The reviewed evidence shows that interview architecture can remain highly structured even when the interaction is virtual. Davis Polk currently conducts its U.S. summer-associate interviews virtually. Cleary uses virtual screener interviews, then lets callback candidates choose virtual or in-person interviews; its callback consists of four 30-minute attorney meetings.
Davis Polk
Davis Polk's U.S. Summer Program FAQ says all interviews are currently virtual. Candidates who receive offers have later opportunities to visit the firm through tours, events and return visits. Official source · SIG-207.
Cleary
Cleary says screener interviews are virtual. Candidates receiving a callback can choose virtual or in-person interviews. Official source · SIG-220.
Cleary also publishes the callback structure: four attorney meetings of 30 minutes each, with a possible 15-minute break after the first two; virtual callbacks can be scheduled across multiple days if needed. Official source · SIG-221.
What this tells us
“Virtual interview” is not a sufficient description of the selection mechanism. The number of interviewers, sequencing, callback structure and whether modality is candidate-selectable are separate dimensions that can materially change what the candidate experiences.
What this does not prove
This two-firm subset does not establish a standard US BigLaw interview model or disclose the scoring weight assigned to individual interviewers. Firms can change format by office, programme and recruiting cycle.
Denominator: two named law firms with canonical published summer-associate interview-format evidence reviewed on 14 September 2026.
3 dated facts (signals), observed 14 September 2026
Every signal this page cites, with the observation as coded, the passage recorded against the official page, the observation date and the source. Follow a signal ID for its full record; follow the source for the live page.
Davis Polk states that its current U.S. summer-associate interviews are conducted virtually; candidates receiving offers can later visit through tours, events and return visits.
Evidence passage recorded against the sourceAt present, all interviews are virtual.
United States · U.S. Summer Program · Virtual interview architecture · Observed 14 September 2026 · Verified 14 Sep 2026 · Source SRC-130 (davispolk.com) · source record
Cleary says screener interviews are virtual and callback candidates may choose to interview virtually or in person.
Evidence passage recorded against the sourceScreener interviews are virtual. If you receive a callback, you can choose to interview virtually or in person.
United States · Summer Associate recruiting · Screener and callback architecture · Observed 14 September 2026 · Verified 14 Sep 2026 · Source SRC-135 (clearygottlieb.com) · source record
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