Ashurst Training Contract Application Model Answer

[Name]

[address line 1]

[POST CODE]

Tel: [telephone number]

[recruiter’s name] [date]

Ashurst LLP

Broadwalk House

5 Appold Street

London

EC2A 2HA

Dear [recruiter’s name],

I am a final year student at the [University] expected to graduate in July, [year]. I am expected to achieve a [grade] class grade in my third year. I am applying for a training contract to commence in [year] advertised on Latestlawjobs.com.

I am interested in corporate and commercial law because it will allow me to assume the role of a project manager and will vest me with early responsibility. Given that commercial law is both transactional and ongoing suggests that I will have to build a rapport with the client and apply strong communication skills coupled with high technical ability when forming a clear picture of the client’s needs and objectives and then explaining what may well be a complex area of law when advising on the best solution. This may require me to liaise with a number of legal departments thus making each day unique, enjoyable and fulfilling work experience.

Ashurst LLP interests me very much for numerous reasons. Many of firm’s projects require work that spans multiple practice areas and crosses several geographic borders and legal jurisdictions. I aspire to become a successful international lawyer and would thus like to learn additional jurisdictions. Recently, I have undertaken an advanced competition law module whereby I had to compare and contrast EC and US jurisdictions in multiple areas of competition law. I especially enjoyed comparing and contrasting the different approaches of US and EC cases to ‘refusal to supply’ category of competition law. I found the Microsoft decision of utmost interest where it was held that it was anti-competitive for Microsoft to refuse to supply interoperability data to their competitors. The case produced a divide between the US and EC jurisdictions over the fundamental aim of competition law: consumer welfare. Having lived in [country], [country] and USA I was very enthralled with diverse and rich cultures. This summer I have worked for [law firm] and particularly enjoyed having to interact with [language] and American clients since it allowed me to exercise my excellent communication skills and build and maintain successful relationships. By comparing and contrasting the US and EC jurisdictions my learning trajectory grew steeper and allowed me to develop a critical and thorough understanding of a practice area from a more international perspective.

I am attracted by the relatively high number of trainee intake because I truly appreciate teamwork and collegiality. Having been a very dedicated executive of the [university] [language] Speaking Society I continuously worked with people from different nationalities, which in effect produced very successful results and made my everyday experience enthralling and exciting. Working alongside a diverse range of individuals pursuing similar interests will create high levels of synergy and make my learning experience more enjoyable. Similarly, I view a large trainee intake as an opportunity to learn something new, be it a language, a case or simply an interesting fact. This atmosphere will undoubtedly suit my convivial and friendly personality thus fostering a positive and successful working atmosphere.

I particularly like Ashurst LLP’s corporate social responsibility programme, which covers community involvement, diversity, place to work and environmental initiatives. Ashurst LLP turns these beliefs into action and aims to integrate its social and environmental concerns with its day to day operations and dealings with clients and the wider community. This would make my experience at the firm personally and professionally rewarding.

Having worked for a number of private clients at leading legal firms, [law firm] and [law firm], I can attest to the importance of building and maintaining professional relationships. This, coupled with my fluency in [language], English and [language], would make me a valuable asset when working on cross-border transactions or with international clients.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to attend an interview for which I am available at your convenience.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]