Seddons Solicitors Training Contract Application Example Answers

What experiences have influenced your decision to practise law?

At university, I enjoyed applying and manipulating black-letter law to hypothetical scenarios during my modules and mooting competitions because it stimulated my intellectual curiosity since every situation was never the same and required a different approach. I have decided to become a solicitor whilst working as a paralegal at several law firms. I enjoyed the process of working in diverse teams to refine and solve complex problems. This teamwork presented me with multiple angles to the problem and allowed me to develop my own perspective. This effectively allowed me to use my initiative to progress the case and enabled me to understand how my actions contribute to the case. I was very fascinated by exposure not only to law but also different business structures that required different solutions. I enjoyed the process of dissecting and analysing the intricate details of businesses to identify the problem areas and then applying and manipulating law to meet the commercial requirements of the clients. At [Law Firm Name], I realised that I wanted to become a solicitor after attending a board of directors EGM in Amsterdam. I enjoyed thinking on my feet and applying commercial acumen to respond to imminent problems as this made my work environment challenging and stimulating. At [Law Firm Name], I collaborated with lawyers from across the London and [city] offices. I was very fascinated by the multi-jurisdictional elements of the case as it allowed me to take multiple angles to the problem and form my own view.

Why do you think you are suited to working at seddons?

I am very resilient, enjoy new challenges and have a steep learning curve. For over ten years, I represented my local borough in amateur [Sport] bouts and won a gold medal for England in the [tournament name].

I am suited to working at Seddons because I possess strong teamwork and communication skills which will enable me to work in teams on common projects. At [Law Firm Name], I operated in a team when conducting document review during the disclosure stage. In order to meet a tight deadline, I was required to closely collaborate 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 skill sets within the team. I demonstrated a capacity to lead and motivate the team whilst taking into account the views of team members.

I am commercially aware and have strong problem-solving skills which will allow me to offer solutions to most complex commercial problems facing the firm’s clients. At [Law Firm Name] I attended a Board of Directors EGM in my capacity as an interpreter between a [language] client and English and Dutch solicitors. At the EGM, I was required to think on my feet and see things from a business perspective and always align myself with client’s commercial objectives. By the end of the meeting, the solicitors had a clear understanding of the needs of the client and were able to proceed to the next stage.

I possess good attention to detail and organisational skills which will enable me to perform multiple tasks accurately and to tight deadlines. At [Law Firm Name], I demonstrated meticulous attention to detail and organisational skills when cross-referencing expert valuation reports against the court’s database. I was very discerning and structured and prioritised my work because I had to sift through a vast amount of technical information and ensure that all references corresponded to the content of the report.

I possess good client-facing skills and at [Law Firm Name], I was the first port of contact for a [language] client. I constantly corresponded with the client, participated in all meetings and conference calls and accompanied the client to a Board of Directors EGM. My good client-facing skills will enable me to successfully deal with a diverse base of private clients as well as businesses.

I am versatile and have an innovative approach to find new angles of addressing problems. Last year, I have pioneered the [University] Amateur [Sport] Club for the first time in fifty years after finding a new way of surmounting all obstacles.

Describe a significant challenge that you have faced within the last 2 years

I should be offered a training contract because I possess outstanding interpersonal skills and commercial acumen. At [Law Firm Name], I assisted on a shareholder dispute in a joint venture vehicle. I attended a Board of Directors EGM of a joint venture in Amsterdam in my capacity as an interpreter between clients and overseas solicitors. I successfully managed the meeting and demonstrated initiative. I applied a sharp analytical mind to explain complex issues in a simple language and made sense of a very complicated situation. I demonstrated lateral thinking and always aligned myself with client’s commercial objectives. At the end of the meeting, the solicitors were more informed of the client’s problem which allowed them to act more swiftly.