I recently interviewed for a role where I was asked to provide a writing sample, but the prompt was extremely specific, like a real world scenario about setting up a data exchange system between affiliated companies and required analysis under the laws of specific jurisdictions. It felt less like a hypo exercise and more like an actual legal question they are facing. anyone else experienced this? How do you tell the difference between a writing test and a potential red flag?

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If you have reason to believe they're asking for unpaid work in the guise of a writing sample, you should pass on the role. However, it's possible your instinct is correct, but it's something they've already dealt with. In other words, it's real, but they're not asking for free work. They may be asking people to write something they can judge against analysis written in real circumstances in the past. Just a thought.

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I agree with this. The most likely situation is this was a real-world example, perhaps it’s what inspired the need you’re interviewing for. If you’re working with a recruiter, they should be able to get some insight for you on why such a specific prompt was given.
Many more firms are doing a skills assessment in the interview because of the limited training juniors got during the pandemic.

I have experienced it but in a different context. We were being considered to become counsel for one major biopharma company. The team that were pitching the work were given three days to solve a serious patent issue. Although i wasn’t involved in the pitch, i was the most experienced lawyer in that area and i was asked to help. It wasn’t very difficult problem (took me about six hours to provide a short memo with analysis) but we found out later that it was a legal issue they were grappling with. Needless to say, we got hired to do their work although i never got credit for origination or did any work for that client. I was a partner then. The life of a typical law firm!

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I haven't experienced this, but I am not surprised. I have seen other industries do things like this to my friends. They will basically use an interview as an excuse to farm out work and get people to do it for free.

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