Salans Training Contract Application Model Answer

Graduate Recruitment at Salans

Dear [recruiter’s name],

I am a final year student at the [University] expected to graduate in June, [year]. I am expected to achieve a 1st 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. More importantly, as a commercial city lawyer I will gain experience in dealing with a diverse range of clients which will improve my commercial background and resultantly my ability to deliver effective and timely solutions to individual client needs.

I am attracted to Salans LLP by the relatively small number of trainee intake which I feel will offer me bespoke training that is individually tailored to my interests, experience and aptitude. More importantly, I will receive the excitement and challenge of working on high value, complex transactions and disputes, in the size of office where everyone knows who you are. For me this will mean getting involved in real work from the start whereby I will be able to add something to the cases I work on. This environment will unquestionably foster my professional and personal growth in my capacity as a lawyer.

What distinguishes Salans LLP from other law firms is that it operates a very integrated and client focused service in US, UK and [language] 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 refusal to supply interoperability data by Microsoft to its competitors was held to be an abuse of a dominant position. 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 taking the next step of working at Salans LLP I will not only get an opportunity to learn new jurisdictions in an office where everyone knows who you are but will also assume early responsibility to add value to the firm through my outstanding ability to build and maintain personal and professional relationships.

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. I have also proved to be an excellent team player with an entrepreneurial perspective when working on complex legal matters. This was successfully demonstrated in me opening an on-campus [Sport] club which has not been done for over sixty years. My ambition and perseverance to achieve excellence and precision in all tasks I undertake coupled with my fluency in [language], English and [language] would make me a valuable asset when working on national and cross-border transactions.

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]