Hi everyone!
I have secured a training contract at Bristows (2023 start) and wanted to share my story and interview questions, in the hope that it helps future applicants!
My application story:
- I applied originally in 2020, passed the video interview, did one interview with a partner and senior associate + GDPR written exercise, progressed to the final interview with two partners + [redacted] written exercise. Ultimately rejected with very positive feedback.
- Reapplied in 2021 (through regular application form), did the video interview, after not hearing back for ages I emailed HR and got fast-tracked to the final round of partner interviews (due to previous application) + [redacted] written exercise. I was then rejected at first, but *miraculously* received a call 3 weeks later offering me the TC (someone had dropped out).
So in total, I did 2 video interviews (2020 & 2021) and 3 Teams interviews (2 in 2020, and 1 in 2021), and 3 written exercises (2 in 2020, 1 in 2021).
I don't remember all the questions from all of these, but here's what I wrote down/ remember.
Video Interview 2020
3 questions, 60 secs to answer each.
- Consider your motivations
- Have a very good understanding of the firm
- Practise competency questions
Video Interview 2021
3 questions, 15 secs prep time, 60 secs to respond to Q1 and Q2 / 90 secs for Q3.
- See above
Interview 1 (July 2020)
Partner and Senior Associate, 60 minutes, Teams
2 partners, 60 minutes, Teams
2 partners, 60 minutes, Teams
This was a more informal and free-flowing conversation, they didn't really repeat any questions they had asked me in previous interviews.
Written Exercise 1 July 2020
Read 4 articles about the GDPR, and write an email advising a client. 50 minutes.
Written Exercise 2 August 2020
Read an excerpt from [redacted], and answer ten questions (short answers). 60 minutes.
Written Exercise March 2021
Since I was fast-tracked to the final round of interviews in 2021, I do not know what written exercise was used in the first round. Also, it seemed they had created a new bespoke written exercise for me, as I had already done the GDPR and [redacted] the year before - other applicants may not get this exercise.
Read excerpts from [redacted] and an email from a colleague concerning how a client product is affected by the [redacted]. Draft a response to the colleague AND an email to the [redacted], asking to confirm your interpretation or clarify any issues.
That's it!! Good luck to anyone reading this, prepping for an interview!
I have secured a training contract at Bristows (2023 start) and wanted to share my story and interview questions, in the hope that it helps future applicants!
My application story:
- I applied originally in 2020, passed the video interview, did one interview with a partner and senior associate + GDPR written exercise, progressed to the final interview with two partners + [redacted] written exercise. Ultimately rejected with very positive feedback.
- Reapplied in 2021 (through regular application form), did the video interview, after not hearing back for ages I emailed HR and got fast-tracked to the final round of partner interviews (due to previous application) + [redacted] written exercise. I was then rejected at first, but *miraculously* received a call 3 weeks later offering me the TC (someone had dropped out).
So in total, I did 2 video interviews (2020 & 2021) and 3 Teams interviews (2 in 2020, and 1 in 2021), and 3 written exercises (2 in 2020, 1 in 2021).
I don't remember all the questions from all of these, but here's what I wrote down/ remember.
Video Interview 2020
3 questions, 60 secs to answer each.
- Consider your motivations
- Have a very good understanding of the firm
- Practise competency questions
Video Interview 2021
3 questions, 15 secs prep time, 60 secs to respond to Q1 and Q2 / 90 secs for Q3.
- See above
Interview 1 (July 2020)
Partner and Senior Associate, 60 minutes, Teams
- Tell me why you came to study law in London at X University?
- Why do you want to be a lawyer?
- Why do you want to be a solicitor and not a barrister?
- Why do you want to work for Bristows?
- How do you manage conflict/ when you disagree with someone?
- If you're at a Barbeque what would you say to a friend that makes Bristows different from its competitors? Anything distinguishing about its culture?
- Explain to your great grandmother who knows nothing about the internet, what the internet is. Use an analogy.
- You have unlimited resources for 24 hours, where would go/ what would you do?
- If opposing counsel left a confidential document in the bin after a meeting and you saw this, what do you do?
- If a team member told you to read something over for typos and email it to a client, and you find some non-minor content errors in it, what do you do? (team member has already left the office, not reachable by phone, there's no one else in the office)
- Do you think big tech should play a bigger role in the policing of online content?
- Tell me about a recent development in IT law / data protection law
- Tell me about a recent development in AI regulation
- You're a professor at a University with a promising cancer research project which has already shown some result. Your Uni will no longer give you money. How do you get funding
2 partners, 60 minutes, Teams
- Why did you choose X degree at X University?
- Why law?
- Why Bristows?
- What skills will you need to be a good solicitor?
- What is Data Protection?
- discussion of the [redacted] problem exercise
- If you couldn't become a lawyer what would you do?
2 partners, 60 minutes, Teams
This was a more informal and free-flowing conversation, they didn't really repeat any questions they had asked me in previous interviews.
- Introduce yourself
- Tell us about X module you studied at University
- Explain your research essay from X module
- Tell us about your current job
- What will you do until you start your LPC/TC (gap year between University and LPC start)
- I was shown a picture with two very similar bottles of shampoo. One is by Herbal Essences, and the other is a dupe from Boots (they had a similar shape, colour palette, similar logo and names). The client (Herbal Essence) comes to you, furious over the dupe's existence. What is your reaction, how do you respond/advise the client? What steps would you take? Why might taking it to court not be advisable? (hint: since Herbal Essence relies on a good working relationship with Boots to sell their products - suing them is probably not the best option, try to find an amicable solution instead).
- Summarise the govt's response to the Pandemic in 3 minutes.
- What would your top 3 seats be at Bristows?
- What do you do in your leisure time?
Written Exercise 1 July 2020
Read 4 articles about the GDPR, and write an email advising a client. 50 minutes.
Written Exercise 2 August 2020
Read an excerpt from [redacted], and answer ten questions (short answers). 60 minutes.
Written Exercise March 2021
Since I was fast-tracked to the final round of interviews in 2021, I do not know what written exercise was used in the first round. Also, it seemed they had created a new bespoke written exercise for me, as I had already done the GDPR and [redacted] the year before - other applicants may not get this exercise.
Read excerpts from [redacted] and an email from a colleague concerning how a client product is affected by the [redacted]. Draft a response to the colleague AND an email to the [redacted], asking to confirm your interpretation or clarify any issues.
That's it!! Good luck to anyone reading this, prepping for an interview!
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