hard questions. Large projects involve lawyers specialising in finance, construction and corporate law. Can I apply for the vacation scheme or training programme? For those experiencing mental health conditions, we offer a confidential counselling service and regular firmwide seminars on looking after your mental health. SensitivePedant. I am a qualified lawyer in an overseas jurisdiction. Coming up with solutions to current legal issues was a bit tricky. You should therefore not worry about applying to us as soon as the applications open. Come to a consensus with your team together and consider multiple opinions, To echo the above, it's not about prior legal knowledge but knowing what is usually involved in this kind of deal might be really helpful, as it was for me, You can show your commercial knowledge in the negotiation by mentioning the value of the deal in brand/reputation terms, For the partner interviews, your opinion might be pushed at times. Around 15% of direct training programme applicants are invited in for an assessment day, which lasts from 9am until 2pm. Upon successful completion of the SQE and QWE will I be able to apply for an NQ role at the firm? The second element was an interview with a partner about competencies. Aimed at school and college students, mainly years 12 and 13, it provides guidance, materials and interactive exercises designed to help build the skills needed if you are considering a career in law. Immigration lawyers deal with all legal matters relating to immigration and nationality. On the whole there wasnt really a way you could have prepared for it though. To save you time . Overall good questions ! Its important to remember theyre just there to have a lunch and answer any questions you have or just discuss things. Applications open on 26 September 2022 online via our website and will close on 27 January 2023. LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards 2020: the results. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Should I apply for a vacation scheme first or just apply for the training programme now? I interviewed at Macfarlanes. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When can I apply for a vacation scheme, and when can I apply for the training programme? Will your assessment days be held in person or virtually in 2023? For the first year insight scheme application form, the interests and achievements question has a maximum word count of 500 words. a written exercise. All content 2023 Macfarlanes LLP. Sponsored by Lewis Silkin. It also details the support available to employees. It was a different kind of awards ceremony last night as hundreds of viewers stayed at home to watch the 17th annual LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards streamed live on Facebook and Instagram. Macfarlanes is unlike any other law firm. This involved looking at what was promised, the conditions that the customer experienced etc. a written exercise where you are expected to read a source text and complete two written pieces. The Social Mobility Foundation revealed its top 75 UK employers for social mobility earlier in the week, with law firms making up 30% of the listed employers. City firms announce partner promotions despite pandemic pressures. SQE 1 tests your functional legal knowledge through multiple choice questions. What kind of technology are you interested in most? The second half of the interview assesses whether you possess some of the important skills needed to be a successful trainee. Then prepare the usual motivation questions, competency, but the interview went very quickly. We welcome applicationsfrom candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, including apredicted 2.1 degree or above. DAWN (disability and wellbeing network) is a forum for networking and peer support between people who have direct experience of, or support others with, long-term health conditions. Can I send in a copy of my CV and a covering letter instead of completing an application online? Around 50% of our trainees and associates did not study law at university. Leading City firms adopt measures to combat obstacles faced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic lawyers. If I complete my SQE independently will I be reimbursed for the costs of the exams? Woven into every aspect of life at the firm is an enduring commitment to the development of trainees. Where any NQ places are not filled by qualifying trainees you will be able to apply if you have suitable experience and where there is a business need. 2nd stage interview, a presentation on legaltech followed by a Q and A. Many of our trainees and associates applied for our programmes after they graduated. Candidates applying for Summer Vacation Scheme had the quickest hiring process (on average 1 day), whereas Associate roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 61 days). If you gain a place on one of our assessment days, you will find out more about the firm during the day. There were quite a lot of applicants together on the same day. Qualified Lawyers Assessment QLA (Re-qualifying in Scotland), Norton Rose Fulbright - Business and Legal Operations Graduate Scheme, Starting new training contract, I need all the advice possible, MOJ Trainee Legal Advisor - Magistrates Court - 2022, Law career advice for 2nd year LLB student with a flimsy CV. The first was a written exercise which was a letter to a client, a holiday company, about a complaint they had received by one of their customers, with advice about their liabilities and what they should offer by way of compensation. The form is designed to give you every opportunity to tell us about yourself and show your interest in Macfarlanes. You start your two-year qualifying work experience in September 2025 after you have sat SQE2. 19. Are you allowed to take tracing paper into the Maths GCSE? Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window. We talked to the person next to us and then relayed to the rest of the room. You will spend an afternoon work-shadowing one of our trainees as well as being assessed for a place on the vacation scheme itself. International students looking to apply for our first year insight scheme and vacation schemes must ensure that the dates of the scheme are outside term time. Answer Question It was very well-structured but I feel the rather high number of applicants made it feel a bit more intimidating. Are there any programmes for me? How would you implement a process. Nice experience, the interviewers were very friendly and willing to help with any questions I had. Interview + case study I attended the assessment center, which consisted of one timed written exercise, one group exercise focused on negotiation, and one commercial case study with a partner and senior associate followed by the . Scheme launched to improve social mobility and access to justice in legal aid sector. As a trainee you will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas. We also continue to provide additional financial assistance in the form of a 13,000 grant during this time. Assessment Centre: 1: Group Negotiation - Testing communication skills largely 2: Written Exercise - time pressured - right or wrong answers - bit of basic maths 3: Interview - mostly competency - some commercial awareness. Comp and culture? If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Yes, but any training programme offer would be subject to your having the right to work in the UK for the duration of your training programme. Sponsored by Bristows LLP. We partner with a number of organisations to attract and develop trainees from a wide variety of backgrounds. I applied online. Why do you want to be a lawyer, specifically in the City, when were you resilient/determined. It supports and educates staff about ethnic, religious, faith and cultural matters. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. When is the deadline for direct training programme applications? The exercise is about understanding the roles of lawyers and commercial awareness. Are you supportive if they have forgotten their point/are being brutally questioned by the other side and do you bring in quieter members of the group if they are struggling? Macfarlanes First Year Skills Development Week 2023. Summer/autumn 2024 begin studying for the SQE with BPP. Technology, media and telecommunications is one of the fastest-developing sectors of the legal market. On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. There is a great deal that students can be doing while at university to position themselves as candidates that are serious about a career in law: Attend in-house events We have a real range of events that will allow you to meet our team, gain key insights into our work and build essential skills. All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Mostly commercial based and tech focussed and innovative focussed. All employees have access to the Thrive wellbeing app, and we have a network of guardians across the firm who are trained to provide a confidential space to share issues employees feel they need to discuss. Very intense, but shadowing a trainee in the afternoon (in Construction for me) gave a chance to see actual work and have a more informal chat about the firm. Spring/summer 2023 receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. We are now a dress down firm, so yes. Please visit theeventspage on the website to find out about our latest events. . They will ask you about your motivations for pursuing a career in commercial law at Macfarlanes, how you work with others and your commercial awareness; and. Get in touch with the Early Legal Careers team Thats what our team is there for, we can answer your questions and give you guidance with your application. It is not a win lose situation, be cooperative and collaborate with your team mates. Use The Beginners Guide to a Career in Law to get started, Find out about the various legal apprenticeships on offer and browse vacancies with The Law Apprenticeships Guide, Information on qualifying through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, including preparation courses, study resources, QWE and more, Discover everything you need to know about developing your knowledge of the business world and its impact on the law, The latest news and updates on the actions being taken to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, Discover advice to help you prepare for and ace your vacation scheme, training contract and pupillage applications, Your first-year guide to a career in law find out how to kickstart your legal career at this early stage, Your non-law guide to a career in law everything you need to know about converting to law. During each seat you will receive a schedule of seminars to develop your knowledge and skills at an early stage in each seat. 2nd stage interview, a presentation on legaltech followed by a Q and A. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. To find out what it's like to undertake a placement at Macfarlanes read the firm's Vacation Scheme Insider report. a group negotiation exercise with five or six other candidates, assessed by an associate. The early legal careers team will be guided by you and steered by our external advisers, to ensure the best possible set-up is in place to help you perform at your best. It may not display this or other websites correctly. No. This part of the day is not assessed, but we encourage you to have questions prepared. It's great they gave you such detailed feedback. The first half of the interview is the business case study exercise where you are asked about a case study that you will have had 15 minutes to prepare for before the interview. Found out from the recruiter that they hired the daughter of a friend of a partner instead - who had been interviewed, offered and accepted in the two weeks theyd been delaying on sending me the assessment. Body language and speech are important: don't slouch or mumble and avoid verbal tics such as 'like', 'you know' and 'sort of'. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. A number of our current trainee cohort and associates had another career before applying to our training programme. Among the different types of client in this area are performers, managers and agents, artists, theatres, broadcasters and publishers. These include team working, communication, time management and analytical skills. Online application. Yes, we accept applications from applicants who studied any subject, whether at a UK or overseas university. Saw the below headline today in The Lawyer. We recently published a firmwide video on our intranet to raise awareness and understanding of neurodiverse conditions such dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism in the workplace. