Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Assessments

Prepare for the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

About Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

In 2018, Bryan Cave joined with Leighton Paisner to create a new, fully integrated firm. Its origins date back to 1873 when the firm that would become Bryan Cave was established as King, Phillips & Stewart in St. Louis, Missouri.

The firm represents business, institutional, financial, and individual clients across sectors such as energy & natural resources, financial services, real estate & infrastructure, food & agribusiness, technology, and sports, hospitality & retail.

Its level of expertise has resulted in over 40% of the Fortune 500 choosing the firm to help navigate business regulation, competition, disputes, market disruption, and the challenges of globalisation. The firm also represents 30 of the world's top 50 banks.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner works across the practice areas of real estate, corporate, finance, tax, investigations, litigation & dispute resolution regulation, compliance & advisory, and mergers & acquisitions. It employs over 1,400 lawyers placed in 30 offices across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

It prides itself on its 'One Firm' culture , with an open and supportive environment. The company culture consists of six key areas of focus around inclusivity and diversity: disability, family & carers, mental health & wellbeing, gender representation, LGBTQ*, and social inclusion & ethnicity.

In 2019, Stonewall ranked the firm the second most inclusive place to work in the UK.

The firm offers student vacation schemes, graduate training contracts (at its London, Manchester, or Hong Kong offices), and job opportunities for experienced hires. Current openings are listed on the website.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Application Process

As it's a respected global firm, the application process for Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is competitive. Applicants are required to submit an online application, complete an online psychometric test, attend an interview, and take part in an assessment centre day.

Only the top applicants from each stage will progress to the following step in the process, so it pays to be fully prepared.

BCLP Online Application

The first stage in the process is to complete an online application. The application form will ask you to fill in your personal details, educational background, and work experience. It will also ask questions relating to your motivation for a career in law, what drew you to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, your commercial awareness, and the skills that will make you a competent lawyer.

This is your first chance to impress, so your answers should be clear and well-structured. Recruiters have many application forms to sift through, so ensure yours is engaging and evidence-based.

Before submission, check your responses carefully for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

If you are unsuccessful at this stage, you'll be provided with a feedback email with pointers to help you strengthen your next application.

BCLP Aptitude Tests

Once you've submitted your application, you'll be invited to sit an online psychometric test. This mixed assessment contains situational judgement and critical reasoning questions, to assess your strengths and suitability for a career with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

BCLP situational judgement tests

Situational judgement questions present hypothetical work scenarios. They ask candidates to select the course of action that most closely represents how they would react in the given situation. It is important to consider the circumstances and stakeholders involved carefully, so you can settle upon the correct response.

BCLP critical reasoning tests

Critical reasoning questions assess a candidate's ability to analyse and evaluate information and draw the correct conclusions. The questions feature a written passage and require candidates to carefully absorb the content, make deductions and inferences, identify any assumptions present, and/or look for evidence to prove the validity of an argument.

All questions on the online test are multiple choice. Unlike most aptitude tests, the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner test is not timed, but you should still aim for a steady pace. It should take around 45 minutes to complete.

As the test is tailored to the firm, ensure you do your research on the company's culture and values, so your answers reflect the behavioural characteristics sought.

BCLP First Stage Interview

If you achieve a high score in the online test, you'll be invited to attend a first stage interview with a member of the recruitment team. Depending upon the circumstances, this interview may be in-person or held virtually.

Before the interview, carefully review the job description. It is also a good idea to revisit your application form responses, as you'll likely be asked questions that build on the content.

The interview will be competency-based, so you will need to be prepared to back up your responses with evidence. To ensure your answers are well-structured, consider using the STAR technique (situation, task, action, result).

To convey your professionalism, dress smartly and pay attention to your body language throughout the interview.

Remember that an interview is a two-way process, so be prepared to ask a couple of questions. Insightful questions can display your curiosity and enthusiasm for the sector.

BCLP Assessment Centre

If you impress in the interview, you'll be invited to the final stage of the recruitment process – the assessment centre. Again, depending upon the circumstances, this may be held in-person at a Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner office or online. The assessment day runs from 9:30 – 15:00.

The assessment centre includes the following activities:

A case study and presentation – For the first task, you'll be provided with a case study and given an hour and thirty minutes to read through the information and prepare a 10-minute presentation. Once you've delivered your presentation, be ready to answer questions from the recruitment team.

A group exercise – The group exercise is designed to assess your negotiation skills. The cohort will be split into two and group members on each side arranged in pairs. Each pair will act on behalf of a client.

You'll have 30 minutes to prepare with your negotiating partner, before entering a 30-minute negotiation with the pair on the other team who were assigned the same client case.

Some of the preparation information will have been shared with both sides, whilst other information will only have been available to one side. This means you will need to be able to deal with unexpected lines of argument and structure a cogent response under pressure.

