Hi everyone! In the Sidley Austin VS application there's a question which asks applicants to describe a 'current commercial issue that has interested you'. I'm not 100% sure what counts as 'commercial' news - for example, could I discuss recent changes to employment law and how that will impact firms? Also, does the 'issue' have to be related to the firm's most reputed practice areas - e.g. with the employment law example, it's not as big of a department in Sidley as some others.
Any advice would be appreciated!
This would be a commercial issue as it impacts firms and their clients, as well as the wider economy.
I would tread somewhat carefully about this though as:
1) if you mean the incoming changes the Labour government are suggesting they will implement, it will be more theoretical rather than anything determined
2) I think you could potentially spin it more on how such changes may impact particular clients more so than others to ensure this is maybe of more interest to Sidley. Not every story has to be directly connected to their core practice areas, but the more you can connect it to them, it can work really well.
To ensure your answer is also more unique, I would also recommend focusing on one change (rather than multiple changes) and show the depth of analysis on that one point rather than broadly talking about various changes.
Finally, you could also talk about how it could directly impact the firm rather than their clients too.
