Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Law Firm Written Assessments – This Changes Everything!

Nov 30, 2023

Written By Sophia McKenna

Written assessments are centred around a hypothetical client case study. You will review a large volume of documents and will have a time limit to provide concise advice via a draft email or advice letter. Skills assessed include problem solving, commercial awareness, structure, and grammar. While it’s understandable that you may consider this a challenging task, this article will challenge preconceptions that written assessments are high-pressured and difficult to prepare for. This different perspective will change everything!

Myth busting: dispelling common misconceptions

Firstly, legal jargon and complicated words are not needed. Law firms design written assessments to assess law and non-law students, so simple and concise writing is key to success. Client needs are the focus, so prioritise accessibility and relevant information.

There is no right way to structure your response. Having a fixed mindset on structure will lead to undue stress. Focus on the task brief, themes, analysis and present your thoughts logically.

Having clarity on the true nature of written assessments will enable you to tackle them more effectively. Shed these misconceptions and you will be taking the first step towards a more successful strategy for written assessments.

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The evolution of written assessments: unveiling new trends

COVID changes have led to the continuation of online assessment centres including written assessments. The possibility of an online format in the comfort of your home helps to ease the pressure, and allows for a more flexible approach.

The written assessment landscape is continually evolving to reflect the legal profession. With client needs and comprehensive solutions to complex cases increasing, the legal profession must navigate huge client cases in short timeframes. The written assessment will allow you to demonstrate that you have the suitable skills for this.

Case studies may be influenced by current events, so commercial awareness is helpful here. Written assessments should explore wider business issues (risk, environment, client needs) as well as legal issues.

Your preparation for the current era of written assessments should be holistic. Build skills in skim reading, critical thinking, and commercial awareness which will enable you to feel more comfortable with tackling the facts.

Breaking down the assessment criteria: what really matters

Logical reasoning
Logical reasoning means reaching an informed conclusion. Identify the legal and commercial issues in the case study in a connected manner and explore multiple perspectives.

Clarity of expression
Use precise and simple language to explain your thoughts. Consider how to word your legal advice in plain English that a client would be able to understand.

Effective communication
Effective communication is crucial in the professional environment. The response you give should be concise, direct, and coherent.

Depth of analysis
Analyse the key stakeholders, legal/commercial issues and consider if more information would be needed. Some issues may be clear from the case documents. However, commercial issues may not appear explicitly in the documents, so you’ll need to read between the lines.

Strategic Preparation: Adapting to the New Normal

Strategic preparation, goes beyond routine study sessions and involves understanding the unique demands of each law firm.

Different law firms have different requirements for written assessments. Research the specific expectations and values of law firms to enable you to produce a tailored written assessment. Check out vacation schemes and training contract sections on law firm websites to understand their written assessment expectations/format.

Adaptive learning is important as written assessments are dynamic in nature; covering a wide variety of topics. Taking mock written assessments will enable you to feel familiar in both settings and learn from your mistakes.

Revolutionising response crafting: a new approach to writing

Innovative writing techniques capture the assessors attention. Use storytelling by framing your response in a client centric manner. The context in which information is presented evokes different responses in assessors and clients, so keep this in mind. You can also use analogies/real-world examples to explain advice in a relatable and engaging way.

Experiment with different writing styles. Giving client advice may require clear or persuasive writing, so avoid writing in an academic style. Use an active voice to make your writing more compelling.

Experiment with using diagrams to understand case facts and concepts during your preparation. This will enable you to thoroughly understand the task and convey this in your own distinct writing style and voice, making your responses stand out.

Interactive learning: engaging with practice exercises

Adopting an interactive and practical approach to learning reinforces theoretical knowledge and strengthens your critical thinking. Some ideas of how to do this include:

Considering the legal and commercial issues that could be relevant in a merger and acquisition deal
Trying out a written assessment example scenarios on law firm websites
Attending written assessment masterclasses and webinars

Feedback and Iterative Improvement: The Key to Mastery

No matter the outcome of your written assessment, keep in mind that mastery is a cyclical process. Gathering continuous feedback from your experience will give you the opportunity to grow.

Actively seek constructive feedback by approaching mentors, peers or other trusted individuals, who will give you valuable insights. You can approach this by attending network/panel events, webinars and by talking to your university careers advisor or mentors.

You should also reflect on your experience. What went well? What was difficult? What would you do differently next time? This will empower you to grow and set realistic goals to strengthen the skills required.

Embracing Change for Success in Written Assessments

Written assessments may appear daunting at first, but once you understand their requirements and the tricks to succeed, success in your written assessments will be within your reach.

Selection & Assessment