macfarlanes assessment centre

We would encourage you to apply for post-qualified lawyervacanciesat the firm rather than our vacation scheme or training programme. General introduction - interview with partners - written exercise - group negotiation. Or for any questions feel free to contact us on +44 (0) 207 831 9222 or email us at earlylegalcareers@macfarlanes.com. Exeter Assessment Centre. Second: split into two pairs and negotiating four terms (each had to win two points). Make the most of their events and skills building workshops. The firm will reimburse SQE costs for anyone who is successful in securing a place on the training programme. Macfarlanes has advised independent specialty insurance and reinsurance broker BMS Group on an agreement with Eurazeo for an additional investment which values the business at 1.75bn. 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. This will be in the year between receiving your training programme offer and starting your studies for the SQE. You should therefore not worry about applying to us as soon as the applications open. The partner will challenge you about what you say for the in-tray so be sure to stand your ground. However, you will need to complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC) during your qualifying work experience. 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! Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? If successful at the screening stage, we will invite you to an assessment day. How will Brexit affect lawyers day-to-day work? I've been invited to an assesment Day following my application. Then we were split into two groups of three, representing each side of the acquisition. . If you are studying a non-law degree, you can only apply for a place on our vacation schemes from your penultimate year onwards. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. Does Macfarlanes have any staff network groups? Sponsored by Lewis Silkin. Do you cover the cost of travel for candidates? Most of our assessment processes for both our vacation schemes and our training programmes are scored application blind. 1875. Lunch, then work shadowing with an interview scheduled at some point in the afternoon. 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. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? Macfarlanes Assessment Centre | The Corporate Law Academy Forum Join our training to understand the financial world. Macfarlanes is a distinctive London-based law firm, focused on its clients and on delivering excellence in the international legal market. There were three elements. I applied online. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Each year we recruit 33trainees with the aim of training them to be the future partners of the firm. This involved looking at what was promised, the conditions that the customer experienced etc. Competition and regulatory work includes merger control, regulatory and court proceedings, issues arising from sector-specific regulation and utility procurement issues. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction . 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. All content 2023 Macfarlanes LLP. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet their most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us. Macfarlanes - TC assessment day. To find out what it is like to work at Macfarlanes read the firm's Meet the Lawyer profile. Partner and associate are friendly and very nice. Our vacation scheme gives you a two-week snapshot of life as a Macfarlanes trainee. What exercises can I expect at a vacation scheme assessment day? Thoughts on Wilson Elser? I wrote my letter to the wrong person and I think this was the single biggest challenge to my chances of success. Negotiation exercise a networking session with our trainee solicitors. Please detail these circumstances in your application for us to consider. A vacation scheme at Macfarlanes is a two-week snapshot into life as a trainee. In 2023 we shall be running a spring and two summer vacation schemes, for which we are looking to recruit approximately 55 vacation students. 1st stage interview, behaviour questions Two people from the lawtech group Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. 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. The hiring process at Macfarlanes takes an average of 20.2 days when considering 24 user submitted interviews across all job titles. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jan 2021. How would you deal with a disruptive associate when you are giving presentation ? 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. 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 interview. Yes, we pay our vacation scheme and insight scheme participants for the duration of the scheme. As a vacation scheme student, you will gain an insight into life as a trainee over the course of two weeks. Its really important that your application isnt just generic if you want to make it through to the interview stage. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves. This was about due diligence and buying a company, so an awareness of what is important is good (debtors defaulting and guarantees, ongoing contracts). Sessions start on the week of the 13th March! Capital markets lawyers work with transactions involving the issue of debt or equity securities to the public or investors. Lawtech. Scheme launched to improve social mobility and access to justice in legal aid sector. These include a talk by our senior partner and a dinner with a number of partners from around the firm. Why do you want to be a lawyer, specifically in the City, when were you resilient/determined. 2023 The Corporate Law Academy. The programme has been developed in-house, and all tasks have been modelled on real work and created by our associates and trainee . Spring/Summer 2022 - Receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. 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. Practise a simulation here . How would you implement a process. If you gain a place on one of our assessment days, you will find out more about the firm during the day. Macfarlanes First Year Skills Development Week 2023. Official LSE Undergraduate Applicants thread 2023, Official: University of Sheffield A100 2023 entry, Official King's College London 2023 Applicants Thread, TSR Community Awards 2022: Most Helpful in Universities- VOTING OPEN, Official Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread. Coming up with solutions to current legal issues was a bit tricky. We reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates who attend an assessment day for our vacation scheme or training programme. If you would like to apply for both, we suggest applying for the vacation scheme first, wait to hear the result of your application and then apply for our training programme if necessary. 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 Graduate Recruitment. Brain power - clever people who can think on their feet. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These sessions help build your legal knowledge and inform your seat choices. Be the first to find this interview helpful. It is about recruiting, retaining and promoting all groups in the firm fairly, and we have invested in our processes to ensure everyone has the same chance to develop and advance. Mostly commercial based and tech focussed and innovative focussed. Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund returns for second year in a row. Woven into every aspect of life at the firm is an enduring commitment to the development of trainees. SQE timeline (for training programmes due to start in 2025). I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England). Lawyer Rankings London > Employment > Employee share schemes (Leading individuals) Robert Collard - Macfarlanes LLP. It didnt matter too much what result you achieved; it was more about how you did it, whether you were calm, cordial but stern, didnt back down too easily, showed commercial awareness in your arguments, and reached an agreement before the time limit. Each of your seats will feature a mid seat and end of seat review during which you can discuss your progress and which areas need focus. 1 partner - commerciality interview - interview about current affairs and your recommendations for how the firm would deal with certain cases. Private client solicitors looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees, managing all aspects of their personal wealth. Yes, we do. Do you only accept applicants from certain universities? On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. I achieved lower grades at A level than I had hoped for. Regardless of your degree subject, you are eligible to apply for a vacation scheme in your penultimate year of study and onwards. We spoke to the early legal careers team at Macfarlanes to gain some key insights and top tips on how you can stand out to this leading law firm. However, the firm will provide study leave at the discretion of the practice area head. The written exercise is probably the most difficult (see below). Do I need to have completed a vacation scheme when I apply for the training programme? Make sure you read everything and use the information given to come up with a response to claimant in the scenario and dont award him too much compensation! Written exercise The associate may ask some follow up questions about the negotiation. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. Assessment Centre: And in June 2020 we adopted an ambitious new environmental policy. Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to Macfarlanes LLP. The partner will challenge you a lot on the ethical scenario, which I found the hardest part. No. All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. Through which entry route would I be more likely to be successful in getting a training programme place via a vacation scheme or applying directly for the training programme? There's surprisingly little info on the internet. On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. Do you use psychometric testing in the application process? To apply for a vacation scheme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. 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 was very well-structured but I feel the rather high number of applicants made it feel a bit more intimidating. Please describe the interview process at Macfarlanes. I submitted my application but forgot to mention something. As a trainee you could be working on major corporate transactions or commercial litigation, and then working for private clients on their most sensitive affairs. Several law firms, including Clifford Chance and Macfarlanes LLP, have launched a leadership-led, cross-firm collective developed to improve the representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in the UK legal profession. The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread 2023 Watch, Got offered Clifford Chance interview etc and don't know what to do lol. I am not yet at university. The examination comprises two stages: SQE 1 and SQE 2. 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. Any insight would be appreciated! We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership. Has anyone here used upwork or other similar sites to initially get work to start your own firm? I'm thrilled to share that I have accepted a Summer Vacation Scheme offer from Macfarlanes! For instance, we were a lawyer and a client was asking for advice, but we werent qualified in that area. Pride is a forum for LGBTQ+ staff and allies. The in-tray exercise is also difficult to prepare for, because its largely dependent on the situation before you. Commercial property lawyers work on a wide range of transactions including offices, retail developments and infrastructure projects. I interviewed at Macfarlanes. Its very difficult to prepare for the quick scenario to discuss, but think about privileged information and codes of ethics for solicitors. A firm handshake is best, but try not to break any bones. This details practices from mainstream religions that could affect individuals at work. Autumn 2023 - Sit the SQE1 examination. The second half of the interview assesses whether you possess some of the important skills needed to be a successful trainee. We are members of the Business Disability Forum and work closely with the Forum to ensure our processes remain accessible and fair to all candidates. The written task was the hardest as there was a lot of time pressure. good questions and very good structure . Above all, we value a commitment to excellence, and an intuitive understanding of people. 