When was your Burges Salmon interview?
November 2019
What was it for?
Winter Vacation Scheme
Please describe the interview process at Burges Salmon.
Started at 09:30 finished at 17:00
1. Presentation of the firm;
2. Group exercise. We were divided into the groups of 4. The scenario was based on advising a client on its investment into one of the proposed companies. 45 min. to discuss and 30 min. to pitch the chosen company to a client.
3. Written exercise straight after the group exercise. Write an email to a client using a computer (not handwritten exercise). 45 min. Word count 750.
4. Lunch with your trainee buddy and rest of the team. A great way to ask questions about the upcoming interview and their experience at the firm.
5. A pretty informal 30-minute long interview with a partner. General questions: a) why law?; b) why Bristol?; c) why Burges Salmon? d) some follow-up questions based on what I wrote on my application, eg. Why dispute resolution?
6. Tour around the firm with a trainee. Everyone was extremely friendly and the trainee was straightforward with her answers.
7. Watson Glaser critical thinking test. 30 min.
What advice would you give to future applicants for the Burges Salmon interview?
As cliche as it may sound but you must know the core practice areas and sectors the firm operates in. Read Burges Salmon's annual review it will help you to find out more about the deals they did and their most lucrative sectors.
The firm is praised for its collaborative approach. It seems that trainees and other fee earners love the firm for that as well. Thus, it may be worth mentioning that.
They do not want to be seen as a second-tier law firm outside of London as they compete with a few City-based firms. Hence, check BS's competitors.
November 2019
What was it for?
Winter Vacation Scheme
Please describe the interview process at Burges Salmon.
Started at 09:30 finished at 17:00
1. Presentation of the firm;
2. Group exercise. We were divided into the groups of 4. The scenario was based on advising a client on its investment into one of the proposed companies. 45 min. to discuss and 30 min. to pitch the chosen company to a client.
3. Written exercise straight after the group exercise. Write an email to a client using a computer (not handwritten exercise). 45 min. Word count 750.
4. Lunch with your trainee buddy and rest of the team. A great way to ask questions about the upcoming interview and their experience at the firm.
5. A pretty informal 30-minute long interview with a partner. General questions: a) why law?; b) why Bristol?; c) why Burges Salmon? d) some follow-up questions based on what I wrote on my application, eg. Why dispute resolution?
6. Tour around the firm with a trainee. Everyone was extremely friendly and the trainee was straightforward with her answers.
7. Watson Glaser critical thinking test. 30 min.
What advice would you give to future applicants for the Burges Salmon interview?
As cliche as it may sound but you must know the core practice areas and sectors the firm operates in. Read Burges Salmon's annual review it will help you to find out more about the deals they did and their most lucrative sectors.
The firm is praised for its collaborative approach. It seems that trainees and other fee earners love the firm for that as well. Thus, it may be worth mentioning that.
They do not want to be seen as a second-tier law firm outside of London as they compete with a few City-based firms. Hence, check BS's competitors.
