New Threads

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone would very kindly guide me on the following. I have an assessment centre coming up which will include business simulation group exercise. I understand the "group exercise" bit but not sure about the "business simulation" part. What can I expect? How does it differ from typical group exercises?

Also, I'm told I'd have to do a "drafting exercise" but they have not specified whether it'll be a commercial written exercise or some other. Any thoughts?

Many thanks for taking the time out to answer, it is immensely appreciated.

Alistair

A bit of a weird one but I'm sort of new to this so apologies. I'm attending the BSN's Big Conversation event tomorrow at Linklaters in the evening and I'm not sure if I should go formal with a suit, smart casual or casual? I've emailed BSN but not entirely sure I'll get a response before the event. Essentially, it is a talk by several speakers on racial inequality in the legal profession and the law - so not a careers fair/event/presentation.

Any advice is appreciated

Hi guys,

Quick question: has any one applied to Norton Rose's Winter Scheme yet? I recently found out that the application process opened on 1st July 2018? I'm also aware that they tend to interview/recruit on a rolling basis. On this basis, and considering we are now in September, would it still be logical to apply?

Thanks

Hey all,

I know it is encouraged to include legal voluntary work in the work experience section, but could you mention non-legal voluntary work (i.e. helping in a charity or fundraising) or would you advise against it?

Thanks!

hey, jaysen - I have been struggling with answering why you question in interviews? I seem to be all over the place

How do you normally start your answer to why you and what kind of structure did you adopt when answering this.

TL D R- your opening sentence and your structure for why you.

Hi everyone! I am struggling with networking events. I never know what to ask recruiters during networking events, how to stand out etc.

Any tips on questions or conversations I could have to make them remember my name for future applications?

Thanks!

Why are UK firms finding it difficult to crack the US legal market. I’m just curious because the US firms in London are increasingly bolstering their capabilities here - a few of them are now even more ‘elite’ than some UK firms (arguably).


All thoughts welcome!

Many thanks

Hello everyone,

I have been reading different threads here about tailoring your applications to answer questions such as 'why a career as a commercial lawyer' or 'why this firm', and I have seen more than a handful of different approaches to the questions and how not to answer them. However I was wondering is anyone here on this forum who wouldn't mind sharing their past cover letters or their online forms. I understand that everyone comes from a diff background, so everyone's story is going to be different, but I would want to know just how to better picture different experiences, personal qualities to form your story.

I would really appreciate if anyone could share their cover letter

Hi all,

We are currently discussing a class with an executive partner of an elite US law firm. I was going to ask him to talk about the business of law firms, his experience running a law firm, and the challenges of growing a US law firm in London and competing with the magic circle. I may also ask for his advice to future lawyers about succeeding in the legal profession.

If anyone has feedback on the topics above, or suggestions for what they would like the partner to talk about, please let me know. The class is for you guys so I'm very open to comments!

Are you studying at Ulaw?

Let me know below!

Hey,

I hope this is in the right place.

Just wanted to know if there are any solicitor-advocates here?

Hi All,

Thought it might be helpful to keep a list of applications that are open in this thread.

I found these posted from TSR (I still need to verify them):

Vacation Schemes
Linklaters (Winter VS)
Ashurst (Winter VS)
Jones Day (Winter & Summer VS)
Kennedys (Winter VS)
Shearman & Sterling (Winter, Spring and Summer VS)
BCLP (Summer VS)
DLA Piper (Summer VS) - closing 31 December
Hogan Lovells (all schemes)
Herbert Smith (Winter VS)

Training Contracts
Clifford Chance
Herbert Smith Freehills (UAE & Hong Kong)
Shearman and Sterling
BCLP
Hogan Lovells

Later Opening Dates
Allen & Overy 1 October 2018 VS / TC
Blake Morgan: 2 November 2018 VS / TC
Burges Salmon: 1 October 2018 VS / TC
Davis Polk 1 December VS 2018 (TC's recruited from VS)
Hill Dickinson 1 November 2018
K&L Gates 1 November 2018 VS / TC
Osborne Clarke 1 November 2018 VS / TC

Does anyone know of more? I can update the list as more firms open.

When was your Travers Smith interview?

February 2018

What was it for?

Vacation Scheme

Please describe the interview process at Travers Smith.

I really enjoyed my interview. I think my experience was a little bit different to what I’ve seen around. On that day, I walked into the room and the 1st question the partner asked me (whilst I was still trying to sit down) was if I’ve been to other interviews. I said I’ve had several video interviews and we both lamented on how we hate the idea of basically talking to a computer screen during a video interview (small act of putting me at ease there).