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Our selection process includes a range of assessments. Pretty straightforward, nice talking to the recruitment managers. If I choose an alternative route to qualify than the training programme will the firm pay for the cost of me sitting the SQE? I'm thrilled to share that I have accepted a Summer Vacation Scheme offer from Macfarlanes! We accept applicants from all UK and international universities. We do, however, give feedback to candidates who attend an assessment day. Generally, we progress applications from candidates who have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2.1 in their degree. At the assessment centre I did a written exercise, an interview and a group exercise. To apply for a vacation scheme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. The case study was very interesting to read it through and discuss with the partners. Lawtech. I understand that Macfarlanes future trainees undertake further study at BPP in Holborn. Can I apply for the training programme if I am currently studying elsewhere? The energy sector is an important part of the legal landscape and is making more headlines than ever before. I am studying a four year degree course, with a year abroad in my third year. Will going to a Macfarlanes event help my application? Firm Profile . Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Unknown. Together we support and attract diverse talent to the legal industry, as well as provide support. However, they are not a requirement for the training programme. Was very interesting . These include a talk by our senior partner and a dinner with a number of partners from around the firm. Mostly commercial based and tech focussed and innovative focussed. But note: some of your interviewers may dress down. What are your thoughts about xyz? JavaScript is disabled. They will work with you to understand the changes you need and ensure these are put in place. Initial greeting with HR (claim to fame or claim to shame icebreaker), then a group exercise, a talk from a trainee and an NQ and a written exercise. We run campus and in-house events during the academic year. You cant go too wrong if you finish on time. The partner will challenge you a lot on the ethical scenario, which I found the hardest part. They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" These give us insights into how we can develop and expand our diversity and inclusion initiatives in the firm. The qualities we look for in our lawyers include strong interpersonal skills, an ambitious commercial approach, drive, motivation and resilience. Can I still apply? What advice would you give to future applicants for the Macfarlanes interview? Read through the documents quickly but try to highlight the key problems. We sat around in a conference room and there were ice-breakers. Partners and Graduate Recruitment were both friendly and made sure that I felt comfortable on the day. If successful at the screening stage, we will invite you to an assessment day. For the commercial case study manage your time equally across all 3 segments as the partner will ask you about all 3. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at. We are Macfarlanes LLP, the City of London based, international law firm, and entities controlled by Macfarlanes LLP through which it carries out its business ("Macfarlanes", "we", "us" or "our"). Apply. If I am undertaking the SQE independently, will the firm sign off my QWE? No, we do not currently use psychometric testing at any stage of the application process. Pretty straightforward, nice talking to the recruitment managers. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that you might find useful. On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. What happens if I have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)? Macfarlanes trainee experience. There were three elements. Sponsored by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Our early legal careers team works closely with external diversity organisations, such as Aspiring Solicitors, Rare and upReach. Be sure to contribute in the group exercise. Yes, we run a first year insight scheme annually in the spring. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership. As regards the former, in my case it involved basic questions such as tell me about a time you faced a challenge how did you overcome it and tell me about a time you showed initiative. Practise a simulation here . Sponsored by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Very friendly and relaxed. General introduction - interview with partners - written exercise - group negotiation, Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Stand Out From the Crowd With the Perfect Cover Letter, How to Prepare for Your Interview and Land the Job. For the online form its essential that you have really researched our firm consider why you want to build your long-term career at Macfarlanes specifically. 1st stage interview, behaviour questions Two people from the lawtech group Make sure you have convincing answers to questions like why law, why Macfarlanes, why haven't you done vac schemes, what other firms have you applied to, how have you demonstrated resilience etc. Share Plan Lawyers Group; ESOP Centre. We reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates who attend an assessment day for our vacation scheme or training programme. Why Macfarlanes and what values resonate with you, Tax restructuring scenario for a group of companies. Yes. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Apr 2021. Last year our work involved over 75 jurisdictions. We are committed to reduce any negative environmental impact from our business operations and to continually improve our environmental performance. Autumn 2023 - Sit the SQE1 examination. All future trainees complete the SQE preparation course with their cohort of Macfarlanes trainees at BPP University, Holborn campus. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Partner and associate are friendly and very nice. For the written exercise, focus on the details and dont make silly errors. I interviewed at Macfarlanes Interview The assessment centre consists of roughly 3 exercises if I remember it right: written exercise, negotiation, and interview with partner and associate. As a firm, we also have a collective responsibility to the wider community and the environment around us. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. We do, however, recommend you wear business attire for assessment days and interviews at the firm. Written was the hardest as it was very time pressured but even though some of us didn't finish on time, still managed to get onto the scheme. