How will Brexit affect lawyers day-to-day work? 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. The coordinators were really helpful and gave me a prep call before so I knew what to expect from it. 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. 1st stage interview, behaviour questions Two people from the lawtech group Why Macfarlanes and what values resonate with you, Tax restructuring scenario for a group of companies. Commercial lawyers focus on trade, from commercial agreements about supply, manufacture and distribution to identifying the best routes to market. You have 45 minutes to complete this exercise; a business case study exercise where you are given three business case studies to prepare in 30 minutes. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Leadership skills. Any insight would be appreciated! Banking and finance involves many financial products, from bank loans to companies to highly structured financing arrangements across multiple jurisdictions. The process took 1 day. Honesty, friendliness and a polite attitude make it a far more pleasant experience for the partners. We reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates who attend an assessment day for our vacation scheme or training programme. Type: Company - Private. My partner is letting her friend sleep in her bed, am I overeacting? Several had other careers first. SQE 1 tests your functional legal knowledge through multiple choice questions. They didnt overtly say it would be about competencies but that was all it was, essentially. 1 partner - commerciality interview - interview about current affairs and your recommendations for how the firm would deal with certain cases. Was very interesting . To understand more about how we use cookies or to change your cookie preferences, click on Showsettings. All relatively straight forward. The hardest part of the day was definitely the written exercise. What support can you give to those observing religious holidays, for example, during the vacation scheme? Or for any questions feel free to contact us on +44 (0) 207 831 9222 or email us at earlylegalcareers@macfarlanes.com. Immigration lawyers deal with all legal matters relating to immigration and nationality. 1 negotiation exercise - group work based exercise with a partner. They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. Corporate tax involves involves advising clients on the tax risks associated with acquiring, selling or restructuring assets. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? Try to draw in to the discussion someone who hasnt been saying much. In addition, our litigators are able to offer strategic and tactical advice to best protect our clients in the event of a dispute arising. Do you accept applications from people like me? They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. What I would say is so make sure you finish the letter, even if it isnt your best! We recruit 55 participants across our three vacation schemes annually. 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. Over at @macfarlanesgrad, they're challenging the Instagram vs reality stereotypes and laying bare what makes the firm #meaningfullydifferent. Catherine Morgan-Guest Senior manager, early legal careers Be sure to contribute in the group exercise. My final seat was in the Corporate and M&A department. When and where can I meet people from the firm to understand more about what you do? Resilience - that is a grit and ambition to take on real responsibility. Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at Macfarlanes as 87.5% positive with a difficulty rating score of 3.38 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty). The vast majority of our graduate recruitment assessment processes are scored CV blind. Regarding the interview, this is split in two parts one focusing on personal experiences (mostly competency questions) and the other on a case study, which you will have already had the chance to read before the interview. Yes, we pay our vacation scheme and insight scheme participants for the duration of the scheme. It was relatively straight-forward. 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. What is Macfarlanes doing to become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business? Where can I study the SQE preparation course? 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. Legal profession most represented sector in 2020 Social Mobility Employer Index. 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! To apply for a vacation scheme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. All rights reserved. For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. This 32-week course includes everything you need to ensure you are fully prepared to work in commercial practice. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Among the different types of client in this area are performers, managers and agents, artists, theatres, broadcasters and publishers. Can I still apply? Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Unknown. 1 written exercise - drafting a memo to a partner and a letter to a client to resolve a complaint. What exercises can I expect at a training programme assessment day? Upon successful completion of the SQE and QWE will I be able to apply for an NQ role at the firm? The early legal careers team will arrange a follow up call with you before your assessment day to discuss any adjustments further. A number of our current trainee cohort and associates had another career before applying to our training programme. good questions and very good structure . It is not a comprehensive list of religions, but we designed it to include thosewith practices thathave direct implications in a work setting. Private client solicitors looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees, managing all aspects of their personal wealth. You will spend an afternoon work-shadowing one of our trainees as well as being assessed for a place