Reed Smith application

[S87]

Hi Guys,

I am answering my last question and I would like some advice.

Reed Smith's core values are Integrity, Quality, Teamwork and Respect, Performance, Innovation and Improvement. How do you think they impact what we do and the way we work with our clients? 300 words max

I am basically combining two or 3 values together i.e. quality and teamwork. I was thinking to work about my work experience and link it to one of the firm's deal..still need to structure it.

Performance, Innovation and improvement..their client's focus and innovation hub

Respect, integrity..diversity and their probono secondment.

What do you think?

 

[Jaysen]

It's a tough question. First you might want to check out this thread: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....t-we-do-and-the-way-we-work-with-clients.760/. There are some good comments there.

If I approached this question, I'd begin by investigating the core values. Take a look at how Reed Smith talks about the core values in their press releases to get an idea of what it means to them:

https://reedsmithpublications.com/diversity-and-inclusion-annual-report-2017/r4/2/
https://www.reedsmith.com/en/diversity
https://www.vercida.com/uk/articles/reed-smith-closing-the-gender-pay-gap
http://www.diversityjournal.com/16266-deborah-broyles-reed-smith/
http://nalpdirectory.com/content/OrganizationalSnapshots/OrgSnapshot_6865.pdf
https://www.legalcheek.com/2018/05/...ds-billable-targets-reed-smith-tells-lawyers/

Personally, I'd probably tackle the question by discussing each value individually, aside from the ones that go together e.g. teamwork and respect/innovation and improvement. If I did that, I'd have five points to make and possibly five short paragraphs. It is about interpretation though, so if you decide it works to combine a few values and then discuss them, I don't see a problem with that.

The question seems to be testing your understanding of Reed Smith and also how law firms work as a business e.g. think about what innovation and improvement entails? Why is it relevant to Reed Smith? How about its clients?

In what context did you want to talk about your work experience? You could, if you think it is relevant, I just suggest you keep going back to the question to make sure it fits. I think analysis in this question is better than tagging in stuff you know about Reed Smith. You definitely should tailor it to the firm, but you should also be thinking about why those values matter.

 

[S87]

It's a tough question. First you might want to check out this thread: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....t-we-do-and-the-way-we-work-with-clients.760/. There are some good comments there.

If I approached this question, I'd begin by investigating the core values. Take a look at how Reed Smith talks about the core values in their press releases to get an idea of what it means to them:

https://reedsmithpublications.com/diversity-and-inclusion-annual-report-2017/r4/2/
https://www.reedsmith.com/en/diversity
https://www.vercida.com/uk/articles/reed-smith-closing-the-gender-pay-gap
http://www.diversityjournal.com/16266-deborah-broyles-reed-smith/
http://nalpdirectory.com/content/OrganizationalSnapshots/OrgSnapshot_6865.pdf
https://www.legalcheek.com/2018/05/...ds-billable-targets-reed-smith-tells-lawyers/

Personally, I'd probably tackle the question by discussing each value individually, aside from the ones that go together e.g. teamwork and respect/innovation and improvement. If I did that, I'd have five points to make and possibly five short paragraphs. It is about interpretation though, so if you decide it works to combine a few values and then discuss them, I don't see a problem with that.

The question seems to be testing your understanding of Reed Smith and also how law firms work as a business e.g. think about what innovation and improvement entails? Why is it relevant to Reed Smith? How about its clients?

In what context did you want to talk about your work experience? You could, if you think it is relevant, I just suggest you keep going back to the question to make sure it fits. I think analysis in this question is better than tagging in stuff you know about Reed Smith. You definitely should tailor it to the firm, but you should also be thinking about why those values matter.

Hi Jaysen,

Thank you very much for your reply.

You are right, this is a question about the firm and it makes sense because there isn't any other space to talk about Reed.

I am planning to write about diversity and combine together teamwork and respect; innovation I want to refer to their tech focus, for what concerns the improvement I am thinking about a deal and prizes in a particular area.

