The final stage of the process is an in-person Assessment Day, which includes a written task, group exercise, fact-finding task, and final interview. The aim is to assess your teamwork, legal reasoning, time management, communication skills, and commercial awareness.

• The group exercise involves reviewing and discussing a legal or commercial scenario as a team. You’ll be expected to divide the reading efficiently, summarise for each other, and create a structured plan with time allocations for each task. Assigning a timekeeper helps keep the group on track, but everyone should contribute equally. Focus on collaboration, not competition—listen actively, speak clearly, and support quieter teammates without putting them on the spot. Constructive contributions and balanced group dynamics are key.

• The written exercise tests your ability to communicate clearly and professionally under time pressure. You’ll be given a short period to read and digest the materials, then asked to produce a concise and structured written response. There’s no need to draft detailed outlines—focus on getting your thoughts down quickly and effectively. Avoid jargon, keep your language clear and businesslike, and always write with your audience in mind: would you be comfortable handing it to a partner?

Throughout the Assessment Day, Mayer Brown looks for candidates who combine strong analytical thinking with diplomacy, clarity of communication, and genuine teamwork. Quality always outweighs quantity. Speak up when you have something to say, and show good judgement about when to push an idea or when to let it go for the good of the group.