What do you feel are the major challenges currently facing commercial law firms?

Please summarise why you have chosen a career in law and the factors you considered when deciding which firms to apply to.*

I am interested in becoming a solicitor because it will allow me to assume the role of a project manager and will vest me with early responsibility. Having worked at [law firm], I found my interest in corporate and commercial law and realised that it would suit my energetic and convivial personality. 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.

When applying to firms the seats arrangement was vital. I feel that I am most suited for Nabarro because it has staggering six seats and a possibility of a secondment to Brussels. The fact that the training is done in the core areas suggests that the Nabarro will provide me with most relevant skills to become a successful solicitor in today’s competitive economy.

In the past two years our applications have doubled. What qualities do you believe make you stand out from the crowd and why should you be on our interview shortlist? (200 words)*

Having lived in the United States, United Kingdom, [country] and [country] I have grown up with a deep interest in other cultures and values. This has helped me to become a very flexible individual and increased my sensitivity and empathy. I can also freely interchange between [language], English and [language] languages, which would therefore allow me to provide first-class client service when dealing with international clients. Undertaking a training contract with Nabarro would provide me with an opportunity to provide a seamless service across geographic boundaries.

I have an ability to communicate a point across very clearly and to persuade others. This year I have finally (and for the first time in sixty years) have managed to start up an on-campus amateur [Sport] club. However, I have managed to persuasively and successfully communicate my petition for a [Sport] club to the management thus removing any entrenched prejudices.

I am very disciplined and have excellent time-management and organisational skills which will allow me to accomplish tasks on time and meet deadlines. Last year I have successfully organised and managed a New Year’s party for the [university] [language] Speaking Society by successfully liaising with other executives and effectively coordinating resources.

Our brand promise is 'clarity matters'. Please explain how you believe this relates to the role of a trainee solicitor.*

Clarity carries and association of transparency and simplicity. A trainee solicitor is at a stage of transition to becoming a qualified solicitor. In order to make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible it is important that the learning experience is a steep one and that the trainee solicitor understands what they are working on. The brand promise ‘clarity matters’ is relevant to the trainee in that the trainee is given a lot of support and consultation at their early stages of their career. This support is vital in ensuring that the trainee has a full understanding of core practice areas before they can assume more responsibility.

What do you feel are the major challenges currently facing commercial law firms? *

I feel that one of the major challenges for law firms is globalisation. Increasingly, business and investments are being conducted in multiple jurisdictions. This requires law firms to meet the requirements and needs of international investors by providing a seamless service in a savvy and focused way. This essentially requires commercial law firms to have good sectoral expertise and commercial awareness to be able to deliver successful solutions to clients. Multi-jurisdictional issues require a greater degree of communication that can take part in a number of different offices both locally and abroad. To be able to communicate to lawyers and clients from different jurisdictions and backgrounds requires increased levels of sensitivity and flexibility to be able to effectively and persuasively communicate a point across as well as to ensure a smooth delivery of a solution. It is therefore preferable to have a diverse and multi-lingual workforce. An example to illustrate this is the emergence of the Eastern European and [language] markets in the telecom and energy sectors specifically.