Motivation

Question 1

Why commercial law?

Answer 1

1) My interest in financial markets.

2) Intellectually stimulating and challenging nature.

3) Seeking a client-oriented career.

Question 2

Why Marriott Harrison?

Answer 2

My career interests align closely with three aspects of Marriott Harrison’s business.

1) Reputable venture capital practice.

• FCL: designing content on equity financing sources and a case study examining the appropriateness of venture capital backing for a software business (included considerations of its maturity, macroeconomic conditions, access to skilled businesspeople and dilution of ownership)
• Legal 500 consistently ranks MH’s VC practice highly.
• MH also regularly acts for notable VCs who have invested in highly successful start-ups, including Lightspeed who has provided seed capital for Mistral AI, Epic Games and Snap and Union Square whose seed and Series A investments include SoundCloud, Twitter, Indeed and Etsy.
• Training here will thus expose me to leading matters and enrich my understanding of the dynamic world of venture capital.

2) M&A practice.

• Travers: exploring a typical PE timeline from acquisition of target to its exit and particularly the role of a lawyer in advising on strategies to incentivise management and minimise stock volatility post float
• Freshfields: identifying the risks and opportunities in our client’s proposed corporate acquisition, including ESG and shareholder activism
• In addition to being highly ranked for M&A mandates, MH is home to prominent lawyers with considerable experience in cross-border transactions across multiple sectors (media, technology, retail and professional services), such as Ben Devons and David Strong.
• Career here will enable me to work alongside market leading lawyers on stimulating mandates to develop my knowledge of this practice.

3) International capabilities.

• Arb: explored the legal complexities of global trade - particularly interesting that as a system of national laws and international treaties support arbitration, any dispute will require reference to multiple national systems.
• Likewise, a career at MH will enable me to explore various legal jurisdictions and business cultures given that 1/3 of its work involves an international element through the Primerus network or its partner firms.
• Training at MH will thus provide me with the optimal environment to grow into a global-minded lawyer.

Question 3

Where else have you applied?

Answer 3

Focused on capital markets and private capital

Accordingly, I have applied to Jones Day and was successful in securing a Spring Vacation Scheme

I had also been successful in securing a Winter Vacation Scheme with Travers Smith and was drawn to their strengths in funds, capital markets and PE

I have also applied to Latham & Watkins (strengths in VC), White & Case (strengths in capital markets), Macfarlanes (strengths in private capital) and Fieldfisher (VC technology sector expertise along with capital markets)

Question 4

Why did you choose to study law?

Answer 4

1) Enjoyed problem-solving and analytical subjects.

2) Knew I wanted to pursue a career in law.

3) Linked to previous point, I wanted a degree where I could practice using soft skills (eg persuasive writing, presentation, teamwork, etc).