20 Baker McKenzie Interview Questions and Answers

Baker McKenzie is a business law firm that offers legal advisory services in diverse categories. The company has a long history dating back to the early 1900s, and it has a global presence with offices in more than 40 countries. When it comes to interviewing for a position at Baker McKenzie, you can expect to be asked questions about your legal knowledge and experience, as well as your ability to think critically and solve problems. In this article, we will provide some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview at Baker McKenzie.

Baker McKenzie Interview Process

The interview process at Baker McKenzie can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For junior associate positions, the interview will be a quick 30-minute chat/discussion with a partner of the team. CV related questions and some work-related questions will be asked. The partner is typically friendly, and nothing too difficult if you know what type of work you are doing.

For associate positions, the interview will be short, conducted on campus, and then you will receive an email to schedule a callback on site. At the physical location, you will meet with several attorneys and speak with each for maybe half an hour.

Law clerk interviews will comprise of an application round and two interview rounds. The interviewers are friendly and have a genuine interest in getting to know you.

Becario en prácticas interviews will include a meeting with human resources, followed by a written technical knowledge exam, and finally an interview with two lawyers from the department you are applying to join.

Asistente interviews will filter candidates based on various skills and abilities, looking for a well-rounded profile. The initial interview is superficial, designed to get to know the candidate. This is followed by a technical test to evaluate capabilities.

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1. What are your career goals?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what their expectations are for this position. When answering, it can be helpful to include your short-term and long-term goals.

Example: “My goal is to become a partner at Baker McKenzie within five years. I know that achieving this will require hard work and dedication, but I am confident in my ability to succeed. In order to reach this goal, I plan to continue developing my skills as a baker while excelling at my job here.”

2. Why do you want to work at Baker & McKenzie?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and the company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Baker & McKenzie that you admire or find interesting.

Example: “I want to work at Baker & McKenzie because I am passionate about business law and this firm has an excellent reputation in this field. I also appreciate how diverse the staff is here, which makes me excited to learn more about different cultures and perspectives. Finally, I love the idea of working in a collaborative environment where everyone supports each other.”

3. What experience do you have in a legal setting?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have relevant experience in a legal setting. This can be especially important if you are applying for an entry-level position, as it shows your interest in law and desire to work in this field. When answering this question, try to highlight any experiences you’ve had with lawyers or working in a legal environment.

Example: “I worked at my college’s legal clinic where I helped students who were having issues with their professors. It was interesting to see how the legal system works from the student perspective and gave me some valuable insight into what it might be like to work as a lawyer.”

4. Describe your leadership style.

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer that you have the skills and abilities to lead a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you would approach a situation as a leader.

Example: “I believe in being a supportive leader who encourages my team members to develop their own ideas. I think it’s important for leaders to create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. In addition, I try to make sure everyone on my team feels valued and appreciated. This helps foster a positive work environment and motivates people to do their best.”

5. Have you worked on a team project before? How did it go?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s teamwork skills. It can also help you understand how they might fit into the company culture at Baker McKenzie, Baker & McKenzie. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share an example of a team project you worked on and what you learned from that experience.

Example: “I have worked on several team projects in my career so far. In one instance, I was working with a group of five other people on a marketing campaign for a client. We all had different ideas about what we should do, but we were able to come together as a team and create something really successful. The key was listening to each other and finding ways to compromise.”

6. Do you think you could give us some examples of challenges that you faced and overcame in previous positions?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have faced challenges in your career and how you overcame them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of two or three examples from previous positions where you had to overcome a challenge and what steps you took to solve the problem.

Example: “In my last position as an associate at a law firm, I was tasked with managing client accounts and ensuring they were paid on time. One day, I received a call from one of our clients who said they hadn’t been receiving their monthly payments for several months. After speaking with the client, I realized that we had not sent out any invoices for over six months. To resolve this issue, I contacted all of our clients and explained the situation. We then created new contracts and began sending out invoices again.”

7. Can you tell me about the last time you worked on a tight deadline?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle pressure and time management. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example from your previous job that highlights your ability to work under pressure.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project for one of our clients who needed some legal advice regarding an acquisition they were making. The client had already signed the contract but wanted to make sure everything was in order before moving forward with the deal. We worked hard to ensure we could meet their deadline while still providing them with quality service.”

8. Tell me about a difficult client you had to deal with, how did you handle the situation?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with challenging clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you handled the situation successfully and what steps you took to ensure that similar situations did not occur in the future.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding and would often call me at all hours of the day or night. I tried my best to accommodate his requests but eventually told him that if he called me again after business hours, I would no longer represent him. He called me one more time after that, and I ended our professional relationship.”

9. Give an example of when you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for clients. It also shows them how you can benefit their company and help it grow. When answering this question, try to think of an example where you went above and beyond for a client and helped them achieve success.

Example: “When I was working as a paralegal at my previous job, one of my clients had a contract dispute with another business. They were in need of someone who could represent them in court. I volunteered to take on the case even though it wasn’t part of my normal duties. I spent hours researching the law and preparing for the trial. In the end, we won the case and saved our client from losing thousands of dollars.”

