Tax. Applications open on 26 September 2022 online via our website and will close on 27 January 2023. 1 negotiation exercise - group work based exercise with a partner. You complete modules that are bespoke to Macfarlanes. Why Macfarlanes and what values resonate with you, Tax restructuring scenario for a group of companies. a written exercise. 1 partner interview - standard interview, cv and commerciality based. These programmes are geared towards people who are not yet qualified. The last interview was an in-tray exercise, basically. There are changing rooms in our office for employee use. If I am undertaking the SQE independently, will the firm sign off my QWE? While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. 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). Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Diversity Schemes. Full instructions are given by the early legal careers team before the exercise; an interview with a partner and a senior associate. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? How many vacation scheme participants do you recruit across your three schemes? Restructuring and Insolvency. My partner is letting her friend sleep in her bed, am I overeacting? The exercise is about understanding the roles of lawyers and commercial awareness. Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to Macfarlanes LLP. We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. For all our programmes, please apply online. You can detail this on your application form. Most of our assessment processes for both our vacation schemes and our training programmes are scored application blind. 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. Quite standard
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 firm will do this as part of its bulk renewal process. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Comp and culture? For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. That was helpful for sharing the opportunities to speak. Reply 1. Following the UKs exit from the European Union, the covid-19 pandemic and various financial scandals, there is always lots going on in this area. We advise on procurement strategies, development agreements, building contracts, professional appointments, warranties, guarantees and bonds, risk and project management and dispute avoidance. All rights reserved. Candidates interviewing for Trainee Solicitor and Insight Day rated their interviews as the hardest, whereas interviews for Associate and Associate Lawyer roles were rated as the easiest. Find out how Macfarlanes LLP is adopting the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. We have no minimum requirements for A level results. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Cookies enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Yes, you can. Brain power - clever people who can think on their feet. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. General introduction - interview with partners - written exercise - group negotiation. Anyone here in-house with Disney or know anything about the company? The amount is reviewed annually and is within market range. 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? We also run a practice area open day where you can meet representatives from every practice area. The in-tray exercise is also difficult to prepare for, because its largely dependent on the situation before you. A vacation scheme at Macfarlanes is a two-week snapshot into life as a trainee. 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. Justify every decision you make and don't leave out points that are both for and against your client. They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. The interview is 40 mins in total: 20 mins in-tray exercise and 20 mins competency based Qs. Law firms in profit despite pandemic; firms reinstate NQ pay. Do I need to have completed a vacation scheme when I apply for the training programme? Written exercises: Attention to detail, true or false logic, and conditionality
It involved knowledge of intermediary maths, which if you havent done since GCSE can be a bit tough. Do you have a first year programme? Please get in touch with the Inclusion and CSR team if you have further questions. Summer/Autumn 2023 - Begin studying for the SQE with BPP. Pleasecontact the early legal careers team. 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. A time you changed your approach
These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" All content 2023 Macfarlanes LLP. Written exercise Its really important that your application isnt just generic if you want to make it through to the interview stage. Is there a dress down policy at the firm? Interview + case study We are committed to reduce any negative environmental impact from our business operations and to continually improve our environmental performance. For the negotiation exercise, just be yourself ensure you speak and make valid points as they assess everything you say. All rights reserved. Provide an example of how Brexit will have an impact on the day-to-day work of lawyers and their clients. The hardest part of the day was definitely the written exercise. 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. Sponsored by Bristows LLP. Can trainees get involved in pro bono work at Macfarlanes? 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. Think about how you would structure a letter to a client, but otherwise its difficult to prepare for the written exercise as its just applying facts to the contract to see what can be done. The second half of the interview assesses whether you possess some of the important skills needed to be a successful trainee. 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. The SQE launches in autumn 2021 and is a new assessment process all aspiring future lawyers need to undertake. 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. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. Pride is a forum for LGBTQ+ staff and allies. Was very interesting . Our DAWN network focuses on ensuring the whole firm is more confident in its understanding of disability. 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. 1st stage interview, behaviour questions Two people from the lawtech group
The coordinators were really helpful and gave me a prep call before so I knew what to expect from it. For the commercial case study manage your time equally across all 3 segments as the partner will ask you about all 3. Market-leading perspectives and understanding, Responsive advice in a fast-changing world. Employment lawyers work across all areas of employment law, including handling discrimination, staff restructuring and whistleblowing issues. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Apr 2021. I interviewed at Macfarlanes. Second: split into two pairs and negotiating four terms (each had to win two points). Bar Course /BVS / BPTC 2023-2024 : what are everyone's plans? These include a talk by our senior partner and a dinner with a number of partners from around the firm. There is a guidance document on our intranet detailing this. Overall good questions ! As a trainee you will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas.
Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Unknown. We can also tailor your interviews on our schemes around these times as well as at assessment day stage. Leadership skills. Our REACH network celebrates a number of religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, Purim and Diwali. It also looks into your motivations for pursuing a career in commercial law at Macfarlanes; and. 1875. For the written exercise, focus on the details and dont make silly errors. A. Vacation students will spend each week in a different practice area working alongside a partner,solicitor ortrainee. A fresh and exciting area of legal practice, specialist lawyers provide copy clearance advice and work with big-brand clients. Anyone here in-house with Disney or know anything about the company? Please visit theeventspage on the website to find out about our latest events. Contentious construction work involves the resolution of disputes while non-contentious work involves drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on projects. Sponsored by Lewis Silkin. Please describe the interview process at Macfarlanes. Yes, we do. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window. We partner with a number of organisations to attract and develop trainees from a wide variety of backgrounds. The written exercise is probably the most difficult (see below). If I choose an alternative route to qualify than the training programme will the firm pay for the cost of me sitting the SQE? 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. Law firms launch initiative to address diversity issues in the profession. Sponsored by Osborne Clarke LLP. That said, everyone is encouraged to keep business attire at the office in case they need to attend an event or meeting where dress down would be inappropriate. 13 years ago. No. What exercises can I expect at a training programme assessment day? Any insight would be appreciated! Can I reapply if my application is not successful? Pensions and Pensions De-risking. The firm has partnered with BPP to design a bespoke programme that goes beyond helping you pass SQE assessments. Some common areas that lead to applicants not passing the application stage include lack of research on the firm, poor spelling, grammar and punctuation, not meeting the minimum requirements, not fully articulating your motivations, needing more complete or more succinct responses to questions, poor example choices and repetition of ideas. Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund takes on first SQE cohort. 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. "Why law/Macfarlanes? 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. 2nd stage interview, a presentation on legaltech followed by a Q and A. The scenario was an acquisition of an airline. The network runs awareness-raising events and socials and provides networking opportunities both internally and with our clients. Then prepare the usual motivation questions, competency, but the interview went very quickly. I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction
Assessment day comprised of talks from NQ's and grad rec, a negotiation group exercise, a written exercise, an unseen scenario interview and an interview with a partner. Lawyer Rankings London > Employment > Employee share schemes (Leading individuals) Robert Collard - Macfarlanes LLP. The examination comprises two stages: SQE 1 and SQE 2. We do not recruit on a rolling basis for our early legal careers programmes so will not begin screening applications until after the deadline. 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. Our clients come from a range of backgrounds and cultures and our people do too. Restrictions on winding-up petitions: beginning of the end. 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. Sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP. Hey, I did one last year and I'm not sure if it has changed or not, but this is how . Sessions start on the week of the 13th March! Sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. 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? Macfarlanes Graduate Recruitment. Please ensure you re-familiarise yourself with your application before the day. My partner is letting her friend sleep in her bed, am I overeacting? To save you time . See what employees say it's like to work at Macfarlanes. Nepotism always wins it seems. 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. Anyone else 12 weeks behind with uni work? All future trainees complete the SQE preparation course with their cohort of Macfarlanes trainees at BPP University, Holborn campus. 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. Macfarlanes - TC assessment 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! What kind of technology are you interested in most? If you are interested in a career in commercial law and would like a career at Macfarlanes, we welcome your application. If you gain a place on one of our assessment days, you will find out more about the firm during the day. Macfarlanes LLP 20 CURSITOR STREET LONDON EC4A 1LT England Email firm Visit website 020 7831 9222 020 7831 9607. 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. If I have completed the LPC, will I still need to complete the Macfarlanes SQE preparation course? They can be invaluable in helping you decide whether a career in law is right for you. 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 am an undergraduate student in my antepenultimate year (first year of a three-year or second year of a four-year course). Sponsored by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Try to draw in to the discussion someone who hasnt been saying much. City firmHerbert Smith Freehillshas elected 26 partners worldwide its biggest partner promotions round since 2012 and four more than 2019 despite coronavirus concerns. During your SQE preparation course you also attend regular seminars from the firm, where you hear from associates in our practice areas. Sponsored by Cooley (UK) LLP. 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. Thanks! ", Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window, motivations for law, about you, and competency on resilience. Please contact the graduate recruitment team. 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. What is it like? They can advise you on the best course of action. 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. It revolved around advising a private client (-note Macfarlanes is known for this practice area!) 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. Saw the below headline today in The Lawyer. The knowledge you gain from an event will help when you write your application. They discuss adjustments required by our employees and ensure these are implemented. If I complete my SQE independently will I be reimbursed for the costs of the exams? Corporate finance lawyers advise companies on all aspects of the buying and selling of whole businesses or business assets. 1st stage interview, behaviour questions Two people from the lawtech group
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. Application details and method of selection.
