Herbert Smith Freehills Vacation Scheme - January 2023

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Psychometric test: HSF blended assessment including situational judgement, verbal reasoning and personality sections

3. Assessment centre

4. Vacation scheme

Which aspect does this report cover?

Vacation scheme assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm's London office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Commercial scenario: answered business, finance and legal questions based on a fictional commercial scenario(~35 minutes with 1 partner)

2. Case study interview: oral presentation on advice I would give a client based on a fictional transactional scenario (~45 minutes reading and preparation time, ~35 minutes with 1 partner)

3. Competency and motivation interview: competency, motivation and commercial awareness questions (~35 minutes with 2 senior associates)

Commercial scenario        

This interview was referred to as a “scenario” interview, but it was essentially an informal case study interview during which the partner raised various facts on the spot (we weren't given any information before the interview). This is different for everyone. The Partner basically talked about one of the deals they had worked on (so the “scenario” that they share with you will be based on the practice area that they work in).

Scenario 1

This scenario focused on a client's proposed acquisition of a wind farm. Based on this scenario, I was asked questions including:

• How would we go about valuing the target company and its assets?
• What other areas would we investigate as part of our due diligence process?
• There is a claim against seller: how could we protect the buyer from this risk? Out of the options discussed, which one is the most appropriate?
• The claim against the seller derived from a contract in which the seller failed to disclose a key piece of information to the claimant. The seller had mentioned the existence of this claim in its disclosure letter to the buyer. Which remedies are potentially available to the buyer?

Scenario 2

The scenario was based on a full-service travel company that was seeking to cut costs relating to its pension schemes. The partner explained in detail how the pension scheme operates and then asked questions based on what I had been told. The partner expected some level of knowledge of trusts, as that was related. 

Case study interview         

I was first given an 11 page bundle of documents relating to a joint venture that was looking to setup a chain of luxury hotels. The documents included background information, the key terms of the joint venture, and an exclusivity agreement. I had 45 minutes to read the information and prepare an oral presentation that covered the following questions:

• How does the heads of terms address the concerns the client has raised?
• What amendments could be made to the heads of terms to further address the client’s concerns?
• How can the exclusivity agreement be improved?
• Are there any other risks the client should be aware of and if so, how could these be addressed?

The partner also asked follow-up questions based on my presentation, including: 

• Is the heads of terms legally binding?
• How could we improve the deadlock provision in the heads of terms to further enhance our client’s position?
• The client ‘s partner in the joint venture owes money to creditors. A possible solution is to include an indemnity clause in the contract requiring the partner to reimburse our client if the creditors claim against the joint venture to recover their money. If we go with this option, how do we mitigate the risk of the partner becoming insolvent before our client exercises the indemnity clause?
• How can we gain more control over the joint venture?

Plan your oral presentation using very brief and clear notes. Make sure the notes/presentation plan allow you to systematically address every issue the client has raised/the case study questions.

The interview can either be very commercial or very technical depending on the interviewer (I spoke to the other candidates during the assessment centre and they had different experiences). If it is commercial, the partner (who is posing as a client) wants to know how we can tackle business related challenges like (a) how to gain control; (b) what are some threats we could face by collaborating with x party; and (c) what do we do in times of disagreement? They are expecting legal solutions to these commercial problems.

If it is technical, your interviewers will ask specific questions about the documents like: (a) how can x claim/statement be amended?; (b) what impact does clause x have on clause y?; and (c) what is triggered by clause x? 

Competency and motivation interview         

Competency questions 

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
• Tell me about a time you had to manage a high workload.

Motivation questions 

• How did you become interested in commercial law?
• Why Herbert Smith Freehills?
• Talk about x experience from your CV.

Legal and commercial awareness questions 

• What challenges would you expect to encounter as a trainee solicitor at the firm?
• What would be the key considerations when advising a client on a joint venture?
  

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

The motivational interview is very straightforward. They really go through your work experience and application, so it is important to know your experiences inside out. Although they have scripted questions, they just want to know you as a person. 

The case study interview can be tricky. Use the 45 minutes well to understand the material. Prepare the basics about M&A and have a go at reading contractual documents. 

The ‘scenario’ interview is the most challenging, as you cannot really prepare in detail for it. It can be on any topic, so the best you can do is be attentive and understand what the partner is explaining. Ask questions if you do not understand and think of the most basic or logical steps/answers. Sometimes, they only want to see if you know your basics.

What was the outcome?                                                  

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

NOTE THAT THE FULL LESSON INCLUDES THREE FURTHER ASSESSMENT CENTRE INSIGHTS FOR HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS