Clyde & Co Interview: Process, Questions & How to Prepare

What to Expect From the Clyde & Co Interview Process

Clyde & Co is a global law firm with a strong specialism in insurance, shipping, aviation, energy, and infrastructure. Its interview process reflects that sector focus — assessors want to see genuine commercial awareness of the industries the firm serves, not just generic legal enthusiasm.

While exact processes can vary by role and office, Clyde & Co's recruitment typically involves several stages: an online application and/or assessment, one or more interview rounds (which may include a competency-based interview, a partner interview, or both), and, for vacation scheme and training contract candidates, an assessment centre. For lateral hires and business services roles, the format is usually a structured two-stage interview process. Always check the firm's current careers page and any communications you receive, as the process is subject to change.

The Assessment Centre: What It Usually Involves

For training contract and vacation scheme applicants, Clyde & Co commonly runs an assessment centre that may include a written exercise, a group discussion or case study, and one or more interviews. The written exercise typically asks you to analyse a commercial scenario — often linked to one of the firm's key sectors — and produce a structured response under time pressure.

Group exercises assess how you contribute to a team: do you listen, build on others' ideas, and help the group reach a conclusion without dominating? Assessors are not looking for the loudest voice; they are looking for collaborative, clear communicators who demonstrate commercial thinking.

• Written exercise: read a case study, identify issues, present a recommendation
• Group discussion: collaborate on a problem, demonstrate listening and leadership
• Competency interview: structured questions using your own past experiences
• Partner interview: commercial awareness and motivation for the firm specifically

Core Competencies Clyde & Co Assesses

Law firms at this level use competency frameworks to make their assessments consistent and defensible. Based on what Clyde & Co publicly emphasises — and what is standard across comparable international commercial law firms — the competencies you should prepare for include commercial awareness, teamwork, communication, analytical thinking, resilience, and a genuine motivation for the firm and its sectors.

Clyde & Co places particular weight on sector knowledge. Because so much of its work sits at the intersection of law and complex global industries (think catastrophic loss, energy disputes, or international trade), candidates who can speak credibly about those sectors — not just about law in the abstract — consistently stand out.

• Commercial awareness: understanding how businesses operate and generate risk
• Sector knowledge: insurance, shipping, energy, aviation, infrastructure
• Analytical thinking: breaking down complex problems clearly and logically
• Communication: written and verbal precision under pressure
• Teamwork and collaboration: contributing effectively in group settings
• Resilience and drive: evidence of persistence through challenges

Common Interview Questions — and How to Answer Them

Competency interviews at Clyde & Co follow a structured format. You will almost certainly be asked behavioural questions that begin with 'Tell me about a time when…' or 'Give me an example of…'. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure every answer: set the scene briefly, explain what you were responsible for, describe specifically what you did, and quantify or qualify the outcome.

Here is an example of a strong STAR answer to a common question:

• Why Clyde & Co specifically — and not another international firm?
• Tell me about a time you had to analyse a large amount of information quickly.
• Describe a situation where you worked in a team that was struggling. What did you do?
• Give an example of when you showed commercial awareness outside of your legal studies.
• Tell me about a current issue affecting one of Clyde & Co's key sectors.
• Describe a time you had to persuade someone who initially disagreed with you.

A Worked STAR Example: Commercial Awareness Question

Question: 'Give me an example of when you demonstrated commercial awareness.'

Situation: 'During my penultimate year at university, I was treasurer of the law society at a time when our main sponsor withdrew their funding two months before our annual conference.' Task: 'As treasurer, I was responsible for closing a £3,000 funding gap without reducing the quality of the event.' Action: 'I researched alternative sponsors, focusing on regional law firms with graduate recruitment needs — essentially treating our student audience as a commercial asset for them. I put together a short sponsorship pack outlining our reach and demographics and approached six firms. I also renegotiated our venue contract to reduce the deposit and introduced paid delegate tickets for non-members.' Result: 'We secured two new sponsors, reduced costs by 20%, and ran the conference at a small surplus. Both sponsoring firms returned the following year.'

Notice that this answer is specific, quantified, and demonstrates genuine commercial thinking — not just an awareness that businesses need to make money, but an understanding of how to create value for another party. That is the level of depth that distinguishes strong candidates.

How to Build Genuine Sector Knowledge Before Your Interview

Clyde & Co's website publishes thought leadership, sector reports, and legal updates across its core practice areas. Read at least two or three pieces relevant to the team you are applying to join, and be ready to discuss why that sector interests you — not in abstract terms ('I find insurance law fascinating') but with reference to a specific trend or case study ('The increase in climate-related litigation is reshaping how insurers approach long-tail liability, which I think creates interesting challenges for…').

Useful additional sources include Lloyd's of London's market reports, the International Maritime Organization's news feed for shipping matters, and energy industry publications if you are targeting that practice. Following relevant legal blogs and The Law Society Gazette will also keep you current on regulatory and market developments.

• Read Clyde & Co's own sector reports and recent press releases
• Follow Lloyd's of London market updates for insurance context
• Review energy and infrastructure news relevant to the firm's work
• Note one or two live legal or regulatory developments you can discuss confidently
• Practise articulating why those developments matter to clients — not just what they are

Final Preparation Checklist

In the days before your interview, move beyond reading and start practising out loud. Competency answers that feel polished in your head often sound disjointed when spoken under pressure. Timing yourself is essential: most competency answers should land between 90 seconds and two and a half minutes — long enough to be substantive, short enough to keep the interviewer's attention.

Using a tool like ScreenReady to record yourself answering questions on camera under timed conditions is an effective way to identify filler words, pacing issues, or answers that run too long before you sit in front of an assessor. For one-way video elements that some firms now include in early-stage screening, rehearsing without the ability to pause or re-record is particularly valuable practice.

• Prepare at least five distinct STAR examples covering different competencies
• Research one current legal or commercial development per relevant sector
• Prepare a specific, honest answer to 'Why Clyde & Co?' — generic answers are spotted immediately
• Know your CV in detail — expect to be probed on anything you have listed
• Prepare three or four thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer
• Check logistics: confirm the format (in-person or video), location, and interviewer names if given
• Practise aloud — not just in your head — and time your answers