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Anyone else 12 weeks behind with uni work? Each year we recruit 33trainees with the aim of training them to be the future partners of the firm. My partner is letting her friend sleep in her bed, am I overeacting? Can I apply for both the training programme and a vacation scheme? Type: Company - Private. Overall good questions ! Because we respect your right to privacy, below you will find descriptions on the types of cookies used on this site and options to opt out where preferred. Cookies enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. SQE timeline (for training programmes due to start in 2025). This assessment is the only part of the day when the assessors will have seen your application form beforehand. They didnt overtly say it would be about competencies but that was all it was, essentially. All Rights Reserved. The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. Try and maintain eye contact when appropriate. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. A firm handshake is best, but try not to break any bones. Lawyer Rankings London > Employment > Employee share schemes (Leading individuals) Robert Collard - Macfarlanes LLP. Macfarlanes LLP | Training contracts, vacation schemes and graduate legal careers Solicitors Macfarlanes LLP 20 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT Visit website E-mail firm 020 7831 9222 Visit Graduate Recruitment Site Apply Now Go To The verdict A day in the life of. Macfarlanes - TC assessment day. Biomedical Science: 2023/24 Applicants Thread. We want to recruit the best candidates regardless of their background or where they were educated. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. The first exercise was a group negotiation exercise. Interview. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Apr 2021. Cookies enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. We recruit people to build careers for the long term. It also looks into your motivations for pursuing a career in commercial law at Macfarlanes; and. We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. Corporate tax involves involves advising clients on the tax risks associated with acquiring, selling or restructuring assets. Honesty, friendliness and a polite attitude make it a far more pleasant experience for the partners. When you apply for the training programme, you should be in at least your final year. Vacation scheme assessment days consist of the following assessments: All assessment exercises during the assessment day are application blind, so your assessors will not have seen your application form. Over at @macfarlanesgrad, they're challenging the Instagram vs reality stereotypes and laying bare what makes the firm #meaningfullydifferent. The opportunity to experience Macfarlanes begins with our vacation scheme assessment days. However, if you feel you have a good understanding of what life is like as an associate and have researched the firm well, you can apply directly for our training programme. Work can include being asked to draft a real letter and then working through the draft with a solicitor or trainee or carrying out some research on a live issue for a client. What are your thoughts about xyz? The written exercise focussed on drafting a partner memo and a client complaint response. All relatively straight forward. The examination comprises two stages: SQE 1 and SQE 2. There is a guidance document on our intranet detailing this. Law firms have raised more than 600,000 to support 65 hopeful social welfare lawyers through theSolicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Partners and Graduate Recruitment were both friendly and made sure that I felt comfortable on the day. The day on the whole is quite, usually from 9-4:30- but the rest of the activities are not assessed so it does allow you to relax and meet the trainees! If I have a disability or long-term health condition and need the application form in an alternative format, can you provide this? Do you accept applications from people like me? There was a group negotiation task (nothing too complicated, just about showing you're a team player) followed by a written assessment (quite time pressured) and then an interview, half of which is a case study and the other half about you. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction Thoughts on Wilson Elser? Any insight would be appreciated! I did 4 partner interviews over a period of 6 weeks, only for them to suddenly ask me to do an assessment. good questions and very good structure . Make sure you complete the exercise in the time available, and just be clear in giving your advice. The partner will challenge you about what you say for the in-tray so be sure to stand your ground. Make sure you keep an eye on the time, though the other people in the exercise made a big show of checking their watches and announcing how long we had left, clearly trying to earn points with the assessors. We are Macfarlanes LLP, the City of London based, international law firm, and entities controlled by Macfarlanes LLP through which it carries out its business ("Macfarlanes", "we", "us" or "our"). When and where can I meet people from the firm to understand more about what you do? You complete modules that are bespoke to Macfarlanes. Please get in touch with the Inclusion and CSR team if you have further questions. I submitted my application but forgot to mention something. "Why law/Macfarlanes? Resilience - that is a grit and ambition to take on real responsibility. These programmes are geared towards people who are not yet qualified. Pleasant. I applied through a recruiter. The scenario was an acquisition of an airline. Can trainees get involved in pro bono work at Macfarlanes? We wanted more transparency and better training. Several had other careers first. Explain how a current issue affects our firm. Pleasant. When is the deadline for the vacation scheme? Justify every decision you make and don't leave out points that are both for and against your client. Please describe the interview process at Macfarlanes. It involved knowledge of intermediary maths, which if you havent done since GCSE can be a bit tough. Macfarlanes receives another 1,200 applications from candidates gunning directly for its training programme; the application form is the same one that is used for the vac scheme. The network runs awareness-raising events and socials and provides networking opportunities both internally and with our clients. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. We had to read a situation and respond to it with what we would do in an interview with a partner. The coordinators were really helpful and gave me a prep call before so I knew what to expect from it. Nepotism always wins it seems. For all our programmes, please apply online. The coordinators were really helpful and gave me a prep call before so I knew what to expect from it. Private client solicitors looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees, managing all aspects of their personal wealth.