Herbert Smith Freehills App

[nymi]

As someone who is interested in this, here’s a few points I would consider.

1) Drugs are already illegal. To what extent is your idea ‘introducing a new law’.

2) Legislative prohibition has never worked. From Alcohol in 1920s America, to governments literally murdering drug users/dealers, when demand for narcotics exists, it’s very difficult for policy makers to reduce consumption rates. Furthermore, how would legislation serve to make drugs harder to obtain? Given the inherent legal status of drugs, the entire supply chain is operated by criminal enterprises who, obviously, have no regard for the law. What’s would an addition to preexisting legislation actually do about that? Even more so in a western country where certain personal liberties cannot be infringed upon - if this is the jurisdiction you wish for this new law to be implemented in.

3) Worth considering wether more legislation would be counter-intuitive. Drugs in the black market aren’t subject to quality control, resulting in more dangerous product being available (either incredible potent or cut with types of poison) - unlike the legal alternative where drugs would be regulated and “safer”. Also, in some countries where have relaxed the war on drugs (e.g Portugal) and treated drug addiction as an illness rather than a criminal act, consumption rates have decreased. Also takes away a lucrative trade from the hands of criminal organisations. This could certainly be a point raised by an interviewer!

Don’t be afraid to go with controversial though. If it’s something you believe strongly about, and you feel you have an air tight argument then go with it!

Edit- Thought this was under the post regarding the question “introduce a new law”. Some of my points still stand though haha

Thank you for your reply, Jason
I agree with your points and just to make it clear I want to focus on the legalisation of the drugs and not make it illegal. If drugs are legalised people who want to try drugs like MDMA for recreation purposes would be able to obtain from trusted markets rather than the black market from where it is risky to buy.
Furthermore, regulations will put restrictions on the amount of drugs that a person is allowed to buy at once, age restrictions and intoxicated will be denied the purchase.
Also, I found your points really helpful and I will aim to back my answer with the example of Portugal.

 

[Jason S]

Thank you for your reply, Jason
I agree with your points and just to make it clear I want to focus on the legalisation of the drugs and not make it illegal. If drugs are legalised people who want to try drugs like MDMA for recreation purposes would be able to obtain from trusted markets rather than the black market from where it is risky to buy.
Furthermore, regulations will put restrictions on the amount of drugs that a person is allowed to buy at once, age restrictions and intoxicated will be denied the purchase.
Also, I found your points really helpful and I will aim to back my answer with the example of Portugal.

Oh wow I really can’t read today ahah, I didn’t see you say about legalisation - my bad.

I think that’s a great topic and even though it’s ‘controversial’ I think the idea of legalisation is actually a lot more logical so there’s definitely a solid argument to be had. Best of luck!

 

[Jaysen]

Thank you for the reply, Jaysen ! This is very helpful.
I am thinking of writing about legalisation and regulation of drugs, thereby making it harder to obtain. This is the topic which is quite personal to me since I have lost a loved one because of illicit drug use. However, while mentioning in the law firm applications, I sometimes feel that it is too controversial and maybe looked down upon by the recruiters.

I think that’s a fair concern. @Jessica Booker - What do you think of this as a topic?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think that’s a fair concern. @Jessica Booker - What do you think of this as a topic?

Personally I think this is too contentious topic for an application. It’s not that it’s completely off limits but I just think it is an exceptionally risky choice that your going to have to nail the answer to.

 

[nymi]

I think that’s a fair concern. @Jessica Booker - What do you think of this as a topic?

Personally I think this is too contentious topic for an application. It’s not that it’s completely off limits but I just think it is an exceptionally risky choice that your going to have to nail the answer to.

Thank you both for your response. I will now take more time build my argument stronger and consider whether I should go ahead.

 

[0603]

in the question "Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you." Do you think I should/there is a need to link the answer back to HSF? or should I just keep it limited to the topic and why it interests me ?

 

[Karin]

in the question "Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you." Do you think I should/there is a need to link the answer back to HSF? or should I just keep it limited to the topic and why it interests me ?

I don't think you need to link the answer back to HSF - of course if it is something HSF is directly involved with, it would be great if you could make the connection. However, if you would have to waste many words trying to link it back then I wouldn't worry.

I think it is about your ability to explain a topic & why it interests you in a very concise yet engaging and interesting manner

 

[0603]

I don't think you need to link the answer back to HSF - of course if it is something HSF is directly involved with, it would be great if you could make the connection. However, if you would have to waste many words trying to link it back then I wouldn't worry.

I think it is about your ability to explain a topic & why it interests you in a very concise yet engaging and interesting manner

alrighty! Thank you so much

 

[D]

in the question "Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you." Do you think I should/there is a need to link the answer back to HSF? or should I just keep it limited to the topic and why it interests me ?

I've written this a few times on the forum.

GR said that this question is your opportunity to write persuasively. So, ensure whatever you write about is well thought out, well researched, and persuasively written.

I used this opportunity to also link my story back to the firm using a very, very succinct SWOT analysis.