Anyways, fast forward to some few minutes later and we’re basically having a conversation. I had prepared for commercial awareness questions, and the typical moral questions, but he barely asked me any of those (I literally had zero commercial awareness questions). I got asked what legislation I would implement, why law, why travers – typical questions. He also asked me one moral question which involved my client lying to the other party about the terms of a transaction (ie would you support your client even if you knew he was lying, and the other party didn’t know about this. When I said I wouldn’t, he went on to say that I was going to lose the client if I didn’t support him. I then said it was better to lose one client than to potentially lose many others if the situation came to light, and the firm’s reputation crumbled (I threw in Bell Pottinger there and he smiled). Morale of the story – lawyers always act with integrity no matter what!

I wish I could give you more, but the interview was only 30 minutes. One thing I would emphasise is that it was very much a conversation, an enjoyable one for that matter. When I gave an answer to a question, he asked follow-up questions. This means you can pretty much lead the interview. I also asked him a lot of questions during the interview – I asked him what he would do in the above scenario.


What advice would you give to future applicants for the Travers Smith interview?

I would say the best skill to have (which I believe applies to any interview) is empathy/emotional intelligence. When I got accepted to the scheme the day after my interview, I started to feel that the interview was ‘too easy’ – i.e how could I have gained a place on a vac scheme when I had no commercial awareness question and only one moral question. But I heard from people who had been interviewed too, and had a complete different experience. From my perspective, I think this was because I connected with the partner from the outset. Therefore, I would say relax, have FAITH in yourself, and believe that the job is already yours. Get a sense of the energy your interviewer is exuding and try to match that.

I would also advise people to prepare for everything – prepare for the unexpected, for commercial awareness questions, for moral questions, everything. I did prepare for everything, but I guess I was fortunate that day.

Next, do your research on the firm - know the little details. I remember I mentioned their new app for clients (in the employment department) and he seemed impressed, almost like he didn’t think I would know. He even said he was going back to tell his colleague that someone mentioned the app!

Finally, this is a little cheeky but if you’re being interviewed at your uni, try your best to pick one of the earliest slots. I was the first person he interviewed at my uni, and when I accidentally saw the list of people he had to interview, I put on my best show to set the bars high (imo). Also, people get tired during the day so try to get them at their best time.

To reiterate: you don’t have to be the loudest in the room, don’t try to be someone else, have the confidence to be yourself!

I will be attending a firm's open day in November, before sending my application for a vac scheme.

The open day app asked why I want to attend - I gave 3 reasons for why I was interested in the firm. Now the vac scheme app obviously asks why I'm applying to the firm. I'm aiming to use the first paragraph to mention my experience at the open day, and then copy and paste the other two reasons from my open day application form.

My question is will it be okay for me to copy and paste these 2 paragraphs? - My reasons for applying to the firm has still not changed.

Thanks

I hate to be direct, but how do I get more trophy points on TCLA - I would really love for my application to be reviewed.

Many thanks

A little late to the party on September's update!

Donald Trump is losing the trade war with China

The Story

Rather than this being a news story, this is more of a summary of an interesting article I read by Business Insider.

The article says that "despite the imposition of tariffs and counter-tariffs in July, the US trade deficit increased to $50.1 billion, a 9.6% increase from the previous month". In addition "the goods trade deficit with both China and the EU hit record highs in the month of July".

The US trade deficit is one the reasons Trump started imposing tariffs on countries around the world. It means that US imports are exceeding its exports, which Trump believes is causing harm to American companies.

Impact on businesses and law firms

As Trump's tariffs don't seem to be correcting the trade deficit, it could mean Trump will impose more trade measures on countries around the world.

The health of the US economy compared to other countries has caused US imports to grow significantly this year.

The question is whether Trump can ever "win" the trade war. In the meantime, businesses trying to undertake international trade will suffer.

Amazon second company to pass the $2tn mark

The Story

Amazon, one of the world's most feared companies, has now become the second company after Apple to have a market capitalisation of over $2tn.

Unlike Apple, Amazon's growth over the last year has surged, with the big tech company doubling the value of its stock. The company has shown it can also turn a profit, bringing in a net income of over $2bn in July.

Impact on business and law firms

Amazon has entered many markets over the past few years, from artificial intelligence to healthcare, as the company sought to invest in its future. It is the biggest provider of cloud computing to businesses and has billions of valuable customer data - which may lead it to compete with Google and Facebook in advertising.

Many investors see Amazon changing the future, with Amazon devices being used to operate devices around the house and order groceries.

Meanwhile, Apple has seen strong iPhone sales and is undertaking the largest share buyback in history. Microsoft is also growing revenues at its fastest rate in a decade and Google is speeding up its growth to invest in products outside search.

