Researching law firms

[Sarah Bamidele]

When researching a firm am I supposed to make notes on everything that is on the website or should I research according to the question being asked and the answers I want give. i.e. research further on a deal to back up a point ?

I am struggling to find information in relation to deals and cases for a particular law firm on their because it is not clearly displayed on their website. Can you advise on other web links I can use that are free ?

 

[Abstruser]

When researching a firm am I supposed to make notes on everything that is on the website or should I research according to the question being asked and the answers I want give. i.e. research further on a deal to back up a point ?

I am struggling to find information in relation to deals and cases for a particular law firm on their because it is not clearly displayed on their website. Can you advise on other web links I can use that are free ?

I don’t think deals or cases of a firm are ever that easily available, but for general research Legal Cheek, Chambers Student, lawcareers.net are pretty standard and a good start!

 

[Sarah Bamidele]

I don’t think deals or cases of a firm are ever that easily available, but for general research Legal Cheek, Chambers Student, lawcareers.net are pretty standard and a good start!

Thank you for your reply and for confirming this because I was getting a little stressed trying to find extra information. I have looked on the website links you suggested and have a good understanding of the firm and why I want to apply for it.

In terms of researching firms in general do you advise that it will be easier when the questions on the application are live because right now I feel like I am just researching with no particular focus as I am yet to see the questions i.e. I am waiting for the winter vac scheme application for Reed Smith to open ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

When researching a firm am I supposed to make notes on everything that is on the website or should I research according to the question being asked and the answers I want give. i.e. research further on a deal to back up a point ?

I am struggling to find information in relation to deals and cases for a particular law firm on their because it is not clearly displayed on their website. Can you advise on other web links I can use that are free ?

Look at the law firms news page - this will typically show deals/cases they have worked on. Set up Google alerts and you’ll also get notifications on commercial news outlets.

But the key thing is to focus your research on what is relevant to you - not everything. Learn what you want to know or need to know, not everything you could learn.

 

[Abstruser]

In terms of researching firms in general do you advise that it will be easier when the questions on the application are live because right now I feel like I am just researching with no particular focus as I am yet to see the questions i.e. I am waiting for the winter vac scheme application for Reed Smith to open ?

Absolutely - I think you should wait until the questions are released, otherwise (as you say) you will be researching with no focus.

 

[KLaw125]

Completely agree with @Abstruser , waiting for the questions will save you alot of random searches. But I'll offer some further advice on improving research approach to save time.

I've found a good way to get a clear way to focus your research is using Chambers Partners. Their website provides clear overview of the ranked Departments according to jurisdiction and practice area. So following this, I will take note of the top ranked practice areas/regions (Most likely ranked Band 1/2) Following this, you can get a good idea of what to focus on the firm's website. Furthermore, you can also read full insights on how the practice operates, the specialism and recent deals - although this may be slightly outdated from past experience.

From this point, you can start google searching and researching on the firm's website for specific deals of interest for your application. Hopes this helps focus research!

 

[Osh]

What would you say is the best way to structure talking about the firms work in 'why are you applying to X firm'

 

[Jessica Booker]

What would you say is the best way to structure talking about the firms work in 'why are you applying to X firm'

There is no set answer here. It’s going to come very much from what motivates you...

 

[Sarah Bamidele]

I don’t think deals or cases of a firm are ever that easily available, but for general research Legal Cheek, Chambers Student, lawcareers.net are pretty standard and a good start!

Thank you for your reply

 

[Sarah Bamidele]

Completely agree with @Abstruser , waiting for the questions will save you alot of random searches. But I'll offer some further advice on improving research approach to save time.

I've found a good way to get a clear way to focus your research is using Chambers Partners. Their website provides clear overview of the ranked Departments according to jurisdiction and practice area. So following this, I will take note of the top ranked practice areas/regions (Most likely ranked Band 1/2) Following this, you can get a good idea of what to focus on the firm's website. Furthermore, you can also read full insights on how the practice operates, the specialism and recent deals - although this may be slightly outdated from past experience.

From this point, you can start google searching and researching on the firm's website for specific deals of interest for your application. Hopes this helps focus research!

Thanks so much !!

 

[Osh]

There is no set answer here. It’s going to come very much from what motivates you...

Following on from this would it be appropriate to base you answer of why the firm mainly on your experience with them, through open days, first year schemes, supported with things I have researched about the firm

 

[Abstruser]

Following on from this would it be appropriate to base you answer of why the firm mainly on your experience with them, through open days, first year schemes, supported with things I have researched about the firm

Absolutely, I think thats fine

 

[Jessica Booker]

Following on from this would it be appropriate to base you answer of why the firm mainly on your experience with them, through open days, first year schemes, supported with things I have researched about the firm

these are legitimate ways of approaching it, but of course it will depend on the content you present within it. If you use vague or self explanatory statements about attending the open day/first year scheme shaping your application, it won’t work as well as if you drill down the specifics of what you learnt and why it shaped your motivation for the day job, the career and the firm.

 

[Osh]

these are legitimate ways of approaching it, but of course it will depend on the content you present within it. If you use vague or self explanatory statements about attending the open day/first year scheme shaping your application, it won’t work as well as if you drill down the specifics of what you learnt and why it shaped your motivation for the day job, the career and the firm.

Thank you

 

[Osh]

Absolutely, I think thats fine

Thank you