on the vacation scheme itself. The last interview was an in-tray exercise, basically. Our first-year insight scheme is aweek-long event designed to provide students with an insight into City law. About us Diversity and inclusion Facts and figures Should I apply for a vacation scheme first or just apply for the training programme now? There was minimal technical hiccups and I felt welcomed at the firm. Hi, I've just been invited to their assessment centre. By clicking Accept cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. Do you have a first year programme? I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. We want the best talent at Macfarlanes. Balance is a forum for all staff managing careers and home lives. Contentious construction work involves the resolution of disputes while non-contentious work involves drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on projects. The examination comprises two stages: SQE 1 and SQE 2. We do not recruit on a rolling basis for our early legal careers opportunities, so will not screen applications until after the deadline. We run campus and in-house events during the academic year. Sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. We have contemplation/multifaith prayer rooms, and these are accessible to all. The final exercise was a blind interview with a partner. Is there a dress down policy at the firm? A national fund designed to boost social mobility within the legal profession, address the recruitment and retention crisis, and ultimately improve access to justice has been launched. for recruitment purposes, (including via virtual assessment centres and virtual trainee experiences); to promote our legal services, including . All future trainees complete the SQE preparation course with their cohort of Macfarlanes trainees at BPP University, Holborn campus. Maintenance allowance for SQE students: 13,000. Thanks a lot in advance! They assess you on your contribution but also how you react to your team members. Can I apply for the vacation scheme or training programme? For the commercial case study manage your time equally across all 3 segments as the partner will ask you about all 3. I am not yet at university. Application blind and contextual recruitment. The energy sector is an important part of the legal landscape and is making more headlines than ever before. Group exercise: split intotwo parts, first all four int he group discussing a scenario with the assessor (speak up but dont dominate). Do you cover the cost of travel for candidates? Any insight would be appreciated! You can study the PGDL at any UK BPP university campus that offers the course. Quite standard Absolutely, yes. Employment lawyers work across all areas of employment law, including handling discrimination, staff restructuring and whistleblowing issues. The first exercise was a group negotiation exercise. 1875. How far before the deadline should I apply? At Bright Network we use cookies and similar technologies to help deliver you the best possible experience. Many of our trainees and associates applied for our programmes after they graduated. Macfarlanes is big on resilience, which is difficult to think about on the spot so make sure you prepare specific situations and structure your answer well. For the negotiation exercise, just be yourself ensure you speak and make valid points as they assess everything you say. All other questions have a limit of 300 words. 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. 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. The case study focusses on a series of scenarios under tight timed conditions. The second part was by far more difficult, insofar as the case study itself was challenging and the partner would endlessly question me without, as had happened in other interviews, being particularly helpful/leading towards a solution. Nepotism always wins it seems. Sponsored by Lewis Silkin. There is an about you section in both the vacation scheme and the training programme application forms, each with four questions. You are divided into sub teams of two or three and given 15 minutes to prepare for the negotiation. The firm will reimburse SQE costs for anyone who is successful in securing a place on the training programme. Work shadowing. 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. "Why law/Macfarlanes? We take extenuating circumstances seriously and would encourage you to be as open with us as you feel you can. 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. There is a guidance document on our intranet detailing this. This depends on your degree subject. You will have the opportunity to meet trainees, solicitors and partners within the firm. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" If I complete my SQE independently will I be reimbursed for the costs of the exams? We understand that not every candidates achievements look the same on paper, and we are a firm that believes in fairness and diversity. 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. How would you implement a process. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Law firms in profit despite pandemic; firms reinstate NQ pay. Summer/Autumn 2023 - Begin studying for the SQE with BPP. They discuss adjustments required by our employees and ensure these are implemented. Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund returns for second year in a row. Baker McKenzie has become the latest firm to reinstate newly qualified (NQ) lawyers salaries to pre-pandemic levels, after a reduction of 3% last June. Are vacation scheme and insight scheme participants paid? Macfarlanes - TC assessment day. We do, however, recommend you wear business attire for assessment days and interviews at the firm. SensitivePedant. Join Bright Network and Aspiring Solicitors Make sure you are aware of our opportunities and on-top of all the deadlines by joining these careers service organisations. How would you implement a process. Please contact the graduate recruitment team. Spring 2024 - Sit the SQE2 examination. Be clear on your competencies, and think about obscure traits that they could ask you about. Don't be afraid to be nervous - if you're shaking you won't necessarily be judged on it! They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. We talked to the person next to us and then relayed to the rest of the room. Learn more about diversity and inclusion at Macfarlanes LLP. The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. Please get in touch with the Inclusion and CSR team if you have further questions. Most of our assessment processes for both our vacation schemes and our training programmes are scored application blind. In the group presentation make sure you contribute when planning the presentation as the partner will be watching, also dont get bogged down in the details but try to see the overall picture. Corporate finance lawyers advise companies on all aspects of the buying and selling of whole businesses or business assets. A big thank you to the graduate recruitment team for delivering such a memorable Assessment Centre and . 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. We welcome applicationsfrom candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, including apredicted 2.1 degree or above. Mostly commercial based and tech focussed and innovative focussed. Please get in touch with our recruitment teamif you have further questions. What are your thoughts about xyz? I'm thrilled to share that I have accepted a Summer Vacation Scheme offer from Macfarlanes! 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 exercise was really short, ten mins on a case study you are given to read beforehand which is based on assessing your commercial awareness, and the interview is really a conversation about that, and then ten mins of questions about you. What happens if I have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)? Pensions and Pensions De-risking. Competition and regulatory work includes merger control, regulatory and court proceedings, issues arising from sector-specific regulation and utility procurement issues. What is it like? Each year we recruit 33trainees with the aim of training them to be the future partners of the firm. Why do you want to become a solicitor? Sessions start on the week of the 13th March! The in-tray exercise is also difficult to prepare for, because its largely dependent on the situation before you. Partner and associate are friendly and very nice. Thanks for sharing Dan. Solicitor | Macfarlanes Profile Highlights: State school educated Ethnic minority First generation lawyer Contact Me To contact me, please login or register Profile: I am a Solicitor at Macfarlanes LLP having qualified in September 2017. If you have completed the Graduate Diploma in Law/Postgraduate Diploma in Law, the Legal Practice Course/Solicitors Qualifying Examinations or both, you are required to have achieved at least a commendation. Lawtech. Yes. You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer. But note: some of your interviewers may dress down. Negotiation exercise Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to 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. 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? No, we do not currently use psychometric testing at any stage of the application process. Large listed and private companies, trustees and start-ups turn to Macfarlanes LLP for assistance with the design, implementation and operation of employee share plans and incentive . Written exercises: Attention to detail, true or false logic, and conditionality 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. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. If you studied a non-law subject at undergraduate level, you have to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at BPP. I did 4 partner interviews over a period of 6 weeks, only for them to suddenly ask me to do an assessment. Interviewers were polite and asked not too hard questions. Its important to remember theyre just there to have a lunch and answer any questions you have or just discuss things. How does Macfarlanes support trainees with disabilities and long-term mental health conditions? The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. There were three elements. This combines the knowledge you gain from a law degree or law conversion course in the fundamental principles of law with the knowledge you gain from the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in the basics of legal practice. 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"). All content 2023 Macfarlanes LLP. There are changing rooms in our office for employee use. We want to recruit the best candidates regardless of their background or where they were educated. 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. Comp and culture? It involved knowledge of intermediary maths, which if you havent done since GCSE can be a bit tough. Partners and Graduate Recruitment were both friendly and made sure that I felt comfortable on the day. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? . for recruitment purposes, (including via virtual assessment centres and virtual trainee experiences); to promote our legal services, including . You will also be assigned a partner who will act as your mentor throughout the training programme. a networking session with our trainee solicitors. The format at the Assessment Centre was as follows: Negotiation exercise Presentation from trainees Written exercise Interview + case study Work shadowing For the negotiation exercise, just be yourself ensure you speak and make valid points as they assess everything you say. As a vacation scheme student, you will gain an insight into life as a trainee over the course of two weeks. Vacation students will spend each week in a different practice area working alongside a partner,solicitor ortrainee. The partner will challenge you about what you say for the in-tray so be sure to stand your ground. We had certain goals to achieve from the negotiations, and time to prepare amongst ourselves. For instance, we were a lawyer and a client was asking for advice, but we werent qualified in that area. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. If successful at the screening stage, we will invite you for a telephone interview. How many trainees do you recruit for the training programme annually? It supports and educates staff about ethnic, religious, faith and cultural matters. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. I have had a bad experience in the past and feel it is safer not to disclose my disability. Try to ignore unnecessary details. Can I reapply if my application is not successful? Finally the day ends with lunch and networking with some trainees. Autumn 2023 - Sit the SQE1 examination. 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 do not recruit on a rolling basis, so you can expect to hear from us once applications have closed. Candidates can choose whether to join the evening social events, and we try and make sure that events are not centred on food or drink. Anyone else 12 weeks behind with uni work? Please visit the Apply page on our website to watch avideoabout our training programme assessment day. Do you review the applications as and when they are submitted (on a rolling basis) or after the deadline? Be the first to find this interview helpful. You can detail this on your application form. If I choose an alternative route to qualify than the training programme will the firm pay for the cost of me sitting the SQE? Are there any programmes for me? Thanks! Sponsored by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP. Even though I didn't get the offer I enjoyed the day and the feedback they gave afterwards was helpful. Yes, we run a first year insight scheme annually in the spring. REACH (race, ethnicity and cultural heritage) is a forum for networking and peer support. We encourage you to take your time, come to as many events as you can and thoroughly research the firm before applying. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. This details practices from mainstream religions that could affect individuals at work. Commercial property lawyers work on a wide range of transactions including offices, retail developments and infrastructure projects. The scheme is a great opportunity to find out whether Macfarlanes is right for you. These programmes are geared towards people who are not yet qualified. The process took 2+ months. Apply. 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"). We recruit people to build careers for the long term. a group negotiation exercise with five or six other candidates, assessed by an associate. A time you changed your approach The dates of our 2023 vacation schemes are as follows: Applications open on 26 September 2022 andare online via our website. The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund, which is backed by 18 major law firms, has secured funding for its first cohort of social welfare legal workers to begin their journey to qualifying as solicitors via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). When is the deadline for the first year insight scheme? Thoughts on Wilson Elser? Partners and Graduate Recruitment were both friendly and made sure that I felt comfortable on the day. What kind of technology are you interested in most? ", Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window, motivations for law, about you, and competency on resilience. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. Macfarlanes LLP 20 CURSITOR STREET LONDON EC4A 1LT England Email firm Visit website 020 7831 9222 020 7831 9607. As a trainee you will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas. City firmHerbert Smith Freehillshas elected 26 partners worldwide its biggest partner promotions round since 2012 and four more than 2019 despite coronavirus concerns. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. As with the SQE preparation course, the firm covers your fees, and you receive a 13,000 grant. A firm handshake is best, but try not to break any bones. Ask around for advice and support and practice for the interview stages as much as possible. To find out what it is like to work at Macfarlanes read the firm's Meet the Lawyer profile. 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. First commercial case study with 3 parts, then a partner interview on the case study followed by a group presentation task to a partner, a one-on-one partner interview and a written exercise (a letter responding to a claimant who is suing your client). Yes, in 2021 we launched the Macfarlanes Legal Academy. Sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP. Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at Macfarlanes. We also use a contextual recruitment tool to understand each applicants achievements in the context they were gained. This assessment is the only part of the day when the assessors will have seen your application form beforehand. Draw upon what other people say, expanding on their points. A. City firms announce partner promotions despite pandemic pressures. The SQE launches in autumn 2021 and is a new assessment process all aspiring future lawyers need to undertake. Restructuring and Insolvency. Any work experience, within the legal sector or elsewhere, will be taken into account when we review your application. Has anyone here used upwork or other similar sites to initially get work to start your own firm? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Apr 2021. The scenario was an acquisition of an airline. Then if successful invited to an assessment day. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" Winding-up petitions: whats the impact on companies and creditors in financial distress? Regardless of your degree subject, you are eligible to apply for a vacation scheme in your penultimate year of study and onwards.