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Hey guys,

I'm a second-year law student in the UK, seeking a TC in the UK. However, I'm from the United States and I plan to dual-qualify in the US shortly after graduating here. I'm looking for advice on whether that's worth mentioning to firms (particularly smaller American firms like Sullivan & Cromwell, whose London office has a lot of US business and US-qualified attorneys).

Given that I highlight an interest in cross-border legal work, I initially thought my plan to dual-qualify would help support this and make me more attractive to firms that do a lot of US-UK deals. But even though they're American firms, I'm obviously applying to their London office, so I'm concerned that mentioning dual-qualification (as someone from the US) might make them worry about my commitment to staying in the UK with their office. And also I'm not sure how much they'd value the qualification alone, since I'd have no work experience in the US.

Do you guys think it's worth mentioning? Thanks in advance for your advice!

Could someone give feedback to my this answer?

Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills and what skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role? (Up to 300 words)

Herbert Smith Freehills’s expertise in Financial Corporate Crime has attracted me to the firm, evidenced by its Chambers UK Band 1 ranking within the sector. I am currently working as a Paralegal at the Serious Fraud Office where I am acquiring the necessary skills that will help me to assist the firm’s team. I am proving to be organised by adopting a colour-based system to track my progress and analytical when it comes to determine the relevance of the evidence and draft the reports. These are essential skills for any lawyer and even more so for Herbert Smith Freehills, given the extent and depth of clients, they work for.

Furthermore, whilst studying the LPC, I became interested in alternative dispute resolutions including arbitration and was fortunate enough to participate in an arbitration hearing at the London Court of International Arbitration during my internship at BDM Law. Herbert Smith Freehills has been named best commercial dispute resolution firm in The Times Best Law firms 2018. I am commercially proactive, as a legal assistant; I negotiated the litigation costs down by offering the possibility of future work based on the case ensuring so services to the firm in a timely manner. I look forward to furthering my insight into the dispute resolution process as a trainee at Herbert Smith Freehills.

This year I attended “Multiculturalism in the city” where I had the opportunity to talk to some of the trainees about the internal networks such as Multiculturalism and IRIS. This made me realise that like me Herbert Smith Freehills values and respect cultural differences; I am a black lesbian woman who studied internationally and I appreciate how different perspectives can be utilised to solve problems, and I look forward to continuing to embrace this as a trainee solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills.

Hello

I have an assessment centre upcoming at Dechert, it consists of an interview and written exercise. Would really appreciate any advice! Thank you.

Hi everyone - I have an upcoming Sull Crom interview at the beginning of January. I was wondering and would really appreciate any tips/details on what the interview will be like (more commercial/strength/motivation etc based?)

I would also really appreciate any opinions on what sets Sull Crom apart from other law firms (especially other US law firms).

Finally, I was also wondering whether anyone knows what the relevance of lateral hires for a law firm are.

Thanks!

Best,
Aria

Hi everyone,

I am completing an open day application, and one of the questions asks me to provide the areas of law I am interested in learning about and why. Would it be better to mention some areas of law where the firm is particularly strong in, or honestly answering the question without particularly tying it to the firm would be okay too?

I am currently answering this question Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills and what skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role? I just need to write the last 50 words but it seems that my brain is not responding.

I would like to link some of my qualities to the firm's multiculturalism and diversity. Suggestions?

Hey everyone!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but I just wanted to make a thread for those of you who, like me, are relatively late to the law, technology and innovation scene/discussion. Please feel free to share your thoughts and knowledge - whether you're new to the topic or a long-time tech enthusiast!

Just by way of background - for the past year or so, I had a very vague understanding that technology will be important in shaping the future of the legal profession. However, I found it quite difficult to articulate exactly why and how. There are so many elements to this discussion - automation, unbundling services, efficiency, artificial intelligence - that picking out the basic drivers of technological innovation was near impossible when I first started reading around the subject.

