2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[to law or not to law?]

Hi all, not sure if this is the right thread but essentially I’ve decided not to pursue a career in corporate law anymore, due to a range of reasons. I’ve been looking into alternatives but thought I’d see if anyone here had any suggestions/ alternatives?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, not sure if this is the right thread but essentially I’ve decided not to pursue a career in corporate law anymore, due to a range of reasons. I’ve been looking into alternatives but thought I’d see if anyone here had any suggestions/ alternatives?

What is it that’s made you decide commercial law isn’t for you?

What kind of things are you looking for from a career?

I might be able to give a bit more direction once I have that kind of insight.

 

[N.9]

Hello all. Has anyone written a successful cover letter for Sullivan & Cromwell that they would be willing to share/give some pointers, please? Would be inordinately grateful, particularly as this will be my last application for this cycle!!

 

[to law or not to law?]

What is it that’s made you decide commercial law isn’t for you?

What kind of things are you looking for from a career?

I might be able to give a bit more direction once I have that kind of insight.

First of all Thanks a lot for the reply, I really appreciate it as I’m feeling quite disillusioned right now.

essentially, I’ve been paralegalling for about a year now (had 2 different paralegal jobs at 2 different firms) and I’ve hated them both. I dislike the poor training and lack of communication (although I assume wfh doesn’t help this) and also the sheer workload at times is borderline exploitative imo. I’ve also realised that some of the things that corporate lawyers/ aspiring corporate lawyers have in common simply do not interest me. I don’t enjoy reading the Financial Times, the economist etc.

In terms of what I’d like from a career I would say work life balance is important. I’m definitely willing to work hard and am more than happy to work long hours when needed. I also want something where I can be creative and given a bit of autonomy to solve a problem my own way similar to how one is given an essay in University and left to answer it however they please.

sorry for the long essay!

 

[Jessica Booker]

First of all Thanks a lot for the reply, I really appreciate it as I’m feeling quite disillusioned right now.

essentially, I’ve been paralegalling for about a year now (had 2 different paralegal jobs at 2 different firms) and I’ve hated them both. I dislike the poor training and lack of communication (although I assume wfh doesn’t help this) and also the sheer workload at times is borderline exploitative imo. I’ve also realised that some of the things that corporate lawyers/ aspiring corporate lawyers have in common simply do not interest me. I don’t enjoy reading the Financial Times, the economist etc.

In terms of what I’d like from a career I would say work life balance is important. I’m definitely willing to work hard and am more than happy to work long hours when needed. I also want something where I can be creative and given a bit of autonomy to solve a problem my own way similar to how one is given an essay in University and left to answer it however they please.

sorry for the long essay!

Work life balance - ultimately your safest bet is something in the public sector. You could find interesting graduate roles or could even consider something like the GLS if you wanted to continue to pursue a career in law.

Creativity and autonomy - you may want to look more for start up companies or small organisations where you will have more responsibility early on, and have more freedom to potentially implement new ideas creatively, rather than get bogged down in rigid corporate structures.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Just had the briefing for my AC and there's only 6 of us! 😮 Our group exercises are going to only be 3 people! The group feels so small!

Far better for it to be a small group. I usually recommend a group exercise really shouldn’t be more than 4 people.

 

[Lumree]

First of all Thanks a lot for the reply, I really appreciate it as I’m feeling quite disillusioned right now.

essentially, I’ve been paralegalling for about a year now (had 2 different paralegal jobs at 2 different firms) and I’ve hated them both. I dislike the poor training and lack of communication (although I assume wfh doesn’t help this) and also the sheer workload at times is borderline exploitative imo. I’ve also realised that some of the things that corporate lawyers/ aspiring corporate lawyers have in common simply do not interest me. I don’t enjoy reading the Financial Times, the economist etc.

In terms of what I’d like from a career I would say work life balance is important. I’m definitely willing to work hard and am more than happy to work long hours when needed. I also want something where I can be creative and given a bit of autonomy to solve a problem my own way similar to how one is given an essay in University and left to answer it however they please.

sorry for the long essay!

Have you considered looking at in-house paralegal roles? You may find greater autonomy there, if you still have an interest in commercial law at all

 

[Anon 11031]

Work life balance - ultimately your safest bet is something in the public sector. You could find interesting graduate roles or could even consider something like the GLS if you wanted to continue to pursue a career in law.

Creativity and autonomy - you may want to look more for start up companies or small organisations where you will have more responsibility early on, and have more freedom to potentially implement new ideas creatively, rather than get bogged down in rigid corporate structures.

Public sector is heaven for work/life balance. Flexitime and they expect you to only work your assigned/chosen hours!

 

[Jessica Booker]

They said this is far smaller than their other ACs. I think the intake is much smaller for their Manchester office.

They also confirmed the individual case study will not be legal at all. Panicking because I wish I could prep!

