Hey,
Here are my main tips for each:
Group Exercise:
- Work with your group. Don't be the odd person out that doesn't work in a team. Working together improves the quality of your response to your assessors - many is always better than one. You can bounce ideas off each other, and learn so much. Any employer would prefer to work with, and hire people that know how to work well as a team.
- If you know the subject matter of the exercise, then research well on it. If not, keep up on any general commercial trends, as I am very sure that one of them will pop out, or at least you could weave it in somewhere.
Case Study Interview:
- Practice common case study types - corporate, M&A, article discussions on trendy topics, etc. Know these concepts well. It's okay if you don't know everything - law firm's don't expect you to at this stage. Ask questions in your interview if you need to. Engage in a thoughtful discussion, like asking YOUR interviewers what THEY think about a particular topic. Obviously only do this once you've answered the question they asked you about to the best of your ability.
Best wishes, and congrats on the invite. Let us know if you have any more specific questions
@Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeemHi @LegallyBrunette_ !
Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!
In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!
Group Exercise
- In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
- Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
- Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of our progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
- If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.
Case Study Interview
I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.
- You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
- Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
- They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
- Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
- If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change of X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.
At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.
Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!
Thanks so much for all of your advice!!
