Why are you interested in a career as a commercial lawyer?: Answer feedback

[Mike Wazaoski]

Opening this up to feedback from anyone on the forum:

- I want to make it personal and genuine and this is pretty much the main reason for interest
- Please let me know any feedback

I am interested in a career as a commercial lawyer because it requires application of the law to solve business issues. More interestingly, the law is applied in the context of understanding the client's specific commercial challenge. Today, clients are operating in a challenging world. Responding to this challenge means a good commercial lawyer contextualises their advice by taking into account geo-political, economic, regulatory, environmental and technological factors when assisting clients in achieving business aims. Therefore, commercial lawyers remain adaptive to the world around them when advising clients. The aim is to mitigate risk and maximise business value. This intersection of law and commercial activity was evident in supporting X with a privacy project prior to their IPO listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. I provided data privacy advice for the business operating in 50 countries by working with local general counsel. However, China was out of scope due to data localisation issues. The IPO worth $X billion faced multiple hurdles but was motivated by Chinese fears of food security and US-China trade tensions meant the IPO was listed in Shanghai where there are protectionist measures for reducing foreign investor involvement. The combination of data privacy issues, regulatory barriers, US-China geopolitical challenges and understanding the global power struggle is an example of what makes commercial law feel “alive” to me. It ensures I remain engaged in advising clients by understanding the world they operate in to build an advisory relationship.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is this for an interview or for an application?

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

@Jessica Booker This is for an application - Maximum word count is 300 words

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think this is a little too descriptive of what you did, rather than what you enjoyed.

You are also explaining a lot about what a lawyer does rather than why it is specifically of interest to you too.

So it needs a little more about what drives/motivates you, rather than an overview of what lawyers do or the detail of what you have done in the past.

The answer will also need some paragraphs rather than one large paragraph.

Some of my suggested changes are below:

I am interested in a career as a commercial lawyer because it requires application of the law to solve business issues. More interestingly, the law is applied in the context of understanding the client's specific commercial challenge (more specifically needs to be tied to you here, rather than law in general) .

Today, clients are operating in a challenging world. Responding to this challenge means a good commercial lawyer contextualises their advice by taking into account geo-political, economic, regulatory, environmental and technological factors when assisting clients in achieving business aims (rather than what lawyers need, why is this important to you). Therefore, commercial lawyers remain adaptive to the world around them when advising clients. The aim is to mitigate risk and maximise business value (again, this is about what lawyers do, rather than your motivations).

This intersection of law and commercial activity was evident in supporting X with a privacy project prior to their IPO listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (needs more upfront clarity this is something you worked on - there is no reference to you in this sentence). I provided data privacy advice for the business operating in 50 countries by working with local general counsel. The combination of data privacy issues, regulatory barriers, US-China geopolitical challenges and understanding the global power struggle made commercial law feel “alive” to me, and I enjoyed building an advisory relationship with clients by understanding the world they operate in.

 

[Rainbowergy]

Your example of assisting a company with a privacy project prior to their IPO in Shanghai highlights the practicality of your knowledge and how it's applied in the field. It's evident that you thrive on the dynamic nature of commercial law and its connection to the ever-changing business landscape.
I'm sure your dedication will serve you well in your career as a commercial lawyer.

 

[tosin4774]

Opening this up to anyone on what I can do to improve this application if it needs improve
@Jessica Booker your input would be really useful

My interest in Gibson Dunn comes from its free market system, which tells me that the firm values autonomy and empowers its trainees to take control of their career paths. This appeals to me because, during my time as a utility prefect in Nigeria, I was given the freedom to carve out my own strategies for reducing my school’s electrical consumption by implementing sustainable energy solutions. For instance, I turned off all the lights in unused classrooms and encouraged students to rely on natural light during the day, resulting in a significant decrease in electricity usage and cost savings for the school. To further my understanding of energy conservation, I organized workshops for my classmates to educate them on the benefits of renewable energy sources and how simple everyday actions can positively impact the environment. My experience of taking ownership and driving initiatives independently mirrors the autonomy approach that Gibson Dunn’s free market system fosters, making it an ideal environment for me to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

 

[Jaysen]

Opening this up to anyone on what I can do to improve this application if it needs improve
@Jessica Booker your input would be really useful

My interest in Gibson Dunn comes from its free market system, which tells me that the firm values autonomy and empowers its trainees to take control of their career paths. This appeals to me because, during my time as a utility prefect in Nigeria, I was given the freedom to carve out my own strategies for reducing my school’s electrical consumption by implementing sustainable energy solutions. For instance, I turned off all the lights in unused classrooms and encouraged students to rely on natural light during the day, resulting in a significant decrease in electricity usage and cost savings for the school. To further my understanding of energy conservation, I organized workshops for my classmates to educate them on the benefits of renewable energy sources and how simple everyday actions can positively impact the environment. My experience of taking ownership and driving initiatives independently mirrors the autonomy approach that Gibson Dunn’s free market system fosters, making it an ideal environment for me to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

I think this is a strong start. You write clearly and the link between the free market system and your experiences feels natural.

I would keep in mind that many/most applicants writing their answer to this question will also mention the free market system, so it's important for this to feel like a genuine reason you are applying. I like your example, but I would wonder why this would make you specifically suited/drawn to the free market system over the normal training contract. There is a danger sometimes when writing applications to follow a structure of (1) X point about a firm, (2) Y point about me, and (3) therefore, we are a good match. But sometimes (1) does not seem that relevant to (2).

I would suggest spending a little less time discussing your personal example and more time being specific about why the free market system is personally important to you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Opening this up to anyone on what I can do to improve this application if it needs improve
@Jessica Booker your input would be really useful

My interest in Gibson Dunn comes from its free market system, which tells me that the firm values autonomy and empowers its trainees to take control of their career paths. This appeals to me because, during my time as a utility prefect in Nigeria, I was given the freedom to carve out my own strategies for reducing my school’s electrical consumption by implementing sustainable energy solutions. For instance, I turned off all the lights in unused classrooms and encouraged students to rely on natural light during the day, resulting in a significant decrease in electricity usage and cost savings for the school. To further my understanding of energy conservation, I organized workshops for my classmates to educate them on the benefits of renewable energy sources and how simple everyday actions can positively impact the environment. My experience of taking ownership and driving initiatives independently mirrors the autonomy approach that Gibson Dunn’s free market system fosters, making it an ideal environment for me to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

A couple of points to add to Jaysen’s feedback.

This should be at least two paragraphs rather than one long one.

I think you don’t need the last sentence too - you have basically already said this.