Why do you want to be a lawyer? A Model Answer

Give details of how you spend your extra curricular time, including your contribution to any clubs/societies. For at least one of these explain the benefits you derive from this activity.

I have been a very zealous member of the ‘[society]’ society. In the past I have been in projects aimed to save electricity and helping the local wildlife, such as switching off unused computers in the library during vacation breaks. In January [year], I have successfully started an on-campus [Sport] club which has been unsuccessfully attempted for over fifty years. I am currently the president of the society and have the responsibility of managing ten executives and coordinating the overall strategy and direction of the club in its teething period. I am a very active executive of the [language] Speaking Society where I am actively organising cultural events such as the [celebration], [language] [national celebration], [language] Winter Party just to name a few. As a member of the [language] Speaking Society I have managed to improve my [language]. This has made it easier for me to interchange between [language], [language] and English, which therefore allows me to communicate fluently to a broad range of individuals from different cultures. I am the Student-Staff Liaison Committee member for the third year law students and actively exercise my commitment to the legal profession by maintain a social dialogue between the students and staff of the law school. On a sportier note, I have won a gold medal for England in the Four Nations amateur [Sport] tournament. I am a member of the [university] [sport] club and have been selected to play in the [sport] National Championships last summer.

Describe a position of responsibility you have held. What did you learn about yourself and your impact on others?

I am the Student-Staff Liaison Committee member for the third year law students and actively exercise my commitment to the legal profession by maintain a social dialogue between the students and staff of the law school. Every term I had to attend numerous meetings with the staff to raise any concerns the students have about the operation of the law school. I found myself to be very receptive and open to suggestions from other students on ways to improve the law school. At the meetings with the staff, I found that I was able to put my point across clearly and persuasively. I successfully opposed a 5% budget cut on law books in the library and have persuaded the law school to have more revision sessions right before the exams. I found that I have managed to raise a large number of student concerns at the meetings successfully. For me this was both personally and professionally rewarding as I have made a difference to law students both individually and collectively.

By reference to other careers, explain why law would be your chosen career.

Initially I had thought of becoming an entrepreneur as I am very creative and innovative. From an early age I found that I did very well at car boot sales and market stalls. Having worked for [Bank] during my summer work experience I especially enjoyed meeting new people and working in a team. This proved to be an important motivating factor for me. I then became interested in becoming a solicitor at a commercial law firm 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.