LCN masterclass review: researching law firms

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Researching law firms is a crucial step when applying for vacation schemes or training contracts in the legal industry. Thorough research can help gain valuable insight into a firm's culture, values, work/life balance, practice areas, clients, and other important factors that could influence your career development.

To provide valuable guidance on this topic, LawCareers.Net recently hosted a virtual masterclass event, sponsored by Bristows LLP,  Jones Day and White & Case LLP. The event featured a panel discussion with three experts in the legal industry, who shared their insights and advice on how to effectively research law firms. The panellists comprised:

• Olivia Coppin, assistant – trainee recruitment & development at Jones Day;
• Luca Cericola, trainee solicitor at Bristows; and
• Ali Obeid, trainee solicitor at White & Case.

During the discussion, the speakers shared their insights and advice on how to effectively research law firms and provided tips on how to network with law firm representatives and prepare for the autumn term. This article will provide a brief overview of the topics covered and the panellists' key takeaways.

The importance of thorough research before applying to law firms

All speakers emphasised the importance of researching law firms before making an application.

Olivia Coppin explained that the research stage is often overlooked, with many applicants thinking that they can simply fill in their details on an application form and be done. However, Olivia stressed that doing the groundwork before beginning the application form itself is crucial.

There’s more on researching firms in this Feature: ‘How to research law firms when applying for vacation schemes’.

Olivia highlighted that this is a great time to start thinking about researching different law firms, as it can be difficult to find the time during busier periods, particularly when there are lots of networking events taking place. She encouraged applicants to take quality time to research firms, as this can help in understanding the different types of firms out there and identifying specific attributes that interest you. By doing so, you can tailor your applications to each firm you’re applying to, increasing your chances of success.

Ali Obeid shared his personal experience of applying for vacation schemes and training contracts in his second year of university, highlighting how research was his foundation. Ali used a useful analogy of a key that tries to unlock every lock in the world is bound to fail – just like applying to every law firm without researching them thoroughly won’t bode well.

He emphasised that each law firm is unique, just like a lock, and therefore requires a tailored approach. To open the door to a successful application, candidates must find the key that fits the specific lock of each law firm, which can only be achieved through detailed research. This research involves attending events, networking with people, and understanding what sets each firm apart from its competitors.

Luca Cericola added that research is not only important for you to differentiate yourself in your applications, but also to figure out whether a particular law firm is a good fit for you. By researching different law firms, you can gain insights into the areas of law that interest you and the firms that align with your values and goals. Luca stressed that research is crucial in making an informed decision when it comes to selecting to which law firms you should apply.

Starting the research process: basic tips and resources

When it comes to starting your law firm research, the panellists offered varying perspectives. Olivia suggested that a good starting point for researching law firms is to begin with their websites, which can help applicants navigate through the overwhelming amount of information available. Luca recommended setting criteria that’s important to you, such as the firm's culture, type of work or clients, and using various resources, including the firm's website and LawCareers.Net, to gather information about each firm.

Ali stated that applicants can start by using deal size as a differentiator, googling the firm names and recent deals and then researching the deals in depth, using resources such as Finimize and BBC News. He also suggested considering other firms that compete with the one you're interested in and researching those before an interview, as that’s a common question.

Making the most of networking opportunities

The panellists provided advice on how to make the most out of networking interactions, whether in person or virtual. Olivia believes that any engagement with a law firm, whether in person or online, is valuable. Networking events are a great way to get a feel for a firm, and it's important to introduce yourself to people, make connections, and ask questions that are important to you. Luca advised that it's vital to be respectful and tailor the message to the individual when reaching out to fee earners from top firms via LinkedIn and email. If you do get the opportunity to talk to those people, whether virtually or in person, it's the best chance to network and find out about the firm and its work.

You can hear from lawyers at top law firms, including their work areas and insight into the firm’s culture and values, in LawCareers.Net’s Meet the Lawyer profiles.

Understanding unique aspects of different law firms

When it comes to applying to specific firms, the panellists provided insight into what applicants should know. Olivia mentioned that each firm has many aspects to consider, but she highlighted one unique aspect about Jones Day that applicants should know: the firm’s lack of a traditional seat system during the training programme. Ali categorised law firms into two main groups – UK firms and US firms – but emphasised that firms cannot be purely categorised based on their jurisdiction. He also highlighted White & Case’s focus on growth in London. Luca detailed several unique selling points of his firm, Bristows, including its lack of billing targets.

Determining your preferred practice area and finding the right fit

When tailoring applications, many applicants wonder if they need to have a clear specialisation in mind. Olivia addressed this concern, assuring applicants that keeping an open mind is perfectly acceptable and encouraged, especially at Jones Day. She recommended researching aspects of interest to include in applications and interviews, emphasising  the importance of understanding the types of seats and practice areas available at the firm. She also highlighted the need to strike a balance between open-mindedness and being informed.

Olivia also suggested that candidates don’t need to pledge their allegiance to a specific firm. Being transparent about other applications, particularly to competitor firms, is acceptable and demonstrates a candidate's understanding of the firm's market position. She recommended that candidates create a shortlist of targeted firms and articulate their reasons for choosing those firms, showcasing their understanding and commitment during the interview process.

Ali discussed how he and Luca approached their training contract applications differently and emphasised that there’s no one type of person who gets a training contract. If an applicant knows what they want to do or has an idea, they can go to firms that specialise in that area and back it up with evidence from their degree and learning. However, if an applicant is unsure, it's safer to apply to firms that encompass multiple practice areas and hopefully find their calling that way. Ali shared that he wasn't 100% sure on his preferred practice area, but showed interest in equity finance through mentioning a specific IPO that White & Case had issued in his application.

Luca, initially interested in patent litigation, remained open minded and researched both IP solicitor and patent attorney routes. Utilising his biochemistry background, he applied to leading IP and full-service firms with multiple practice areas. While having a specific interest helped in the application process, staying open minded during the Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course and seat rotations proved essential, allowing him to explore each practice area without pressure.

Interested in IP law? Take a look at our Practice Area Profile on this work area, sponsored by Bristows.

To determine a firm's suitability, Luca recommended using online resources for insights into a firm’s culture and suggested scheduling conversations with those who’ve completed or are undergoing training contracts, as word of mouth feedback is most valuable. Researching clients and developments within relevant sectors can give insights into the challenges and considerations legal advisors might face, which can prove beneficial when demonstrating understanding and analytical skills during interviews.

Demonstrating commercial awareness

Olivia stressed that to demonstrate commercial awareness during the recruitment process, it's important to understand that different firms have varying approaches to explicitly testing it. Jones Day, for example, prefers to ask broad questions in interviews to allow candidates to take the conversation in the direction that interests them.

It's crucial to show second-level thinking by not just regurgitating facts, but by demonstrating an understanding of how current events may impact the firm and what risks may arise. Authenticity is key, and it's better to talk about a topic that genuinely interests you rather than trying to fake interest in a subject you know nothing about. The lawyers interviewing you understand that everyone’s on a journey to develop commercial awareness and are looking for candidates who can demonstrate their potential.

Stay tuned for future masterclass events run by LawCareers.Net by keeping up with our Events page.

Alin George Ilinca (he/him) is a future accelerated LLB student at The University of Law.