I recently found a nice layman briefing by HSF on technology (https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.c...urprise-how-technology-will-change-what-we-do) that essentially breaks it down into two factors:

1. Client demands for greater cost efficiency and value for money.
2. Technological developments that make it possible to deliver that efficiency.

Those may seem pretty obvious in retrospect, but once I clearly understood this dynamic, it really helped structure my thoughts on technology and the future of the legal profession more generally.

Essentially, technology has equipped law firms with the tools to meet client demands. Many large law firms are actively embracing technology in this sense - automation of legal tasks via platforms like Kira and RAVN is an obvious example, as is the birth of offshoring legal services - but lots of smaller law firms are still slow to jump on this bandwagon. So technology is a threat to law firms that refuse to adapt their working models, but an opportunity for the ones that choose to do so.

However, the relationship between technology and the law has mostly been one of playing catch-up. Law firms did well to quickly respond to advancements in automation, but there is still a real and material risk of being further disrupted by future technological developments. In other words, law firms are still at risk of being undercut by new, nimbler market entrants that can do what they do, only better. Artificial intelligence is a popular example, but examples can also be found in the dearth of 'lawtech' startups populating tech incubators at A&O, Mishcon de Reya and Dentons.

That threat of disruption has pushed the legal industry into the current paradigm of innovation. Instead of waiting to respond to the next big thing, lots of law firms are becoming more proactive in engaging with clients, understanding their needs and driving new solutions themselves. This means that law firms are refocusing on building closer client relationships, which is not actually a new phenomenon in itself (as noted in this interview https://www.thelawyer.com/60-second-interview-slaughters/). Off the top of my head, some examples of law firm driven innovation are A&O's MarginMatrix tool, Simmons & Simmons' Disputes Aviator and Baker McKenzie's Compliance Cockpit. I'm sure there are many more examples!

That concludes my beginner's take on technology, innovation and the law. I recognise I have much more to learn, so please feel free to leave a comment or your thoughts!

Hi guys! I am currently drafting my application for Eversheds Sutherland and I came across this question. I am a little stuck on it's interpretation and approach. Would really appreciate some help!

You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started.What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation?

Hi Guys, hope everyone is well

Evershed Sutherland uses a strength based application form, so their questions are all based around different strengths (obviously) as opposed to motivational questions or commercial questions. I was just wondering, other than linking examples back to the firm's values/ skills they look for, how else can I link my application to the firm specifically?

Hi all,

A friend of mine has recently accepted a TC offer but is now panicking because the TC contract requires that "all candidates pass all elements of the LPC at first attempt".

They have already completed (Self-funded) the LPC and passed the course but had to resit a few modules, which they passed at the 2nd attempt. They have a strong mitigating circumstance for having to resit the modules. Apart from this, their academic record is excellent, i.e., strong A-levels and high 1st class degree from a Russell Group University.

Moreover, they declared their LPC grades when applying to the firm and mentioned their mitigating circumstance re only achieving a Pass grade. However, when completing the application form, there was no option in respect to whether one passed the module at the first attempt or not.

In any case, is it fair to assume the firm carried out relevant background checks before offering a vacation scheme and subsequently a training contract or would the resit modules be a major issue?

I have advised them to ring the firm to discuss the matter further. Any thoughts on this issue would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hello,

I've noticed that law firms have given 200-300 words for work experience/history. Do people tend to use all of the word count for this section? If so, what kind of details should be included to make the word count. I'm finding that my details are a bit short.

Martika

Hi all,

this can be a technical problem, but I am not sure how I can add more work experience at the application of Kirkland & Ellis. There are only six experiences while I have had nine so far.

Is it because the firm limits the number of experiences till six or is there any way to add that, which I have not found yet?

Thanks

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this, I've hit a bit of a mind block with it.