However, regulators are starting to take a look at the big tech companies. The US justice department has recently said it will go after technology companies for free speech and competition issues. Under section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act, Facebook and Twitter are not liable for most user-generated content. But this has been tested recently, as the social media sites have come under fire fro Russian interference in elections and other privacy issues.

Hello,

I recently applied to a firm for a work-experience opportunity and was quite happy and confident with the application.

Unfortunately, I was not successful in reaching the interview stage.

I would appreciate it if anyone could take a look at my application and provide feedback; if I haven't answered the question or have not been specific enough etc. or any other pointers.

Please let me know.

Thank you very much.

I struggle with on specific question: Why us?

I know that I should consider a number of things: the practice areas and for example a specific deal; the type of training, the retention rate, culture, diversity. However, I noticed that I tend to repeat the words used by the firms on their websites, so I waffle and tell them something that they already know.

What was your approach when you had to answer this question? How do you explain a deal in a TC application?

I look forward to reading your response.

Regards

Leader in M&A, litigation and competition

Corporate

• In 2017, Mergermarket named the firm European M&A Legal Adviser of the Year, with the firm advising on a deal value of $272,510bn from 175 deals. The firm regularly tops Mergermarket's European M&A rankings for deal value and deal volume.
• In the first quarter of 2018, Freshfields topped the European deal value according to Mergermarket. The firm also rose to second place in the global M&A rankings.
• Freshfields works on many of the biggest M&A deals in Europe including the sale of Pret to JAB Holdings and Comcast’s £22bn bid for Sky.
• According to The Lawyer, almost every private equity head in London names Freshfields as the firm with the leading private equity practice. However, Freshfields was recently hit by the loss of its star partner David Higgins. Higgins left to become co-managing partner of Kirkland's London office in "one of the most significant departures ever from an elite London law firm", according to Legal Business.
• US firms lack the established M&A brand Freshfields has built across Europe.
• At the Transatlantic Legal Awards 2017, Freshfields was named "Transatlantic Private Equity Team of the Year".
• In November 2017, Freshfields launched its "Global Transactions Practice", which covers its corporate, finance and real estate practices. The firm has the largest corporate team in the UK according to the number of its fee earners.

Litigation

• Freshfields is unique in the magic circle for its balanced split between corporate and litigation.
• The revenue from Freshfields’ litigation team grew significantly after 2008. It now contributes approximately 33% to the firm's total turnover.
• Freshfields has the largest litigation practice in the City in terms of revenue generation.
• The firm's disputes team has acted on many headlining deals, including representing Volkswagen during its emissions scandal and Tesco following investigations into the false accounts of its profits.
• According to The Lawyer’s Global Litigation 50, for several years, Freshfields has led the magic circle in disputes fee income.
• Freshfields has heavily invested in its US disputes practice – particularly its global investigations team -- which has been its gateway into the US.

Finance

• Freshfields finance team has historically lagged behind its corporate and litigation practice. And especially behind the finance heavyweights Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy.
• The team recently shifted to focus on borrower-side work, which has led to the lateral hires of several partners to build its capability in this area.
• Freshfields recently restructured its finance practice to focus on a smaller number of practice areas. The firm has dropped aviation finance.

Competition & Antitrust

• According to the Global Competition Review (GCR) 100, no law firm matches Freshfields’ global competition team, which spans 14 jursidictions.
• Freshfields topped the GCR 100 rankings between 2010 and 2017.
• Freshfields’ is ranked highly for its expertise in merger control, competition litigation and antitrust matters.
• Freshfields acts on many of the biggest competition matters each year. The firm recently advised AB Inbev on the third largest merger in corporate history. Despite pressures to close quickly, Freshfields was able to secure merger clearance in over 30 jurisdictions.
• Freshfields is one of the few non-US firms that has built a strong antitrust practice in the US.

Higher profits

• Freshfields has historically boasted higher profits than the rest of the magic circle (excluding Slaughter and May).
• In 2016-17, Freshfields' drop in profits causing the firm to place fourth in the magic circle. According to Legal Week, this ultimately led to the resignation of managing partner Chris Pugh.
• But all law firms have bad years and now, Freshfields is back on top of the pack. In 2017-18, Freshfields’ average PEP reached record levels after rising by 12%.
• According to The Lawyer, since 2012/13, Freshfields’ PEP has risen by 24%.

