Hi everyone!
In case you have not read the “About” section of my website yet, I initially embarked on a career at the Bar and then decided to switch to the solicitor route.
One of the hardest parts about switching was not knowing where to start looking when deciding to apply for training contracts. The aim of this blogpost is to share my own Clifford Chance application to give you an idea of what to expect.
Before you start reading it, it’s important to note two things:
(a) My application below is a culmination of three years of failed applications - Since I had initially gone down the barrister route, I had been applying for pupillage. It took three rounds of unsuccessful pupillage applications to realise that I needed to improve my application technique. I realised that I was not actually bringing out my personality through my applications and factors that were unique about me were not being articulated properly. For example, I studied for two years in Malaysia. I never talked about how my diversity and exposure to different jurisdictions was a strength. After spending a whole month reflecting on why it was a strength, I managed to articulate that in my application below.
(b) From September 2021, there is a new system coming into play called the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (“SQE”). This is the new single, rigorous assessment for all aspiring solicitors. With the new SQE system, a formal traineeship like a training contract will become just one of several ways of gaining the requisite two years of qualifying legal work experience, along with being a paralegal or working in a law clinic. Click here to read more about why this route is a game changer for aspiring solicitors.
MY TRAINING CONTRACT APPLICATION
Please give details of why you feel you would be suited towards a career in law specifically in the Middle East? (Please limit your answer to no more than 150 words)
I believe global exposure is integral to becoming a great lawyer and a career in the Middle East offers varied opportunities to practice cross-jurisdictional law.
Having visited various countries and lived in Kenya, U.A.E and Malaysia, the Middle East appealed to me most as it is rich in culture, opportunity and has increasingly major economies on the global stage. In my opinion, a career here would offer me an entrepreneurial environment and vibrancy like no other.
My diverse background has added to my repertoire in terms of soft skills and sensitsed me to cultural subtleties. I also find adapting to unfamiliar places enthralling. This is evident from my experience in Malaysia, where despite having to study English, Malaysian and Shari’a law and being one of the only three international students in my class of fifty, I was ranked first in Year 1 and 2 and was awarded various subject prizes.
Which area of law is of particular interest to you and why? (Please limit your answer to no more than 150 words)
Project finance is my main interest.
It is diverse and trans-border. Your involvement in advising Star Energy, EGCO and AC Energy on their acquisition of Chevron’s geothermal projects in Indonesia and Philippines, the financing of Kenya Airways Aircrafts and advising a syndicate of Chinese banks on financing of oil shale mines in Jordan, affirms this. This appeals to me as I am intellectually curious.
It is the perfect combination of international and emerging markets. This can be seen from your involvement in advising the lenders for financing Formosa 1 in Taiwan and 174 Power Global for Laguna Solar in Mexico. This offers me an opportunity to put my cross-cultural skills to use.
It is an area which facilitates globalisation, public policy and international relations. Through advising lenders on the financing of the Maamba project in Zambia, you turned a collection of permits, contracts and other promises into vibrant economic undertakings.
You have told us about your academic achievements and work experience and now, in no more than 600 words, we are keen to hear more about you. This should include your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of.
From the age of 13, I have always enjoyed being at the forefront of public activity. I participated in school plays and drama competitions, where I was awarded best actress for three years. These experiences gave me the confidence to represent my school in debates and elocutions, where I was awarded the best speaker in my age group. Through these activities, I improved my ability to articulate analysis clearly, coherently and persuasively.
My debating and leadership qualities did not go unnoticed and I was chosen by my school to participate in international Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. My passion for MUN was soon recognised as I qualified as one of the ten Senior Chairs’ for the biggest MUN conference in East Africa, where I was responsible for maintaining order in an assembly consisting of 3,000 people from across the globe.
Responsibility and the ability to work in a team are other qualities I possess. As such, I believe I was selected as a senior school prefect. I worked with other prefects to raise USD $26,000 for an “End Poverty Campaign” over a period of three months.
I transferred the skills I received from school to University and was successfully elected as President of Taylor’s Law Society, where I was tasked with the responsibility to organise the law ball. A major issue at previous law balls was poor attendance due to expensive tickets and lack of student incentive to attend. I was determined to change this and had to think out of the box to make it a full-house and affordable event. This could only be done by way of subsidy and innovation.
To raise funds, I championed the idea to design and sell law school merchandise, source sponsors and organise different social events. To generate interest in the event, I organised a flash-mob, convinced our university lecturers to perform at the event and had a lucky draw. In the end, we added three additional tables to cater for the excess demand and we made a USD $1,000 profit. This highlights my entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills.
I also possess soft skills. This led to my selection as Student Representative for the Taylor’s Legal Aid Society where I advised clients on landlord-tenant matters under supervision of lecturers.
I had to balance my positions of responsibility at University with my studies and I still managed to be awarded the Best Overall Performer for Year 1 and 2. This demonstrates my ability to multitask, manage my time effectively and thrive in high-pressure environments.
I had initially embarked on a career at the Bar and I believe it was the amalgamation of the skills I received from the above experiences that led to me being awarded a £20,000 scholarship from the prestigious Inner Temple. I was Called to the Bar of England and Wales earlier this year. However, after doing mini-pupillages I realised my skill-set is better suited for a career as a solicitor.
The achievement I am most proud of is attaining a First Class Honours. This is because when I transferred from Taylor’s University to Cardiff University for my final year, I found out that my year in Cardiff would be given one hundred per cent weightage for my degree. This meant that all my previous academic accomplishments would not be taken into account. Despite having only nine months to understand what was expected of me academically, I still managed to attain a First. This demonstrates my tenacity, drive, resilience and ability to deliver results in the most challenging conditions.
My other extra-curricular activities are swimming, playing field hockey, painting, pilates and travelling.
Please provide details below if you are able to read, speak or write any other languages other than English. We are particularly interested to hear about any fluent capability in Arabic. Please state your level of competence in relation to each language e.g. basic, intermediate or fluent (fluent meaning business level).
I am fluent in Swahili, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
I can also read and write Arabic. I believe this foundation will help me pursue my goal of becoming fluent in it by end 2019.