Law-firm research

[Fadin]

Hey all,

So I've done heaps of research for a law firm and I'm currently writing the cover letter. However, I'm not sure what parts of my research I should use? I have information on their practice areas, work culture, compensation scheme, values, deals, career progression, seat information. Essentially, I think what I'm asking for is a method you have used to whittle down research to two or three main things. I understand it is subjective and that areas that are distinguishable should be mentioned but I've been racking my brain for the past few days deciding what I should include.

Thanks

 

[Jaysen]

Hey all,

So I've done heaps of research for a law firm and I'm currently writing the cover letter. However, I'm not sure what parts of my research I should use? I have information on their practice areas, work culture, compensation scheme, values, deals, career progression, seat information. Essentially, I think what I'm asking for is a method you have used to whittle down research to two or three main things. I understand it is subjective and that areas that are distinguishable should be mentioned but I've been racking my brain for the past few days deciding what I should include.

Thanks

Great question.

I used to do something very similar. I'd have many pages of research and I'd have to work out what to use in my application.

What I did first was condense my notes even further into themes -- like the ones you mentioned. Then, I'd pretty much choose anything that stood out to me. Alternatively, at times, I'd see something keep popping up about a firm. Maybe that it was really good at finance or heavily invested in legal tech. I'd then highlight that in my cover letter.

If nothing stands out to you and nothing keeps cropping out, just try to choose something that seems a bit different to you. Something that all firms don't necessarily have/do. For example, it would be quite generic to talk about trainees have access to a mentor during their training contract. On the other hand, it might be interesting to note that the firm operates a "reverse mentoring scheme" whereby junior lawyers give advice to senior partners.

 

[Fadin]

Great question.

I used to do something very similar. I'd have many pages of research and I'd have to work out what to use in my application.

What I did first was condense my notes even further into themes -- like the ones you mentioned. Then, I'd pretty much choose anything that stood out to me. Alternatively, at times, I'd see something keep popping up about a firm. Maybe that it was really good at finance or heavily invested in legal tech. I'd then highlight that in my cover letter.

If nothing stands out to you and nothing keeps cropping out, just try to choose something that seems a bit different to you. Something that all firms don't necessarily have/do. For example, it would be quite generic to talk about trainees have access to a mentor during their training contract. On the other hand, it might be interesting to note that the firm operates a "reverse mentoring scheme" whereby junior lawyers give advice to senior partners.

I like you a lot.

That has really helped - thank you so much!

 

[PrancingUnicorns]

I'm sorry @Jaysen, which firms do a reverse mentoring scheme?! That actually sounds pretty amazing.

 

[Lawgirlxo]

I'm sorry @Jaysen, which firms do a reverse mentoring scheme?! That actually sounds pretty amazing.

I’m not Jaysen, but I remember Linklaters have implemented that!

 

[Salma]

I’m not Jaysen, but I remember Linklaters have implemented that!

I have also read that CC and A&O have introduced it aswell.

What do people think of it?

 

[Jaysen]

I'm sorry @Jaysen, which firms do a reverse mentoring scheme?! That actually sounds pretty amazing.

I’m not Jaysen, but I remember Linklaters have implemented that!

Yep I first heard about it from Linklaters!

In fact, the reason it started was because the senior partner at Linklaters had been mentored by an associate for almost a year -- which led them to pilot it for the rest of the firm.

I have also read that CC and A&O have introduced it aswell.

What do people think of it?

Yep - Hogan Lovells, Pinsent Masons and Taylor Wessing do it too!

My first thought was that I'd be terrified as a trainee mentoring a senior partner. On a bigger picture though, it could mean juniors have a real influence on the decisions made within the firm.

 

[PrancingUnicorns]

Okay, thanks everyone!

 

[gricole]

Further to the original query, I would like to ask whether Fadin mentions all research points for law firms in the first post. Is there anything else that you can add to the pieces of information that you need to have conducted thorough research on?

 

[Salma]

Further to the original query, I would like to ask whether Fadin mentions all research points for law firms in the first post. Is there anything else that you can add to the pieces of information that you need to have conducted thorough research on a law firm?

Hi Boril,

I am slightly confused by your question, are you asking whether there are additional online resources you can use to demonstrate thorough research of a law firm?

