Clifford Chance

Training Contracts at Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance expects a 2:1 minimum from all its applicants, and ‘while a substantial portion of trainees are from Oxbridge, going to any other university does not mean you can’t get in’. The hiring process is extremely competitive though, but what else would you expect from one of the world’s most prestigious law firms? Clifford Chance looks for a mix of candidates that possess ‘intelligence’, ‘a willingness to learn’, ‘potential’, ‘confidence’, and the ‘ability to make small talk with a wide variety of people’. These traits are important for the firm’s trainees as a great deal of responsibility is levied from the off.

The process is fairly straightforward: following an online application and verbal reasoning test, successful candidates will be asked to attend an assessment day. This will consist of a tour and quick introduction to the firm, a group exercise, a commercial awareness test, a verbal reasoning test and a partner interview.

For the commercial awareness test, while you need to be aware of key topical issues affecting law, you are not expected to already know the ins and outs of the UK legal system. You’ll be given a short amount of time before your interview to look at a business scenario question and prepare your response. Interviewers’ questions will instead focus on whether you can draw logical conclusions and if you are able to explain yourself clearly – both skills required of any good solicitor.

In the group exercise you will be divided into smaller groups and given a business scenario to read, analyse and discuss in your group. It is important that everyone in your group talks. The better your team works together, the better each of you will be judged individually as ‘they look at how you interact within the group’. Remember to always explain yourself and justify your thinking.

Candidates will typically be interviewed by a partner and senior associate. You’ll be asked to talk through your CV, explaining your choice of subjects and degree discipline, previous work experience, and be confronted with the usual ‘why law?’, ‘why Clifford Chance?’ questioning. Bear in mind, you’re applying to one of the best law firms out there, so it should come as no surprise that you’ll need to put your best foot forward.

>> Practice Numerical and Verbal Tests used by employers

>> Practice In-tray / e-tray simulation tests

>> Improve your performance at Assessment Centres and Group Exercises

Successful applicants will sit four six-month seats throughout the training contract, two of which must be in corporate and finance. Trainees are also required to do a contentious seat, or instead complete a two week course at the College of Law. The music to many a trainee’s ear is that Clifford Chance recruits are ‘positively encouraged’ to do a seat abroad, with around 85% taking the international plunge and ‘some people even do two seats abroad’. Either way, trainees have a wide choice of seats, with numerous sub-departments to choose from within corporate, finance, capital markets, tax, pensions and employment, real estate and dispute resolution. The firm may not be able to accommodate everyone all of the time, but ‘if you are realistic about your choices and make it clear which departments you particularly want to gain experience in, HR will usually be able to accommodate’ you.

Clifford Chance Graduate Recruitment Info

Contact:
Graduate Recruitment
Tel: +44 (0)20 7006 3003
Email: Recruitment.London@CliffordChance.com

Application Deadlines: Training contracts: 31st July 2012

How to apply: gradsuk.cliffordchance.com