About Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown (originally known as JSM) is a global law firm that employs 1,800 lawyers across 26 cities across Asia, America, Europe and the Middle East. It is the 19th largest law firm in the world.
Founded in 1863, Mayer Brown has been advising the world's leading companies on their most complex deals and disputes.
In 2022, Mayer Brown was ranked in the IFLR1000's guide to the world's leading financial and corporate law firms, which also recognized 178 individual Mayer Brown lawyers.
If you are looking to join a diverse team of lawyers and globally recognised law firms you should consider a career at Mayer Brown.
Mayer Brown Application Process
Mayer Brown's recruitment process involves the following stages:
- Online application
- Verbal Reasoning Test
- Situational Strengths Test
- Mayer Brown Job Simulation
- Assessment Day
It's important to try and reflect the core values of Mayer Brown during each stage of the recruitment process. Do your homework beforehand and remember their key values, which are:
- Commitment to client service
- Responsiveness
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- High-quality work
Mayer Brown Online Application
The online application is a typical online form that you would expect to use at most law firms to apply for a role. Questions about your work history and educational background are part of the online application.
You should pay particular attention to the cover letter and the interests and responsibilities section.
The covering letter is crucial - you should pick out what you think is the most relevant information to include such as:
- Why do you want to work in law?
- Why Mayer Brown?
- What value could you add to Mayer Brown?
- What they do and evidence of research about them
You may be subject to a telephone interview after your online application depending on the role you've applied for. If successful, you will be sent a series of online tests.
Mayer Brown Aptitude Tests
Mayer Brown Verbal Reasoning Test
The verbal reasoning test is a useful way to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend, analyse and understand key information for dense passages of information.
The ability to read and understand text under pressure are skills valued by Mayer Brown. You do not need prior knowledge of the text you are reading - you should only use the information provided.
It is the test-taker's job to decide if the information is true, false or you cannot say. The test helps Mayer Brown identify strong communicators and people who work well under pressure.
To prepare for this type of test you should practice lots of verbal reasoning tests so you can become familiar with the format and the requirements needed to score highly on the assessment.
Mayer Brown Situational Strengths Test
The situational strengths test (also known as an SJT or situational judgement test) is a multiple-choice assessment whereby candidates are given a range of workplace scenarios that they must make decisions on. Candidates then choose the best and worst response to a given situation. Often the situations will be closely related to their chosen role.
Decision making and work values are the core part of the assessment. Roles at Mayer Brown will require competent individuals who can make the right decisions under pressure.
Make sure you read the question carefully and try to determine what skill you're being assessed for. It can be helpful to remember the core values of Mayer Brown for scenarios that are challenging and not obvious or clear what the right answer is.
Mayer Brown Job Simulation
The Mayer Brown job simulation is an opportunity for candidates to experience what working for Mayer Brown is like. For the assessors, this will provide them with a glimpse of how you might perform if you were hired.
This may be in the form of an e-tray exercise or a variety of tasks and duties related to your role.
Mayer Brown Assessment Day
The assessment day is the final stage of the recruitment process so it's important to be well prepared for each stage and leave a positive impression in the assessor's mind about you.
Mayer Brown's assessment day consists of four main tasks, which are:
- Written task
- Group task
- Fact find task
- Final interview
Mayer Brown Written task
The written task involves a business analysis exercise (depending on your role). You will be provided with a case study to analyse and prepare a presentation about. The task is designed to assess your time keeping abilities as well as your commercial awareness and ability to follow instructions and understand a brief.
Mayer Brown Group task
The Mayer Brown Group Exercise assesses your teamwork skills and how you work with others in a group. You will be provided with a problem to solve or a question to answer and must work with your teammates to solve it.
It's important to be a great team player and find a balance between dominating and being passive and listening. The assessors are looking for someone who can contribute but not take over.
Mayer Brown Fact Find Task
This fact-finding task places you in a given scenario (similar to your role) and some information about it. You must ask an associate questions to come to the correct answer for the given scenario. The test assesses your abilities to think when new facts are placed in front of you.
The task itself requires methodical, logical and common sense thinking.
Mayer Brown Final Interview
The final part of the assessment day is an interview. You will be interviewed by two partners from Mayer Brown.
You will be asked a variety of questions including competency and commercial questions as well as your motivations for working in law and working with Mayer Brown. Preparation is key for the interview. You can also expect to be asked questions about your resume, your knowledge of the legal services industry and the current affairs of the firm.
We recommend using the STAR method (situation, task, action, response) to structure your answers during the interview.
