New Threads

I know there has been a lot of interest surrounding the launch of the new training contract with Paul, Weiss.

Paul Gascoyne, the Senior Recruitment Manager at Paul, Weiss, is live right now to answer your questions in this thread.

We’re also very lucky to have four associates from Paul, Weiss, including:

1. Naomi Shode and Anthony Isichei, private equity associates at Paul, Weiss
2. Ali Wathan, an antitrust & competition associate associate at Paul, Weiss
3. Ali Fazeli-Nia, an associate in the IP and technology transactions group at Paul, Weiss

Please feel free to ask any questions you have for the firm in this thread and the team will answer your questions. You might want to consider: Is there anything you want to know about writing a stand-out application to the firm? Is there anything more you want to know about what it's like to work at Paul, Weiss?

---

Interested in Paul, Weiss?​

• Apply for the November or December Open Day.
• Apply for the Spring or Summer Vacation Scheme.
• Join TCLA and Paul Gascoyne on 14 October 2024 to learn: ‘How to Secure a Training Contract at Paul, Weiss’ - Register here!

Hi everyone,
I am currently writing vac scheme applications and for the work experience section, I'm not sure how to write about my retail experience. I have been working at a grocery store in my home country for 5 years. Im just struggling how to word this into a paragraph. I work in the produce section so I want to focus on things like attention to detail skills for having to monitor freshness etc.
thanks!

Hi everyone!

I am fairly new to the forum though I have been active here and there during my time applying for a training contract. I've since secured one and am set to start in March 2027, before which I have to give my SQE in September 2025. I'm in my final year at uni right now and wanted to get a headstart on SQE prep.

To that end, does anyone know where I can get study materials for SQE 1 (both the FLK exams). I'm not too keen on buying the whole textbook bundle as I will receive those from ULaw when I start, but I was wondering if there were resources (cheaper, preferably) that I could use to study for these two exams. I've seen a lot of mock assessments so should be fine there, but I am still to find resources to actually study the content covered in the two FLKs.

I would assume many people taking the SQE off their own back would find themselves in a similar boat- so it would be great to hear where you're getting your study material from.

Thanks!

Hi, I did my GCSE equivalents in the Scottish system and we have "applications of mathematics." Its basically a more practical course (think statistics) for those not very good at maths. I was wondering whether for VS/TC applications if law firms care about this - I did get an A, but I am anxious whether this will be held against me (if they even know what it is!)

Cheers,

@Jessica Booker

[REMOVED]

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. We’re entering the season of assessment centres (ACs) at law firms, and a hot topic for many of these ACs is Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)! So, in this thread, I’ll be guiding you through a short fictitious M&A case study and highlighting the critical aspects you should be mindful of in preparation for case studies.


First, a few key terms to familiarise yourself with: CLICK HERE


Case Study: Acquisition of Innov8 Ltd. by QuantumCore Inc.


QuantumCore Inc., a US-based data management company, is looking to acquire Innov8 Ltd., a UK-based technology company specialising in cloud computing solutions. The acquisition will allow QuantumCore to expand its technological capabilities and customer base in the European market.


Key Facts

1. Innov8 Ltd. is a private company with a strong IP portfolio. It has 300 employees, mainly software developers, and has been growing rapidly over the past 4 years.

2. QuantumCore Inc. has a global presence but lacks expertise in cloud technology. This acquisition would be strategically significant to enhance their service offering.

3. Concerns exist regarding regulatory approval, particularly from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), due to the potential impact on market competition.

4. A few key shareholders of Innov8 Ltd. are resistant to the acquisition as they believe the company can grow significantly without selling.

5. Innov8 Ltd. has some outstanding legal issues, including an ongoing employment dispute and unresolved IP claims regarding one of their cloud software solutions.

6. Rumours suggest a rival tech company is also interested in acquiring Innov8 Ltd., which could lead to a potential bidding war.



Your Task: Present your advice to the client (QuantumCore Inc.) on whether to proceed with the acquisition and how to address the legal and commercial risks.



My Analysis: Acquisition of Innov8 Ltd. by QuantumCore Inc.


