Greenberg Traurig Training Contract - June 2023

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

3. Assessment centre

4. Training contract

Which aspect does this report cover?

Training contract assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm's London office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Partner interview:  general motivation and competency questions, plus a handful of commercial awareness questions (~1 hour with two partners)

2. Senior associate interview: this followed the same format as the partner interview but was instead led by two senior associates.

3. Written exercise: writing a client memo + proofreading exercise (1 hour 30 minutes). 

4. Group presentation: prepare a presentation on AI and how it was going to impact the firm and its clients (~1 hour 30 minutes with 2 partners).

Partner and senior associate interview       

Motivational questions

• Why did you choose to study law?
• Why are you pursuing a career in commercial law?
• Why Greenberg Traurig?
• Tell me about x experience from your CV.
• Tell us about a recent litigation matter the firm has worked on.
• Which other firms did you apply to?

Competency questions

• Tell me about a time you failed at something.
• What are the three traits or attributes you could bring to the training contract to help you succeed?
• What is your biggest weakness?

Commercial awareness questions

• What is the ‘more for less’ issue? (the context for this was essentially how clients are continually demanding more for less as alternative legal services providers grow in popularity, meaning differentiating services becomes so important for law firms - I spoke about how to deal with the more-for-less issue in terms of law firms diversifying their offerings; for example, firms now offer consulting, legal tech products, and other solutions).
• What is a recent news story that has interested you and how does it impact the firm’s clients?
• What is a key issue effecting law firms currently?

Group presentation exercise

I was placed in a group of 6. The group was asked to carry out independent research into how AI would impact the firm and its clients (we were each provided with a computer and internet access for this). After 45 minutes of research, the group came back together to discuss our findings and prepare a 5-minute presentation for the partners. Two partners were present for the group discussion and presentation.

The presentation was followed by questions from the partners, which included:

• How will AI impact the billable hour?
• How will AI impact due diligence on a transaction?
• Should we let candidates use AI when writing applications?

Written exercise

I was provided with a letter of intent that provided information about a fictional client's proposed acquisition of a competitor (both were in the healthcare industry). I was tasked with identifying the key legal and commercial issues that could affect the acquisition and then writing them up in a memorandum for the client (including, for example, whether to pursue a share or asset purchase, and how to finance the acquisition). I also covered which of the firm’s practice areas would need to be involved.

I was then asked to proofread the letter of intent and highlight any grammar or spelling mistakes.

What was the outcome?                                                  

The firm emailed me four weeks after the assessment centre to tell me I had been unsuccessful.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

To prepare for the Greenberg Traurig training contract assessment centre, it is crucial to focus on three main areas: motivation questions, competency questions, and commercial awareness. Firstly, anticipate questions about your motivation for studying law and pursuing a career in commercial law, and questions specifically addressing why Greenberg Traurig is the right fit for you. Also be ready to discuss experiences from your CV and articulate your interest in recent litigation matters handled by the firm. 

For competency questions, reflect on past challenges, your strengths, and areas for improvement. Develop concise and compelling examples that showcase your ability to learn and adapt. Strengthen your commercial awareness by staying informed about industry trends and recent news impacting law firms. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and succinctly. 

Regarding the group presentation exercise, practice collaborative research and presentation skills, focusing on the potential impact of AI on the firm and its clients. Lastly, simulate the written exercise by reviewing legal documents, identifying key issues, and refining your proofreading skills. Being well-prepared and showcasing your abilities in these areas will enhance your chances of success in the assessment centre.