Reed Smith - Research Questions

[Gunner07]

Hi All - I am trying to answer the Reed Smith research questions. One of the question states:

'What current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession? What impact do they have and why?'

I might be overthinking this - but does this mean trends affecting the legal profession (i.e Big 4, AI etc) or current news headlines that are having an impact on the legal profession (for e.g the downfall of the retail sector)?

Will appreciate some advice on this

 

[Alice G]

I wouldn't say the second approach is wrong by any means but you need to ensure it is something affecting the profession and not something which is merely incidental to the work of law firms. I hope this helps

 

[Gunner07]

I wouldn't say the second approach is wrong by any means but you need to ensure it is something affecting the profession and not something which is merely incidental to the work of law firms. I hope this helps

Really helpful - many thanks!

 

[OH]

Hi All - I am trying to answer the Reed Smith research questions. One of the question states:

'What current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession? What impact do they have and why?'

I might be overthinking this - but does this mean trends affecting the legal profession (i.e Big 4, AI etc) or current news headlines that are having an impact on the legal profession (for e.g the downfall of the retail sector)?

Will appreciate some advice on this

I did the former approach last year and reached the AC stage, before then catching serious flu and not being able to attend any of their dates fml. I spoke about: impact of big 4 on market, how this had led to increases in legal tech, multiple examples, then said how reed smith had done more than rivals with examples.

 

[H S]

Hey, do you guys know whether the research questions are to be submitted within 5 days or 5 working days? I emailed grad rec on Wednesday (when I received the questions) but they have yet to reply :/

 

[H S]

Also, since the question says "issues" rather than a single "issue", is the expectation to talk about more than one trend affecting the legal profession or one in more detail?

Thank you

 

[Alice G]

Hey, do you guys know whether the research questions are to be submitted within 5 days or 5 working days? I emailed grad rec on Wednesday (when I received the questions) but they have yet to reply :/

I would assume 5 days to be safe and this is more likely if they have not specified 'working days'.

 

[Alice G]

Also, since the question says "issues" rather than a single "issue", is the expectation to talk about more than one trend affecting the legal profession or one in more detail?

Thank you

I think you could do well to focus on one issue but make clear how this impacts more broadly. I think word count is always tough and I personally don't think it would be problematic to talk about just one issue - i think it is just the way they have drafted the question.

 

[Thea]

Hi everyone!

This is thread is so helpful! I was wondering how everyone is going about the question "Why have you chosen a career in commercial law?"

Should I also be including why I want a career in commercial law at Reed Smith? The question doesn't specifically ask for it but we haven't had to include this in any other part of the application so I'm assuming this would be where they would want us to mention it?

 

[RubySmithers]

Hi everyone!

This is thread is so helpful! I was wondering how everyone is going about the question "Why have you chosen a career in commercial law?"

Should I also be including why I want a career in commercial law at Reed Smith? The question doesn't specifically ask for it but we haven't had to include this in any other part of the application so I'm assuming this would be where they would want us to mention it?

Yes, I would recommend linking back your answer to the firm.

 

[Ricky]

Hi everyone!

This is thread is so helpful! I was wondering how everyone is going about the question "Why have you chosen a career in commercial law?"

Should I also be including why I want a career in commercial law at Reed Smith? The question doesn't specifically ask for it but we haven't had to include this in any other part of the application so I'm assuming this would be where they would want us to mention it?

No. This isn't a why do you want to work at Reed Smith question. The question that shows your knowledge of the firm is the one on their core values.

Got to AC last year without linking to the firm. If it flows and comes up naturally, great. Otherwise don't worry.

 

[Alice G]

Hi everyone!

This is thread is so helpful! I was wondering how everyone is going about the question "Why have you chosen a career in commercial law?"

Should I also be including why I want a career in commercial law at Reed Smith? The question doesn't specifically ask for it but we haven't had to include this in any other part of the application so I'm assuming this would be where they would want us to mention it?

agree with @Ricky - avoid reading things into the question - just stick to what they ask

 

[NikkiT]

Hi everyone, what is the process with Reed Smith? I am about to submit my initial application, are you sent a test/commercial awareness questions automatically or is that the next stage?

 

[A12345]

Hi everyone, what is the process with Reed Smith? I am about to submit my initial application, are you sent a test/commercial awareness questions automatically or is that the next stage?

Hey! So you submit an initial application and if that’s successful, you’ll be sent a situation judgment test (im not sure if everyone gets one of these but it does look like they go through your application first before deciding to send you the test)

then if you meet their benchmark - you will get 3 research questions that you have to submit within 5 days! The next stage is an AC

hope it helps! Good luck!

 

[Ricky]

Hey! So you submit an initial application and if that’s successful, you’ll be sent a situation judgment test (im not sure if everyone gets one of these but it does look like they go through your application first before deciding to send you the test)

then if you meet their benchmark - you will get 3 research questions that you have to submit within 5 days! The next stage is an AC

hope it helps! Good luck!

The selection process is detailed here. https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-selection-process

There may also be a telephone interview before AC.

"Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, we will be adapting the final stages of the recruitment process to ensure we keep you and our current employees safe along with ensuring we meet the needs of the business. This may mean an additional on-line test followed by a telephone interview and then the case study interview via zoom. We will decide nearer the time what is deemed appropriate and we will keep you updated accordingly."

 

[NikkiT]

The selection process is detailed here. https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-selection-process

There may also be a telephone interview before AC.

"Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, we will be adapting the final stages of the recruitment process to ensure we keep you and our current employees safe along with ensuring we meet the needs of the business. This may mean an additional on-line test followed by a telephone interview and then the case study interview via zoom. We will decide nearer the time what is deemed appropriate and we will keep you updated accordingly."

Thanks! From this it seems that the SST is not the next stage, it is sent automatically. Can I ask how you found this assessment (e.g. compared to WG)? Di you do any practice tests in preparation?

 

[Ricky]

Thanks! From this it seems that the SST is not the next stage, it is sent automatically. Can I ask how you found this assessment (e.g. compared to WG)? Di you do any practice tests in preparation?

SSTs are nothing like WGs. It's not really something you can practice for. Just have a think about the qualities the firm looks for in its trainees and try to be honest.

 

[NikkiT]

SSTs are nothing like WGs. It's not really something you can practice for. Just have a think about the qualities the firm looks for in its trainees and try to be honest.

Did you find a list of qualities specifically for Reed Smith? Also, how soon after you submitted your application did you receive the test invite?

 

[Ricky]

Did you find a list of qualities specifically for Reed Smith? Also, how soon after you submitted your application did you receive the test invite?

Never really looked. Just look on their website and brochure etc and think how trainees should act.

 

[Lawgirl123]

Hey guys how long did it take to hear back from RS after taking the SST assessment?