K&L Gates LLP Training Contract Application Example Answers

What personal or career goals do you have for yourself at present? (200 words)*

At present, I wish to undertake a training contract in order to qualify as a solicitor at a law firm specialising in corporate and commercial law.

My present personal goal is to develop and expand my business in the UK by acquiring a larger market share and becoming a leading brand in our sector.

I have a goal of facilitating the introduction of the prepaid card payment systems onto the [language] and Eastern European markets through a partnership with a leading UK company specialising in innovative financial payment systems.

On the sporting front, I would like to learn yoga.

Why have you decided to pursue a career as a solicitor? What other options did you consider seriously and why did you choose not to pursue them? (200 words)*

I have chosen a career in 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 had considered a career as a compliance officer in a bank as I have an interest in finance. Following my extensive work experience at a number of law firms, I decided to become a solicitor because I will be presented with more scope to work across multiple legal disciplines and a diverse range of high-profile clients which will make my work environment very stimulating and rewarding. Whereas, a career in the compliance sector would restrict my opportunities since I would predominantly deal with banking-related matters and a limited range of clients.

Why do you feel you are suited to K&L Gates LLP? (200 words)*

I possess strong teamwork, communication and leadership skills which will enable me to work in diverse teams and contribute my perspectives to the table. At [law firm] , I operated in a team when conducting document review during the disclosure stage. In order to meet a tight deadline, I closely collaborated with others to gauge our progress and prioritise tasks. I was always forthcoming with ideas on how to streamline our operations and re-allocate work according to the skill set within the team.

I am commercially aware and have strong problem-solving skills which will enable me to navigate difficult legal landscapes and manipulate and apply law creatively to develop effective solutions to most complex commercial problems facing clients.

I am entrepreneurial, enthusiastic and well organised which will enable me to make important decisions on a daily basis. I will be able to assume high levels of responsibility in order to make things happen and set new standards. I pioneered the University of [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.

Which of your achievements are you most proud of? What made this achievement stand out from the rest? (200 words)*

Recently, I established a new company in the entertainment industry with a USP, which provides innovative and cutting-edge solutions to clients across the UK. This is my greatest achievement because I managed to successfully implement my commercial knowledge acquired during my employment and studies which has a direct effect on the business. I am very proud of this achievement because when I started the company, I was thrown at the deep end and had to think laterally to make important business decisions in a quick-paced and highly competitive environment. At the same time, I am very proud of my business because it has helped to reshape the entertainment industry and introduce people to new ideas.

Describe a time you were faced with a particularly difficult situation or problem. What did you do? Were other people involved? What did you learn about yourself? (200 words)*

At [law firm], I was requested to represent one of several clients at a Board of Directors EGM of a joint venture in Amsterdam in my capacity as an interpreter only two weeks of having joined the firm. During our pre-EGM strategic meeting, the client presented me with large volumes of new information. I had to think on my feet to understand the core problem areas and apply my commercial knowledge of the case in order to logically analyse the information to make sense of it. I then translated and presented the information to the solicitors and other parties involved in a clear and understandable manner. I demonstrated initiative by asking the client to elaborate on certain aspects and gave a small presentation at the end of the meeting in order to ensure that everyone understood the client’s latest position. I learnt that I performed exceptionally well under pressure by maintaining a constant focus on the problem and demonstrated leadership skills by actively managing the meeting and using my initiative. I learnt that I am very passionate and enthusiastic when I am presented with a challenging situation and think very creatively how to resolve problems.

Please use the space below if you wish to add a covering letter to your application form (300 words)

Dear [name],

I would like to undertake a training contract at K&L Gates LLP because I am attracted by its strong global presence which will enable me to operate in multi-disciplinary teams on an international platform. This will see me work on most challenging and exciting commercial problems facing clients internationally where I will be able to contribute my perspectives and operate in teams to develop ideas to provide cutting-edge legal solutions. I feel that the dynamic and entrepreneurial ethos of the firm fits my personality very well as I will be able to realise my full potential by making important decisions and thinking creatively about the clients’ problems to devise effective and innovative solutions.

I believe that I am a strong candidate for this role because I have extensive legal experience and the relevant skill-set to become a successful lawyer. I possess commercial acumen and strong problem solving skills which will enable me to operate in a challenging and demanding environment whereby I will be required to deal with complex problems and make a meaningful contribution to the work that I undertake. I am a good team player and have an ability to express my ideas in a simple and understandable manner. I am very enthusiastic, entrepreneurial and focused which will allow me to bring new perspectives to the table and use my initiative to add value to my work. I possess good client-facing skills through which I will be able to deliver a good client service and work with the client to understand their business, objectives and legal requirements.