 

[PHT]

Just going over my notes from the open day. The speaker was trying to gauge what we thought each of the values meant to ourselves and there was no right or wrong answer really. They were paired as they are labelled so talking about Teamwork and Respect together should be fine. Also, innovation at RS is a lot more than just LegalTech. From what I understood they aren't too technology focused compared to other firms and tech isn't always the solution. It's more about understanding what the client needs and thinking about delivering services in new ways. There wasn't actually much talk about technology apart from the fact that it will be a big part of a lawyer's life in the future.

 

[datguyak]

just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts about "integrity"- i was thinking of linking it to the firm's pro bono and environmental work, potentially linking with diversity- just wanted to know if you think this is the right way to go about it- thanks

 

[Maddie R]

Hi, I was wondering how to approach this question:

Please give details of any prizes, awards or stipends etc. you have won or been granted, numbering them 1 to 5 (you need not include your degree here).

I'm not sure if this would be a relevant place to include positions of responsibility and other achievements? As 5 scholarships is obviously quite unlikely?

 

[Jaysen]

Hi, I was wondering how to approach this question:

Please give details of any prizes, awards or stipends etc. you have won or been granted, numbering them 1 to 5 (you need not include your degree here).

I'm not sure if this would be a relevant place to include positions of responsibility and other achievements? As 5 scholarships is obviously quite unlikely?

Unless they include a prize, I wouldn't mention those here. It's fine if you don't have five.

 

[Amandeep]

Hi

I am not sure how I should approach Reed Smith's question on their values (first question on the thread) - I have decided to pair up the values and I have evidence of any initiatives that they undertake i.e. for diversity but I am not sure how to address the second sub-question of how it impacts what they do - to be more inclusive and value a mixed workforce.

Do you have any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Alice G]

Hi

I am not sure how I should approach Reed Smith's question on their values (first question on the thread) - I have decided to pair up the values and I have evidence of any initiatives that they undertake i.e. for diversity but I am not sure how to address the second sub-question of how it impacts what they do - to be more inclusive and value a mixed workforce.

Do you have any thoughts?

Thanks

Hi there Amandeep,

I was hoping to offer you just a bit of guidance with your question though I am quite unfamiliar with Reed Smith, I shall give it a go though!

I note that you seem relatively confident with the first part of the question but just for ease I am pasting the entire question here:

Reed Smith's core values are Integrity, Quality, Teamwork and Respect, Performance, Innovation and Improvement. How do you think they impact what we do and the way we work with our clients? 300 words max

For me, this seems quite a business development question - I don't necessarily think the two parts to the question need to be divorced from each other either. I think you are right to discuss initiatives and what the firm does to ensure these values permeate the business but also how these initiatives and values impact the clients. Think about how teamwork in a firm ensures better quality for the client and maybe see if you can discuss a Reed Smith specific example. Law firms want to establish a close working relationship with clients and think about how these values and initiatives achieve this.

I think this is a really hard question to be honest as there is so much you can do with it and 300 words isn't a lot at all but why not give it a go and I am sure we can give you a bit more help once you have fleshed it out a little more.

Sorry if this is a little unhelpful still but you can always message me if you need any further clarification or further help

 

[Jaysen]

Just to add — I’ve read many applications where candidates are too generic with their reasoning to the second part of this question. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to find actual evidence (you will have done this already for the first part), but you should be specific with your analysis. For example, what do you mean by valuing a mixed workforce? Inclusive in relation to what? If you keep asking yourself: “so, what?”, that should help you narrow down what you mean and analyse with a bit more depth.

 

[Amandeep]

Thank you both for your responses.

What do you think Reed Smith is getting at with the value "integrity" ? I am going on the lines of they are a law firm, they are a trusted advisors that uphold the highest standards (linking with the SRA code of conduct) and have to act responsibility. I am not sure whether this is too generic and how to link it back to Reed Smith.

 

[Jaysen]

Thank you both for your responses.

What do you think Reed Smith is getting at with the value "integrity" ? I am going on the lines of they are a law firm, they are a trusted advisors that uphold the highest standards (linking with the SRA code of conduct) and have to act responsibility. I am not sure whether this is too generic and how to link it back to Reed Smith.

That seems like a good start. Now try to consider how you think that influences Reed Smith, using what you know about the firm, and try to be specific with the details. For example, you could consider how it would influence the way they bill clients or recruit talent.