10. Would you say you’re more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to assess your personality and how it fits with the role. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as you want to show that you’re a good fit for the job. If you have experience working in both roles, you can mention this in your response.

Example: “I would say I’m more analytical than creative. However, I do think my analytical skills are quite strong, which means I can use them to help me develop my creativity. In fact, I find that when I work on complex problems, it helps me come up with new ideas. I also believe that being an effective analyst makes me a better designer.”

11. Provide an example of a time where you were able to resolve conflict between two people.

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life that highlight your problem-solving abilities, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “In my last position as a legal assistant at a law firm, I had two attorneys who were constantly arguing with each other over the smallest things. One day, one of them was in a particularly bad mood and started yelling at everyone around him. I calmly approached him and asked if he would like to talk about what was bothering him. He agreed and we went into his office where I listened to him vent for 20 minutes. After he calmed down, I told him that I wanted to help him solve his problems and offered to be an extra set of eyes when he needed it.”

12. Are you comfortable working independently?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and make decisions. Employers want employees who can manage their time, prioritize tasks and solve problems without constant supervision. In your answer, explain how you plan your day and complete your assignments. Show that you are confident in your abilities and willing to take on more responsibility if necessary.

Example: “I am comfortable working independently because I have done so for the past five years. At my previous job, I was responsible for managing my own schedule and completing all of my daily tasks. I would check with my supervisor once a week to discuss any issues or concerns I had. I find this method works well for me as it allows me to focus on my work while still getting feedback from my manager.”

13. What would you do if you were given a task from one person but another asked you to do something else first, which should you prioritize?

This question is a good way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize tasks. It also helps the interviewer understand how you would handle conflicts with other employees in the workplace.

Example: “I would first ask both people what they needed from me, then I would try my best to do both things as quickly as possible. If it was an urgent matter, I would prioritize that task over the other one. However, if there wasn’t any urgency, I would complete the task I was given first.”

14. If there was a client who refused to pay their bill, what steps would you take?

This question is designed to assess your customer service skills and ability to resolve conflict. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle a situation that could potentially arise in their company. In your answer, demonstrate your problem-solving abilities by explaining what steps you would take to solve the issue.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they refused to pay. If it was because of poor quality work, I would offer them a discount on their next bill or provide free services. If there were no valid reasons for not paying, I would send them a reminder letter with a deadline. If they still failed to pay after the deadline, I would report them to the authorities.”

15. Which skills do you think will be most useful to you as an associate at Baker & McKenzie?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Baker & McKenzie and are prepared for the job. You can use this question as a chance to highlight any skills or experiences that align with what they’re looking for in their associates.

Example: “I think my ability to work well under pressure will be most useful at Baker & McKenzie because of the fast-paced nature of the firm. I’ve worked in high-pressure environments before, so I’m used to working quickly and efficiently while still maintaining quality results. I also think my communication skills will be helpful here since there’s such a diverse group of people who work here.”

16. We see that you interned at XYZ company, why did you choose them over other companies?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can contribute to their success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what made that internship special for you and why you would like to continue working with them.

Example: “I chose XYZ company because I was looking for an internship where I could gain experience in business law while also learning about new technologies. During my internship there, I learned more about intellectual property laws and how they apply to technology companies. This knowledge has helped me understand how Baker McKenzie works with clients who are tech startups.”

17. What is the biggest challenge facing law firms today?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the legal industry and how you can contribute to its growth. Your answer should include a specific example from your experience that shows how you overcame this challenge.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing law firms today is finding qualified candidates for open positions. I have seen many companies struggle with hiring new employees because they don’t know where to look or what skills are needed. In my last position, I created a database of potential candidates based on their qualifications and previous work history. This helped my company find qualified applicants more quickly.”

18. Do you have any experience with patents and trademarks?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with intellectual property law. Intellectual property law involves patents, trademarks and copyrights. You can answer this question by explaining your knowledge of these laws and how they apply to business practices.

Example: “I’ve worked on several patent applications in my previous role as an IP attorney. I also helped clients file for trademark protection. In both cases, I was able to help businesses protect their brands and ensure that no one else could use their logos or names without permission.”

19. What’s your opinion on current events and laws surrounding cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, and the interviewer may want to know how you would approach this issue. Use your answer to show that you’re aware of current cybersecurity laws and regulations and can apply them in your work.

Example: “I think it’s important for businesses to have a strong cyberdefense system in place. Cyberattacks are becoming more common, so I’d make sure my employer has a plan in case we experience one. In addition, I’d recommend they implement two-factor authentication on all company devices and accounts. This way, even if someone gets their password, they won’t be able to access the account without the second factor.”

20. If you could change one thing about the legal system, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of the legal system and how you might improve it. Your answer should show that you understand the current state of the law, but also highlight what you would change if given the opportunity.

Example: “I think one thing I would change about the legal system is the amount of time it takes to resolve cases. In my experience as an attorney, I’ve seen many clients who have been waiting years for their case to be resolved. This can cause undue stress on both parties involved in the case, which is why I believe there should be more funding allocated to resolving cases faster.”