Ask Me Anything: Future Trainee at Reed Smith

[racheux]

law360
iflr1000
lex100
chambers student

 

[Helena]

What advice can you give on succeeding at assessment centre

 

[Cassie]

Good evening! I also went to an Urban Lawyers event with Reed Smith too and really loved it! I wanted to ask, would it be inappropriate to use one of their ex graduate recruiters as a referee? Would it be a conflict of interest if she now works at a competing law firm?

 

[Helena]

What was it that didn’t clinch the VS for you at NRF and transpire into a TC

 

[Helena]

Yes

 

[Helena]

Thank you

 

[Salma]

We are back

 

[Salma]

Any Reed Smith specific questions?

 

[Jaysen]

Thanks to @Salma and @racheux for doing superb job, especially on a Friday night!

 

[Helena]

Thank you so much.

 

[Salma]

Sorry for the abrupt ending guys, I hope you enjoyed it all.

 

[CF]

@Salma I just watched the video - thank you so much! It has been highly useful, particularly as a non-law graduate.

 

[Salma]

@Salma I just watched the video - thank you so much! It has been highly useful, particularly as a non-law graduate.

Awww thank you so much and no worries, glad to hear

 

[Vany]

Hi everyone!

Thank you again Salma and Rachael for the session, I was able to watch the recording. It was really useful.

I am almost done with my Reed Smith Graduate Open Day application and intend to apply to the Vacation Scheme aswell before the end of the year.

I have doubts re the question "Why do you want to attend an open day at reed smith?"

I basically explained all of the reasons I am interested in the firm (past experience at RS Paris office, discussion with former London associate, why I am interested in many of their practice areas...). But I have neither discussed why I am interested in commercial law nor how much I am commercially aware about the firm. Would it be a good idea to do so for an Open Day question?

I have obviously discussed these missing points in my vacation scheme application which I am currently working on.

Overall I am very new to this process (I studied and graduated in France, passed the GDL in 2017 ).

Also, did anyone attend an Open Day at Reed Smith and knows how the day is organised?

Thanks !

 

[PHT]

Hi everyone!

Thank you again Salma and Rachael for the session, I was able to watch the recording. It was really useful.

I am almost done with my Reed Smith Graduate Open Day application and intend to apply to the Vacation Scheme aswell before the end of the year.

I have doubts re the question "Why do you want to attend an open day at reed smith?"

I basically explained all of the reasons I am interested in the firm (past experience at RS Paris office, discussion with former London associate, why I am interested in many of their practice areas...). But I have neither discussed why I am interested in commercial law nor how much I am commercially aware about the firm. Would it be a good idea to do so for an Open Day question?

I have obviously discussed these missing points in my vacation scheme application which I am currently working on.

Overall I am very new to this process (I studied and graduated in France, passed the GDL in 2017 ).

Also, did anyone attend an Open Day at Reed Smith and knows how the day is organised?

Thanks !

I attended an open day in November. Really, really insightful with talks from so many people from different areas of the firm. There were about 7 sessions with talks on innovation, pro bono and responsible business, the firm's brand, the firm's values, application workshop and a panel Q&A. There were also two networking sessions, one at lunch and one at the end of the day. It was quite fast paced and sometimes felt rushed but I left with a clear understanding of the firm and knew exactly what they were looking for. So I would really recommend it.

I only had to submit a CV for mine but your answer sounds great. Generally most people who apply get onto open days.

 

[Vany]

I attended an open day in November. Really, really insightful with talks from so many people from different areas of the firm. There were about 7 sessions with talks on innovation, pro bono and responsible business, the firm's brand, the firm's values, application workshop and a panel Q&A. There were also two networking sessions, one at lunch and one at the end of the day. It was quite fast paced and sometimes felt rushed but I left with a clear understanding of the firm and knew exactly what they were looking for. So I would really recommend it.

I only had to submit a CV for mine but your answer sounds great. Generally most people who apply get onto open days.

Thanks a lot for the insight ! I agree it must be so useful knowing exactly what they are looking for especially when drafting applications !

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone!

Thank you again Salma and Rachael for the session, I was able to watch the recording. It was really useful.

I am almost done with my Reed Smith Graduate Open Day application and intend to apply to the Vacation Scheme aswell before the end of the year.

I have doubts re the question "Why do you want to attend an open day at reed smith?"

I basically explained all of the reasons I am interested in the firm (past experience at RS Paris office, discussion with former London associate, why I am interested in many of their practice areas...). But I have neither discussed why I am interested in commercial law nor how much I am commercially aware about the firm. Would it be a good idea to do so for an Open Day question?

I have obviously discussed these missing points in my vacation scheme application which I am currently working on.

Overall I am very new to this process (I studied and graduated in France, passed the GDL in 2017 ).

Also, did anyone attend an Open Day at Reed Smith and knows how the day is organised?

Thanks !

If the question is only "Why do you want to attend an Open Day at Reed Smith, you don't have to include why you are interested in commercial law/your commercial knowledge. It sounds like the reasons you have given already are very good.

 

[Salma]

Hi everyone!

Thank you again Salma and Rachael for the session, I was able to watch the recording. It was really useful.

I am almost done with my Reed Smith Graduate Open Day application and intend to apply to the Vacation Scheme aswell before the end of the year.

I have doubts re the question "Why do you want to attend an open day at reed smith?"

I basically explained all of the reasons I am interested in the firm (past experience at RS Paris office, discussion with former London associate, why I am interested in many of their practice areas...). But I have neither discussed why I am interested in commercial law nor how much I am commercially aware about the firm. Would it be a good idea to do so for an Open Day question?

I have obviously discussed these missing points in my vacation scheme application which I am currently working on.

Overall I am very new to this process (I studied and graduated in France, passed the GDL in 2017 ).

Also, did anyone attend an Open Day at Reed Smith and knows how the day is organised?

Thanks !

Hi Vanessa! Glad to hear you found the video useful.

I think Jaysen and @JamR have pretty much summed everything up!

Good luck with your applications

 

[Vany]

Thank you Salma and Jaysen !

 

[PHT]

Also don't neglect your non-legal work experience. We were told that you get marked down if you don't have any on your application. (An external consultant initially scores applications before GR screen them)