Clifford Chance Training Contract – January 2025

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Watson Glaser

3. Video interview

4. Assessment centre

What aspect does this report cover?

Video interview and training contract assessment centre.   

Video interview

This took place on the online platform Hireflix. I was asked three questions: one motivation, one competency and one situational.  The motivational question was ‘Why Clifford chance and what have you done to learn about the firm?’. Each question was timed, with a minute to prepare and two minutes to record the answer.

Where did the assessment centre take place? 

Clifford Chance’s London Office.

What did the assessment centre involve? 

1. Written exercise (45 minutes: 5 minutes brief, then 40 minutes reading and prep time)

2. Interview (80 minutes with 1 partner and 1 senior associate: 5 minutes presentation, 35 mins case study, 40 minutes competency/motivation questions) 

3. Group exercise (30 minutes with 2 senior associates)  

Written exercise 

I was given a bundle of around 7 pages to read. This included background information, email correspondence, relevant contracts and the company’s ownership structure. The case study was based on whether it was viable for a company (the client) to pursue litigation against their joint venture partner following a number of issues with the construction of a renewable energy plant. 

I was required to format and send an email that set out the three main issues, and any solutions I would recommend. 

The material used for the written exercise is the same material used for the case study, and the presentation would involve reporting back on the three main issues—therefore I suggest formatting the email in a way that aids you during your presentation. The email I sent was printed out for me and my interviewers (the partner and senior associate).   

During the preparation time I also noted down any other key information that I wanted to bring up during the case study portion of the interview. 

Interview 

This was split into two parts the case study interview which involved a discussion regarding the material I had just reviewed during the written exercise. 

After giving the 5 minute presentation, the interviewers asked me a number of follow up questions—some of which could be answered using the material, or broader commercial awareness. 

• What extra information would you ask for? 
• What does the ownership structure tell you?
• Where would you find information pertaining to shareholders' rights to litigate? 
• What tasks would a trainee typically have?

The interviewers would also ask me questions based on the answers I gave—asking me to explain further or prompting me to explore a different angle.

After the case study discussion, we moved onto the motivation/competency part of the interview. Some of the questions I was asked included: 

• Tell me about yourself? 
• Why Clifford Chance? 
• How would you pitch Clifford Chance to demonstrate that it stands out from competitors?
• What is the difference between billable hours and investment time?  

I was also asked to share something from my 500 word application answer, so review this before your assessment centre. 

After the motivation/competency part of the interview had concluded, I was able to ask around 3 questions. 

Group exercise 

This was supervised by two senior associates who took notes throughout.  

We were all given three tasks to order in a short amount of time. We then had two minutes to explain our order to the group and the assessors. The order had to reflect when we would start each task (earlier to later). 

We then came together as a group to come to an agreement on the order of the tasks; we had to explain our thinking aloud and this was timed. We successfully came to an agreement on the order we should put the tasks in. 

What was the outcome? 

I was called two weeks after my assessment centre and told that I had been successful.

Do you have any advice as to how to prepare? 

In preparation, utilise the written exercise/case study materials that are available on the Commercial Law Academy to become more familiar with the timed nature of the exercise and work on an approach that works best for you. 

Take advantage of the highlighters that you are provided with and make note of any information you think important and would like to mention during your case study interview or presentation. 

The case study interview can be difficult, but they do not expect you to know everything. Be comfortable with thinking aloud and try your best to come to a logical conclusion.

For the competency/motivation interview—make sure you prepare! Do not write a script but be aware of what you want to communicate when answering questions like “Why law?” and “Why Clifford Chance?”. I would also suggest writing out competencies that you think may come up, and thinking of experiences you may be able to attach to each. Practice answering the questions aloud to yourself or to friends/family to boost your confidence. 

For the group exercise, be confident and polite in expressing your opinion. Acknowledge your teammates' ideas and engage in conversation regarding the task.

Overall, try to be as comfortable and confident as possible—being personable, curious, thinking critically and most importantly backing yourself will get you a long way!

Clifford Chance Training Contract - January 2024

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application: 500 words covering extra-curriculars, positions of responsibility and an achievement you are most proud of

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser 

3. Video interview: three questions (two were given to us in advance) 

4. Assessment centre

Which aspect does this report cover?

