Winston and Strawn Training Contract Interview Preparation
Why do you want to be a solicitor?
I want to be a solicitor because I will receive exposure not only to law but also to many businesses of all shapes and sizes operating in diverse sectors. With the globalisation of commerce, I will be presented with increasingly complex problems spanning many areas of law, industries and borders which will require me to think laterally and manipulate and apply law creatively to devise successful solutions for clients which will make my work environment highly stimulating and rewarding. I am very attracted by the prospect of working in integrated teams on an international platform because this will expose me to interesting perspectives, allow me to see the bigger picture of the case and allow me to build a network of contacts.
At [Law Firm Name], I especially enjoyed working in teams across different time zones to solve commercial problems. This produced more interesting work, greater variety and a wider group of experts to learn from which made my work environment stimulating and rewarding.
What other careers/options did you consider?
What are you doing at the moment?
What attracts you to the legal profession?
Tell us about yourself?
What do you feel you gained during your employment?
What attracts you to Winston & Strawn?
-Relatively small size of the London office -> work more personal -> higher levels of responsibility & steeper learning curve-> in the process, broad exposure across the firm’s different practice areas. This will allow me to view different laws and make a great contribution to the growth of the London office – will make my work stimulating and rewarding ->develop into a well-rounded lawyer.
-firm’s strong global capabilities -> wide scope for cross-border work - 1,000 attorneys among 15 offices- expose me to complex cross-jurisdictional problems and enable me to operate in diverse teams across the firm’s different offices. I will be involved in every type of business-related legal issue- enable me to view matters from many different perspectives and think laterally to push border and set new standards.
- culture of teamwork and collaboration- allow me to constantly learn from a wide pool of experts and receive every step of the way/ more scope to make a daily contribution on important matters.
What sets Winston & Strawn London apart from other firms is its culture of teamwork and collaboration which will enable me to receive exposure to high quality and exciting work across the firm and according to the needs of the clients. This will enable me to pursue my interests freely and provide me with a broad exposure which will ultimately help me to realise my full potential and develop into a leading solicitor.
What other firms have you applied to?
Which practice areas of the firm are you interested in?
Tell us about an issue in which you are interested?
Tell us about an article you have read and why it interested you.
Tell us about a recent change in the law and why it interested you.
Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?
Why did you choose to read law at [university]?
Which module did you enjoy most and why?
What experience and skills have you acquired during your employment?
Why should we choose you?
What are you main strengths and weaknesses?
Give us an example where you have demonstrated:
-Teamwork skills
-Problem solving skills
Tell us about an occasion when you were presented with a difficult situation and how did you deal with it?
What do clients expect from their solicitors?
Who would be your most ideal client?
What do you do in your spare time?
