The interview has been going normally, in French, for twenty minutes. Then the partner switches language without warning: “Could you walk me through a matter you worked on recently?” In firms of Anglo-American origin and in many French business law firms, part of the interview switches to English. It is not a trap, nor an accent test: it is a check of your working language, the one in which you will write emails, negotiate clauses and deal with foreign colleagues.
This article explains when and why the interview switches to English, how to present your background, which legal vocabulary to use to describe a matter without breaching professional secrecy, which questions come up and how to practise.
When and why the interview switches to English
The firms concerned
- Paris offices of international firms, where part of the matters, meetings and documentation is in English.
- French business law firms working on cross-border deals, in mergers and acquisitions, finance, arbitration or international litigation.
- Legal departments of international groups, for positions involving foreign subsidiaries or a foreign parent company.
What is assessed
The partner is not looking for a British or American accent. They want to know whether you can:
- understand someone who speaks fast, with legal vocabulary;
- express yourself clearly on a technical subject, without searching for words in every sentence;
- stay precise: “may” instead of “shall” changes the meaning of a clause, a misused “liability” creates a misunderstanding.
Formats
Sometimes a few questions in the middle of an interview in French, sometimes a whole interview with a foreign partner, sometimes a written exercise in English. Ask the recruitment team, without embarrassment, whether part of the interview will be in English: it is a legitimate question.
Presenting your background in English
The opening question almost always comes: “Tell me about yourself” or “Walk me through your CV”. Prepare a two-minute answer in three parts.
- Your education, translating degrees in an understandable way: “I hold a master’s degree in business law from a French university, and I passed the French bar exam and qualified as an avocat at the Paris bar in 2024.”
- Your most relevant experience: “Since then, I have been working as an associate in the corporate team of a mid-sized French firm, mainly on acquisitions of private companies.”
- What you are looking for: “I am now looking to join a team with a stronger cross-border practice, where I can work on larger transactions.”
Translating French institutions
French titles do not always have an equivalent. A few pointers:
| In French | In English, at interview | |---|---| | Examen d’accès au CRFPA | the French bar entrance exam | | École d’avocats, CAPA | French bar school, bar qualification (CAPA) | | Prestation de serment | admission to the bar, being sworn in | | Collaborateur | associate | | Associé | partner | | Élève-avocat | trainee lawyer, bar school student | | Master 2 | master’s degree (second year) |
Avoid translating “avocat” as “advocate” or “barrister”: “lawyer” or “avocat at the Paris bar” are more accurate. The article lawyer’s CV in English for an international firm gives other equivalents for the CV itself.
Describing a matter: useful legal vocabulary
The question that almost always follows is: “Tell me about a matter you are proud of.” This is where precise vocabulary counts, and where professional secrecy applies just as in French.
Respecting secrecy in English
Describe the matter by its nature, its stakes and your role, without the client’s name:
“I worked on the acquisition of a French industrial company by a private equity fund. I was in charge of the legal due diligence on commercial contracts, and I drafted the first version of the disclosure letter.”
The method is explained in our article on matters and professional secrecy. It applies orally, in any language.
Advisory and transactional vocabulary
- share purchase agreement (SPA), asset purchase agreement: the French protocole de cession of shares or assets;
- representations and warranties, indemnity, W&I insurance: déclarations et garanties, indemnification, warranty insurance;
- conditions precedent, signing, closing: conditions suspensives, signature, completion;
- shareholders’ agreement, drag-along, tag-along, leaver provisions: the pacte d’associés and its exit clauses;
- due diligence report, red flags: audit report, major risks.
Litigation and arbitration vocabulary
- statement of claim, statement of defence: the claimant’s and defendant’s briefs;
- written submissions: the French conclusions (not “conclusions”);
- hearing, ruling, judgment, award: audience, decision, judgment, arbitral award;
- summary proceedings, interim relief: référé, provisional measures;
- case law: the French jurisprudence (“jurisprudence” has another meaning in English).
False friends to avoid
“Actually” does not mean “currently” (actuellement), “eventually” does not mean “possibly” (éventuellement), “to pretend” does not mean “to claim” (prétendre). In law, “avocat”, “conclusions” and “jurisprudence” are classic traps.
The pre-filled international arbitration lawyer CV and the pre-filled private equity lawyer CV use this vocabulary in context, which lets you prepare your answers from your own CV.
Classic questions and their pitfalls
“Why our firm?”
The pitfall: a generic answer (“a leading international firm”). The right answer mentions a practice, a type of deal, a team, and links it to your background.
“What is your biggest weakness?”
The pitfall: the fake weakness (“I am a perfectionist”). Choose a real weakness, not serious for the role, and say what you are doing to correct it.
“How would you explain this clause to a client?”
You are shown a clause in English, often a limitation of liability or a termination clause. The pitfall: getting lost in literal translation. Explain its practical effect, simply.
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
The pitfall: promising partnership or, conversely, announcing a move in-house. Talk about skills and responsibilities: “I would like to be a senior associate leading transactions and supervising junior lawyers.” The article counsel in a law firm explains the titles you might mention.
“Do you have any questions for us?”
Have two questions ready in English, on how the team is organised, the share of international matters or associate training.
When you do not understand
The worst thing is to answer beside the point. Simply ask: “Could you rephrase the question?” or “Do you mean…?”. It is normal practice between professionals.
Practising before the day
A few weeks of regular preparation make a real difference.
- Write, then say out loud your presentation and the description of two matters, until you can say them without notes.
- Record yourself and listen back: you will spot your hesitations and false friends.
- Read legal and business press in English for a few weeks, to get the turns of phrase back.
- Simulate an interview with an English-speaking colleague or friend, asking them to interrupt you.
- Reread your CV in English: every line can lead to a question.
Some candidates also choose to take a recognised language test so they can state a level on their CV; a period of study abroad or an LL.M. serves the same purpose.
Your CV, in French or English, must reflect this level without exaggeration: one question in English is enough to check a “bilingual” claim. The AvocatCV builder lets you prepare both versions with the same layout, and produces PDFs readable by the screening tools international firms often use. The article preparing for an associate interview at a law firm completes this preparation for the French part.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a perfect accent?
No. Partners look for clear and precise language, not an accent. A strong accent is not a problem as long as you are understandable and your vocabulary is accurate.
Can you ask to switch back to French?
Better to avoid it if the interview is precisely testing your language. Asking for a question to be rephrased, on the other hand, is perfectly normal.
Should you learn answers by heart?
Prepare structures and examples, not memorised texts: a recited answer is quickly spotted and sounds false as soon as the question changes.
Is the level of English decisive for a first associate position?
In an international firm, it is one of the essential criteria. In a French firm, it is a strong asset for transactional practices and arbitration.