Each year, we complete submissions for the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme as well as for the Social Mobility Employer Index. There is no set time, but we suggest you neither rush nor leave it to the last minute. We use cookies in our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The format at the Assessment Centre was as follows: My higher education qualifications do not meet your minimum requirements. Can trainees get involved in pro bono work at Macfarlanes? 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. 2023 The Corporate Law Academy. 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. What to expect from Macfarlanes LLP training contract. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jan 2021. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. These sessions help build your legal knowledge and inform your seat choices. All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. Insurance and reinsurance is an integral part of commercial activity throughout the world. Lawtech. Nice experience, the interviewers were very friendly and willing to help with any questions I had. 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. I applied through a recruiter. 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. "Why law/Macfarlanes? We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves. Private Equity. 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. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Work shadowing. How many vacation scheme participants do you recruit across your three schemes? Any insight would be appreciated! The process took 2+ months. Please ensure you re-familiarise yourself with your application before the day. For the first year insight scheme, you need to apply online as well. Restructuring and insolvency lawyers are necessary when a company, individual or other organisation is in financial difficulties. This details practices from mainstream religions that could affect individuals at work. 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. Applications open on 26 September 2022 online via our website and will close on 27 January 2023. Sponsored by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. You get as much hands-on experience as possible, to gain a real understanding of the firms culture and work. 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! Pretty straightforward, nice talking to the recruitment managers. Partners and Graduate Recruitment were both friendly and made sure that I felt comfortable on the day. Are there any programmes for me? Biomedical Science: 2023/24 Applicants Thread. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Irwin Mitchell is expecting to open its 15 offices at 50% capacity from 21 June. I have had a bad experience in the past and feel it is safer not to disclose my disability. 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. Find out how Macfarlanes LLP is adopting the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. Do you cover the cost of travel for candidates? Yes, we do. The written task was the hardest as there was a lot of time pressure. Stay calm and work through it one step at a time! I am not yet at university. a group negotiation exercise with five or six other candidates, assessed by an associate. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. Spring/summer 2023 receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. Can I apply for the vacation scheme or training programme? They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. There was minimal technical hiccups and I felt welcomed at the firm. What kind of technology are you interested in most? Please describe the interview process at Macfarlanes. He is a member of the Society of Construction Law, the Adjudication Society, the Property Litigation Association, the Young International Arbitration . The day involved a 20-minute exercise with a partner, a written exercise and a group exercise. Yes, we run a first year insight scheme annually in the spring. Does Macfarlanes have any staff network groups? Pleasant. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction I am worried that if I tell Macfarlanes about my disability this will be seen negatively. If I am employed as a paralegal and complete the SQE and QWE independently, will the firm pay for my practising certificate once I am qualified? Why Macfarlanes and what values resonate with you, Tax restructuring scenario for a group of companies. 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. It was about different categories of shareholders and shares, (apply the companys articles to a problem scenario) and needed a numerical answer for the value the company could recover (no calculator but very basic maths, e.g.dividing by 10). As regards the written exercise, it was certainly the most difficult part of the assessment day (or open day as they call it), and involved basic calculations without a calculator. 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. A vacation scheme at Macfarlanes is a two-week snapshot into life as a trainee. Coming up with solutions to current legal issues was a bit tricky. How far before the deadline should I apply? Industry: Legal. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Elizabeth Fielding is in the real estate group at Macfarlanes. The form is designed to give you every opportunity to tell us about yourself and show your interest in Macfarlanes. When is the deadline for the first year insight scheme? Tech and the future of legal services: implementing change. General introduction - interview with partners - written exercise - group negotiation. Justify every decision you make and don't leave out points that are both for and against your client. Technology, media and telecommunications is one of the fastest-developing sectors of the legal market. It supports and educates staff about ethnic, religious, faith and cultural matters. We advise on procurement strategies, development agreements, building contracts, professional appointments, warranties, guarantees and bonds, risk and project management and dispute avoidance. 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. I applied online. I understand that Macfarlanes future trainees undertake further study at BPP in Holborn. This involved looking at what was promised, the conditions that the customer experienced etc. