Sources say that the firm will do whatever it takes to get you to the interview. The firm has two interviewing sessions, morning the more popular of the two, as it includes a lunch at the end and afternoon. Upon arriving at the firm, the legal personnel director greets the candidates and gives them a list of interviewers. Generally, the session involves four or five interviews, equitably divided between partners and associates, each lasting about 30 minutes. Candidates participating in the morning session go to lunch with two junior associates at a restaurant downtown after the interviews are done.
Cleary associates say that the firm s interviews are mostly conversational.
The interview was rather laid-back, very low key. They weren t trying to grill you, an insider says. One partner did try to put me under pressure, but it was mostly bullshit. It also seems to be a schmoozer s paradise. I schmooze with people constantly, one associate says.