Fatima Mohamed’s Post

🚀 A GLIMPSE INTO LINKLATERS Hi everyone! I’m excited to share that Linklaters has opened applications for their 2025 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. Today, I had the privilege of attending an insightful event hosted by Linklaters and Young Professionals The session offered a deep dive into what it’s like to work as an apprentice at a Magic Circle law firm. Here are the main takeaways, focusing on the firm’s environment and the application process. CULTURE AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Becky McGregor and Malcolm Horton highlighted how Solicitor Apprentices contribute meaningfully to Linklaters, with a strong emphasis on growth and learning: Access to extensive training and resources to support development A steep initial learning curve, but with continuous support and opportunities to advance Practical, hands-on experience where apprentices apply their LLB studies to client work, gaining valuable skills along the way TIPS FOR APPLYING Honor Hawkes, a first-year Solicitor Apprentice, shared her experience from application to starting at Linklaters. Maddie Pennington and Evie Sandwell provided additional insights into the application process, including key questions on the form. Advice: Stay organised by setting internal deadlines to avoid last-minute issues Go beyond the surface—demonstrate real interest in the firm and its values Put yourself out there—network with apprentices and ask thoughtful questions at events Keep an eye out for application masterclasses Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back—believe that you belong here just as much as anyone else Application Questions: 1. Why are you interested in Commercial Law and why Linklaters specifically? 2. What do you know about the Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, and why is it the right fit for you? 3. What unique skills can you bring to the programme? WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A SOLICITOR APPRENTICE Second-year apprentices Saheer Syed and Annabel Kaley discussed their responsibilities and how they balance work and studying at BPP University. Day-to-Day Tasks: Amending and summarising documents for clients Assisting with client signings Conducting research for pitches and internal projects Study Schedule: Weekly 2-hour interactive workshops at BPP, with online preparation work Simulated legal scenarios tied to coursework modules Completing a coursework portfolio while working at the firm A flexible and supportive environment to balance work and study commitments This event was incredibly informative, and I highly recommend it to anyone considering a Solicitor Apprenticeship. Linklaters provides incredible opportunities for growth and success. Huge thanks to the panelists and organisers for an excellent session!

The countdown has begun. ⏱️ In a month, many future lawyers will commence a period of recognised training or an apprenticeship. There are approximately 5,000 training contracts and 1,600 solicitor apprenticeships* available each year (according to the The Law Society). By far the most popular closing question posed by prospective candidates at assessment events and vacation schemes is this: “What makes a good trainee/apprentice?” And here is what I say: 👀 Attention to detail - I know it sounds obvious but honestly it is fundamental. Clients pay a premium for legal advice and small, avoidable mistakes matter. 🗣️ Communication, communication, communication - reply to emails even just to acknowledge receipt, talk to your supervisor (ideally in person but failing that on a video call), ask plenty of questions. Keep your supervisor informed. ❓ Request feedback - there should be regular review points anyway but genuinely take an interest in your development, you are there to learn and you’ll only do that if you understand what the gaps are. 🖐️ Get involved - be part of the culture and fabric of the business. There is a balance to be struck but request details about the networks, resource groups and committees. Why not find something you can contribute to that sets you apart? 🎉 Be enthusiastic - this also means being proactive and demonstrating active listening. Perhaps your are completing a seat that doesn’t float your boat (also wise not to point that out to the people you are working with…) but it still presents an opportunity to learn and build relationships. ⚖️ Manage your workload - don’t avoid asking for assistance if you need help prioritising, far better than suffering in silence as you slowly reach overwhelm. Being organised is important and so is staying focused. 📊 Commerical awareness - they don’t teach this enough in my opinion. Remember you work in a law firm and that it is a business which needs to make money. It amazes me how often this part gets overlooked. And finally, remember that regardless of your route into the profession, your background, age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality etc - YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE THERE. Always remember that. Enjoy the last few weeks of the summer, they will fly by. ☀️ For more information about early careers at Higgs LLP click here 👇👇👇 https://lnkd.in/es_8U_Yv *Apprentices across all years not in one intake. #PeopleDriven #LegalExcellence #FutureLawyers #Trainees #Apprentices The University of Law The College of Legal Practice Aston Law School Birmingham City University Birmingham Law Society University of Birmingham University of Wolverhampton [📸 Image of lined paper with the words “Not long to go!” handwritten in black pen by a right hand.]

