Cleary Gottlieb Associate Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 18 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Cleary Gottlieb.
Cleary Gottlieb
Associate
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
As with other law firms, you first interview for Cleary during "on campus interviews" at your law school. For on campus interviews you generally meet with one or two partners (they don't send associates for these interviews). The interviews are not substantive--instead they just want to get a sense of who you are and whether you will fit in. Then you get a callback interview where you meet with 4 or 5 people, generally two partners and 2-3 associates. These are also not substantive interviews. They just want to see if you will be a good fit for the firm.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Why Cleary?
Cleary Gottlieb
Summer Associate
Intern Difficult Neutral experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen
Interview formats
Behavioral
This firm is really international. If you speak a foreign language or have a diverse background, you're more likely to get called back. One of the partners tested my foreign language fluency from my resume, and I didn't do great, so be careful.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- Can you tell me about your future career aspirations in the next 5 to 10 years?
- What's your origin story, and where does your family hail from?
- Why did you choose to settle in New York?
Cleary Gottlieb
Summer Associate
Intern Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
It was great! The people I met were really smart and knowledgeable, and they seemed genuinely interested in finding law students who would be a good fit for the firm. I had a good time meeting everyone involved.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Can you discuss your previous work experience?
- What are some of your interests?
Cleary Gottlieb Associate Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Cleary Gottlieb interview reports.
“Why Cleary?”
Read reports →“What classes will you be taking next semester?”
Read reports →“Why did you choose to settle in New York?”
Read reports →“What's your origin story, and where does your family hail from?”
Read reports →“What motivated your decision to attend law school?”
Read report →“Why did you choose to study law?”
Read report →“As soon as I walked in, one interviewer asked, "Do you have any questions?" This meant I needed to prepare about half an hour's worth of questions. Make sure you do your research!”
Read report →“What area of law are you interested in practicing here?”
Read report →“What was your internship experience like at a law firm?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 18 Cleary Gottlieb interview reports.