A strategic international approach

• Freshfields’ mergers with Deringer Tessin Herrmann & Sedemund and Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Löber in 2000 were game changers for Freshfields. The firm became the largest international law firm in Germany.
• Over the years, Freshfields continued to have the most successful German practice among the magic circle law firms. In 2007, the firm had 420 lawyers in Germany, almost double their domestic Germna competitors.
• But Freshfields recently restructured to focus on higher value deals and disputes work. The firm closed its office in Cologne in 2016, a trio of partners left to start a boutique law firm, and between December 2015 and May 2017, Freshfields saw 20% of its partners exit its German practice. This came as Latham & Watkins declared its plans to take on Freshfields’ leading practice in Germany.
• Elsewhere, the firm has taken a relatively cautious international approach. In 2017, the firm had the smallest number of offices in the magic circle, a big contrast to Allen & Overy’s 44 offices.
• But Freshfields’ international strategy isn’t to be everywhere. Instead, the firm concentrates on building depth in key financial centres.
• The firm has openly said it doesn’t want to be treated as a magic circle firm. Instead, the firm says, it wants to be known as part of the international elite.
• Unlike other law firms trying to break into the US, Freshfields’ began with a finance practice in the US. It then shifted into growing a litigation and antitrust practice. The firm has invested heavily in growing this practice as it aims to build a global regulatory and investigation practice to advise cross-border clients. The global team has 160 partners spanning 13 jurisdictions.
• Freshfields has flexed its lockstep model to offer higher pay packages to star partners in the US.

Unique training system

• Freshfields offers an eight seat rotation for trainee solicitors. Trainees will be exposed to more departments for a shorter amount of time.
• Freshfields has the second smallest headcount in the magic circle
• Freshfields has an all equity partnership unlike Linklaters.
• The firm recently overhauled its lockstep model, allow star partners to earn a far higher salary – a move to attract and retain partners amid the thread of US firms. The decision is more radical than Linklaters' set of reforms, which has been to keep its lockstep in place.

Efficiency and technology drive

• In 2015, Freshfields opened its Legal Services Centre in Manchester.
• The firm has invested heavily in nearshoring to deliver cost effective legal services-- the centre now holds 700 staff. The legal support team conducts process work, with staff carrying out due diligence checks and completing document review tasks.
• The firm is now hiring qualified lawyers to its team.
• Freshfields will be using AI software from Kira Systems in its Legal Services Centre to aid its delivery of legal services.
• Freshfields recently announced plans to launch a new centre in Berlin where it plans to hire 100 staff. The roles will include legal support and legal tech jobs.
• Freshfields has partnered with AI company Neota Logic to provide a course on legal technology at the University of Manchester

Fun Fact

In 2006, Allen & Overy approached Freshfields with a merger proposal. Freshfields rejected the proposal.

I have come across many potential interview questions relating to the financial crisis that occurred in 2008. What role did bankers, lawyers etc have. What has the world learnt etc

I was wondering what is the best place to get an understanding of this event, it seems so vast that one can go in a tangent if not careful.

Any opinions?

The firms I am looking to apply are those with a strong practice in private equity (so Weil for example).

I understand that you were a trainee at Weil, I was wondering perhaps if I can perhaps get an insight into your answer Why Weil? (

In relation to how did you use Weil's strength in the private equity practice to answer Why Weil?
How did you use your interest in PE/Emerging markets into answering Why Weil?

I understand that Why WEIL is a combination of your interest + specific reasoning, I was wondering to get your specific insights that made you interested in PE and Weil.

Hi Jaysen,

I have never been to an open day for any law firm. However, thanks to Selma, I was able to secure my place at an event being held by Norton Rose (on Artificial Intelligence and meet/greet with grad rec team and trainees)


I dont know how are such events, what do I do there because I won't know anyone there.

I am extremely shy, I have trouble introducing myself to new people, that's perhaps the reason why I avoided any events where I had to go alone. I also know that standing out in the corner of the room won't be making good use of this opportunity.

My question is what did you do at such events, (or rather what would you advise me to do on such events), I am petrified of such interactions.

Hi everyone,

How best do I answer the following questions, are there any keywords I should include?


1. What key skills do you believe are necessary to become a successful lawyer at Kennedys? (250 words max)*
2. Please give an example of a situation where you were required to work in a team to accomplish an important objective and describe your role in achieving this objective. (250 words max)*
3. Please explain why you want to pursue a career in law? (200 words max)*
4. How does Kennedys differ from other firms you have applied to? (200 words max)*

Thank you!

My main questions are:
1. Could you give me some inspiration for an answer on why I want a career in law as I understand this needs to be personal but am really stuck.
2. When asked to tell someone about yourself how should you structure such an answer and what should you include
3. What types of questions should I ask at the end of the interview?

Thank you so much for all your help!