How to research a law firm for your application

In this video, I go over how you can research law firms before sending off your training contract or vacation scheme applications. This is a really important step in the application process as without good research, you won't be able to write a strong and tailored application. So think of the research stage as the foundation of the whole application. 🔎
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. Use the comments section to let me know what topics you want me to cover. I respond to every comment I get!
Also, here are all the links that I mention in the video too:
1️⃣ OVERVIEW
- www.legalcheek.com/the-firms-...
- www.lex100.com/firm-profiles/
- www.chambersstudent.co.uk/law...
- www.thelawyer.com/firms-a-z/
2️⃣ INDUSTRY POSITION
Practice area strengths:
- www.legal500.com/
- chambers.com/
Deals:
- Law firm's own website
Global Presence:
- Law firm's own website
- Search "[Firm's name] Global Strategy"
Financial Information:
- Search "[Firm's name] Annual Report"
News:
- www.lawgazette.co.uk/
- www.thelawyer.com/
- www.law.com/international-edi...
- www.google.co.uk/alerts
3️⃣ TRAINEE EXPERIENCE
Culture:
- Network, network, network
- Follow the firm on social media
Training Contract Structure:
- Law firm's own website
Diversity Statistics:
- Search "[Firm's name] Diversity Statistics"
-
Harry Clark's blog: harryclarklaw.com/resources/
🤔 WHO AM I:
I'm Idin, a qualified lawyer in New York. I'm also on the road to qualification in the UK at a commercial firm in London.
👥 FLOWHUDDLE:
I also founded FlowHuddle - a community supporting you to enter a career in law. If you want to check that out, head over to www.flowhuddle.com/.
💌 GET IN TOUCH:
You can follow me on my Instagram page @idinsabahipour ( / idinsabahipour ) to keep up to date with what I'm doing, day-to-day. If you have you have any longer queries, email me at [e-mail]

[@saarakhaliq7596]

So so useful! Thank you!!

[@yemisworld777]

Thank you so much for this video! So helpful and has definitely helped me kickstart my research, can't wait for more videos! Could you make a video on how to answer "how does firm x differ from its competitors?" and how to research this properly? Thank you

[@ASeSkater]

So much value in these videos Idin! Thanks

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks so much!
I'm glad you're finding them useful.

[@ariansarrafan6665]

Perfect, just what I needed :)

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks! Great to hear you found it useful.

[@wholelottabooks3151]

The video is super concise and useful. Thank you so much!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks for watching the video - I'm glad it was useful 🙏

[@yohaanabraham1869]

Thank you Idin! Great video :)

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks, Yohaan.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@thatnaijbabe]

Thank you so much. This was really useful.

[@IdinSabahipour]

You're welcome, Foyin. I'm really glad you found it useful!

[@AkaPredator1]

Quality video bro, thanks for the sources. 🙏🏻

[@IdinSabahipour]

Glad it was helpful 🙏

[@andrecaptures]

Really great video Idin. This provides some structure to my research as to what is relevant and what is not. Look forward to more content

[@IdinSabahipour]

Glad you found it useful, André!

[@noahparfitt5151]

Loving the content!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Cheers, big man! 💪

[@Ama-ku6zq]

Thank you so much for this Idin! You’ve really opened the door for me to start my applications process, subscribed and can’t wait for more videos! 👍🏾

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks so much Amanda!
If you have any suggestions for video topics, just send me a message on Instagram.

[@Ddaanon]

This is such a great guide, thank you. Will definitely have a look at these sources. Also, the editing looks so good!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@dersatic9994]

Great video. Succinct, informative and engaging. Thanks

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks so much!
Really glad you found it useful.

[@kindermist_5779]

an actual gem of a video thank you so much for this in-depth walk through, ill be referring to this regularly !!

[@IdinSabahipour]

That's too kind, thank you for watching!

[@dzifaahorlu1512]

So useful thank you!

[@IdinSabahipour]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it was useful.

[@bukolao632]

I am currently doing some research on a magic circle law firm and this video is very insightful. Thanks Idin.

[@IdinSabahipour]

I'm so glad it's helpful, Bukky!

[@fmm2371]

OMG, this has been a godsend

[@IdinSabahipour]

🙏 I'm glad it's been able to help you out!

[@kevinhenry5097]

Idin the video, defining commercial law was very good!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks, Kevin! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@phoebeanderson4705]

This was really helpful! I’d love a video on networking:)

[@IdinSabahipour]

I'm glad you found it helpful, Phoebe!
I'll add that to the list. I think it'll be a useful one to cover.

[@hasanahmed4700]

Legend

[@salonishah8585]

Hi Idin, another great video - thank you! 😊Could you do a video on how to get better at the Watson Glaser? Thank you!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks so much, Saloni.
For sure. I've got it down on my list already!

[@evangelineinyang2378]

These videos are so helpful! Currently trying to research firms and felt a little overwhelmed. Thanks for this useful breakdown!

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks so much - I'm glad you're finding them helpful!

[@tobyf6414]

Hiya, thanks for this video it has been really useful. I just wanted to ask regarding what you said about how reading recent firm news can help you understand their place in the legal market (at 7:16). This is useful although how do I use that information to make a judgement about the firm's position in the legal market? Would I be able to draw conclusions such as: "because a firm has recently appointed one of their lawyers to partner level in their dispute resolution team, it is clear that the firm believes dispute resolution to be one of their growing sectors and possible future strengths"? Can I go further than this? Should I take anything else into account, such as downsizing, or perhaps the location of a newly-opened office and if this affects their future strategy depending on that office's location? Thanks for all the help :)

[@shreyasharma9903]

This is exactly what I needed, thank you! When do you think is the ideal time to start researching?

[@IdinSabahipour]

You're welcome, Shreya! 🙏
I'm glad it was useful.
Honestly, I'd say to start the research as early as possible. I always suggest trying to get your application in as early as possible after the applications open.

[@kim-lusteenkamp4866]

For South African law students, our African firms may not be listed here, so head over to Legal 500 and Chambers

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks for adding that info, Kim-Lu!

[@adz_888]

Thank you for this great video! How would you discuss a deal that you have researched in your application.

[@IdinSabahipour]

I can make a video on that, if you'd be interested!

[@adz_888]

Idin Sabahipour yes please! That would be great.

[@sanjusunil1369]

1• How to get into a law firm?
2• What are the essential skills to be needed for a law student to develop in law school to get into tire 1 law firms?

[@IdinSabahipour]

Thanks Sanju!
How to get into a law firm depends on the application process of the firm. So, that's what I'm trying to focus my recent videos on to help with! Are there specific things you'd want more info about?

[@Mon1ker41]

Can you do a video on a law firms client focus.

[@IdinSabahipour]

Hey Aniekan!
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm always looking for new topics for videos. Are you asking about how law firms serve their clients specifically or how they get clients?
Let me know and I'll add it to my list of topics!

[@onyi__]

Hey Idin, what are some good questions to ask law firm employees while networking? Good, substantial questions whose answers will actually bolster your application when you eventually apply to the firm.

[@IdinSabahipour]

Great question, @onyi__ - I'll make a video on this

[@onyi__]

@@IdinSabahipour thanks so much! Cause I need tips asap😭