Hiya
@AS24
@Andrei Radu and
@Amma Usman would also have their own views on this, but having answered this question in past applications, I approached it by focusing on the various ways I researched and explored the legal profession, rather than use it as an occasion to specifically answer why working at an international law firm appealed to me. My hope was that, in answering the question in the way I did, it would become clear to a reader that my interest in the profession was genuine. In particular, I often divided my answer to this question into three main parts.
First, I explained how I regularly read industry-leading publications like
Chambers UK,
Legal 500, and
The Lawyer. These resources helped me understand different firms’ strengths, their practice areas, and key industry developments, giving me a broader view of the legal landscape and the types of work I’d encounter as a solicitor. It also helped me understand things like the significance of certain firms' expansion decisions or why it might have been a big deal that they were able to poach partners at other firms.
Next, I highlighted my efforts to attend open days and insight events. These experiences were invaluable for helping me "connect" and find mentors and friends in senior lawyers and other trainees, whose insights brought to life how their work shapes client outcomes and the collaborative nature of international law. When discussing this particular way of deepening my knowledge of the profession, I shared how these open day and insight scheme interactions solidified my appreciation for specific practice areas and also for the variation in working/business cultures found at different firms.
Lastly, I discussed the practical exposure I gained through vacation schemes (including virtual schemes through Forage). These experiences allowed me to handle tasks and documents similar to those performed by trainee solicitors, giving me a hands-on understanding of day-to-day responsibilities that junior lawyers typically have to shoulder. Such opportunities also gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed at such an early stage in my career
Overall, I found that by organising my answer this way, I could show that I took a well-rounded approach, using multiple avenues to deepen my knowledge and enthusiasm for a legal career at an international firm. Again, this is just one way of potentially answering this question and I'm sure the other community assistants might have their own distinct insights here. Hope this helps