 

[gricole]

Hi Boril,

I am slightly confused by your question, are you asking whether there are additional online resources you can use to demonstrate thorough research of a law firm?

Hi Selma,

I was referring to this:

I have information on their practice areas, work culture, compensation scheme, values, deals, career progression, seat information.

Is there something else that you may want to add up to these bits of information in order to have a thorough understanding of the firm you are researching?

 

[Jaysen]

Hi Selma,

I was referring to this:

I have information on their practice areas, work culture, compensation scheme, values, deals, career progression, seat information.

Is there something else that you may want to add up to these bits of information in order to have a thorough understanding of the firm you are researching?

It generally depends on the firm, but here are the general themes I would use:

• International reach - presence in the US/Asia/Europe/Africa
• International strategy
• Practice area strengths
• Culture
• Financials - Size/profits per equity partner/growth
• Key deals
• Clients
• Management structure or management change
• Partner promotions
• Leadership strategy
• Recent mergers
• Training and development
• Lateral moves and recent partnership moves
• Growth (internal and external)
• Recent profit figures
• Innovation
• Mergers
• Brand reputation
• Trainee retention
• Mentoring
• Technology
• Alternative service delivery - offshoring/nearshoring
• Size of intake
• Competitors

 

[Salma]

It generally depends on the firm, but here are the general themes I would use:

• International reach - presence in the US/Asia/Europe/Africa
• International strategy
• Practice area strengths
• Culture
• Financials - Size/profits per equity partner/growth
• Key deals
• Clients
• Management structure or management change
• Partner promotions
• Leadership strategy
• Recent mergers
• Training and development
• Lateral moves and recent partnership moves
• Growth (internal and external)
• Recent profit figures
• Innovation
• Mergers
• Brand reputation
• Trainee retention
• Mentoring
• Technology
• Alternative service delivery - offshoring/nearshoring
• Size of intake
• Competitors

Jaysen has pretty much summarised it all @Boril Delchinov, I hope the above helps!

 

[LawyerG]

Yep I first heard about it from Linklaters!

In fact, the reason it started was because the senior partner at Linklaters had been mentored by an associate for almost a year -- which led them to pilot it for the rest of the firm.



Yep - Hogan Lovells, Pinsent Masons and Taylor Wessing do it too!

My first thought was that I'd be terrified as a trainee mentoring a senior partner. On a bigger picture though, it could mean juniors have a real influence on the decisions made within the firm.

Jaysen - you’ve mentioned that Pinsent Masons do reverse mentoring. Do you have any evidence or can refer me to where this was researched. I’ve researched and can’t seem to find out where this is mentioned?

It’s a fantastic point to insert in your application if you link it back to PMs core values.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Jaysen]

Jaysen - you’ve mentioned that Pinsent Masons do reverse mentoring. Do you have any evidence or can refer me to where this was researched. I’ve researched and can’t seem to find out where this is mentioned?

It’s a fantastic point to insert in your application if you link it back to PMs core values.
I look forward to hearing from you.

I can't seem to find out where I got this from either. I assume this was a mistake! As far as I'm aware Taylor Wessing and Hogan Lovells do still run it though.

 

[LawyerG]

I can't seem to find out where I got this from either. I assume this was a mistake! As far as I'm aware Taylor Wessing and Hogan Lovells do still run it though.

Jaysen - I think I will give PM a call to see if they do Reverse Mentoring. I will post on here what I find out?

From my research so far PM are very inclusive so it seems like something they would do.

 

[Jaysen]

Jaysen - I think I will give PM a call to see if they do Reverse Mentoring. I will post on here what I find out?

From my research so far PM are very inclusive so it seems like something they would do.

Sure. If they did do it, I'd be surprised if it wasn't over the legal press, but worth an ask!

 

[Salma]

https://www.raconteur.net/business-innovation/hierarchy-flat-structure

A general article on the reversing mentoring scheme and how it is used at Links

 

[PMF_II]

Sure. If they did do it, I'd be surprised if it wasn't over the legal press, but worth an ask!

I heard from an associate that Slaughter and May has been running reverse mentoring scheme for a while now. The strange thing is, this doesn’t appear anywhere in the legal press.

 

[Abstruser]

I also heard from Ashurst HR that they run a reverse mentoring scheme at the firm.