I'm currently in the process of making an application to a sector focused firm, one of their questions is along the lines of 'what are the challenges facing this firm' - i'm not entirely sure how I should answer this without it sounding generic. I was thinking along the lines of the saturated legal market and how clients are increasingly wanting high level work for lower prices.

could someone help me out with this

Hi All,

Just a quick note to say it has been a pleasure working with such a fantastic, supportive community of aspiring lawyers over the past year.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and some time away from all the application stress.

Best,

Jaysen

Hello,

Something I always struggle with for applications is a lack of relevant work experience. I haven't done any vac schemes and my only legal experience is two months' part time at an immigration law firm. I've had various jobs since sixth form (cleaner, factory worker, bar staff, hostess, cashier etc.), but not proper business/commercial roles. I'm now in my first proper job since graduating (in the fund research team at a wealth management company) but I don't think this is enough.

Currently writing my application for Kirkland and an interview with grad rec said "In terms of other requirements, we’re looking for a minimum 2.1 and strong A level results, as well as work experience in a similar environment to ours". I've read a successful application and this person had done numerous shadowing, insight schemes and interned at places such as KPMG...

Not really sure what my question is, but feel like giving up because I think I'll be screened out already. How can I come across as a credible candidate when I'm already on the back foot so to speak??

Does anyone whether the Walker Morris vac scheme is open to graduates or only those currently at university?

Hi guys,

Following on from my video interview I have been invited to an AC with Bird & Bird. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with the firm and with what the day entails/what sort of things you do?

Any advice and tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks and Merry Christmas,
Daniel

I've always taken it for granted that law firms recruit from students and graduates alike and most generally do. However, as I look into other, maybe smaller firms, I've realised that whether or not they take graduates isn't as obvious anymore.

For example, see Sullivan & Cromwell's wording:
We will accept applications for our 2019 summer vacation scheme from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, as well as those studying for postgraduate degrees, from 1 November 2018 through 11 January 2019.

Other firms are even more ambiguous and just say "postgraduates".

I'm guessing S&C aren't accepting graduates who aren't students anymore? Is this a conclusion I can make?

Anonymous -

First off, the whole partner interview is really based on luck.

The other interviewees had smiling partners but mine was this guy who looked super unhappy to be there.

Secondly, the case study is a contract. It seems like they don't care about your views or how you analyse, all they are looking for is for you to say the correct answer on their sheet and then they will make some markings on it. So my partner would literally cut me off when i gave him the answer he wanted. They just want u to tell them what they want to hear. He also got super impatient when i didn't manage to find the correct clause and stuff. Also they didn't really ask me competency questions. At the end of drilling me about the contract, he asked me what skills can you bring and why simmons together. When i got to skills i said i was an entrepreneur and had experience dealing with clients. He then grilled me about that and i didn't even get a chance to answer why simmons & simmons cos then he just didnt care to ask anymore and asked me another question instead.

I would say the only great part about the whole ac is the written exercise which wasn't that hard.

But overall i got many of the contract answers wrong and i am absolutely certain i can kiss any chance with simmons goodbye.

Overall, i felt the interview was really impersonal and they don't care about you as a person. The partner didn't even ask me any icebreakers. Just got straight to the point about the contract even whilst we were walking to the room.

The group interview was bad.
It consisted of 3 parts.
One part was u had 5 mins to quickly think which countries you want,

And then you were split into 2 groups of 3 to discuss 15mins. During the discussion the girl who dominated everything was from Cambridge and her ideas were actually really sound and good. So we went with her idea and the other girls idea. And then we agreed what we were going to say each.

Then we went back and discussed as a big group. But the two of them decided to say stuff that we agreed i would say. And they repeated alot of things that i said at the small group meeting and passed it off as theirs. For instance i said i didn't think Malaysia was viable cos they already have Singapore and the two countries are very close. And she repeated this during the big discussion and passed it off as her own.