Due Diligence

First of all—due diligence. This is essential. A necessary first step. The law firm will need to know more about the specifics of Innov8 Ltd.’s internal operations to determine if it’s worth buying. Essentially, checks will be carried out on the company’s financial and legal health, among other considerations.

For example, if Innov8 Ltd. has an unstable cash flow or if an important financial statement is absent (note: this will rarely be the case as public companies are required by law to publish certain statements), a red flag exists. Thus, financial health is a key consideration for firms when acquisition talks are on the table.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes acquisitions can occur even when companies do not have the ‘highest’ or most ‘desirable’ revenues. This is because distressed acquisitions mean that the acquiring company can turn things around and make more profit by implementing new internal strategies, introducing the latest technologies, investigating market deficiencies, and catering to those needs.

Now, you will remember from the facts that Innov8 Ltd. is undergoing an employment dispute. It is necessary to uncover the true extent of this dispute. How serious is it? Is Innov8 Ltd. likely to win? Even if they are likely to win, the chances of succeeding in a litigation claim can change instantly with new facts. How do we know the other party doesn’t have more evidence on the way? Given these risks, the lawyers on QuantumCore Inc.’s side will consider advising a lower valuation of the deal based on this complication.

There also exists the issue, as we have seen from the facts, of unresolved IP claims regarding one of Innov8 Ltd.’s cloud software solutions. Have they infringed any IP rights? Do they truly have ownership of their intellectual property? Are there challengers to this ownership? If challengers exist, what is their basis? Is it strong enough to warrant ongoing litigation? If yes, can QuantumCore Inc. afford such litigation post-acquisition? The risks are significant for QuantumCore Inc. because they will be managing one more business alongside their existing operations. Additional costs are always scrutinized, especially if they could be avoided from the start.

All these concerns may lengthen the time gap between negotiations and closing. Is this time expense worth it? Businesses want to make money, and the longer it takes to complete the deal, the more money is lost. Nevertheless, such checks are necessary to ensure that the continuous and sustained progression of profits post-acquisition is not hindered by ongoing litigation.


Competition Concerns

Antitrust laws exist to ensure that M&A activity does not create excess competition in the market. If smaller tech companies are unable to float due to the strong market dominance caused by this M&A deal, the CMA (the primary body of enforcing antitrust laws in the UK) will correct this market error.

Lawyers will consider any competition-related risks and advise accordingly.


Regulatory Concerns

The tech industry is one that is highly regulated, largely because there are a lot of new and upcoming discoveries that have never existed before. When there are new discoveries, new laws need to be enforced to ensure smooth functioning within the wider industry. The deal will need to comply with the regulatory standards unique to the industry and other data protection legislation.


Shareholder Concerns

We are told some shareholders do not want to go ahead with the purchase. Why? We are told they believe the company can grow without the acquisition. Is this the only reason? What methods can be implemented to understand their concerns and positions better? Would an earn-out payment structure please them more? What if they are offered equity in the new business—would that please them? Communicating with the shareholders is a crucial step here.


External Bidders

If a new tech company wants to purchase Innov8 Ltd., should QuantumCore Inc. offer a higher purchase price? Can the company afford this? Will the shareholders allow this given their existing resistant position? Will drag-along or tag-along rights be enforced?

Should QuantumCore Inc. just walk away from the deal completely?

An exclusivity agreement may be offered here to ensure Innov8 Ltd. entertains purchase talks from solely QuantumCore Inc. for a specified period. The lawyers on QuantumCore Inc.’s side will need to explore the possibility of enforcing this.

A bidding war is not necessarily advantageous from QuantumCore Inc.’s perspective, as a higher price is undesirable for any business. Businesses want to buy good quality things as cheaply as possible. Competing with another company for Innov8 Ltd. may also lead to unwanted deal terms arising from the contract, as the pursuit for the target places both interested acquirers in a position of unequal bargaining power.


Post-Acquisition Concerns

It’s necessary to explore the legal and operational concerns for successfully integrating Innov8 Ltd.’s workers, IP, and technology into QuantumCore Inc..


Jurisdiction-Related Challenges

One company is based in the US, while the other is in the UK. The differences in laws and regulations, and their subsequent consequences on the viability of the transaction, will need to be analysed in depth.