Maintenance allowance for SQE students: 13,000. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. There is just a brief description on their website and nothing on wikijob at all, so I was wondering if anyone has been to one? . It was good to relax us a little bit before things started. Around 50% of our trainees and associates did not study law at university. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They assess you on your contribution but also how you react to your team members. Yes. Hi, I've just been invited to their assessment centre. We encourage you to take your time, come to as many events as you can and thoroughly research the firm before applying. We welcome applicationsfrom candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, including apredicted 2.1 degree or above. We are now a dress down firm, so yes. I am a qualified lawyer in an overseas jurisdiction. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. We sat around in a conference room and there were ice-breakers. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that you might find useful. Absolutely, yes. Capital markets lawyers work with transactions involving the issue of debt or equity securities to the public or investors. 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. Biomedical Science: 2023/24 Applicants Thread. Large projects involve lawyers specialising in finance, construction and corporate law. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. 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? Partner and associate are friendly and very nice. 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. 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. Coming up with solutions to current legal issues was a bit tricky. Can I still apply? 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. Pleasant. I am studying a four year degree course, with a year abroad in my third year. Apply. Before this we had fifteen minutes to read over a scenario involving the ethics of coming across inside information and whether or not to use it. 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. Who can apply for the training programme? For those experiencing mental health conditions, we offer a confidential counselling service and regular firmwide seminars on looking after your mental health. 2023 The Corporate Law Academy. This involved looking at the employment contract, examining against the facts, and coming to a conclusion. Sponsored by Milbank LLP. The hiring process at Macfarlanes takes an average of 20.2 days when considering 24 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Ask around for advice and support and practice for the interview stages as much as possible. We would really encourage anyone with disabilities and long-term or mental health conditions to share as much information as they can during the application process. 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. I applied through a recruiter. We had limited time to work out a company share buy out situation, and write a letter to the client. They didnt overtly say it would be about competencies but that was all it was, essentially. Catherine Morgan-Guest Senior manager, early legal careers Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" Time management is key for this; I only just finished in time. To apply you will need to be in the first year (and second year on a four-year course) of your undergraduate degree. ", Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window, motivations for law, about you, and competency on resilience. As a firm, we also have a collective responsibility to the wider community and the environment around us. More than 90% of UK law firms that responded to a survey by accountancy network MHA said they had made a profit since March 2020. Yes. What kind of technology are you interested in most? 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. How many trainees do you recruit for the training programme annually? 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This assessment is the only part of the day when the assessors will have seen your application form beforehand. Explain how a current issue affects our firm. SQE 1 tests your functional legal knowledge through multiple choice questions. This includes using contextual recruitment and running diversity-specific open days and mentoring programmes. a group negotiation exercise with five or six other candidates, assessed by an associate. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. We wanted more transparency and better training. We take extenuating circumstances seriously and would encourage you to be as open with us as you feel comfortable. You need a 2.1 degree or above, though we do take account of extenuating circumstances. The driving force behind the firm is an absolute commitment to delivering the right advice in the right way to our clients. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. 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. Draw upon what other people say, expanding on their points. Yes, we accept applications from applicants who studied any subject, whether at a UK or overseas university. There was minimal technical hiccups and I felt welcomed at the firm. No. Summer/autumn 2024 begin studying for the SQE with BPP. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. I am worried that if I tell Macfarlanes about my disability this will be seen negatively. They kept dragging out the time before they sent me the assessment, and then decided not to hire me. Our selection process includes a range of assessments. Thanks a lot in advance! When discussing your application really consider what you have learnt and the skills you have developed. Can I apply for the training programme if I am currently studying elsewhere? Sports law involves the legal issues at play in the worlds of both amateur and professional sport. Assessment Centre:
To apply for a vacation scheme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. Please get in touch with our recruitment teamif you have further questions. When is the deadline for the vacation scheme? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Application blind and contextual recruitment. 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. The day involved a 20-minute exercise with a partner, a written exercise and a group exercise. Macfarlanes interview details: 23 interview questions and 24 interview reviews posted anonymously by Macfarlanes interview candidates. At first there was a list of potential issues and we discussed as a group, led by two current trainees, how serious each would be, which were the most serious etc. 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. 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. Commercial litigators represent and advise commercial clients when disputes arise from joint venture projects, civil fraud, commercial and banking transactions, corporate governance, financial services regulation and professional negligence. On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. Your choices regarding cookies on this site. You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer. Interview. 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. Remember that a lawyer can only give advice on things they have expertise in or they will face liability for incorrect advice. 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. 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"). The process took 2+ months. Winding-up petitions: whats the impact on companies and creditors in financial distress? The process took 1 day. 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. You can apply no matter what or where you have studied. 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. 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.