Example Answers to Gibson Dunn Training Contract Application

Please write a cover letter. You should include some of the following areas: what attracts you to Gibson Dunn; why you want to become a solicitor; an outstanding personal achievement which added value to either your academic or working environment; details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application.

I would like to undertake a training contract with Gibson Dunn because I will receive a unique opportunity for client-facing responsibility on matters of global scale and importance. From day one, I will work at the centre of developments that shape the global economy. This will allow me to apply my skill-set to produce innovative solutions and set precedents.

I am attracted by the Gibson Dunn’s collegial culture which will mean that I will work closely with associates and partners who are regarded as the leaders in their field. For me, this will translate into personal development as I will receive exposure to a diversity of experiences and perspectives from lawyers across the world. By working closely with associates and partners, I will be able to meaningfully contribute to the work which will translate into high quality advice for the clients. By working with U.S.-law colleagues side by side, I will become versant in both U.S. and English law which will bolster my expertise on cross-border transactions and give me more exposure to cross-border deals.

I am very attracted by Gibson Dunn’s international focus and its presence in the main financial centres worldwide. This strategic focus will present me with opportunities to work on the most sophisticated cross-border transactions of the day. On a daily basis, I will be working with lawyers from across the world which will effectively equip me with knowledge of international markets and strengthen my commercial awareness.

I have chosen a career in commercial law because I will receive exposure not only to law but also to commercial organisations of all shapes and sizes. In order to devise an optimal solution for clients, I will have to learn how their businesses function, the markets they operate in and the challenges they face. This knowledge will enable me to manipulate and apply law creatively in order to meet unique requirements of different commercial organisations. With the globalisation of commerce, I will find myself working across different borders, financial centres, jurisdictions and organisations which will effectively present me with challenging and stimulating work. I decided to pursue a career in commercial law during my employment at [Law Firm Name] where I was a direct port of contact for a client operating in the [language] energy sector. I enjoyed analysing multiple aspects of the client’s business because this provided me with a deep insight into their requirements. This enabled me to relate and attune all my work to the client’s requirements and apply my skill-set to devise pragmatic and effective solutions.

During my employment with [Law Firm Name], I was asked to accompany the client and solicitors to a board of directors EGM in Amsterdam in my capacity as an interpreter. Contrary to our expectations, the shareholders were intent on passing a resolution that would have severe implications for the client. During our short strategy meeting new information came to light which added to the complexity of the client’s matter and baffled everyone. Having built up a good working knowledge of the client’s business and the market they operate in, I quickly took initiative and went directly to the heart of the client’s problem by clearly explaining how the new information ties in with the commercial context and its likely effects on the client’s position. In the process, I managed to demonstrate strong leadership skills and a propensity for lateral thinking which enabled us to devise a successful strategy which in the end protected the client’s position and resulted in a favourable outcome.

Outside work, I have a real passion for business, [Sport], reading and travelling. Recently, I founded a business in the entertainment industry with a pioneering concept that is helping to transform the events management landscape. I am currently overseeing staff at all levels and working closely with a range of businesses in integrating this concept into their operations. Similarly, I am working with a company specialising in innovative payment systems in the UK to introduce this model to countries in the emerging markets, notably Eastern Europe and [country]. With a passion for [Sport], I am running training sessions at [law firm] gym where I teach [Sport] techniques and help people achieve their personal goals through sport. At university, I pioneered the [University] Amateur [Sport] Club for the first time in fifty years by developing and implementing a successful strategy to persuade the Sports Committee to grant permission for a new [Sport] club. At university, I helped to develop an innovative initiative to reduce the university’s carbon footprint by switching off all unused desktops during vacation breaks. In the past, I won a gold medal for England and had over fifty amateur [Sport] bouts. I was awarded the [award]for academic excellence at GCSE and A-Level.