We reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates who attend an assessment day for our vacation scheme or training programme. Has anyone here used upwork or other similar sites to initially get work to start your own firm? No, we do not accept applications after the deadline has passed. When you apply for the training programme, you should be in at least your final year. Bar Course /BVS / BPTC 2023-2024 : what are everyone's plans? There is a guidance document on our intranet detailing this. ", Opens the Fishbowl by Glassdoor site in a new window, motivations for law, about you, and competency on resilience. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership. The partner will challenge you a lot on the ethical scenario, which I found the hardest part. 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. 1 negotiation exercise - group work based exercise with a partner. In each seat you will share a room with a partner or solicitor who supervises and supports you. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. General introduction - interview with partners - written exercise - group negotiation. They discuss adjustments required by our employees and ensure these are implemented. Due to the high number of applications we receive, we cannot give feedback at the application stage. Be clear on your competencies, and think about obscure traits that they could ask you about. You are using an out of date browser. You then meet a partner and a senior associate who ask you several questions about each case study. 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. 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. This 32-week course includes everything you need to ensure you are fully prepared to work in commercial practice. Just really know what you are good and bad at. You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer. All future trainees complete the SQE preparation course with their cohort of Macfarlanes trainees at BPP University, Holborn campus. They lead the client relationship management and advise clients on a range of issues, from housing to employment. All rights reserved. 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. Its important to remember theyre just there to have a lunch and answer any questions you have or just discuss things. We understand that not every candidates achievements look the same on paper, and we are a firm that believes in fairness and diversity. I applied through a recruiter. Our HR team liaise with third party occupational health and other medical professionals. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. 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. Any insight would be appreciated! We encourage you to take your time, come to as many events as you can and thoroughly research the firm before applying. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. 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. Nepotism always wins it seems. SQE timeline (for training programmes due to start in 2025). The examination comprises two stages: SQE 1 and SQE 2. My higher education qualifications do not meet your minimum requirements. Coming up with solutions to current legal issues was a bit tricky. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Private client solicitors looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees, managing all aspects of their personal wealth. Spring 2024 - Sit the SQE2 examination. Our Environmental Sub-Committee, made up of people from across the firm, leads the firms sustainable business agenda. Leadership skills. Tax. On Fishbowl, you can share insights and advice anonymously with Macfarlanes employees and get real answers from people on the inside. Our REACH network celebrates a number of religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, Purim and Diwali. Do not feel pressured to respond too quickly, but take time to give considered answers. 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. Any thoughts on working at Twitter as counsel? 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. Balance is a forum for all staff managing careers and home lives. 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. Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to Macfarlanes LLP. 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 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. 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). Interview + case study Even though I didn't get the offer I enjoyed the day and the feedback they gave afterwards was helpful. To apply for a vacation scheme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. Explain how a current issue affects our firm. 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. The vast majority of our graduate recruitment assessment processes are scored CV blind. The first was a written exercise which was a letter to a client, a holiday company, about a complaint they had received by one of their customers, with advice about their liabilities and what they should offer by way of compensation. Last year our work involved over 75 jurisdictions. Interested in a future career as a lawyer? Macfarlanes has advised alternative asset manager Hayfin on the leasing of 65 Davies Street in Mayfair from property group Grosvenor. These sessions help build your legal knowledge and inform your seat choices. We also have a firmwide religious and cultural events calendar that highlights important dates throughout the year to promote awareness and understanding. See what employees say it's like to work at Macfarlanes. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Theyre not out there to assess the quality of your questions or anything. However, you will need to complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC) during your qualifying work experience. You will spend an afternoon work-shadowing one of our trainees as well as being assessed for a place on the vacation scheme itself. Sponsored by Osborne Clarke LLP. Can I still apply? 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. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. Discover anonymous reviews now! If you are studying a non-law degree, you can only apply for a place on our vacation schemes from your penultimate year onwards. Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at. I have had a bad experience in the past and feel it is safer not to disclose my disability. I am a career changer. The second exercise was a written exercise: a letter to a client advising on whether they had grounds to sack some employees. I'm thrilled to share that I have accepted a Summer Vacation Scheme offer from Macfarlanes! 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 . 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. The interview is 40 mins in total: 20 mins in-tray exercise and 20 mins competency based Qs. How would you implement a process. We want the best talent at Macfarlanes. 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. Over at @macfarlanesgrad, they're challenging the Instagram vs reality stereotypes and laying bare what makes the firm #meaningfullydifferent. We have opportunities for qualified lawyers, trainees and business services who are looking for outstanding career development. 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. Keep up to date with our free weekly newsletter, 2.1 anticipated or achieved (mitigating circumstances are taken into account). Any insight would be appreciated! Tech and the future of legal services: implementing change. Why do you want to become a solicitor? 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. Where can I study the SQE preparation course? Not usually, unless you fall into the category of experienced hires or foreign qualified lawyers described in our SQE policies. Thanks! While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. However, they are not a requirement for the training programme. By clicking Accept cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. 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. We recruit people to build careers for the long term. Online application. 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. They will work with you to understand the changes you need and ensure these are put in place. Quite standard I am worried that if I tell Macfarlanes about my disability this will be seen negatively. Anonymous Interview Candidate in London, England, I applied online. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Join our training to understand the financial world. We run campus and in-house events during the academic year. Pensions and Pensions De-risking. 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. My partner is letting her friend sleep in her bed, am I overeacting? Very friendly and relaxed. About us Diversity and inclusion Facts and figures 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! The exercise is about understanding the roles of lawyers and commercial awareness. The opportunity to experience Macfarlanes begins with our vacation scheme assessment days. They assess you on your contribution but also how you react to your team members. 