When I say a vote is taken, one hopes the case has been made out. It's not a question of a show of hands, and it goes through without any strong objections. Most firms will ask a candidate to be interviewed or to make a presentation to the panel or the board. But Hodgart says at some firms every partner has the right to interview candidates. Every year there will be some partners who will ask to interview all the candidates.
Some firms go a step further.
Davies Arnold Cooper has introduced psychometric testing for its candidates. They were sent away to Manchester Business School to work through tasks while a psychologist observed their behaviour and body language. DAC's managing director Nick Sinfield told The Lawyer last year that some candidates thought to be ideal partner material fell at this hurdle. The tests measured the non-technical abilities now required of lawyers. But a spokeswoman for the firm now says the tests are not used to decide whether someone is promoted but to spot areas where they may need support once made a partner.