Additional Discussion Topics

• Balance the need for QuantumCore Inc. to expand its technology offerings with the costs and risks of the acquisition.
• Look at QuantumCore Inc.s business plan. Evaluate the commercial implications of proceeding with the acquisition and the subsequent viability of this.

Deal Structure

How will the deal be structured? Asset Purchase or Share Purchase? This will determine whether an SPA or APA will be drafted.

Here, you will discuss the implications of both and decide which is most appropriate given the facts.

A share purchase will allow QuantumCore Inc. to gain equity in Innov8 Ltd., which is desirable, especially if they later own a majority stake in the business. This would allow them to have a greater say in executive decisions. At the same time, they inherit all the assets and liabilities. If the liabilities are greater than the benefits of running the business, this is a red flag. If the shareholders also have “unlimited liability,” this is not good because their liability is not limited to the price of their shares—the money they initially invested. This is quite risky.

An asset purchase overcomes the obstacles of liability uncovered by a share acquisition. It allows for cherry-picking the profitable divisions of Innov8 Ltd. However, many rules govern the transfer of assets, which can also lead to a time lag.


Valuation Methods

Next, discuss how Innov8 Ltd. will be valued.

A Comparable Company Analysis (CCA) will allow the price of the company to be judged based on similar prices seen by competitors in the market.

Looking at Precedent Transactions (PCs) will allow for the valuation to occur based on past similar M&A deals in the market.


Warranties and Indemnities

Warranties represent overarching representations regarding the overall condition and operational integrity of a company. They serve as a broad classification encompassing various potential risks that could affect the business. Conversely, indemnities are explicit commitments pertaining to particular losses, wherein the seller agrees to compensate the buyer for specified contingencies if those conditions are not satisfied.

In the context of our case study, indemnities are more appropriate for addressing employment disputes and unresolved intellectual property claims. Employment disputes often involve specific liabilities that can lead to quantifiable financial losses, making indemnities suitable as they directly address these particular risks. Similarly, unresolved intellectual property claims can result in substantial damages or liabilities that the buyer may incur. By utilising indemnities, the seller can provide assurance to the buyer that they will be compensated for any losses arising from these specified issues, thus effectively managing risk in the transaction.

Industry Trends

Discuss how industry trends impact this deal now or in the future. What happens when ESG is taken into account? There are 300 workers; if QuantumCore Inc. lets go of a few to take advantage of cost synergies, would this impact the company’s ESG credentials? Are there any ESG laws that need to be adhered to?

Does the target company produce any AI? If so, is it in line with the requirements of the relevant regulations? It is essential to note that while one business operates in the UK, retained EU law still exists post-Brexit. This means that we must consider the implications of both UK and EU regulations.

In the tech sphere, factors such as the rise of the EU AI Act become crucial. Although this act was introduced after Brexit, any subsidiary company in the EU that QuantumCore Inc. manages may still need to comply with EU laws. Therefore, it’s important to consider how these regulations impact the target company and the broader implications for the acquisition.

Tax Considerations

Deals from across the world warrant different tax implications. The UK and US have different systems, and the cross-border influence on minimizing the impact of this must be considered.

Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements

Protect QuantumCore Inc. by ensuring that skilled workers are not quitting to go elsewhere, or that Innov8 Ltd. doesn’t go and start up a similar competing business.


Finally, summarise your overall advice—should QuantumCore Inc. proceed, and if so, under what conditions?


Key Takeaways and General Advice

Take your time with M&A case studies. Some law firms will give you 20-40 minutes to read a case study and come up with a presentation, which can feel like a time crunch. However, be patient and don’t get overwhelmed too quickly. You will find that many hidden facts exist that can help you create a stellar analysis. Again, avoid the pressure to know everything in time for your assessment center (AC). This anxiety can make you more nervous and throw you off guard. You possess significant potential and knowledge; let that shine through. Law firms don’t expect you to have knowledge comparable to a Partner with decades of experience. Many candidates will be straight from university with little to no company law foundations. The knowledge will come, no doubt about that. Just give yourself patience and resilience, and you will get there.