🚀Insight to Linklaters from Young Professionals!🚀 I have just recieved my certificate for a recent event with Young Professionals, which gave me a fantastic virtual insight to law at Linklaters!! 🌟To start the webinar we had an introduction from Becky McGregor, a partner at Linklaters, who said that she had been with linklaters for 12 years. She also touched on her route to law, which she had said was academic. This also highlights to me the difference in taking an academic, university only route in comparison to an apprenticeship route which has practical value on a solicitor’s career. ⚖️Next we heard from Malcom Horton, who explained some of the perks of taking a degree apprenticeship, particularly at Linklaters. Something that stood out to me was the fact that it is a global law firm, meaning that you can visit different branches and get different experiences like seeing the world. He also touched on the support available to students like myself. 📚Much of the webinar consisted of current degree apprentices at Linklaters, which was not only a fantastic insight into the company, but also into the firm specifically. I found this extremely interesting as I have participated in similar webinars like the insight to Clifford Chance, which was also presented by Dan Miller at Young Professionals. These webinars have allowed me to have an insight into the legal industry aswell as the different opportunities available at different firms. These degree apprentices included Annabel Kaley, a second year apprentice, Honor Hawkes, who is in her second week at Links and Saheer Syed who practices TMT law. I found this detail particularly interesting as TMT law was something that I had never heard of before. ☘️The webinar also touched on the Watson glaser test and other parts of the apprenticeship application, which I know I will find extremely helpful when it is my time to apply. Some of these helpful and insightful speakers included Maddie Pennington, Francesca Dadzie and Holly Allen. Some of this insight included the use of AI at Linklaters and even in our applications! Finally, the webinar finished with an extremely helpful Q&A session! This entire webinar was great for me as i know that I am interested in commercial law, which is something that Linklaters specialises in. Thankyou so much to all of the speakers and Dan M. At Young Professionals!!

I am happy to share that I have completed the Internship Experience 2024 Commercial Law with Bright Network (IEUK 2024)!!! Through this internship, I completed numerous workshops based on developing soft skills, such being; leadership skills with Joao Martins from Deloitte Early careers, transferable skills with ICAEW Regulation and Conduct and personal and professional branding with Charlotte Sangster from PwC. This was my favourite workshop, learning how to identify and articulate my skills and attributes to help myself be successful in the selection process. The following days we gained insights into different firms. First with Clyde & Co with Ana Paula Favretto was a Junior Associate and Chris Williams an Equity Partner. Through learning about Ana’s journey as a trainee and the support she received transitioning into an associate, along with hearing from Chris Williams we gained a valuable insight into Clyde and Co’s culture. We were also fortunate to complete a work sample with Clyde and Co based on commercial litigation. Our tasks were to assess the dispute and identify the principles of law and if any action can be taken against the defendant, and any corresponding provisions. The remedies the claimant may be entitled to and any defence(s) the defendant may be able to advance. Lastly, drafting a letter to the defendant of the claimant’s potential claim. This activity served as an example of the work I may be asked to do as a trainee. Following completion I reflected on my work, identifying what I did well but also what I could improve in the future. Another sector we got an insight into was family law with Mishcon de Reya LLP with Partner Shona Coffer. Though family law was not on my radar of sectors to enter into, it did peak my interest. Learning about the range of cases they are involved with regarding disputes over inheritance, ownership of family assets, even the dividing of assets in divorce was very interesting as it was personal and relatable. Moreover, hearing about Shona's perspective on candidates in the selection process, in articulating what they find passionate and the importance it has, in order to demonstrate character and personality in interviews was incredibly insightful. I often wonder where the “line” is between being professional along with showcasing your personal brand and showing personality and character. It was great to hear that recruiters and even partners want to hear and know us as people. I want to give a big thank you to the Bright Network team, for putting this amazing internship together and to all the partners involved. Through this internship I was able to network and interact with trainees, associates and partners. I gained an insight into different sectors and firms, along with an understanding of myself in a professional light.

💼 Insight to Slaughter and May I attended Slaughter and May’s Insight to Slaughter and May event yesterday, thank you to Dan M. and @Caira O’ Reilly for the welcome and introduction! 🏢 ❓: All about Slaughter and May (Nick Pacheco) - The international law firm has over 1,500 people globally including 114 partners, one being Nick Pacheco. What sets aside Slaughter and May from different law firms is their 4 key differences; Multi-specialist approach, International strategy, Lack of billing targets and Culture. 📈: Multi-specialist - Nick Pacheco describes how people are judged based on their quality of work and not how long it may take them as they’re client focused and have a breadth and variety of work. 🌍: International strategy - Slaughter and May’s international strategy means they have relationships with market leading firms as they have a shared focus on culture and quality. ⏰: Lack of billing targets - This ensures that within the company there’s no sense of competition within the working environment as there’s no billing targets, emphasising the quality of work. 🧑🧒🧒: Culture - Nick Pacheco describes the employees as going out of their way to support eachother and provide the best service they can to their clients. They have 11 networks and an Innovation Network. 💼: The Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme (Adam Cooke) - The 6 year programme was outlined with 4 additional key factors; Pastoral Care, Training and Skills, Personal Growth, and Integration. Adam Cooke also mentioned having support teams during university which is really comforting to know that you will have support throughout the task of having to juggle work and school. 🗣️: Life as a Trainee Panel (@Natasha Neale, @Kieran Selby, @Olivia Bond, @Tyrese Akinwunmi) - These trainees all talked about how they progressed to becoming a Trainee at @Slaughter and May as well as describing their day to day life at the firm which was an interesting insight! 📝: How to apply? (@Caira O Reilly) - The application was outlined, highlighting how to amend our CV’s, do well on the situational judgement test and the interview process. Thank you Slaughter and May & Young Professionals for this amazing event! #YoungProffesionals

