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Hi everyone,

It's basically just what the title says!

Here's an example to make it more clear. Which of the following two would be better?
Option A, explicitly mentioned skills: In this role, my responsibilities were A, B and C. This allowed me to develop skills X, Y, and Z.
Option B, implied skills: In this role, my responsibilities were A, B, and C.

Also, just as a side note, should I have a personal profile at the top of my CV setting out who I am? ie I am a student at X uni, wanting to go into commercial law because XYZ.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Hi

Did anyone do the commercial dispute resolution (CDR) and commercial law lpc exams at the university of law on Aug 16 and 17?

Hi,

So I am new on this forum. I just thought I come on here and share how I am feeling at the moment.

I genuinely am scared of applying to Training Contract's in fear of rejection and not getting anywhere. But more so afraid of that I am not clever enough and lack confidence. I am a shy, keep to myself person and when I see people who have done amazing, confident and know that what they want to be rejected from TC's it makes me feel like what chance I stand.

I have done my law degree, I have been part of law society, pro-bono works, work experiences and then went on to do my LPC which I completed in 2020. Ever since I have been working in a law firm as paralegal. So I do have good experience. But I have never attempted to start a TC application because of the lack of confidence I have. Even when I interview for Paralegal roles, I am rejected because of how nervous I get and don't know how to structure my answers and deliver them with confidence.

I know this is so silly that I have given up way before I have started. I really want to change this now, I don't want to be a paralegal for the foreseeable time, I am craving to grow and expand. I want to achieve a stable career for myself and be able to gain knowledge. I just don't know where to start.

The application process is so overwhelming.

I just want to know if there is someone else out there who has felt the same or is feeling the same?

I just feel like everyone around me are moving on and I am stuck where I am.

I am sorry for my post being like this, I really needed to write it out and share what is going on inside and to push myself forward.

Hello,

If anyone is starting on the BPP SQE course this September (particularly those in the City Consortium Course, which I imagine may be slightly different), what does the timetable look like (i.e. is it spread across all 5 days or only a few days a week)? I am due to start in Feb and am wondering if I can continue to work in my current position part-time alongside the SQE course.

Thank you.

Hi,

If a law firm asks to discuss commercial news and why it interests us, do we have to explain the impact on the firm as well or is it not necessary as it is not asked?

The word limit is 250 words.

Hello! Iam a current law undergrad from India

Hi all,

I was hoping you could give me some thoughts on my draft AO application. Thank you so much

Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)
I want to become a commercial lawyer due to the reach commercial law has across global business interactions which impact our day-to-day experiences as consumers. My attraction to the career has been strengthened by completing legal tasks during my Grant Thornton and Deloitte internships. Additionally, Open Days at Shearman & Sterling and Freshfields, and Forage internships by Clifford Chance and White & Case gave me an insight into corporate practice areas and the responsibilities of trainees, solidifying my interest in a career as a commercial lawyer.

My desire to train at A&O is informed by its holistic excellence, especially in banking and corporate practice areas, and the firm's innovative capabilities. The firm's numerous Tier 1 rankings, including in acquisition finance and equity capital markets, and one-of-its-kind deals, such as sale of the Selfridges Group, illustrate its expertise. In addition to the firm's strengths in its core practice areas, it is also innovative - as illustrated by the Fuse hub and its six-time record as the Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe. Having studied IT and IP law at university, I am drawn to the firm's innovative capabilities and rapid response to market developments.

I believe that the skills essential for a commercial lawyer are an open mind, critical thinking skills, and innovative and collaborative spirit; qualities I possess. Working in a global firm, an inquisitive mind and adaptability are crucial in responding to clients' developing needs. Teamwork is invaluable in cooperating with offices all over the globe on cross-border deals spanning jurisdictions and continents. Lastly, critical thinking is essential in addressing complex deals, such as the Bayer acquisition handled by the New York, Frankfurt and London offices. It is my innovative mindset, in combination with my interest in commercial law, that inspires me to train specifically within A&O's finance and corporate excellence, and its focus on innovation.

Please identify an existing market development or future trend that will likely affect A&O clients and describe how this could provide the Firm with new opportunities to support its clients. (300 words)
The rise and domination of artificial intelligence (“AI”) represents a market development that will not only revolutionise the legal profession, but also presents an opportunity for A&O to advise its clients on new ventures informed by this trend. Companies' spending on AI has increased by 600%, from $8 billion to $47 billion, between 2016 and 2020. This illustrates the grasp this technology has on all business interactions, and consequently on the law structures that facilitate them.

AI is now used in fields where the firm's clients operate, such as retail, healthcare, security or self-driving vehicles, and will likely impact most corporate and business interactions in the near future. This development will provide new opportunities for clients to innovate their ventures or engage in new ones, requiring A&O's expert advice.

As a firm with a deep focus on innovation, A&O's and its Fuse hub is already an important player in uncovering and supporting new technologies revolutionising how the legal industry operates and adapts better solutions for its clients and the industry. Making use of AI in its legal technology enables the firm to adapt to future trends such as AI. Simultaneously, A&O's Fintech and IP teams are ranked in Tier 1, demonstrating that the firm is already at the forefront of adapting its expertise to future trends and redefining what law looks like tomorrow.

The advent of AI will provide companies with opportunities once seemingly impossible, yet new complex deals and transactions will demand the firm's legal advice and facilitation. AI is and will continue to present new matters on which A&O can advise its clients. What's more, utilising it in its structures will empower A&O to meet and exceed the clients' needs.

Hi, has anyone done this? I'd appreciate any insight to the following quick questions

1) We have to do a presentation on our report. How can we structure this? Ulaw hasn't given us guidance yet. Do we just talk about our presentation, or do we get questions beforehand

2) Was the report part quite mathematic? I found the Law and Business part quite mathematical,but for the report, do we need to use any calculations or formulas etc or anything? Suppose this is bit of a silly Q, but just wanted to cover my bases

Thanks

I had a month's paid work experience this year at a law firm but it didn't go well. I made a lot of mistakes and was given a lot of critique and areas I could improve on. Still, I think that it's a valuable experience because of the advice and true insight I received into law. Would it be disadvantageous to reference this work experience in application forms?

Hi @Jessica Booker

In the last application cycle I passed to the second stage with two US law firms. I did not pass to the assessment centre as I did not deliver up to the standard during my telephone / video interview and written exercise. Given that my reasons for applying to these firms have not changed and my written applications were successful, is it acceptable to re-use my answers from last cycle when applying to these two firms in this cycle?

Many thanks!

Hi everyone. I was wondering, for people looking to train and qualify in large London firms, is it true that qualifying into some practice areas mean you're stuck in London if you want to continue practicing? I'm not sure if this is accurate, but I hear that it's hard to lateral into the regions if you've specialised in areas like international arbitration and private equity. I know I wouldn't like to stay in London forever so I'm just trying to get a better view of what happens post-qualification. I'd appreciate any insight!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows whether we can apply for both the winter and summer vac schemes at white & case. Some firms state that you can only do 1 application per cycle whereas white & case doesn't so I was wondering whether that means you can apply for both. The only thing I found is that they allow candidates to apply for a vacation scheme as well as directly for a TC.

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Exams this year were much more relaxed as they were online, and we were even explicitly told not to cover certain lectures as they wouldn't be in exams. Because of this I'm worried my interviewer may ask be a rather particular question relating to one of my modules, for example, asking me about a certain tort. Is this common in training contract/vacation scheme interviews? I'm debating spending the next month going over old lectures and refreshing myself.

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