Conclusions

Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide. I hope it has been helpful, and please feel free to drop any questions; I, or another member of the forum, will be here to assist.

The discussion is also intended to be interactive, so share any thoughts you may have as well!

Got a 2.1 overall but quite a few 2.2s in modules and one pass (31) - will this be a huge disadvantage for city firms?

Hey Everyone!

I really enjoy reading other peoples TC journey threads, so I have decided to start my own. Also, updating it will also hopefully provide another source of motivation, particularly when life gets crazy, as I very much expect it to soon as I am a final year history student. Incidentally, my first dissertation supervision is tomorrow...

I still haven't applied for any vacation schemes, mainly because my course finishes weirdly late and I would not have been able to make any of the winter dates. Also, gives me a little bit more time to bolster the noticeably light extracurricular sections of my applications. Societies at uni WILL be seeing my face, and enough to make them sick of me. What I have been applying for, however, are Open Days. I am currently writing out my Open Day application for Watson Farley & Williams, and am getting scared because the firm seems sooo interesting and aligned with my interests prepping for the heartbreak early ig. I was successful for my application for an Open Day at HL which is really exciting, and am still waiting to hear back from HSF.

I had to miss a pretty amazing event, to meet the entire magic circle at A&O's office because I was in the absolute trenches with freshers flu, which turned into proper flu. You win some you lose some ig haha I keep telling myself.

Also am waiting to hear back for an incredibly rogue event with HSF, which is cocktail making with current trainees and other solicitors. I cannot lie, it sounds incredibly fun. Being rejected (waiting listed) for a Reed Smith Open Day hurt a little, but I am still weirdly confident with my chances. I think it comes down to the fact I am yet to make a proper VC application though That will be my next challenge...

I guess another reason for the confidence was my success with an online assessment for BNP Paribas, which is apparently like an 50-80% fail rate. That confidence evaporated at the following 'interview', which was 30 minutes of commercial awareness, that was fine, but the second 30 minutes was all on MENTAL MATHS and mathmatical logic I still havent heard back, but something tells me it didnt go too well...

Hi all,

Some background:
- international student (LLB from a RG uni)
- No UK vac schemes, but did internships in my home country in mid-large commercial law firms
- I plan on self-funding the SQE + LLM in Feb 2025.
- I'll be on a tier 4 study visa with BPP / uLaw.

I took some time off to fully focus on applications, but realised so many summer 2025 schemes clash with (estimated) term time dates / the July SQE1 exam. I won't have a visa to do Winter'24 schemes. Realistically, I can only apply to easter 2025 schemes, even though many overlap by 1-2 weeks. I could potentially wait for the next cycle to do Winter'25 schemes, but I'd hate to waste this cycle.

To summarise my questions:

1. Have international students successfully done vac schemes during their SQE period?
2. Are firms usually willing to make special arrangements, or defer applicants to later cycles / consider them for Direct TCs instead? It would suck if I passed the AC but the firm turns me down because of Visa restrictions.
3. Realistically, what is my best application strategy for this 2024-25 cycle? I didn't feel confident banking on direct TC apps with just 3-4 internships under my belt and because I lack UK-based work experience.

Would appreciate your advice! @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

Hi,

Having studied law for five years, which is the norm in my home country, I may have obtained the equivalent to a 2:2 or 2.1 in the UK (the grading system in my home country is known to be quite harsh, as this has also been confirmed by several HR people from law firms in London) on my postgraduate degree, which is a fifth-year degree based on a competitive selection process. I got 61,25% on my postgraduate degree, so it may be a 2.1 as it is above 60% but I am not sure about this and of course I do not want to mislead any recruiter. The issue that I am facing is that I happened to read that students are required to have a 2:2 or above from an undergraduate degree. As far as I am concerned, I got that 2.2 on my postgraduate degree but not on my undergraduate degree. Therefore, I was wondering whether that would be acceptable even though my 2.2 was obtained on my postgraduate degree. @Jessica Booker Would you have any thoughts on this?

Many thanks.

Hey guys!! Long-time stalker, first-time poster. I graduated in 2022 and after battling the UK job market, got a job at a family law firm last year (business support more so rather than technical legal work). I have recently had another job offer at a firm that has a few specialities but mainly deals with family law.

