Q & A Evening: Training Contracts and Beyond

Law Simplified proudly presents ‘Q & A Evening; Training contracts and Beyond.’
We were recently joined by leading Senior Associates and a Partner from top international law firms to answer your questions about training contracts and beyond.
Our panel comprised of Sohail Ali (Partner at DLA Piper), Mandeep Chima (Senior Associate at Shoosmiths) and Omar Shafi (Senior Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills) who have considerable years of practising experience!
They answered questions about training contract applications/interviews, life after training, commercial realities of being associates and they provided tips on establishing successful careers.
This event was for aspiring solicitors, training contract offer holders and junior solicitors.
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* Introductions: 01:07- 9:02
* How do we distinguish between training contracts at different law firms? 09:17-12:27
* What resources should we use to research law firms? 12:28- 16:49
* LPC V SQE? 16:49-21:25
* What extra-curricular activities or other experiences should we undertake to stand out? 21:26- 27:19
*Thoughts on in-house training contracts and can we move over to a law firm after that? 27:19 -30:34
* Do law firms put importance on the geographic location of the candidate when deciding whether or not to offer the training contract? 30:35- 37:41
* Are candidate's extenuating circumstances considered by law firms? 37:41-39:03
* Tips for assessment centres and how to stand out from all the other candidates? 39:04- 43:26
*One thing that makes applicants stand out and share your personal experiences of interviewing candidates? 43:27-48:12
*Describe life as an associate after the completion of a training contract? 48:18-58:04
* Tell us the distinction between a senior associate and a legal director, apart from the experience? 58:10- 01:00:23
*What skills/qualities make a good trainee solicitor? 01:00:23- 01:04:01
*Commercial realities of being an associate and are they required to find their own work? 01:04:32- 01:09:05
*In light of the increase in the disciplinary action taken against solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, what support is available from the firm? 01:09:08-01:12:24
* Tell us about the reciprocal mentoring scheme at Shoosmiths? 01:12:31-01:16:04
Quick fire-round/ free-style questions open to all panellists: 01:16:04- 01:27:37
*Anything you wish you knew, either about the profession or the training, before joining your respective firms/ becoming solicitors?
*One thing you would do differently if you could start your professional journey again?
*Any last tips for anyone due to undertake their training contract interview?
Closing comments: 01:27:38 - 01:31:57
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A special thanks to our panel members for giving up their evening to join us.
Connect with Sohail Ali, Partner at DLA Piper:
/ sohail-ali-348315b
Connect with Mandeep Chima, Senior Associate at Shoosmiths:
/ mandeep-chima-334a9714
Connect with Omar Shafi, Senior Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills:
/ oshafi
Connect with Jaslin Kaur (Host):
/ jaslinkaur
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