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. Yes, we accept applications from applicants who studied any subject, whether at a UK or overseas university. The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that you might find useful. 1875. Then we were split into two groups of three, representing each side of the acquisition. This involved looking at the employment contract, examining against the facts, and coming to a conclusion. For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. Sponsored by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. 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. I graduated some years ago. 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 firm will reimburse SQE costs for anyone who is successful in securing a place on the training programme. 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. . These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. Law firms in profit despite pandemic; firms reinstate NQ pay. Exeter Assessment Centre. A firm handshake is best, but try not to break any bones. good questions and very good structure . We're delighted to announce the launch of the Macfarlanes' trainee experience, allowing you to complete mock trainee tasks whilst gaining an insight into our unique culture. A long application followed by an assessment centre with a case study, partner/associate interview and written exercise. Sessions start on the week of the 13th March! You are divided into sub teams of two or three and given 15 minutes to prepare for the negotiation. It revolved around advising a private client (-note Macfarlanes is known for this practice area!) Can I send in a copy of my CV and a covering letter instead of completing an application online? If successful at the screening stage, we will invite you for a telephone interview. What exercises can I expect at a vacation scheme assessment day? 2nd stage interview, a presentation on legaltech followed by a Q and A. Overall good questions ! At the assessment centre I did a written exercise, an interview and a group exercise. It was very well-structured but I feel the rather high number of applicants made it feel a bit more intimidating. What kind of technology are you interested in most? 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. However, the firm will provide study leave at the discretion of the practice area head. As with the SQE preparation course, the firm covers your fees, and you receive a 13,000 grant. Contentious construction work involves the resolution of disputes while non-contentious work involves drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on projects. Do I need to have completed a vacation scheme when I apply for the training programme? 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. The second element was an interview with a partner about competencies. 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. Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund returns for second year in a row. Nice experience, the interviewers were very friendly and willing to help with any questions I had. 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 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). Vacation scheme assessment days consist of the following assessments: All assessment exercises during the assessment day are application blind, so your assessors will not have seen your application form. What to expect from Macfarlanes LLP training contract. The process took 1 day. There is no set time, but we suggest you neither rush nor leave it to the last minute. I interviewed at Macfarlanes. 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. It is not a win lose situation, be cooperative and collaborate with your team mates. Why Macfarlanes and what values resonate with you, Tax restructuring scenario for a group of companies. For all our programmes, please apply online. To find out what it is like to work at Macfarlanes read the firm's Meet the Lawyer profile. Law firms have raised more than 600,000 to support 65 hopeful social welfare lawyers through theSolicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Anyone else 12 weeks behind with uni work? The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. Upon successful completion of the SQE and QWE will I be able to apply for an NQ role at the firm? We can also tailor your interviews on our schemes around these times as well as at assessment day stage. Interview with a partner: 20 minutes, first 10 on an ethical scenario leaving a VERY short time for personal questions. Don't be afraid to be nervous - if you're shaking you won't necessarily be judged on it! I am not yet at university. There were quite a lot of applicants together on the same day. a group negotiation exercise with five or six other candidates, assessed by an associate. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. Written exercise The one-on-one partner interview involves the usual competency, motivation, and strengths based questions. "Why law/Macfarlanes? I interviewed at Macfarlanes (London, England) in Jul 2022, Introduction However, if you feel you have a good understanding of what life is like as an associate and have researched the firm well, you can apply directly for our training programme. How would you deal with a disruptive associate when you are giving presentation ? But note: some of your interviewers may dress down. We talked to the person next to us and then relayed to the rest of the room. 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. Be the first to find this interview helpful, Why Law Why Macfarlanes Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle, "Are you resilient?" 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. Salaries, reviews, and more - all posted by employees working at Macfarlanes. Summer/autumn 2024 begin studying for the SQE with BPP. The scenario was an acquisition of an airline. 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 unsuccessful at an assessment day, you should discuss reapplying with a member of the graduate recruitment team. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. It also details the support available to employees. Macfarlanes Graduate Recruitment. Please describe the interview process at Macfarlanes. Sponsored by Milbank LLP. 31/03/2023 Mayer Brown . Each year we recruit 33trainees with the aim of training them to be the future partners of the firm. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. for recruitment purposes, (including via virtual assessment centres and virtual trainee experiences); to promote our legal services, including . Yes, we do. There was minimal technical hiccups and I felt welcomed at the firm. And in June 2020 we adopted an ambitious new environmental policy. Our selection process includes a range of assessments. Does Macfarlanes have any staff network groups? 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! Everything you need to know about becoming a solicitor, Search for a training contract at nearly 1,000 organisations, A comprehensive list of training contract deadlines, A comprehensive list of law firms' vacation scheme deadlines, Read how today's lawyers went from student to qualified lawyer, Advice from recruiters on acing your applications and more, Get a sense of what firms' vacation schemes are really like, Your essential first step in identifying the firm for you, Hear from solicitors working in specific practice areas, Everything you need to know about becoming a barrister, Search for a pupillage at nearly 200 barristers' chambers, A comprehensive list of pupillage deadlines, Hear from barristers working in specific practice areas, Find out more about the different types of chambers, This hub covers all aspects of legal education and training, Identify the right law school for you with these prospectuses, Find out about sources of funding at each stage of the qualification process, Find out about what you learn and where to study, Find out what the LPC involves and whether you're eligible, Find out about the course required to qualify as a barrister, Find out about the brand-new SQE preparation courses, Articles from law firms designed to get you thinking commercially, These are designed to increase your knowledge of the profession, Insights from LCN and contributors from the world of law, Advice on issues from funding your studies to getting experience, Kickstart your legal career with the latest content in our newsletter, Discover key stories from the legal world, Our videos feature interviews and webinars on careers in law, Hear from the experts via The LawCareers.Net Podcast, Hear from your peers about their journey into the profession, Macfarlanes are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of their clients.