Dechert Training Contract Application Model Answers

Please state your non-academic activities and interests, indicating any positions of responsibility held, and any particular achievements you would like to mention. (word limit 350)*

I have received a ‘[award name]’ Award for receiving highest grades at GCSE and A-Level at my institutions of study. I have received a ‘[award name]’ Award for my quick progress and excellence in amateur [Sport]. This was followed by numerous ‘[sportsman] of the night’ trophies. Firstly, I am a third year law representative for the student-staff liaison committee where I am responsible for communicating student concerns about the operation of the [university] Law School to staff in regular meetings. Secondly, I am a very pro-active member of the [university] [language] Speaking Society ([SOCIETY INITIALS]) whereby I am actively involved in organising and managing [SOCIETY INITIALS] socials. I greatly enjoy working with [SOCIETY INITIALS] because it allows me to introduce new members to the society and introduce people to [language] culture which helps to increase diversity at the University and make it a more sociable and open community. Thirdly, I am a very zealous member of the ‘[society]’ society as I feel that it is the task of humans to help the environment. In the past I have been in projects aimed to save electricity and helping the local wildlife, such as switching off unused computers in the library during vacation breaks. Fourthly, I am regularly involved in mooting competitions where I get the opportunity to exercise my analytical and advocacy skills amongst like-minded individuals in a competitive environment. On a sportier note, I greatly enjoy amateur [Sport]. With over fifty amateur bouts I have [done the sport] at national level and represented England in the Four Nations Tournament. Currently, I am responsible for training a large group of students at the [University]. I am also a very committed member of the [university] [sport] Club and last season was selected to represent [University] in the National [sport] Competition.

Please explain what attracts you to a career as a solicitor at an international business law firm, with reference to other careers that you might have considered. Please include in your answer an explanation of what attracts you to Dechert. (word limit 350)*

I am interested in becoming a solicitor at an international law firm because it will allow me to assume the role of a project manager and will vest me with early responsibility. Previously I thought of becoming an academic because I enjoy vigorous academic debates on legal discourse. However, having worked for [law firm], I found my interest in corporate and commercial law and realised that a career as an academic would be too solitary for my energetic and convivial personality. 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.

I am specifically interested in Dechert because it offers a highly personalised six seat rotation system, with a potential of secondments to US and Brussels. I have completed an advanced competition law module where I found the comparison of EC and US jurisdiction on ‘refusal to supply’ cases of much interest. I aspire to be a trainee at Dechert because I would like to get a practical experience in several jurisdictions, notably US and EC. I am aware that Dechert’s attorneys featured in five of the six top six antitrust cases. I would relish a chance to work alongside the best lawyers in antitrust law whereby the closely-knit and small teams would give me early responsibility at the start with a potential to observe and learn from the highly ranked professionals. I would get an opportunity to interchange between my [language], [language] and English languages when working on cross-border deals or when dealing with international clients. This would therefore get me closer to my aspiration of becoming an expert in several jurisdictions and thus an outstanding international lawyer.

My tasks ranged from compiling a case bundle, writing correspondence letters, attending case management discussions to conducting research using legal databases, namely WestLaw. Throughout the work placement I have significantly enhanced my verbal and written communication skills. I have also bettered my team work skills as I was continuously required to communicate with solicitors within the firm.

Firstly, I am a third year law representative for the student-staff liaison committee. Secondly, I am a very pro-active member of the [university] [language] Speaking Society ([SOCIETY INITIALS]) whereby I am actively involved in organising and managing [SOCIETY INITIALS] socials. Thirdly, I am a very zealous member of the ‘[society]’ society as I feel that it is the task of humans to help the environment. Fourthly, I am the president and the founding member of the [university] [Sport] Club which currently has over fifty members.