I was excited to be able to gain some form of field related experience, even if it is sort of admin, but wonder if this is going to impact me negatively if I ultimately WANT to do commercial law, but just haven't broken in yet. Would appreciate any advice. I don't want to end up with 2 years of family law related experience. I can talk about my experience smartly and focus on the transferable features to commercial law, but I wonder if this is going to put me in a bad position. Really appreciate any advice - thanks!

Hi,

I previously posted on here a while back introducing myself and my journey and now I have come to a very important milestone in this journey, my first application cycle.

As a penultimate year law student, I am looking to apply to a few vacation schemes this year, I have selected the following firms as they align with my interests and I meet the academic requirements for them.

- Macfarlanes
- Freshfields
- Clifford Chance
- Akin Gump
- Linklaters
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- Milbank
- Skadden

I understand the level of competitiveness involved in each and every one of these firms but through all the hours I have dedicated towards my career, the research, the events and every person who I have met, some of whom have told me my dream was unrealistic, others who have been in my shoes and helped motivate me towards it, I believe that after all that, something certainly has to workout.

The firms above take applications on a non-rolling basis which means I will have a bit more time in terms of spacing out when I want to send them out, I have made a timetable on how I will work on each application and when, meaning I have enough time to dedicate for all of them evenly, my next steps are to work on my commercial awareness and Watson Glaser abilities, whilst balancing my time for university and BIUCAC, a commercial awareness competition which rewards its winners with great opportunities within the legal field.

That is what this thread will involve in a nutshell , I will try to update it regularly, not only as a way to keep myself in check but also in case anyone has any questions or would like to share any advice.

I wanted some thoughts on what the following question is asking in terms of scope:

'What work has OC done recently that is of particular interest to you?'

I'm having trouble working out how wide I could go with 'work'- the obvious is to jump to a case or a deal they recently conducted, but I don't feel I would have enough to talk about to relate it to myself.

Do you reckon talking about a report they have published, or a talk they gave would still count?

Hi,

I was just wondering if anybody could critique one of my responses for Dechert's vacation scheme questions.

Please explain why you want to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor and why you would like to practise at Dechert. Word Count (300 words)

My passion for commercial law has developed organically through practical experience and academic pursuits. As Lead Legal advisor for XYZ, a pro bono scheme providing commercial law advice to small businesses, I’ve gained invaluable insight into the challenges businesses face. While on a much smaller scale to the work carried out by Dechert, this experience has made me appreciate the role commercial solicitors play in creating tangible results, whether it’s as trivial as examining a businesses T&C’s or significant as handling multi-jurisdictional settlements.

The strategic thinking involved in commercial law also fascinates me. I recently completed XYZ internship which gave me a more holistic view of commercial transactions. My interest was piqued when learning about the nuances involved in large-scale merger and acquisitions, particularly the difficulties in balancing all of the varying competing interests involved in such deals. This complexity intellectually invigorates me, and with Dechert being recognised as the top M&A firm across multiple continents (Bloomberg, Chambers) it is the perfect place to develop these skills.

Dechert’s expertise in handling cross-border matters also aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. Unlike many American firms, where international offices are merely ‘satellite’ offices, Dechert’s integrated global network ensures seamless collaboration across borders. This cohesion was exemplified in the firm's recent role in the Chubb case, involving disputes over seized assets in Russia, which showcased its strength in managing complex international litigation.

Furthermore, Dechert’s small trainee intake and flat hierarchy guarantee hands-on responsibility from the outset. I thrive in tight-knit teams, evidenced by my role as a XYZ Ambassador at my university, making Dechert’s environment ideal for my growth.

Overall, Dechert’s dynamic and impactful work aligns with my drive for intellectual challenge and real-world contribution, making it the ideal firm for my career as a commercial solicitor.

Hi,

I'm an undergrad non-law student at Cambridge. In April I was forced to intermit before I could take my 2nd year exams after discovering I had a chronic health condition. I'll be returning in January, still technically in 2nd year, but obviously without an academic result from the 2023-2024 year.

