Impress Every Time: Mastering Presentations at Law Firm Assessment Centres

Nov 30, 2023

Written By Paddy Carey

Picture this. It’s the assessment day at your dream law firm. Everything has gone well so far. You aced the Watson Glaser test. You wowed HR during the video interview. Your team built the best paper tower in the group exercise. But it all falls apart during the presentation. Garbled sentences, dull slides, elusive eye contact: it’s a carousel of disappointment. If you left a lasting impression, it was probably for the wrong reasons. Better luck next year. But don’t fret. We’ll explore the necessary skills and strategies to master presentations and help you come just a little closer to landing that dream training contract.

The role of presentations at law firm assessment centres

Presentations evaluate a candidate’s ability to verbally communicate in a real-life business context. Good lawyers don’t just write contracts or nit-pick language; they also spend hours talking to clients and colleagues. Whether it’s explaining complex legal knowledge to a non-legal mind or ensuring a partner knows the exact details of a deal, communication is a vital skill for aspiring solicitors.

You will be assessed on skills like clarity (how clear your message is), organisation (how you structure information), comprehension (did you understand the task material), relevance (is the content tailored to the subject) and confidence.

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How to develop a winning presentation?

Be clear and concise.

A good presentation has a clear message and says no more or less than what is needed to understand the topic. Use simple phrases and tailored language rather than lengthy jumble and jargon. If something isn’t relevant, scratch it out.

Engage your audience.

A winning presentation hooks viewers from the outset and maintains their interest throughout. Introduce your topic with a striking fact or statistic and make the presentation interactive by asking open questions. Keeping it conversational can facilitate meaningful discussion and impress the assessors.

And remember, no one wants to see you hide behind a sheet of A4 and deliver a flat script. Walk up with a smile, make eye contact and vary the tone and rhythm of your speech. Refer to your notes, but never read off them.

Use visual aids.

Visual aids such a PowerPoint slide are a great way to enhance an audience’s understanding and their retention of key points. Slides can provide visual context, clever mnemonics, and necessary headers. However, visual aids should compliment your verbal presentation, rather than replace it.

Be structured.

Lawyers are storytellers. Whether writing a contract or testifying in court, lawyers need to guide others through understanding a problem from their perspective. Your presentation should be easy to follow from start to finish and culminate in a logical conclusion.

Know your stuff.

You’re not expected to be Harvey Specter, but keeping informed about the legal world is a major bonus. Not only will you better understand your task, but your presentation will likely be up-to-date and impress assessors. Subscribe to legal newsletters, attend AllAboutLaw and firm-specific events, and read the front-cover of the business papers like the Financial Times on the day.

Prepare for questions and challenges

Solicitors must keep calm under pressure and adapt to change. An interruption to your presentation with a tricky question may sound like your worst nightmare, but it can be a great way to demonstrate your composure and professionalism.

When faced with a difficult question, don’t be scared to take a deep breath and think it over. Assessors prefer a delayed but considered response over one that is rushed and unconvincing.

And if you really don’t have a clue, it’s okay to acknowledge uncertainties with phrases like "I'll look into that and provide a follow-up”. In a professional scenario, clients would much prefer their solicitors to admit the gaps in their knowledge than give incorrect advice.

Practice makes perfect

Rehearsal and practice are key to improving your presentation skills. You could practise in front of a mirror, record yourself on a laptop, or ask friends and family to be (un)willing audience members. You could even get a second opinion from a legal professional.

The important thing is that you practise - and receive feedback. Ask people what they thought, from what they liked most to what you should work on. Afterwards, incorporate what you have learned into future presentations.

Also, try to watch how others give presentations. For example, TEDx has a library of free talks on YouTube given by professionals on all manner of subjects. Watch what they do and imitate them.

Presentation pitfalls and how to fix them

Nerves

Being nervous is normal on an assessment day, but candidates who appear focused and confident usually give better presentations than those who don’t. If you feel the stress creeping in, try mindfulness techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises, or maybe listen to music that puts you in the right headspace. Try to enjoy the experience, if possible.

Timing

Being cut off before you finish a presentation is a horrible feeling, but it’s an avoidable one. If the assessors give you a time limit, stick to it. A general rule of thumb is that people can say 80-100 words per minute. However, everyone has their own speed so it is best to practise beforehand to see what you can confidently deliver.

Technical issues

Make sure to run through the tech beforehand and make sure everything is functional. If you don’t know how a device works, ask someone! If something doesn’t work, try to remain composed, and figure out a solution while keeping the audience engaged.

Over to you

Mastering presentations is a crucial skill for a career in law and getting to grips with them now will set you in good stead for the future. Clear communication skills, legal acumen, and a cool head are necessary qualities for a top solicitor. So, remember to put these tips and strategies into practice to succeed in your next presentation.

Selection & Assessment