For its second year running, the day was packed with useful and insightful workshops, led by various partnering firms.
Gideon – Linklaters
Managing partner at Linklaters, Gideon shared some of the unique aspects of the firm. This includes the diversity and inclusion initiatives taken such as reverse mentoring, INSpire Minority Ethnic Talent programme and women’s leadership programme.
Gideon also differentiated between the purpose of a firm and the outcome. The outcomes include making profit and giving your clients advice but the purpose is to make a change within society and deliver legal certainty.
Angela – Allen & Overy
Partner and Co-head of the Global Financial Institutions Group, Angela discussed innovation within legal services in great detail. Clients demand their costs to be managed thoughtfully, improve their user experience and better application of data and analysis by managing risk.
In order to embrace innovation, there needs to be a culture created within the firm which is led by the talent that is recruited within the firm. Such talent needs to have:
Mental agility – critical thinking
Change agility – innovation, adaptability
People agility – collaboration, emotional intelligence
Solutions agility – resilience and drive
James – BCLP
This was an extremely interesting workshop, in my opinion as I enjoy real estate. James Banks, senior associate in Real Estate, led an anatomy of a deal workshop which takes us through a transaction:
Identify whether it is marketed or off-market – if it is marketed, there will be a brochure with materials, which are usually collated by Estate Agents
Heads of terms – these set out the principal terms of the transaction but they are not binding
Under offer – this is where lawyers draft and negotiate on the sale/purchase transaction. Any risks need to be identified and communicated to the client.
Signing/Exchange – If there is a deposit, it will be paid now, which is usually 10%.
Pre-completion – Depending on if you act for the buyer or seller, the solicitor will ensure that any obligations are fulfilled. Documents are to be prepared for completion.
Completion – Monies are transferred and company documents are dated. Deal done!
Post-completion – Land Registry and Companies House registration is completed.
At all stages, the lawyer must mitigate risk for the client.
David – Travers Smith
Managing partner for the last 5 years, David shares his reflections on the last 30 years at Travers Smith. The firm’s values are:
Driven
Intelligent
Collaborative
Engaging
As a one-London office firm, Travers Smith stands out against its competitors. It recently rolled out its new brand and logo with a O sign that reflects its clients being at the centre of what they do and 360° view wherever their clients need them.
Factors which distinguish the firm are commitment, it’s international deals and work and independence. As part of its CSR, TS Dispute team undertook 500 hours of pro bono work this year.
Jaysen – The Corporate Law Academy
The founder of TCLA, Jaysen led a useful workshop on successful applications. His advice is that you can learn application techniques to ensure that you sell yourself on paper.
Why commercial law? = This requires clear reasons which is backed up with evidence. If you understand what commercial lawyers do, you can use these factors but do not simply describe what they do!
Why are you applying to this firm? = Differentiate the firm and do not tell the firm what it already knows – state why these favourable facts are interesting to you and how they apply to you.
Why you? = use specific details and examples of why the firm should recruit you.
ความคิดเห็น