Should I bother applying for summer vacs this autumn? For context I did extremely well in my 1st year (ranked in top 5 of ~200), but I have nothing from 2nd yr.

Hello everyone, I’m Sofia and I’m currently in my first year of global law undergraduate program in Bocconi University(Milan); I’m studying both common law and civil law systems.
How can I start in the right way? It’s next summer too early for an internship? I don’t want to be passive during my university path.
thank you all in advance

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of applying for a masters conversion course in person and was wondering which university BPP or Uni of law is more sought after by the likes of magic circle, commercial/finance law firms?
Id appreciate if anyone who is currently at one of these universities or who is a recruiter/practicing lawyer in this area of law, could give me their opinion on this.


I have a very unique academic background having completed a degree apprenticeship this year with a high 2:1 and consider myself very academic having never dropped below an A in secondary/sixth form and naturally find myself wanting to perform at the highest levels in whatever I do.

Thank you

Hi, new member here but aspiring lawyer and current student, I was studying law at a decent UOL university in september 2023 but due to medical issues had to drop out and completely move out of London. I was wondering if doing the UOL LLB online for 2024/2025 is a worthy pathway as opposed to going to a less recognised university nearer to me albeit it being in person. Do firms look down upon this route as a non mature law student also feel like doing a degree online will give me more time to get legal work experience as I just completed a 6 month internship in my “gap year” pls advice me as my family are not too supportive of my career ambitions right now

Hello everyone! In this thread, I’ll be diving into why personal branding is a crucial part of the law firm application process.

Personal branding is so important—it is, quite frankly, the cornerstone of a good law firm cycle. Why? Well, if you don’t sell your experiences, if you don’t leverage your background to showcase what you can bring to the table, then ultimately no one will know what you are truly capable of. It’s not enough to just have a strong CV or be knowledgeable about commercial news; you need to be able to communicate your strengths and position yourself as the ideal candidate for the firm’s unique needs.

But how do you go about creating a strong personal brand? The key, in my view, is confidence. And let’s be honest—building confidence is no easy task. It’s not like those technical skills where you can read a guide, pick up a few pointers, and master it in a week. Confidence is a soft skill, one that develops over time through consistent self-reflection and practice. It’s the ability to articulate your experiences in a way that makes an impression and sticks. And if you’re able to master that, then you’re already halfway there!

Understanding the Value of Your Own Story

Often, I speak to candidates applying to law firms, and I hear a lot of industry noise, making it appear as though one must have years of experience interning at banks or other global law firms to stand a chance at securing a training contract. The truth is, every experience is valuable. I’m sure you’ve heard this from many people, attended countless webinars, or read articles reiterating this point. It’s likely something that’s brushed past your ear because you feel it’s not entirely accurate. But the reality is that law firms appreciate diversity of thought as much as any other business enterprise!

There will be those of you who come from non-law backgrounds, international backgrounds, and many other paths that may make you feel disconnected from the traditional process. It’s overwhelming. It almost feels like there’s so much to learn and so little time to figure it all out. I certainly felt that way. But I can assure you, realizing your true potential will help bring you out of that cocoon. Sure, legal experience is a plus—it can demonstrate that you have a strong understanding of the day-to-day work. But let’s take a moment to look at the kind of clients law firms work with.

Looking Beyond the Legal Domain

Who are their clients? They work with businesses, right? Perfect. Let’s take this further. To provide astute legal services to a business, a law firm needs to understand that business inside and out. They need to learn the ropes about how the sector operates, the challenges and opportunities facing that sector currently, and those that may arise in the future. This aspect has absolutely nothing to do with the law itself. In addition to being legal advisors, law firms are business advisors. So, have you had any experience with a business so far? Or any other enterprise?

Even if you haven’t worked in a traditional legal setting, there are countless ways to showcase transferable skills that you’ve picked up. Maybe you managed a family business over the summer, organised events for your university’s society, or led a charity initiative. In so many ways, you would be able to highlight these experiences and showcase how you’ve diversified your portfolio—how you’ve diversified your thought process. Your ability to translate these experiences, no matter how seemingly unrelated, can be done effectively through...personal branding.