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. I applied through a recruiter. To find out what it's like to undertake a placement at Macfarlanes read the firm's Vacation Scheme Insider report. In each seat you will share a room with a partner or solicitor who supervises and supports you. Our selection process includes a range of assessments. I have had a bad experience in the past and feel it is safer not to disclose my disability. Over at @macfarlanesgrad, they're challenging the Instagram vs reality stereotypes and laying bare what makes the firm #meaningfullydifferent. We take extenuating circumstances seriously and would encourage you to be as open with us as you feel comfortable. We accept applicants from all UK and international universities. The firms CSR programme uses the skills and time of our people associates and business services to support disadvantaged communities, through providing practical help and financial support. Please ensure you re-familiarise yourself with your application before the day. 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. Summer/Autumn 2023 - Begin studying for the SQE with BPP. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction Ask around for advice and support and practice for the interview stages as much as possible. Does Macfarlanes partner with any external diversity organisations? Our Environmental Sub-Committee, made up of people from across the firm, leads the firms sustainable business agenda. We have no minimum requirements for A level results. The actual exercise is not difficult usually it is based on an M&A scenario, and you will just have to negotiate the terms of the agreements. We recruit people to build careers for the long term. Apply. This assessment is the only part of the day when the assessors will have seen your application form beforehand. Intellectual property is an umbrella term for a variety of different rights which protect intellectual creations, such as inventions, brands, designs, and literary and artistic works. Interviewers were polite and asked not too hard questions. We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. I understand that Macfarlanes future trainees undertake further study at BPP in Holborn. 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. A. a written exercise. We always recruit trainees from both vacation schemes and direct training programme applications in each intake. Together we support and attract diverse talent to the legal industry, as well as provide support. You need a 2.1 degree or above, though we do take account of extenuating circumstances. Spring/summer 2023 receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Industry: Legal. Don't be afraid to be nervous - if you're shaking you won't necessarily be judged on it! Firm Profile . About us Diversity and inclusion Facts and figures LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards 2020: the results. Maintenance allowance for PGDL students, 13,000. Remember that a lawyer can only give advice on things they have expertise in or they will face liability for incorrect advice. You get as much hands-on experience as possible, to gain a real understanding of the firms culture and work. The form is designed to give you every opportunity to tell us about yourself and show your interest in Macfarlanes. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. The process took 1 day. To understand more about how we use cookies or to change your cookie preferences, click on Showsettings. Private Client. The coordinators were really helpful and gave me a prep call before so I knew what to expect from it. Summer/autumn 2024 begin studying for the SQE with BPP. What you'll be working on during a work placement at Macfarlanes LLP. Nepotism always wins it seems. Macfarlanes is unlike any other law firm. You can detail this on your application form. Agreed - very useful going forwards! We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. What kind of technology are you interested in most? We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Who can apply for the training programme? No, we do not currently use psychometric testing at any stage of the application process. The early legal careers team will arrange a follow up call with you before your assessment day to discuss any adjustments further. We hope you use the assessments as a chance to build your understanding of us and what makes us different, just as we see it as a chance to gain an understanding of you. 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, if the work experience is applicable. When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at. It revolved around advising a private client (-note Macfarlanes is known for this practice area!) As a firm, we also have a collective responsibility to the wider community and the environment around us. You can apply no matter what or where you have studied. For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. Its difficult to prepare for. Try to ignore unnecessary details. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course, Border Force Apprenticeships September 2022 campaign, Official University of Glasgow 2023 Applicant Thread, What is the benefit of going to an 'elite' university, Transferring after completing of Loughborough Foundation year, Official: King's College London A100 2023 Entry. See what employees say it's like to work at Macfarlanes. This part of the day is not assessed, but we encourage you to have questions prepared. Thoughts on Wilson Elser? Provide an example of how Brexit will have an impact on the day-to-day work of lawyers and their clients. Unless the partner proves you're wrong, this is usually an opportunity for you to hold your ground and show your potential as a future lawyer, Written exercise suggested to be the hardest because of time constraints. The interview stage is comprised of two interviews (one with a partner who will have seen your application in advance and a business case study scenario to test your problem solving skills) as well as a group task and a written exercise (both application blind). Reply 1. The vast majority of our graduate recruitment assessment processes are scored CV blind. We take extenuating circumstances seriously and would encourage you to be as open with us as you feel you can. Saw the below headline today in The Lawyer. Many of our trainees and associates applied for our programmes after they graduated. Bar Course /BVS / BPTC 2023-2024 : what are everyone's plans? 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 policy includes commitments covering our carbon footprint, emissions, waste, recycling, sustainable procurement of goods and services, office greenery and support for the legal sustainability community. We structured it so that each of us in the group could start and make the point on one of the issues up for negotiation, and lead the negotiations for our side. I was put in a group with 6 people including myself. Then you can start the Macfarlanes SQE preparation course alongside your cohort of Macfarlanes future trainees. SQE 2 tests some of the professional skills required for practice, such as client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research and legal drafting, among others. Apply. Hi, I've just been invited to their assessment centre. Please contact the graduate recruitment team. Do you review the applications as and when they are submitted (on a rolling basis) or after the deadline? Restructuring and Insolvency. I did 4 partner interviews over a period of 6 weeks, only for them to suddenly ask me to do an assessment. Discover anonymous reviews now! Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at Macfarlanes. The second exercise was a written exercise: a letter to a client advising on whether they had grounds to sack some employees. Winding-up petitions: whats the impact on companies and creditors in financial distress? Meanwhile, Irwin Mitchell is expecting to open its 15 offices at 50% capacity from 21 June. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. You are using an out of date browser. Each year, we complete submissions for the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme as well as for the Social Mobility Employer Index. There is a guidance document on our intranet detailing this. Commercial lawyers focus on trade, from commercial agreements about supply, manufacture and distribution to identifying the best routes to market. The grad rec partners was reassuring in telling us that we had done very well just to get there, and assured us that there were enough places for us all to go through. Please visit the Apply page on our website to watch avideoabout our training programme assessment day. Restrictions on winding-up petitions: beginning of the end. If I complete my SQE independently will I be reimbursed for the costs of the exams? Make sure to give clear advice and really watch the time. As a trainee you could be working on major corporate transactions or commercial litigation, and then working for private clients on their most sensitive affairs. Yes. . Charities lawyers advising the not-for-profit and social enterprise sector cover a vast area of legal ground, from wills and trusts to commercial and real estate law. Can I still apply for a vacation scheme or the training programme? Trainees get in involved in our St Hildas legal advice clinic on a rotational basis. Will going to a Macfarlanes event help my application? My interviewer was very friendly and put me very much at ease when I was very nervous going into it. These give us insights into how we can develop and expand our diversity and inclusion initiatives in the firm. We can also tailor your interviews on our schemes around these times as well as at assessment day stage. However, if you need additional support throughout the assessment process or there is anything else you wish to discuss, please contact the early legal careers team. Priority for NQ places is given to those who have completed the firms training programme. Stay calm and work through it one step at a time! 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. Can I apply for the vacation scheme or training programme? Nice experience, the interviewers were very friendly and willing to help with any questions I had. 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. Macfarlanes trainee experience. Macfarlanes is a leading independent law firm with a straightforward, independently-minded approach. The opportunity to experience Macfarlanes begins with our vacation scheme assessment days. Our REACH network celebrates a number of religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, Purim and Diwali. See what employees say it's like to work at Macfarlanes. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. Do you have a multifaith prayer room at your office? Yes. City firms announce partner promotions despite pandemic pressures. This involved looking at the employment contract, examining against the facts, and coming to a conclusion. They lead the client relationship management and advise clients on a range of issues, from housing to employment. Apply. 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. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. For the first year insight scheme, you need to apply online as well. Do you accept applications from people like me? 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