Source: Offered a TC at HSF this year.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hello! Reviving this thread for the 2020 cycle, I was wondering if anyone had any input as to how creative applicants can be when answering the 'introduce us to a topic' question for the HSF application. I was thinking of writing about pop culture- specifically either the rise of anime in Western media or the recent popularity of fanfiction. Both of these topics aren't as commercial/corporate but I do have a keen interest in both (particularly the latter topic on fanfiction). Alternatively, I was planning to write about Netflix, rival streaming services and particularly, about its main competitor Disney+; this would be more 'commercial' as I could discuss impacts on traditional media, rise in usage from COVID etc. However, I do have less interest in this topic. What do you all think?

 

[Tushar]

I think I would not worry about writing anything commercial here, because, in my opinion, they are looking for something that you are really passionate about. Of course it can be something commercial, but make sure it's something you have been passionate about, or have been really interested in for quite some time. The answer might also need some substantiation as to why it's interesting to you.

 

[CallumJR]

Hello! Reviving this thread for the 2020 cycle, I was wondering if anyone had any input as to how creative applicants can be when answering the 'introduce us to a topic' question for the HSF application. I was thinking of writing about pop culture- specifically either the rise of anime in Western media or the recent popularity of fanfiction. Both of these topics aren't as commercial/corporate but I do have a keen interest in both (particularly the latter topic on fanfiction). Alternatively, I was planning to write about Netflix, rival streaming services and particularly, about its main competitor Disney+; this would be more 'commercial' as I could discuss impacts on traditional media, rise in usage from COVID etc. However, I do have less interest in this topic. What do you all think?

I would definitely go with the first one. Fanfiction seems to me quite interesting and in that question it is all about showing your personality.

 

[nymi]

Hello everyone,

I have drafted an answer for the question "What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role?". I would be really really if someone could read over my answer and provide a feedback

 

[Deleted member 2707]

I think I would not worry about writing anything commercial here, because, in my opinion, they are looking for something that you are really passionate about. Of course it can be something commercial, but make sure it's something you have been passionate about, or have been really interested in for quite some time. The answer might also need some substantiation as to why it's interesting to you.

I think I would not worry about writing anything commercial here, because, in my opinion, they are looking for something that you are really passionate about. Of course it can be something commercial, but make sure it's something you have been passionate about, or have been really interested in for quite some time. The answer might also need some substantiation as to why it's interesting to you.

Thank you all!

 

[Alice G]

Hello! Reviving this thread for the 2020 cycle, I was wondering if anyone had any input as to how creative applicants can be when answering the 'introduce us to a topic' question for the HSF application. I was thinking of writing about pop culture- specifically either the rise of anime in Western media or the recent popularity of fanfiction. Both of these topics aren't as commercial/corporate but I do have a keen interest in both (particularly the latter topic on fanfiction). Alternatively, I was planning to write about Netflix, rival streaming services and particularly, about its main competitor Disney+; this would be more 'commercial' as I could discuss impacts on traditional media, rise in usage from COVID etc. However, I do have less interest in this topic. What do you all think?

Definitely discuss what genuinely interests you and show your personality - on my AC we had covered a whole range of topics from medical devices to gin to football!! Just write it in an interesting way, try not to assume too much knowledge in your reader and just show the passion you have.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Definitely discuss what genuinely interests you and show your personality - on my AC we had covered a whole range of topics from medical devices to gin to football!! Just write it in an interesting way, try not to assume too much knowledge in your reader and just show the passion you have.

Thank you Alice! On another note, do you happen to know how I'm supposed to write it? As in the purpose of the question- is it to inform, persuade? Thank you!

 

[Alice G]

Thank you Alice! On another note, do you happen to know how I'm supposed to write it? As in the purpose of the question- is it to inform, persuade? Thank you!

So I took an informative approach. I treated it as though I was telling someone about something new and this was very much because my topic was a little bit more technical. I cannot say what the approach of other people was but I don't think you necessarily need to have an argument or a persuasive angle. i guess the best advice is just to be agile - my topic question took me a couple of weeks of continuous editing and I really think this helped me get it exactly where is needed to be.

 

[letslovejay]

Hi,

I was thinking about writing about my love for Mixology in response to "Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you"
Do you guys reckon this would be ok as a topic? I'm going to try and see how I can link it back to HSF however I'm struggling to find that nexus - does there need to be one?

 

[Alice G]

Hi,

I was thinking about writing about my love for Mixology in response to "Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you"
Do you guys reckon this would be ok as a topic? I'm going to try and see how I can link it back to HSF however I'm struggling to find that nexus - does there need to be one?

Hi there,

You don’t need to relate this back to HSF.

I just checked my response from last year and I didn’t do this and got to their AC

 

[jan28]

Thank you Alice! On another note, do you happen to know how I'm supposed to write it? As in the purpose of the question- is it to inform, persuade? Thank you!

I agree with Alice here. I also took an informative approach and basically explained my topic. I'm happy to share what I wrote below as I was unsuccessful on the AC and I can't apply for another 2 years! I did try to weave in their key skills e.g. teamwork/empathy into my answer but I don't think this is completely necessary.