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" REACH (race, ethnicity and cultural heritage) is a forum for networking and peer support. The case study was very interesting to read it through and discuss with the partners. I interviewed at Macfarlanes. Restructuring and Insolvency. Our spring vacation scheme often takes place during Ramadan, so this is something we consider when organising the programme of events. City firms announce partner promotions despite pandemic pressures. What makes a successful application to Macfarlanes, Pride Matters: Striving for actual equality, Types of student and graduate opportunities, Essential cookies to make this website work, Third party cookies used for personalised ads and content, Well rounded candidates who will make the most of our varied seat rotations, Great teamwork skills, which include being kind and considerate, Resilience that is a grit and ambition to take on real responsibility, Brain power clever people who can think on their feet. Corporate tax involves involves advising clients on the tax risks associated with acquiring, selling or restructuring assets. 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. Agreed - very useful going forwards! Its really important that your application isnt just generic if you want to make it through to the interview stage. Macfarlanes is unlike any other law firm. Got a case study or group exercise coming up? 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. As a vacation scheme student, you will gain an insight into life as a trainee over the course of two weeks. We sat around in a conference room and there were ice-breakers. When can I apply for a vacation scheme, and when can I apply for the training programme? Over at @macfarlanesgrad, they're challenging the Instagram vs reality stereotypes and laying bare what makes the firm #meaningfullydifferent. Going to one of our events gives you a better understanding of what we do as a firm and what we offer you as a potential future trainee. The hiring process at Macfarlanes takes an average of 20.2 days when considering 24 user submitted interviews across all job titles. The driving force behind the firm is an absolute commitment to delivering the right advice in the right way to our clients. Application blind and contextual recruitment. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. Please detail these circumstances in your application for us to consider. Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund takes on first SQE cohort. 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. Interview with a partner: 20 minutes, first 10 on an ethical scenario leaving a VERY short time for personal questions. Has anyone here used upwork or other similar sites to initially get work to start your own firm? The dates of our 2023 vacation schemes are as follows: Applications open on 26 September 2022 andare online via our website. Bar Course /BVS / BPTC 2023-2024 : what are everyone's plans? Was very interesting . Interested in a future career as a lawyer? . Interviewers were polite and asked not too hard questions. What exercises can I expect at a training programme assessment day? We recruit 55 participants across our three vacation schemes annually. Trainees get in involved in our St Hildas legal advice clinic on a rotational basis. If you gain a place on one of our assessment days, you will find out more about the firm during the day. 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. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We welcome applicationsfrom candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, including apredicted 2.1 degree or above. Make sure you complete the exercise in the time available, and just be clear in giving your advice. Then there was a quick interview about background, and usual questions about motivation. Pensions and Pensions De-risking. Yes, if the work experience is applicable. Common stages of the interview process at Macfarlanes according to 24 Glassdoor interviews include: Glassdoor has millions of jobs plus salary information, company reviews, and interview questions from people on the inside making it easy to find a job thats right for you. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Apr 2021. They lead the client relationship management and advise clients on a range of issues, from housing to employment. Sponsored by Bristows LLP. We wanted more transparency and better training. Can I still apply? I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England). We recruit 1520 participants for our first year insight scheme. Strong academics. No. You should therefore not worry about applying to us as soon as the applications open. 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? Read the Financial Times and The Economist An excellent way to develop your commercial awareness - be sure to consider how these major events may have a practical, commercial impact in the legal sector. 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? I am an undergraduate student in my antepenultimate year (first year of a three-year or second year of a four-year course). As a firm, we also have a collective responsibility to the wider community and the environment around us. We had to read a situation and respond to it with what we would do in an interview with a partner. What advice would you give to future applicants for the Macfarlanes interview? Large projects involve lawyers specialising in finance, construction and corporate law. The second exercise was a written exercise: a letter to a client advising on whether they had grounds to sack some employees. If successful at the screening stage, we will invite you for a telephone interview. The energy sector is an important part of the legal landscape and is making more headlines than ever before. 1 partner - commerciality interview - interview about current affairs and your recommendations for how the firm would deal with certain cases. Can I reapply if my application is not successful? They will work with you to understand the changes you need and ensure these are put in place. Its difficult to prepare for. 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 are interested in a career in commercial law and would like a career at Macfarlanes, we welcome your application. 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 . How would you implement a process. 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. Private client solicitors looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees, managing all aspects of their personal wealth. Why do you want to become a solicitor? Maintenance allowance for SQE students: 13,000. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Lawyer Rankings London > Employment > Employee share schemes (Leading individuals) Robert Collard - Macfarlanes LLP. Thoughts on Wilson Elser? Do you review the applications as and when they are submitted (on a rolling basis) or after the deadline? I graduated some years ago. 1 negotiation exercise - group work based exercise with a partner. Then we negotiated with the team opposite. a written exercise. To save you time . We had certain goals to achieve from the negotiations, and time to prepare amongst ourselves. All content 2023 Macfarlanes LLP. Partner and associate are friendly and very nice. I have some legal work experience already, and I know I want to be an associate at Macfarlanes. To understand more about how we use cookies or to change your cookie preferences, click on Showsettings. Our early legal careers team works closely with external diversity organisations, such as Aspiring Solicitors, Rare and upReach. Bar Course /BVS / BPTC 2023-2024 : what are everyone's plans? By clicking Accept cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. 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). The firm will do this as part of its bulk renewal process. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It was relatively straight-forward. We run campus and in-house events during the academic year. It is not a win lose situation, be cooperative and collaborate with your team mates. This 32-week course includes everything you need to ensure you are fully prepared to work in commercial practice. 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. Nice experience, the interviewers were very friendly and willing to help with any questions I had. Commercial property lawyers work on a wide range of transactions including offices, retail developments and infrastructure projects. The second half of the interview assesses whether you possess some of the important skills needed to be a successful trainee. Private Client. 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. Find out about the work she gets up to on a daily basis and the early responsibility on offer in this practice area. I did 4 partner interviews over a period of 6 weeks, only for them to suddenly ask me to do an assessment. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. Then prepare the usual motivation questions, competency, but the interview went very quickly. We have opportunities for qualified lawyers, trainees and business services who are looking for outstanding career development. While we dont have a set list, we look for candidates who have the core skills below, which are tested through the assessment day and interview stages: We really see our trainees as the future of our firm and are proud to have a consistently strong retention rate. The final exercise was a blind interview with a partner. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Has anyone here used upwork or other similar sites to initially get work to start your own firm? There is an about you section in both the vacation scheme and the training programme application forms, each with four questions. Your choices regarding cookies on this site. Why do you want to become a solicitor? Continue Reading Interview Questions Q: Why you choose Macfarlanes? We partner with a number of organisations to attract and develop trainees from a wide variety of backgrounds. They assess you on your contribution but also how you react to your team members. I am studying a four year degree course, with a year abroad in my third year. The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. I was put in a group with 6 people including myself. We can also tailor your interviews on our schemes around these times as well as at assessment day stage. To apply you will need to be in the first year (and second year on a four-year course) of your undergraduate degree. Do you accept applications from people like me? We do not recruit on a rolling basis for our early legal careers opportunities, so will not screen applications until after the deadline. You will then start your two years qualifying work experience in September 2024 or March 2025 after you have sat SQE2. If I choose an alternative route to qualify than the training programme will the firm pay for the cost of me sitting the SQE? Exeter Assessment Centre. The written exercise focussed on drafting a partner memo and a client complaint response. Theyre not out there to assess the quality of your questions or anything. The scheme will comprise of skills workshops, work shadowing and presentations. In 2023 we shall be running a spring and two summer vacation schemes, for which we are looking to recruit approximately 55 vacation students. Sponsored by Milbank LLP. We will set measurable targets against our three strategic priorities. See what employees say it's like to work at Macfarlanes. In addition, our litigators are able to offer strategic and tactical advice to best protect our clients in the event of a dispute arising. 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. I achieved lower grades at A level than I had hoped for. 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"). 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Not usually, unless you fall into the category of experienced hires or foreign qualified lawyers described in our SQE policies. Time management is key for this; I only just finished in time. The interview is 40 mins in total: 20 mins in-tray exercise and 20 mins competency based Qs. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. When is the deadline for direct training programme applications? For those experiencing mental health conditions, we offer a confidential counselling service and regular firmwide seminars on looking after your mental health. Reply 1. Comp and culture? You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer. No, we do not currently use psychometric testing at any stage of the application process. . The partner will challenge you a lot on the ethical scenario, which I found the hardest part. 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. Please prepare each case study equally and expect to discuss all three in a similar level of detail; an application interview with a partner and a member of our HR team. However, they are not a requirement for the training programme. About us Diversity and inclusion Facts and figures Just really know what you are good and bad at. Pretty straightforward, nice talking to the recruitment managers. Apply. In each seat you will share a room with a partner or solicitor who supervises and supports you. Employment lawyers work across all areas of employment law, including handling discrimination, staff restructuring and whistleblowing issues.