Please explain why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor

Personal achievements

Describe an achievement of importance to you in the last few years. Give details of how you became involved and the nature of your contribution.
(250 words max)

At [Law Firm Name] ([LAW FIRM INITIALS]), I assisted the senior partner on a cross-border case comprising of a shareholder dispute in a joint venture vehicle. As the client could only speak [language], I was the first point of contact. The client requested that I attend the Board of Directors (BoD) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of a natural resources joint venture in Amsterdam.

At the EGM, I acted as an interpreter between the [language] minority shareholders and English and Dutch solicitors. I maintained a thick skin and resourcefully tailored my communication for diverse audiences. I applied a sharp analytical mind to explain complex issues in a simple language and made sense of a complicated situation. I maintained a very commercial focus and demonstrated physical and mental stamina coupled with unabating enthusiasm. I was required to think on my feet and see things from a business perspective and always align myself with client’s commercial objectives whilst managing to remain robust and calm under pressure.

I faced a very steep learning curve whereby I had to be a careful listener and absorb and process all information around me. Simultaneously, I was required to remain very versatile and constantly interchange between [language] and English.

Please explain why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor and why you are seeking a Training Contract at LG.
(250 words max)

I am aspiring to become a solicitor because every day is varied, challenging and engaging. As commercial matters span many areas of law, industries and borders, they demand the application of lateral thinking and extensive problem-solving. In turn, this would see me work in integrated teams with a commercial focus on the problem in a quick-paced environment with approaching deadlines. At [Law Firm Name], I especially enjoyed liaising with overseas solicitors on a shareholder dispute within a joint venture. This produced more interesting work, greater variety and a wider group of experts to learn from which made my work environment stimulating and rewarding.

I would especially like to work at LG because it is a distinctly different legal practice that places relationships at the heart of its strategy and is structured in a way that encourages teamwork on an international platform. Working on cross-border deals requires strong and dedicated teams to deal with most complex problems. I would therefore gain an opportunity to form and maintain relationships with some of the best legal practitioners in multiple jurisdictions.

A training contract at LG would afford me early responsibility and a remarkable client exposure working in a host of large-scale deals and cross border disputes. LG’s increased focus on international assignments such as Lukoil and Gazprom and its strength in the natural resources practice could accommodate the application of my knowledge of the [language] language and culture to help LG get even “deeper” inside its clients’ business and industries they work in.

Please give details of positions of responsibility held / involvement in clubs or societies whilst at university (include non-university related).
(250 words max)

In my third year at university, I was a law representative for the student-staff liaison committee and was a first contact for students who wanted to raise any concerns regarding the law department. I then attended meetings with the staff of the law department to promote student concerns and negotiate suitable solutions. I was a very proactive member of the [university] [language] Speaking Society ([SOCIETY INITIALS]) and was on the panel of the executives. On a daily basis, I worked as part of a team to organise socials and events. I was a zealous member of the ‘[society]’ society. In the past, I have been involved in projects aimed to save electricity by switching off unused computers in the library during vacation breaks. I was regularly involved in mooting competitions where I got an 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 [sport performances], I have [done the sport] at national level and represented England in the [tournament name]. For the first time in fifty years, I have pioneered the ‘[University] Amateur [Sport] Club’. In [year], I was the chairman and head coach of the club. In [year], I was selected to represent the [University] in the National [sport] Championships.

Please provide details of any particular skills or experience, ie. languages or advanced IT skills.
(250 words max)

I am fluent in [language] (legal and business). At [Law Firm Name] ([LAW FIRM INITIALS]), I was vested with extensive responsibility in a matter comprising of a shareholder dispute in a natural resources joint venture vehicle in the Netherlands. Since all documentation was in [language] and the client did not speak any English, I was the first point of contact and assumed great responsibility over the case. At present, I am assisting [law firm]’s London team on [high-net-worth individual]’s defense to [high-net-worth individual]’s claim estimated at £[value] in a dispute arising from sale of the claimant’s shares in [natural resources company], one of [country’s] largest oil companies. I am working closely with [law firm]’s associates from [city] and London offices in conducting disclosure in [language]. I am proficient in WestLaw, Practical Law Company, LexisNexis, Clearview, Documatrix and Ringtail.

What do your hobbies / leisure activities say about you?

My activities and hobbies suggest that I am very dynamic, resourceful and a quick-learner. For over a decade, I have been involved in amateur [Sport]. In [year], I won a gold medal for England and over fifty trophies nationally. This shows that I am very committed, focused and ambitious with a desire to be the best at what I do. In [year], I have successfully established an amateur [Sport] club at the [University] for the first time in fifty years. This demonstrates that I am very resourceful, possess exceptional advocacy skills, demonstrate initiative and display traits of irrepressible optimism. I enjoy playing [sport] and in under several months, I was selected to represent the [University] in the National [sport] Championships. This highlights my steep learning curve, curiosity to take up new challenges with confidence, and mental and physical stamina. I like to travel and explore new places. This shows that I am open-minded and versatile individual with a fresh-perspective. I enjoy attending networking events and meeting new people. This shows that I am a sociable and possess an ability to form and maintain personal and professional relationships.