Training contract video interview and assessment centre.

Video interview

The video interview took place via The Forage. We were given two out of the three questions in advance of the interview. For the third question, I was given 1 minute to prepare my answer. I was given 2 minutes to answer each question, and was not allowed to re-record answers.

I was asked something to the effect of: 

• What have you done to learn about Clifford Chance in the region, and why do you want to be a Clifford Chance lawyer in particular in the region?
• Tell us about a time you sought additional responsibility.
• Tell me about a time when a project was failing and how you got it back on track.

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

At the Clifford Chance offices in Canary Wharf.

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Introduction: 15-minute introduction with a member of graduate recruitment and five other candidates, during which we were told about the structure of the day, had the chance to deal with any issues, and had to very briefly introduce ourselves.

2. Case study/written task: wrote an email response to a case study centred on business/legal issues (40 minutes).

3. Interview: focused on firm motivation, competencies, and the case study (~75 minute interview with a partner and a senior associate)

4. Group exercise: I had to briefly present my ideas, then work with five other candidates to come to a unanimous decision regarding a case study scenario (30 minutes, with two associates in the room taking notes).

Case study 

The case study was based on a company facing financial difficulties and the potential consequences of such struggles. We were provided with various case study materials, including an email from a partner setting out the task and instructions, background information on a fictional client, information about potential financing avenues, an email from a board member setting out potential concerns, and financial documents relating to the client. 

The task was to email the partner with an outline of the 4 priority issues that we have to discuss with the client regarding the acquisition. The issues ranged from funding debt payments, to risks of default and a potential dispute (which required a discussion around reputational risks). The key was to also explain how those challenges could be tackled, exploring different avenues, and which Clifford Chance practice areas/teams could assist in each case. 

It was important to write the answer in the format of a business email. It had to be concise and direct, with a clear format and structure. I was allowed to first write in a Word document and then email it to a person mentioned on the instruction sheet. I included headings to separate the different issues and an executive summary of my advice to the partner/client. 

Interview 

The interview kicked off with me giving a short introduction about myself, then we moved on to a discussion around the case study. I was asked to give a 5-minute oral presentation on the key issues that I had identified. I based my presentation on the email advice I had just prepared for the written task. The interviewers had access to this email. I was asked several questions about the case study following my presentation, including: 

• Which is the most important issue? 
• How can we protect the client from x issues? 
• Apart from indemnities and warranties, what are other ways to protect the client from potential litigation?
• What do you think about the internal situation within the client’s board? 
• What is the best way for the client to raise capital given its financial struggles, and why? Follow up: is it feasible to borrow at this point given high interest rates? 
• How can the client cut costs to alleviate its financial struggles (both in terms of labour costs and costs of several commercial premises)?
• What would you as a trainee do to assist with this issue?
• What would happen if the client defaults on debt/interest repayments? 

I was not asked specific questions about broader commercial awareness, because I integrated references to world news throughout my interview. However, topics that came up included:

• The current economic situation
• The Russia/Ukraine war and its impact on businesses/on the fictional client 
• ESG 
• High insolvency rates 
• Working from home trends 

Note that I was not expected to remember specific statistics and figures that were included in the case study materials. I was however asked a question relating to finance and a number of business-specific questions.

After the case study interview, I had the competency interview with the senior associate (although the partner asked questions too). There was no break in between. Here are some of the questions I was asked:

• Why law and why Clifford Chance? 
• Which other firms have you applied to?
• What tasks are trainees at the firm typically required to undertake in different departments?
• What specific skills do you have that will make you a great trainee at Clifford Chance? 
• Tell me about a time you have worked in a team.
• Tell me about a time when you have had to work under pressure to meet a deadline
• How do you manage your workload?
• How will you combine late working hours and [specific hobby/sport], staying motivated throughout? 
• Is there something you would like us to know that you haven’t shared yet?

I was not asked specific questions about Clifford Chance as a business, probably because I made sure to integrate references to the firm and its clients throughout, but I am aware that these types of questions might come up. Perhaps think about how Clifford Chance can increase profits and play to its strengths. 

At the end, I had around 15 minutes to ask questions to the partner and senior associate. Overall, I found the interview to be very conversational and enjoyable. I was able to ask questions throughout, and never felt like the interviewers were trying to catch me out. Definitely a conversation rather than an interrogation. 