And what does personal branding require? A deep awareness of what you bring to the table and how to connect those skills with the value you can add to the firm. It’s understanding how your non-legal experiences have equipped you to excel as a business-minded lawyer. And believe me, it’s not something you should gloss over.

My Journey: A Short Snippet

I remember starting my own charity foundation and managing a social media business a few years back. I stepped into my first-year scheme cycle almost completely lost on what I could bring to these global law firms. I forgot that law firms were, at their core, a business. I overlooked the fact that there was so much I could leverage from my business interactions and connect it to a passion for a legal career. It never crossed my mind that these interactions were what initially drew me to the commercial aspect of law in the first place!

It was through my charity and social media work that I realised I enjoyed weighing challenges and providing optimal solutions to business problems. I enjoyed thinking strategically, being analytical, and bringing people together to achieve a common goal. I had valuable insights to offer. But none of that would have mattered if I couldn’t articulate these strengths effectively in my applications.

How to Build Your Personal Brand

So, where does that leave you? Start by reflecting on your journey so far. Ask yourself:

1. What experiences have shaped your professional journey?

2. What have you learned from these experiences that sets you apart?

3. How can you communicate these lessons in a way that aligns with the firm’s needs and values?


When crafting your applications, bring these points to the forefront. Make it clear that you have a diverse skill set and a unique perspective that can contribute to the firm’s success. Whether it’s through your CV, your cover letter, or during interviews, the goal is to position yourself as a candidate who not only understands the law but can also think commercially and adapt to different business contexts.

Final Thoughts

All of you would have had some interaction with a business within the span of your lives, in whatever capacity. Businesses surround us—they are one of the three main economic agents. The extent to which you can truly leverage that experience is what will distinguish a good applicant who understands the work and the clients from one who does not. And this all ties back to personal branding, which will help you realise and communicate your unique value.

I hope this helps, and best of luck with this cycle! And remember: Personal branding is not about fitting into the mould—it’s about creating your own and showing firms why that makes you an asset.

Is anyone else as worried as I am that the pass rate has dropped to 44%?

Hi TCLA Community!

I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are thousands of law firms out there—so why, for example, ABC Solicitors and not DEF Solicitors? What is it about ABC that makes it stand out to you? Why does it stand out? Couldn’t you find similar opportunities at DEF or GHI Solicitors?

This thread dives into how to craft a compelling “Why This Firm?” answer, helping you elevate your applications from generic to targeted and persuasive.

Convincing Reasons vs. Generic Reasons

You’ve probably heard me emphasise this point before, and I keep coming back to it because it’s crucial. Understanding the difference between an answer that sells and one that feels generic can be tricky if you’re new to law firm applications.

So, what makes a response generic? A generic answer is one that could be applied to multiple firms or even different industries altogether—whether investment banking, consulting, or marketing. If your response is too broad, it won’t reflect a genuine interest in the firm. On the other hand, a compelling response captures your personal journey and demonstrates why this firm is uniquely suited to your goals and aspirations.

The key is to pinpoint your motivations clearly and align them with what the firm offers. Let’s distinguish between a strong and weak answer through the examples below:

Compare Two Responses

Example 1:

“I am applying for a training contract at ABC Solicitors because my father was a law professor, and I’ve always been interested in a legal career. Studying law confirmed my passion, and I know ABC is the firm for me, as it has offices worldwide, which will allow me to build my understanding of multiple cultures. The chance to work on cross-border deals is a significant selling point, and regional law firms may not offer me this exposure.”

Example 2:

“I am drawn to training at ABC Solicitors due to my interest in a private equity career. Attending an open day at XY Fund piqued my interest in value creation within private markets. I then attended an open day at GHY Solicitors, where I observed how legal teams navigate private equity deals from start to finish. During a practice case study, I assessed business and legal implications during fund formation and exit and received valuable feedback from a senior partner. ABC Solicitors’ Band 1 ranking for private equity solidified my desire to explore this practice area at a firm of its calibre.”

Breaking Down the Difference

It’s clear the second response is stronger. But why?

