- Feb 17, 2018
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Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.
March 2020
Please specify what the interview was for.
Vacation Scheme 2020
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
Drafting exercise - 45 minutes, speaking task 15 minutes, negotiations task 1 hour, interview 45 minutes
Please list any interview questions you were asked.
Drafting exercise task:
This was a case study of a company looking to expand and to give advice about which company to expand with.
Advising an [redacted] company if they should finance an [redacted] purchase of [redacted]. You have an hour for this. Think carefully about structure and timing as it is very time pressured. Also, consider refreshing your memory of SWOT analysis and keep the language you use simple and non-legalistic.
Look up relevant commercial knowledge in relation to:
• Financing;
• acquisition and mergers;
• the potential issues that a company looking to grow inorganically must worry about;
• but also the advantages.
• SWOT analysis.
Speaking task:
You will have 15 mins to prepare. It is basically just speaking to a partner about your conclusions from the above task and why you came to them. It only lasts ten minutes if that.
Negotiation task:
Don’t be too inflexible, but stand your ground and always find out why the other side is asking for what they are asking – if you can understand why they are asking for ‘X’, then you may be able to counter-offer something that is advantageous to you both.
You will have to negotiate a deal between a [redacted] and [redacted]. I was the [redacted], make sure you get a break clause of some sort, the retailer does not have much coverage outside of Europe. They will offer a [redacted] deal, which is at the limits of what they can offer. We got a very good offer of like 150,000 units at £425 over 18 months; but signed over exclusivity for Europe and UK. Also consider differentiating between online and retail sales. You will need to consider closely the financial details of each company. [redacted]
Interview:
A very strange experience. Not very competency-based in a traditional sense. A Very HR interview, aka, difficult to build rapport. The usual questions such as Why law, what distinguishes BCLP from its competitors. Why not the Bar. And then strange ones such as what would you do if a staff member was being rude to you, would your response differ if they were a partner? Think carefully about situations you may find yourself in a law firm.
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
Know why you want to join BCLP and be yourself. They are looking for people with personality.
Were you successful?
Yes
March 2020
Please specify what the interview was for.
Vacation Scheme 2020
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
Drafting exercise - 45 minutes, speaking task 15 minutes, negotiations task 1 hour, interview 45 minutes
Please list any interview questions you were asked.
Drafting exercise task:
This was a case study of a company looking to expand and to give advice about which company to expand with.
Advising an [redacted] company if they should finance an [redacted] purchase of [redacted]. You have an hour for this. Think carefully about structure and timing as it is very time pressured. Also, consider refreshing your memory of SWOT analysis and keep the language you use simple and non-legalistic.
Look up relevant commercial knowledge in relation to:
• Financing;
• acquisition and mergers;
• the potential issues that a company looking to grow inorganically must worry about;
• but also the advantages.
• SWOT analysis.
Speaking task:
You will have 15 mins to prepare. It is basically just speaking to a partner about your conclusions from the above task and why you came to them. It only lasts ten minutes if that.
Negotiation task:
Don’t be too inflexible, but stand your ground and always find out why the other side is asking for what they are asking – if you can understand why they are asking for ‘X’, then you may be able to counter-offer something that is advantageous to you both.
You will have to negotiate a deal between a [redacted] and [redacted]. I was the [redacted], make sure you get a break clause of some sort, the retailer does not have much coverage outside of Europe. They will offer a [redacted] deal, which is at the limits of what they can offer. We got a very good offer of like 150,000 units at £425 over 18 months; but signed over exclusivity for Europe and UK. Also consider differentiating between online and retail sales. You will need to consider closely the financial details of each company. [redacted]
Interview:
A very strange experience. Not very competency-based in a traditional sense. A Very HR interview, aka, difficult to build rapport. The usual questions such as Why law, what distinguishes BCLP from its competitors. Why not the Bar. And then strange ones such as what would you do if a staff member was being rude to you, would your response differ if they were a partner? Think carefully about situations you may find yourself in a law firm.
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
Know why you want to join BCLP and be yourself. They are looking for people with personality.
Were you successful?
Yes