Group exercise

This type of exercise was new for this year’s application process. Five other candidates and I needed to come to a unanimous decision over a (non-technical) case study question relating to the firm’s pro bono work. The exercise lasted 30 minutes. Each candidate had 2 minutes to present their ideas, and then we had to work as a team. Two associates were in the room taking notes. 

In the 2 minutes allocated to me, I made sure to present my ideas clearly and concisely, elaborating on my arguments. Subsequently, it was important to work with the other candidates to reach a conclusion that everybody agreed with. The firm here was testing our ability to work as a team. Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable exercise. 

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received a training contract offer by phone a week after the interview.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare? 

Written exercise: take 2 minutes to skim through all the documents. Once I had a clear idea of how many documents I needed to read, I read the documents thoroughly in the order they were provided. While I was reading, I made notes of the main issues and started drafting my email advice. Take note of your audience (if you are addressing a client – do not use any legal jargon and be concise; if it is a lawyer – you can explain your points and provide legal solutions). Follow a good structure so that you effectively answer the question. Leave 5 minutes at the end to proofread your answer and prepare for the oral presentation. 

Case study interview: make sure that your presentation includes the most important issues and that it stays within the allocated 5 minutes. Project confidence when you start, as this will shape how your interview goes forward. It is important to know the basics of M&A, different financing avenues, and the different ways in which companies can reduce their costs and increase their capital inflows to avoid defaults and potential insolvency. Also have a clear understanding of broader commercial awareness and what is going on in the world. This will help you answer the questions. Finally, I made sure to propose solutions for each issue addressed - this showed the interviewers that I am solution-oriented and a problem-solver. 

I generally used Chris Stokes’ books, Jake’s Commercial Law Handbook, Watson’s Daily, Finimize, The Economist’s articles, and FT First/daily briefings to prepare. 

Competency interview: The key is to show your personality. Since it is a CV blind interview, you can talk about any of your experiences, interests and passions. Doing so helped me to build a rapport with my interviewers, especially since they shared some of the experiences I had. Additionally, carry out ample research into the firm, including how it operates as a business. Look into fee structures, think about how different economic environments can affect the workload of different departments, try to understand how law firms make money, and consider how firms can add value and stand out to clients. Finally, make sure to properly understand the role of a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance in different departments, and what will be expected of you. 

Group exercise: Make sure you have a clear role within the group (e.g. timekeeper, the one taking notes…) and engage with the group throughout (try to forget that there are two associates in the room, as they are only there to monitor the discussion). Keep an eye on the time and make sure to be both a team player and to have your voice heard. 

Clifford Chance SPARK Scheme - March 2023

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Psychometric test

3. Assessment centre

4. SPARK scheme (which can lead directly to a training contract offer)

Which aspect does this report cover?

Assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm London office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Case study preparation and written exercise: business-centric client email of advice (~45 minutes to review the materials and write the email)

2. Case study presentation and discussion: oral presentation and case study discussion (~5 minute oral presentation and 35 minute discussion with 1 partner and 1 senior associate)

2. General interview: CV blind interview consisting of competency, motivation and commercial awareness questions (~40 minutes with 1 senior associate)

Case study preparation and written exercise

I was first given a 7-page bundle of documents containing information relating to an acquisition of a supermarket. The documents included background information on the deal, an email from a partner at the firm outlining the brief and some additional deal-specific information, and details of issues currently faced by the supermarket.

I had 45 minutes in total to read the information and write an email to a fictional client outlining the key issues. The 45 minute time limit places you under real time pressure, so make sure you at least skim read everything, and try to pick up on all the key issues. Plan your oral presentation using very brief and clear notes (you’re allowed to bring along notes with you to the interview room, so this can help to ensure that your presentation is well-structured).

Case study presentation and discussion

I was then taken into an interview room, where I orally presented my findings to the partner and senior associate for 5 minutes. The partner then asked follow-up questions based on my presentation for the remaining 35 minutes, including: 

• What’s the difference between debt and equity?
• What competition issue might arise?

Competency and motivation interview         

I was asked various competency questions, including:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
• Tell me about a time you faced tight deadlines.

I was asked motivation questions, including:

• Why commercial law?
• Why Clifford Chance?

I was also asked legal and commercial awareness questions, including:

• What challenges would you expect to encounter as a trainee solicitor at the firm?
• What are the key challenges facing the legal industry?

What was the outcome?                                                  

The firm called me a week after the assessment centre to tell me I had been unsuccessful.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

Try to project confidence, as I was told my lack of confidence was my main let-down.

The case study interview can be tricky. Use the 45 minutes wisely so that you fully understand the material before heading into the interview room. If you do not understand certain points, don’t panic. It’s fine to ask questions!

Clifford Chance Training Contract - January 2023

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application: 600 words covering extra-curriculars, positions of responsibility and an achievement you are most proud of

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser 

3. Assessment centre

Which aspect does this report cover?

Training contract assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

At the Clifford Chance offices in Canary Wharf

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Introduction: 15 minute introduction with a member of graduate recruitment and five other candidates, during which we were told about the structure of the day, had the chance to deal with any issues, and had to very briefly introduce ourselves

2. Case study/written task: wrote an email response to a case study centred on business/legal issues (~35 minutes).

3. Interview: focused on firm motivation, competencies and the case study (~75 minute interview with a partner and a senior associate)

Case study

The case study was based on a potential acquisition of a chain of supermarkets in the UK by a private equity firm. We were provided with various case study materials, including an email from a partner setting out the task and instructions, background information on a fictional client, information about the target company, and potential concerns that the partner has identified. 

The task was to email the partner with an outline of the 5 priority issues that we have to discuss with the client regarding the acquisition. The issues ranged from financing the acquisition and competition law issues, to a potential dispute (which required a discussion around reputational risks), among others. The key was to also explain how those challenges could be tackled and which Clifford Chance practice area/team could assist in each case. 

It was important to write the answer how you would if writing a business email. It had to be concise and direct, with a clear format and structure. We were allowed to first write in a Word document and then email it to a person mentioned on the instruction sheet.  

Interview                

The interview kicked off with me giving a short introduction about myself, then we moved on to a discussion around the case study. I was asked to give a 5-minute oral presentation on the key issues that I had identified. The interviewers however did not have access to the email (written task). I was asked several questions about the case study following my presentation, including: 

• Which is the most important issue? 
• How can we protect the client from x issues? 
• Apart from indemnities and warranties, what are other ways to protect the client from potential litigation?
• What are the different ways to finance the transaction and what should our client do in light of its circumstances? Follow up: Is it feasible to borrow at this point given high interest rates? 
• The target has several suppliers that are concentrated in one area. What does this mean for the buyer if the acquisition goes through? 
• What would you as a trainee do to assist with this acquisition?

After the case study-related questions, I was asked further questions, including:

• What do you think about the current economic situation?
• What are some of the trends you have been keeping up with?
• What impact has the Russia/Ukraine war had on business? How do you think this has affected Clifford Chance?

Note that I was not expected to remember specific statistics and figures that were included in the case study materials. I was however asked a question relating to finance and a number of business-specific questions.

After the case study interview, I had a 10 minute break and then I had the competency interview with an associate. Here are some of the questions I was asked:

• Why law? 
• Which other firms have you applied to?
• Tell me about a time you have worked in a team.
• Tell me about a time where you have had to deal with a difficult person?
• How do you manage your workload?
• How do you stay motivated?
• How is Clifford Chance different from a client’s perspective?

What are some reasons why a client would want to work with us, and some why they might not want to work with us?

• Is there something you would like us to know specifically that you haven’t shared yet?

There was a real focus on Clifford Chance as a business, including how it can increase profits and play to its strengths. Overall, I found the interview to be very conversational and enjoyable. I was able to ask questions throughout, and never felt like the interviewers were trying to catch me out. Definitely a conversation rather than an interrogation.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?     

Written exercise: Take 2 minutes to skim through all the documents and 3-4 minutes to thoroughly read the important bits. Take note of your audience (if you are addressing a client – do not use any legal jargon and be concise; if it is a lawyer – you can explain your points and provide legal solutions). Follow a good structure so that you effectively answer the question. Leave 5 minutes at the end to proofread your answer and prepare for the oral presentation. 