Following the negotiation, you will be asked a series of reflection questions about your performance and team working.

A final interview – You'll be asked to attend a final interview round with a partner or senior associate. This interview should last around 30 – 40 minutes. It will explore your career motivation, commercial awareness, skills and competencies, and ways of working. Note that there may also be a member of the HR department present.

BCLP Offer

If you've impressed during the recruitment process and meet all the requirements, you'll receive an offer!

Unsuccessful applicants are helpfully given the opportunity to request feedback on their performance. This is provided through a 10-minute phone call with a member of the recruitment team.

Sample Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Identify the pattern in the following series of actions in a legal process: filing a complaint, responding to a complaint, entering the discovery phase, and then proceeding to pre-trial conferences. What would logically be the next step?

  • Setting a court date for the trial.
  • Returning to the discovery phase to gather additional evidence.
  • Filing another complaint for additional grievances.
  • Negotiating out of court settlements.

During a legal negotiation, one party proposes terms that significantly deviate from the industry standard. What is likely the rationale behind this approach?

  • They are inexperienced and unaware of the standard terms.
  • It is a strategic move to set the stage for more favorable negotiations.
  • They made an error in drafting the terms.
  • They are not interested in pursuing the deal any further.

If the precedent case was ruled based on the proximity of responsibility, what should be the primary focus for a lawyer arguing a similar case?

  • The emotional impact on the plaintiff.
  • Statistical data of similar past cases.
  • The chronological sequence of events leading up to the incident.
  • The closeness of the relationship between the parties involved.

A partner at a law firm is assessing two different cases. Case A will likely set a significant legal precedent; Case B is a high-profile case with substantial media attention. Considering the firm's long-term reputation, which case should the partner prioritize?

  • Case A, because legal precedents contribute more to the professional esteem of the firm.
  • Case B, because media attention will attract new clients and opportunities.
  • Case B, because setting a legal precedent can be risky and unpredictable.
  • Case A, because media attention is often fleeting and does not guarantee firm growth.

When comparing the complexities of two legal documents, a lawyer notices that one employs significantly more technical language than the other. What might be an inferred reason for this discrepancy?

  • The document with technical language pertains to a more specialized area of law.
  • The more technical document is intended to confuse the intended audience.
  • The writer of the less technical document has a poor understanding of the legal terminology.
  • The documents are intended for different types of audiences.

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Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Assessments Tips

Familiarize with the Format

Knowing what to expect can significantly boost your confidence on exam day. Take some time to understand the structure of the practice exams offered by Law Tests. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, with its rich history established since 1873, likely appreciates applicants who are well-prepared and comfortable with their assessment procedures.

Reflect on Legal Principles

Before you dive into the practice tests, reflect on the core legal principles that are fundamental to jobs in the legal sector. Understanding these can provide a firm foundation from which to approach the practical scenarios you may encounter in the exam simulations provided by Law Tests.

Stay Calm and Focused

Exams can be daunting, but remaining calm under pressure is a trait that's highly valued in the legal profession. Practicing mindfulness or simple breathing exercises before beginning your practice tests can help keep the stress at bay and allow you to focus better on the questions.

Review and Analyze

After completing each practice exam, take the time to review your answers and understand any mistakes you've made. Law Tests provides detailed explanations to help you learn and grow from each practice session, which is crucial to performing well in a real test setting.

Time Management

While practicing, focus on managing your time effectively. Jobs at prestigious firms like Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner may require working under tight deadlines, and demonstrating that you can efficiently handle time constraints can start with acing that practice exam by managing each section's allotted time wisely.

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Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Assessments FAQs

What skills is BCLP looking for?

The ideal candidate should be adept at problem-solving, possess strong communication skills, and demonstrate an ability to work independently while delivering superior quality services in a timely manner. Furthermore, applicants must have an understanding of the legal industry's best practices and current trends so they can develop innovative solutions to complex cases.

What grades do I need to get hired?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the position being applied for and the location of the office. Generally speaking, however, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner looks for applicants who have achieved outstanding academic results throughout their education. This includes graduating with a 2:1 bachelor's degree as well as a demonstrated involvement in extracurricular activities and internships.

What are competency-based questions asked in BCLP interviews?

Competency-based interview questions focus on areas such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, decision-making, leadership potential and technical abilities. These questions often require applicants to provide specific examples or anecdotes from their past work experiences that demonstrate how they were able to handle certain situations effectively.

Do I receive feedback if I fail the application process?

If you have applied for a role at BCLP, but were not successful in your application you will receive feedback about your application.

Where can I practice BCLP tests?

You can start practicing with our free BCLP tests - no credit card is required. All you need to do is sign up with an email address.