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In third place is a list of the types of questions I used to ask at events (please apply your own judgement).


Questions to ask partners

  • Is the firm dominated by the states or more collaborative? What do you make of the relationship between offices?
  • How does the London office fit in with the broader strategy of the firm?
  • Does the US cultural influence make any difference on your day to day work?
  • How involved are you with US lawyers on a typical case? Does this pose challenges regarding time zones?
  • How involved is London in the firm’s overall decision making?
  • What are the biggest challenges about working on multi-jurisdictional deals (that aren’t related to the actual work)?
  • What proportion of partners trained within the firm?
  • Do you think there will be any consolidation among the major city firms?
  • Why do you think the best friend's network/alliance/merger is the best model for global practice?
  • Why do you do what you do? What gets you up in the morning?
  • Is the aim for the firm’s culture to be uniform across borders or distinct in each jurisdiction?

Questions to ask trainees 

  • How did you end in at your practice area? Where would you have gone if you hadn't ended up here?
  • Is there any scope to contribute ideas to the firm as a trainee?
  • How is it ensured that trainees on client secondments get the same standard of training?
  • How do you view the rise of US firms in London?
  • How would you describe X firm’s place in the market?
  • In terms of personal training/development, what does the law firm offer?
  • What are you most looking forward to in your future?
  • How many of you tend to work on a deal?
  • Do you find the culture non-hierarchical? Open door policy?
  • How involved are you with business development (BD) and promoting the firm?
  • What do you wish you’d known about being a trainee before you started that you now do?
  • How does the lack of billable hours affect your practice?
  • With the best friends network/alliance approach, has do secondments work?
  • Because there are fewer trainees at this firm, would you say there is greater trainee responsibility/exposure?
  • What was it like when you actually began at the firm? How did you find the transition?

Questions to ask graduate recruitment

  • How are seats allocated?
  • What are the skills you look for in a trainee?
  • Is there a mentoring programme available on the training contract?
  • Why did you join?
  • Can you tell us about the structure of your training contract assessment days?
  • How do trainees receive feedback? Is there a formal appraisal?
  • Are there opportunities to get involved in pro bono work?


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