Not gonna lie, out of the 6 candidates i think 2 people were actually really really nice Like i don't think the Cambridge girl meant to do that to me or had many mean thoughts. Its just that she was definitely a better and very strong candidate. Which sucks if you're not as good. ‍

Anonymous -

My interview was completely different to what I had expected or read about. I studied Politics and Sociology at Uni, and they started off the interview asking why I got higher grades in Sociology than Politics on average. Then they picked up one topic I mentioned in my answer (the use of Twitter during the Arab Spring which I had studied in my first year of university) and spent basically the entire interview discussing my thoughts on this. We moved across topics such as whether social media should be regulated / how free speech comes into this but it was largely just based on this one topic which threw me as I hadn’t studied it in 3 years.

Then with the current affairs article it is largely what you would expect, just quite debatey and they will play devil’s advocate but it’s fine as long as you have a (coherent) argument. I didn’t get the sense that they were trying to catch me out at all and both interviewers were very pleasant and asked very interesting questions.

The main thing that stood out to me is that I didn’t really get any of the typical questions I was told to expect such as ‘why Slaughter and May’ or ‘Why commercial law’. I was asked what other firms I had applied to but I genuinely think that was the only legitimate ‘interview question’ I was asked. Really not like your typical interview at all!

Hey guys,

Would anyone be able to share some advice on the A&O interview? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated

Also thought I would quote this here for easy access (thanks @John Wu), in case anyone else is also preparing for an A&O interview:

John Wu said:

From a friend who secured the A&O TC two years ago regarding the case study interview:

"For the case study I would say that the main two things to think about are the amount of information you are going to have to read and process within a short time, and second, make sure you take a look at the figures carefully. I summarised what was included in each piece given in the booklet on a piece of paper for reference so that if the partner asked me about something I needed to refer back to, I didn’t have to sit there flicking through the whole booklet every time.

They aren’t looking for legal knowledge as such, but more your ability to read and process a large volume of information, to present it coherently back to the partner, identifying the legal issues, and then to answer any questions.

To prepare for it I would just say honestly don’t forget to look at the figures - when I had my booklet of information I needed to calculate a different profit to the one mentioned in a table of figures.

And just have a plan for referencing the information.

So I remember the different pieces of information being called a, b, c, d etc, so I wrote a = refers to environmental concerns"

Click to expand...

Hi Guys,

So I've been invited to the Shoosmiths Insight Evening in Manchester. Has anyone been to an insight evening with Shoosmiths before and how would you advise me to prepare for it?

P.S. Is anyone else coming to the insight evening in Manchester this January.

Wondering how to approach the q 'what transferrable skills can you bring to the role of trainee solicitor'? especially because the q directly after that is 'Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application'.

Is the question more about identifying what skills are useful as a trainee, or how should I answer without just listing skills?

I am a little confused about this application. The website clearly states "We’ll ask you about your academics, work experience, interests and activities as well as your motivation for applying to us." However, when I go onto the summer vac scheme app the only sections I can find are work experience + activities and interests, am I missing something?

Hi All,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and answer this post.

I have recently been fortunate enough to have been offered a training contract in London with my dream firm. While, I have accepted and signed the contract of employment, I am in fear that I may lose the training contract once I go through the full verification process as a result of the the firms A-Level requirements.

The firm in question requires AAB at A-Level and as a candidate who did not take A-Levels in high school, it has been quite hard for me to find a uniform guide that allows me to compare my qualifications to A-Levels.

If I go purely by a UCAS point comparison, I exceed AAB at A-Level. Yet, if I go by various University equivalence guides, I tend to fall short by a grade.

I was wondering if anyone had been in a similar position or if anyone knew whether a law firm would give a candidate the benefit of the doubt and let them through provided that they can prove that they have an AAB at A-Level equivalent one way or another (UCAS points or an Alternative).

Apologies if this sounds rather confusing, but it has tearing me up over the fear that I may have to start the whole application process again.

NB:Additionally, there is nothing on the firms website that appears to answer this question.