The first example, while it shows interest in a legal career, is too vague. It doesn’t demonstrate a strong motivation for a commercial legal career, nor does it highlight anything specific about ABC that differentiates it from other firms. Additionally, when articulating your passion for a firm or a career in law, it’s essential to ensure that your motivations come from a place of personal interest rather than solely external influences. While having a parent or mentor in the legal profession might have sparked your initial curiosity, attributing your desire to pursue a legal career entirely to them can weaken your narrative. It can make it seem like you’re following someone else’s path rather than carving out your own. External influences can certainly play a role in shaping your early exposure, but law firms want to see what excites you about the work, how you have explored this interest independently, and what experiences have solidified your unique perspective. By focusing on specific encounters—whether through legal work experience, research, or events—you can better demonstrate genuine interest and show recruiters that this is your chosen career, not just a decision guided by someone else’s influence.

The second response is detailed and compelling because it ties directly into the candidate’s experiences and interests. It reflects the candidate’s knowledge of the firm’s strengths, their passion for private equity, and the steps they’ve taken to explore this interest further. This specificity is key. Without it, even a well-written response will lack the personal touch that sets top applications apart.

But there’s a catch—if ABC is not known for its private equity practice, this answer could raise a red flag. A recruiter might wonder: why is the candidate referencing private equity when our expertise is in, say, competition law? If private equity is their core interest, why not apply to a firm with a stronger practice in this area?

The takeaway here is that specificity needs to be backed by accurate research. Even if your interest is genuine, if it’s not aligned with the firm’s strengths, it can weaken your application. Make sure you know the firm’s specialities inside out before you craft your response.

Another Example: Pro Bono Work

Let’s say a candidate expresses interest in ABC because of its strong pro bono practice. That’s a good starting point, but it needs more detail. Pro bono work is something that many firms do. So, what is it about ABC’s pro bono work that appeals to you? Maybe they collaborated with a charity that focuses on educational support, which links to your own experience mentoring young students. If there are additional intricate points which show this type of pro bono work is unique to the firm and not commonly found elsewhere, then you’ve successfully shown a deeper and more tailored interest in what sets the firm apart. Now you’re demonstrating that you have a genuine and specific interest in what makes ABC’s pro bono unique, rather than offering a blanket statement that could apply to multiple firms.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be Specific: Reference firm-specific attributes—whether it’s their standout practice areas, or unique approach to training.

2. Personal Connection: Connect your experiences to what the firm offers.

3. Research, Research, Research: Thoroughly investigate the firm’s core strengths. LinkedIn, firm websites, and even casual conversations with current trainees can help you gather details that make your answer stronger.

Ultimately, when asked, “Why this firm?”, your answer should combine your personal journey, research-driven insights, and a clear understanding of what makes this firm special. With these tips, answering the “Why This Firm?” question should feel much less daunting.

I recently completed a research internship at Oxford University, but it was not about law but about my sociology degree. I fear it doesn't match my current applications to commercial law firms. Surely, these firms will question my drive for commercial law if I am doing non-law internships that are also non-commercial?

Thoughts?

This one is for all of you applying for vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, and everything in between. It’s a brand new week, and we’re just about to step into October. Take a moment to appreciate just how much progress you’ve made this past month! September might have been filled with applications and deadlines, but every single step you’ve taken—no matter how small—shows your commitment and determination.

Remember, every application you send, every cover letter you write, and every interview you tackle is helping to shape your path. If you’re refining your skills, learning something new, or gaining insight into what the industry looks for, you’re moving forward. Keep building on that momentum!

The entire TCLA community is here rooting for you. We believe in your potential, and we’re excited to see where your hard work will take you. Whether it’s landing that dream opportunity, connecting with a mentor, or simply realising your own growth, there’s so much ahead of you.

So step into this week with confidence and positivity. Keep pushing forward, and know that you’ve got a community cheering you on every step of the way. You’ve done amazing so far, and the best is yet to come! Keep going—you’ve got this!

Happy Monday!

Hi, below is my response to:

Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills? Max 300 words


[REMOVED]

Hi, am considering applying to the regional offices of City firms (think DLA, Eversheds etc) but neither of them seem to explain on their website how work at the regional offices differs from that in London. Would appreciate any insight into this!