dear linkedln community, I recently attended an enlightening event hosted by A&O Shearman , where I gained valuable insights into their application process for trainees and solicitors. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Application Process: - The process mirrors both vacation schemes (VC) and training contracts (TC). It includes an online application focusing on personal details, academic achievements, and any relevant work experience. - Emphasize what you’ve learned from internships, events, or any practical experience, as there’s no word limit! 2. Interactive Assessment: - The assessment includes situational tests and a video interview. Prepare to answer questions about your motivations for becoming a solicitor, your interest in corporate law, and challenges you’ve overcome. 3. Assessment Centre: - This can be virtual or in-person, featuring case study interviews, scenario-based interviews, and written assessments. Be ready for informal interactions to observe the firm’s culture. 4. What They’re Looking For: - A diverse range of candidates with collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking skills. Commercial awareness is crucial—understanding how businesses operate and how legal support can help them thrive is key. 5. Preparation Resources: - Utilize law career guides, virtual experiences, podcasts, and engage with firms on social media for insights into their operations. One of the highlights was hearing from a trainee solicitor Juliette de Freitas Vile who emphasized the importance of commercial awareness, recommending regular reading of resources like *The Economist* and law-related podcasts. 💡 Advice from her to Aspiring Solicitors: Take the pressure off—setbacks are natural. Use them as learning opportunities and actively engage with mentors and peers for support. As I embark on my journey in law, I’m excited to apply these insights and deepen my understanding of commercial law. #LawCareer #ASolicitorJourney #CommercialAwareness #AOShearman #LegalProfession

Following the opportunity to attend the Linklaters POV workshop at my University, which provided me with an insight into the different areas of practice provided to trainee solicitors, I was able to grow upon this interest today after being an attendee in the First Year Virtual Insight. The Insight provided exclusive information on the application process of the Pathfinder, Vacation Schemes and Training Contract with first hand advice from Linklaters trainees who answered questions with great depth and expertise. The first section of the event involved a Partner introduction from Sam who gave an overview of his experiences at Linklaters as well as information on their practice areas. It was great to hear about Sam's progress into becoming qualified in Banking and the different endeavours taken to succeed within his current position as a Partner. Sam emphasised the value of the Linklaters culture which has a positive influence on teamwork and alliances while working across jurisdictions, with different individuals of varying expertise. The second section was presented by Lisa and Hannah who provided an application and interview workshop which enhanced my knowledge on the process of succeeding in a Linklaters scheme. The pair broke down the different stages involved within the application and gave useful advice on how to prepare for each process as well as the key characteristics and skills which Linklaters looks for in each candidate. The final section involved a Linklaters trainee panel, who answered questions about their unique experiences within their applications as well as their experiences as current trainees. The panel was great at providing specific examples on how to stand out from other candidates and what they each did to prepare for the different application stages and how their research enhanced their interest in practising commercial law at Linklaters. Thank you to Linklaters for providing this event for university students and Daisy Wallace for sharing this opportunity at Southampton!

Hi network, I have received my certificate for completing the Bright Network IEUK Commercial Law Internship. This internship was invaluable to me progressing as a current law student and hopefully qualifying as a future solicitor. I would like to thank Bright Network for the opportunity to participate in the scheme. I would like to thank the Bright Network team, James Uffindell, Hugh Flanagan and Philip Yarrow for the advice you gave us and for your support throughout the scheme. A summary of my experience the internship: It was inspirational to listen to Ajay Kabra overcoming many obstacles to eventually become a partner at PwC UK. Ryan Mairs emphasised the importance of mental resilience. He shared his struggles and how he overcame them. As someone who aspires to work in the demanding and competitive legal sector it was relieving to hear someone say that struggles are not permenant and that life does get better. Charlotte Sangster representing PwC taught us personal branding. Your manners, behaviour and even the little things about you can help you get far in life. You are the best representation of yourself so always be the best version of yourself. The other workshops include Joao Martins from Deloitte teaching us leadership skills. Aidan Ward-Hendry and Zoe Wells taught us how to include and apply transferable skills to applications and interviews and that these skills are necessary to be a successful in the legal field: transferable skills are crucial to have alongside the legal skills. Sara Jones from BT Group educated us that throughout our career many things will change including technology, work practices and culture and that we need to be able to adapt to change to succeed. These topics were also discussed in the Workforce of Tomorrow panel which I participated in. We were also able to network with many firms including Clyde & Co, Kennedys BCLP and Mishcon de Reya LLP. I learnt the skills that law firms look for in an applicant and I was also given an insight into family law and real estate law. I would also like to thank Katherine Neal from Clyde & Co for supporting us throughout the case study task and for presenting us with a model answer for the work sample. The task was enjoyable to complete and it gave me a realistic insight into the role of a litigation solicitor. #brightnetwork #ieuk #brightnetworkcommerciallaw #aspiringsolicitor

From overcoming first-day nerves to gaining invaluable experience, Neave Robinson offers a firsthand look at the apprenticeship path in law.   Read her new #blog post and learn how she balances study, work, and personal growth while building valuable connections and skills at Blacks. #Apprenticeships #Apprentice #Solicitor #LawBlacks