Nabarro

Applications, Interviews & Assessments

"I was lucky to be recruited after an application form and assessment day. At the assessment day I had an interview with a partner and senior associate. There were no trick questions, but the kind of interview questions one would expect." -- First year trainee, London
"Assessment day, then interview, then summer scheme for three weeks, then another interview. Assessment day involves team building and team work activities, drafting exercises and, most recently, a speed networking exercise. The day changes each year." -- First year trainee, Sheffield
"Over 90% of graduates are hired from vac schemes. Practical questions include: ‘how do you deal with risk?’ ‘What are the best strategies for firms?’ ‘How do firms grow successfully?’ ‘How do firms find and retain clients?’ ‘How do you manage competing requirements?’ ‘What do you do if a deadline is unreasonable?’" -- First year trainee, London
"Hiring process is an interview and assessment day for the vacation scheme, followed by a three week vacation scheme, and a formal partner interview at the end of the scheme if you want to be considered for a training contract. The assessment day and vacation scheme are very well organised and you get a very good chance to impress and feel you are doing genuine trainee work. The interviews during the process tended to be quite informal and relaxing, and the interviews and the forms both avoided some of the stupid questions you sometimes see, like if your firm was an animal what would it be." -- Second year trainee, London
"Interviews are friendly and fairly standard questions are asked. The firm does not support asking random questions designed to trip interviewees up. Assessment day is challenging, as most trainees are recruited from vacation schemes. However, the overall emphasis is positive – the firm wants to see the best of people." -- Second year trainee, London

"There are vacation schemes and assessment days. I found the firm really approachable on the day and really enjoyed meeting partners, trainees and associates at the lunch to get a feel for the firm. The questions ranged from ones about my life outside studying and previous work to commercial-based questions. My interviewers seemed interested in my life as a whole, not just my knowledge of law." -- First year trainee, London
"Half-day assessment to get on a three-week summer scheme, including a 30-minute interview. Very straightforward." -- Second year trainee, London
"The process is as follows: 1) Application form; 2) Assessment day; 3) Interview; 4) Vacation scheme (3 weeks) – trainees are then offered training contracts on the basis of their performance on the vac scheme. It is a fairly intensive process, but it also means that you get to see what the firm is really like before getting a training contract." -- Second year trainee, Sheffield
"I wouldn't say it is easy, but I was very fortunate, having only applied to a few firms that really appealed to me. There is the formal application process, followed by an interview day and then either the summer scheme or an offer. The interview was fine for me, it focussed on my application form and there were no horror questions. The partners just want to get to know you and your personality. Just try to relax and be yourself; it's so easy to spot someone who is trying too hard! Some people are asked theoretical or topical questions about a particular set of facts or recent news item. Just think literally and laterally and offer a reasoned opinion. My best advice would be to apply for the summer scheme. It was the best three weeks of my career and the firm routinely wins awards for it. We take almost all our trainees from the summer scheme and so if you get on it, you're almost there." -- Second year trainee, London

Tips & Advice for Graduates

"Being bright, enthusiastic and confident are important, as is being able to multi-task." -- First year trainee, London
"Be genuine, be yourself, be knowledgeable about the firm and the commercial markets in which we operate. Be enthusiastic and friendly. Standard academic requirements, but all applications meeting these criteria are considered." -- First year trainee, London
"Hard working with a friendly attitude. Self-centred people do not fit in well here. Academics are usually AAB – no particular university." -- First year trainee, London
"Nabarro tends to hire people who are sociable and will fit in well as part of a team. Trainees are expected to be hard working and take the initiative and you should show at interview that you are resourceful and do not need to be spoon fed." -- Second year trainee, London
"The firm looks for bright, intelligent, hard-working, positive individuals. At least a 2:1 from a good university (top 10) as well as legal work experience and extracurricular interests. Recently, more and more Oxbridge candidates are being recruited." -- Second year trainee, London
"People with a personality – it is quite obvious from all trainee intakes that Nabarro does not take a particular type of person. If you are bright, diligent and have a personality, Nabarro are likely to be interested." -- First year trainee, London

"The firm likes people who have different outside interests and have done independent things." -- First year trainee, London
"Complete range of people/universities. Many trainees seem a bit older, i.e. have worked for a few years in other industries before starting their training contract. Definitely not the rule though." -- Second year trainee, London
"I would advise a candidate to be certain that a City firm was where they wanted to work and why. I would also recommend cultivating an interest in business (read the economist and talk to people about business). As for a type, it seems that the firm is looking for nice people who will look out for and support their fellow trainees." -- Second year trainee, London
"There is no specific type of Nabarro trainee – we all come from different walks of life and bring variety to the office. Nabarro trainees need outstanding communication skills – it will be no use having the brains of an academic if it cannot be communicated in simple terms to the client. After all, ‘Clarity Matters’." -- Second year trainee, London
"The firm hires a range of people from a range of universities and backgrounds. The only fact that they all share is they tend to be great fun to be with. The sort of people you would want to share a flat with or go backpacking with." -- First year trainee, London

What made you choose your firm?

"Very good reputation for commercial property, good location and it’s friendly." -- First year trainee, Sheffield
"Mid-level firm with good clients who took 90%+ of trainees from the summer scheme." -- Second year trainee, London
"The culture and approachability of all the staff shown during my summer scheme. The summer scheme is a must. Even if you do not get an offer, you will learn so much. It is a really rewarding experience and one you can take forward in your career." -- Second year trainee, London
"Good reputation in real estate, and more approachable atmosphere compared to similar sized City firms." -- Second year trainee, London
"Most enjoyable time on the vac scheme and the most responsibility." -- First year trainee, London

"I chose the firm because it is renowned for providing great training and for being a very friendly, down-to-earth firm. I was not interested in Magic Circle firms, nor was I interested in working in a pretentious ‘old-school’ firm." -- First year trainee, London
"I liked the vacation scheme. Positive feedback to work completed and I was given points for growth. Support – people told me to contact them if I needed advice whether I came to the firm or not." -- First year trainee, London
"The size of the trainee intake meant that I would conceivably be able to befriend my entire cohort." -- Second year trainee, London
"The people at Nabarro are genuinely friendly and approachable. Nabarro gets the big ticket work without the harsh realities of the Magic Circle." -- Second year trainee, London