Interns return
PRC bar results for the 353,000 persons taking the 2009 exam were recently released. The pass rate, higher than past years, is expected to be 22 - 25%. See earlier statistics in LawInnSight December 2007.
Prospects for internships are much improved for those passing the exam. A looser policy allowing more law students to take the bar exam, appears to be attracting more law firms to look for intern talent on campuses. To understand this trend, we gathered information about law firm campus/intern recruiting.
When
Most law firms set separate summer and winter vacation internship/trainee programs〞from June-to-August and December-to-February each year. Promotion is usually done 1 - 3 months before the start date. Some firms provide a whole year for application.
The vacation programs usually last 1 每 3 months; interns are asked to work full-time each week. Some programs may last 3 每 6 months with the work time based on an intern＊s schedule. Besides the regular vacation internship programs, some law firms continually recruit interns. In a few law firms, such as Jun He, outstanding interns may be offered a second intern contract after one period.
Where
Law firms use various methods to attract top quality legal interns. Some firms deliver a seminar on campus or in a hotel; some set online applications; some post recruiting information on a university BBS; and some participate in job fairs. Jun He, Fangda and Paul Hastings finished their campus presentations recently. Hogan & Hartson, Baker & McKenzie, Jones Day and Clifford Chance publish their trainee/internship programs on their firm websites.
Who
Firms are seeking interns at 2nd / 3rd year LLM or 3rd / 4th year LLB. Reputable law schools at universities in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are first choice for law firms recruiting interns. Most firms have their own preference of targets. In mainland China, Peking, Tsinghua, Fudan, ECUPL, CUPL, RUC rank top in our investigation. Some firms are recruiting interns with overseas education from reputable universities.
What
Besides requirements on schools and levels, different firm have other particular requirements when recruiting interns.
GPA is always an important element for evaluating a student. Many firms mention this point in their job description, such as MWE, Fangda, Baker & McKenzie, Paul Hasting, Hogan and Haiwen. Fangda stresses basic legal knowledge and experience as necessary for a legal intern. Fangda＊s HR Department told us, ※Past legal experience may be a basis for firms to divide interns into each practice area§. A US based law firm points to the ※requirement for overseas educational background and good drafting skills.§ Freshfields asks for good physical health to fill tough work. For foreign firms, good command of English, or other second language, or even a Chinese dialect, is essential.
We are told that most law firms provide training program for interns. ※Interns are divided into different practice areas and some senior associates or partners will work as the mentor to lead them,§ says Fangda. The interns will be instructed to finish legal work in their own group. Good character and attitude is crucial for success working in a group. Intern should be hardworking, careful, flexible, responsible and self-motivated.
Some firms, such as Allen & Overy, O＊Melveny, Jones Day, Jun He and Baker & McKenzie, provide scholarships to filter campus talent. Students always show their competitive strength when applying for the scholarships.
Key general selection criteria for interns are:
How
Since most interns are senior university students and graduates, a permanent offer is the final target for them. Will interns have opportunities to get a permanent offer? How to get it?
Many law firms, such as Paul Hastings, Fangda, Jun He and Linklaters, will retain the excellent interns as permanent employees. The HR manager of Paul Hastings Shanghai office says, ※Selected interns will receive permanent offers based on the internship evaluation.§
Since the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, most law firms cut budgets for recruiting new talent. Some firms may eliminate campus recruiting entirely. Other firms are increasing campus recruiting to find high quality young talent to perform work at less cost to the firm than recruiting experienced lawyers. For top students〞especially those passing the bar exam〞it may be a return of opportunity for good internships.