You’ve got more opportunity to contribute in a smaller group - to me it’s a much more positive situation than if you were in a larger group.

Remember every other candidate can’t prep too.

 

[PK]

First of all Thanks a lot for the reply, I really appreciate it as I’m feeling quite disillusioned right now.

essentially, I’ve been paralegalling for about a year now (had 2 different paralegal jobs at 2 different firms) and I’ve hated them both. I dislike the poor training and lack of communication (although I assume wfh doesn’t help this) and also the sheer workload at times is borderline exploitative imo. I’ve also realised that some of the things that corporate lawyers/ aspiring corporate lawyers have in common simply do not interest me. I don’t enjoy reading the Financial Times, the economist etc.

In terms of what I’d like from a career I would say work life balance is important. I’m definitely willing to work hard and am more than happy to work long hours when needed. I also want something where I can be creative and given a bit of autonomy to solve a problem my own way similar to how one is given an essay in University and left to answer it however they please.

sorry for the long essay!

Hey, it’s great you know what you want ! Have you considered a career in legal tech ? Your law background comes in handy & SeedLegals are currently looking.
Hope that helps

 

[Jessica Booker]

Admittedly, I am quite reassured by it being a smaller group. It at least means I don't have to fight to get my voice heard. Equally, it could mean I am paired with 2 people that are very quiet and therefore have to take the lead 🤦

That won’t be a bad thing either though. I doubt you will have two quiet people though.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Is anyone applying to Ashurst this summer cycle? One of their questions was about the challenges facing the legal sector and I'm unsure if they want me to discuss more commercial issues such as rise of the Big4/Brexit or if I can address issues such as an increasing calls for WFH and flexi-hours (exacerbated by the pandemic)?

 

[Sebastian Clark]

Where did we get to with the midnight on the 10th deadline for Howard Kennedy - did anyone receive a response from grad rec confirming it was tomorrow at midnight rather than today at midnight?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Is anyone applying to Ashurst this summer cycle? One of their questions was about the challenges facing the legal sector and I'm unsure if they want me to discuss more commercial issues such as rise of the Big4/Brexit or if I can address issues such as an increasing calls for WFH and flexi-hours (exacerbated by the pandemic)?

What I would say is that these are all "obvious" and extensively discussed by a huge number of candidates. Try, if you can, to think a bit outside the box and approach issues which (while relevant) may not be as widely discussed to help set yourself apart from other candidates.

 

[MLF]

Where did we get to with the midnight on the 10th deadline for Howard Kennedy - did anyone receive a response from grad rec confirming it was tomorrow at midnight rather than today at midnight?

I don't think anyone asked, I will do mine tomorrow morning as prep time has been limited by work

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is anyone applying to Ashurst this summer cycle? One of their questions was about the challenges facing the legal sector and I'm unsure if they want me to discuss more commercial issues such as rise of the Big4/Brexit or if I can address issues such as an increasing calls for WFH and flexi-hours (exacerbated by the pandemic)?

Is there anything more related to their specific business you could focus on? eg practice areas or sectors they specialise in?

The Big 4 debate has been around for nearly 12 years and I don’t think really has had that much of an impact for a firm of Ashursts’ size/prestige.

Brexit in itself in a huge topic (bit like Covid), so could you nail down more specific implications of Brexit on something. Usually narrowing your focus on these questions leads to stronger answers.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

What I would say is that these are all "obvious" and extensively discussed by a huge number of candidates. Try, if you can, to think a bit outside the box and approach issues which (while relevant) may not be as widely discussed to help set yourself apart from other candidates.

Hi Jacob, thank you for (both!) your responses.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Is there anything more related to their specific business you could focus on? eg practice areas or sectors they specialise in?

The Big 4 debate has been around for nearly 12 years and I don’t think really has had that much of an impact for a firm of Ashursts’ size/prestige.

Brexit in itself in a huge topic (bit like Covid), so could you nail down more specific implications of Brexit on something. Usually narrowing your focus on these questions leads to stronger answers.

Hi Jessica, thanks for your response! I am still looking into the Brexit angle to see which specific aspects would impact Ashurst directly but I was wondering, from a recruiter POV, would you prefer to see more 'traditionalist' topics such as this or would it be alright if I were to include changes such as employee calls for WFH and firms' need to move to these flexible working options post-COVID?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, thanks for your response! I am still looking into the Brexit angle to see which specific aspects would impact Ashurst directly but I was wondering, from a recruiter POV, would you prefer to see more 'traditionalist' topics such as this or would it be alright if I were to include changes such as employee calls for WFH and firms' need to move to these flexible working options post-COVID?

I think the WFH topic is still very broad. It would be better to focus on specific issues within it rather than talk about it more generally. But apart from that, you can talk about it, just try to be a bit more specific as this will make your answer more unique/stand out.

 

[SB1539]

Has anyone done their Howard Kennedy Video Interview yet?