Questions:
1. Are you inquisitive, with an interest in the wider world?
2. Why do you think you will be successful as a commercial lawyer?
Answers:
1. Bird & Bird is an intentional law firm with offices in Europe, Middle East and Asia dealing with commercial matters. The lawyers at Bird & Bird have great commercial knowledge along with intentional reach which makes it easier for them to solve the commercial issues of their clients (Bird and Bird 2016). According to me, the primary advantage of the Bird & Bird Law Firm is its intentional approach in dealing with matter which ensures their clients that country borders should not restrict their business aspirations. As a person, I believe international exposure is very important which made me travel to different countries for exchange programmes. My experience of these programmes made me realize the importance the international approach and how percept gets wider when one has the ability to think globally.
In my opinion I am a positive thinker which makes it easier for me to build relationships. In the past, I have headed a cultural festival which was organized by my university. In my experience as the head of a cultural fest, I build good relationships with fellow students and teachers who helped me with the festival and I learn that building relationships requires many skills like keeping promises, share accomplishments which in return sharpens one’s social skills. I believe that handling real clients with commercial problems will be a little complex but with my past experiences of heading a cultural festival and working as a volunteer for many non- profit organizations, I believe, I will be good in maintain constructive relationships. I am sure handling a client will differ in many ways however I believe I am prepared to take the challenge with a guarantee of success. In my opinion, the nature of work should never change your attitude to build strong client and colleges relationships although different clients with different issues have to be handled differently. For example, contentious matters require more patience especially when difference of opinion arises. In such situations, it I the duty of a good lawyer to make his client understand complex issues with simple understanding which in return will help to build strong relationship (Mayson 2011).
In my opinion, the precept Bird & Bird adopts in relation to building constructive relationship is to ensure that clients are treated in a manner which forces them to return to the firm with potential commercial issues they face based on excellent services provided in the past along with innovations in the manner services are provided via online tools.
The lawyers at Bird & Bird have expertise in intellectual property laws and have certain high-profile clients like Microsoft, BT, EE, Swiss cycling clothing company Assos, Adobe, Samsung, Nokia, Air Canada, governmental bodies and celebrities, etc (Bird and Bird 2016). The cases which settle intellectual property matters involving millions of dollar are considered high profile. However, the clients which interest me the most are Arsenal and the Premier League. I have great interest and knowledge about the English Premier League which I feel will help me understand and handle cases in relation to the same. However, I am not restricted to just intellectual property cases and wish to handle cases in relation to automotive, banking and finance, aviation and information technology.
As a student, I have always been one of the toppers at all levels of education. I have secured excellent grades in university and Law College. As I graduated as an science student before joining Law college, I come from science background similar to the 75% IP lawyers working with Bird & Bird. Additionally, due to my exchange programme, I speak and understand French.
I think my past experience as a head of university festival has made me handle responsibility very efficiently. I am this past experience is going to help me handle responsibility and make me accountable for my actions. As a graduate trainee in Bird & Bird, I ensure I will handle all responsibilities attached to my position with due diligence.
2. As a student, I have always been an A-grader who has secured excellent grades not just at Law College but all throughout life. Additionally, I played football at university level. Thus, along with good academic records, I had interest in extra-curricular activities which taught me the skill of team which I feel is required to work as a commercial lawyer. A lawyer is required to have great communication skills along with leadership skills, and in my opinion, I believe I have always been a very confident and extrovert person possessing the skills and qualities of being a great orator along with leadership skills which I acquired during my past experience of heading a cultural festival. These skills will eventually help me to develop strong relationships with my fellow colleagues and client which is an essential quality of successful commercial lawyers. The ability of a lawyer to interact and connect with his clients in order to develop lasting relationships and explain them complex commercial issues with simplicity defines the success of every lawyer and I believe, I posses the said qualities which can make a good commercial lawyer. I also believe that success is reached when one can make the Law Firm in which he works achieve great profits; this is achieved with the ability to serve the clients with quick, accurate solutions to their issues along with building a strong bond with them which forces them to return for potential issues. Additionally, I have worked as an intern with different law firms and handled different cases often which made me communicate with individuals of different countries which will help me work as a graduate trainee at Bird & Bird. Additionally, my knowledge of law and different legal doctrines used globally is very clear which helps me interpret law very easily and clearly, this is the ability is required in every good commercial lawyer. Thus, in my opinion, I believe I possess all the qualities and skill which are essentially required in a good successful lawyer and I believe that working as a graduate trainee in Bird & Bird will sharpen my skills and knowledge in achieving my goal to be a good successful commercial lawyer.
Reference List
Bird & Bird. (2016). Bird & Bird – International Law Firm. [online] Available at: http://www.twobirds.com/ [Accessed 25 Jul. 2016].
Mayson, S., 2011. The education and training of solicitors: time for change.The Law Teacher, 45(3), pp.278-293.
