Hi, opening my answer up to anyone on the forum for advice - would really appreciate some help with my answer to this Sidley Austin VS question:
My interest in commercial law stems from its unique position at the axis of business and law. Whilst consulting for a startup, I enjoyed providing tailored advice on fundraising strategies after researching the fast-evolving industry of AI-based healthcare. Yet my work lacked the legal aspect of analysing and applying complex laws which I had enjoyed throughout my degree. Seeking a combination of both elements, I completed vacation schemes with commercial departments at large regional law firms. After participating in a buyer’s-side due diligence meeting, I was drawn by the work of a private equity lawyer. I found it exciting to assist transactions occurring at crucial moments of businesses’ development, which create new value and innovation.
Sidley Austin’s stellar reputation in private equity attracts me. Their high-profile work, such as representing Ryan Specialty in its $1.1bn acquisition of US Assure, is distinguished by their ability to incorporate lateral thinking across disciplines and jurisdictions. The firm’s international presence, highly rated departments, and attraction of excellence – such as recent lateral hire Ramy Wahbeh – provide a strong footing to secure the most engaging and complex transactions in this area, as demonstrated by ten years of revenue growth in the London sector.
Alongside the draw of working on complex, high-value deals, is that of a smaller trainee intake, which will accelerate my learning by allowing me to take on responsibility earlier.
Finally, as an enthusiastic volunteer with the Oxford Hub, I was impressed by the breadth of Sidley Austin’s pro bono work, which ranges from obtaining disability benefits to representing death-row prisoners.
My interest in commercial law stems from its unique position at the axis of business and law. Whilst consulting for a startup, I enjoyed providing tailored advice on fundraising strategies after researching the fast-evolving industry of AI-based healthcare. Yet my work lacked the legal aspect of analysing and applying complex laws which I had enjoyed throughout my degree. Seeking a combination of both elements, I completed vacation schemes with commercial departments at large regional law firms. After participating in a buyer’s-side due diligence meeting, I was drawn by the work of a private equity lawyer. I found it exciting to assist transactions occurring at crucial moments of businesses’ development, which create new value and innovation.
Sidley Austin’s stellar reputation in private equity attracts me. Their high-profile work, such as representing Ryan Specialty in its $1.1bn acquisition of US Assure, is distinguished by their ability to incorporate lateral thinking across disciplines and jurisdictions. The firm’s international presence, highly rated departments, and attraction of excellence – such as recent lateral hire Ramy Wahbeh – provide a strong footing to secure the most engaging and complex transactions in this area, as demonstrated by ten years of revenue growth in the London sector.
Alongside the draw of working on complex, high-value deals, is that of a smaller trainee intake, which will accelerate my learning by allowing me to take on responsibility earlier.
Finally, as an enthusiastic volunteer with the Oxford Hub, I was impressed by the breadth of Sidley Austin’s pro bono work, which ranges from obtaining disability benefits to representing death-row prisoners.