Case study interview: Make sure that your presentation includes all the important issues. Project confidence when you start, as this will shape how your interview goes forward. It is important to know the basics of M&A and private equity. Understanding the stages of an M&A transaction and the exact role that each practice area plays helps you to think of the possible issues with a merger or acquisition. 

Competency interview: The key is to show your personality. Since it is a CV blind interview, you can talk about any of your experiences, interests and passions. Doing so helped me to build a rapport with my interviewers. Additionally, carry out ample research into the firm, including how it operates as a business. Look into fee structures, think about how different economic environments can affect the workload of different departments, try to understand how law firms make money, and consider how firms can add value and stand out to clients.

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received a training contract offer by phone a week after the interview.

Clifford Chance Training Contract - January 2022

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application: 600 words covering extra-curriculars, positions of responsibility and an achievement you are most proud of.

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser 

3. Assessment centre

Which aspect does this report cover?

Training contract assessment centre. 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

Online platform called TopScore.

What did the assessment centre involve?      

2. Case study/written task: wrote an email response to a case study centred on business/legal issues (~35 minutes).

3. Interview: focused on firm motivation, competencies and the case study (~75 minute interview with a partner and a senior associate).

Case study

We were provided with various case study materials, including a thought leadership article on the NSI Act, a document setting out a fictional client scenario, and instructions telling us to draft an email to a fictional client covering issues that were potentially relevant to the client scenario. 

The fictional client scenario involved X company wanted to invest in Y company. Y was a tech company that had a potential contract with the Ministry of Defence. This raised national security concerns under the military category of the NSI Act, a point which was outlined in the thought leadership article. I had to advise on the potential implications of this, including risks, issues, and the next steps that might need to be followed (e.g. seeking clarification of certain points, submitting a voluntary request for review, potentially reconsidering the deal etc.).

I had to write the email response within the online platform, so had no direct access to a spell checker. However, although I could not copy/paste text from Microsoft Word into the platform, I could copy/paste my answers from the platform into Microsoft Word to check the spelling and then manually amend the text in the platform.

Interview                

The interview kicked off with me giving a short introduction about myself, then we moved onto discussing the case study. I was not asked to present my findings or read out the email I had written (apparently the interviewers did not see the written email before or during the interview). Instead, I was asked a number of questions about the case study, including: 

• How would the NSI Act effect timelines and deal deadlines (reviews under the NSI Act can take a lot of time).
• Were there any glaring issues to consider from the facts presented?
• The firm completed a similar deal last year for a client, but did not make as much money as it could have. How could the firm maximise profits in connection with this deal?

Note that I was not expected to remember specific statistics and figures that were included in the case study materials. I was however asked a question relating to finance and a number of business-specific questions.

I wasn’t asked specifically about why I want to be a commercial lawyer, why I was applying to Clifford Chance, what I had read about in the news, or how I would respond to certain situational judgment scenarios, but I tried to weave my motivations into other aspects of the interview where possible (and not totally off topic to do so).

I did bring up a news story at one point, and was asked follow up questions on this, including how it could impact the firm and its clients. There was also a real focus on Clifford Chance as a business, including how it can increase profits and play to its strengths. Other questions I was asked include:

• What practice areas did you put down as your preferences?
• When have you made a sacrifice for someone else?
• When have you dealt with somebody difficult? 
• How do you deal with different opinions? 
• Out of all of your experiences so far, what is something that you would like to tell us about the most?
• If you had £5,000, how would you invest it?
• Where else have you applied? 
• How are your other applications going?
• Have you considered other careers such as investment banking?
• How did COVID-19 affect the firm?
• Why would you be a good fit for the firm?

Overall, I found the interview to be very conversational and enjoyable. I was able to ask questions throughout, and never felt like the interviewers were trying to catch me out. Definitely a conversation rather than an interrogation.

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received my training contract offer by phone 6 days after the interview.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?                                                       

Carry out ample research into the firm, including how it operates as a business. Look into fee structures, think about how different economic environments can affect the workload of different departments, try to understand how law firms make money, and consider how firms can add value and stand out to clients.

Don’t be afraid to show your personality, talk about your passions and demonstrate what drives you. Doing so helped me to build a rapport with my interviewers.