2025
Grades
A Levels
English Literature A*, Philosophy A*, Economics A.
University
Year 1 – Upper 2nd Class – Tort Law (72%), English Law and Legal Method (71%), EU Constitutional Law (69%), Contract Law (68%), UK Constitutional Law (65%), Law of the Individual and the State (63%)
Year 2 – 1st Class – Criminal Law (75%), Trusts Law (72%), Land Law (71%), Law of Family Relationships (68%), Employment Law (67%), Public International Law (64%)
Please give full details of previous and current employment/ work experience. List specific responsibilities, experience and knowledge gained (no word limit, but there's a limit on the number of experiences you can include)
You should include all legal and/or non-legal experience in chronological order (most recent first).
As a mentee on [redacted]’s Mentoring Scheme, I have shadowed my mentor, an associate in the International Arbitration practice, including taking minutes during a team briefing and proofreading legal documents for a high-profile, high-value arbitration case. I also engaged in a session led by [lawyer name], navigating the complexities of a multi-billion-dollar M&A transaction, and learnt about the broad variety of legal opportunities in Africa and the EMEA region from a session delivered by [lawyer name]. This mentorship has both developed my legal knowledge and provided me with practical experience in a fast-paced, global environment, further fuelling my interest in international law and dispute resolution.
Through [redacted]’s Mentoring Scheme, I have gained valuable insights into the firm’s business strategy and collaborative culture. I attended presentations by senior professionals, such as an introduction to the firm’s culture and history from the head of the London office’s Technology & IP practice. In a session on private equity, delivered by a partner in the Corporate practice, I developed a comprehensive understanding of how lawyers facilitate complex M&A transactions. Additionally, I learned about leveraged finance from [lawyer name] and how AI is set to transform transactional work. These insights have been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the legal profession and the skills required for success. I built on this experience during my virtual internship at [redacted] in August 2024, I explored the complexities of private equity and finance transactions. One of my primary tasks involved reviewing and drafting non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for a potential acquisition, incorporating the client's preferred terms. I also prepared transaction structure charts, transcripts, and memos for team briefings, and advised on potential insolvency challenges, particularly around company voluntary arrangements.
As a Student Ambassador at [redacted] University, I have had the privilege of guiding and mentoring summer school students, providing round-the clock support to over 140 residential students. I also presented information and guidance in Q&A sessions with an audience of over 100 prospective students, and continuously represent the university to the wider public.
Serving as Treasurer for the [redacted] Society, the university’s branch of [redacted] (a large national human rights organisation), I manage finances and ensure the smooth operation of the society’s activities. This has included planning and organising the Human Rights Conference for the term, and strengthening the society’s social media platform and presence, to reach a broader audience and engage with more students, raising awareness about human rights issues and the work of [the organisation].
As a Mentor for the [redacted] Society, I mentor a first-year law student, offering guidance on navigating law school and developing legal skills. This experience has deepened my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and to offer support, which is crucial in the legal profession when guiding clients or junior colleagues.
As a [redacted] coachee, I was selected for an exclusive four-month programme aimed at enhancing employability and commercial awareness within the legal industry. Throughout this experience, I attended bespoke workshops and tailored insight events, where I gained invaluable advice on how to position myself as a competitive candidate, and developed a broader understanding of the was that firms can innovate their businesses to stay relevant in the legal market. This combination of hands-on guidance and strategic industry insights has been instrumental in developing the commercial awareness and adaptability necessary for a successful legal career.
As a volunteer at [charity] since 2021, I have provided over 120 hours of service, developing specialised care techniques to improve the well-being of vulnerable animals. This role has taught me to work patiently and empathetically with animals, while also managing administrative tasks like temperament assessments for new intake animals. In law, particularly in client-facing roles, patience, empathy, and careful attention to detail are vital, ensuring that clients feel supported while their needs are thoroughly addressed.
During my six-week internship at [redacted], I gained exposure to various legal areas through sitting in 5 practice areas. My first seat was in Infrastructure and Corporate, where I researched and presented to the team on key exemptions in the Procurement Act 2023 and AI’s evolving role in law firms. I also proactively supported my colleagues by proofreading articles, conducting legal research, and scanning documents, improving the effectiveness of my time management and multitasking skills. My second seat was in Commercial, IT, and Data, where I attended a client seminar on how IT was affecting client services and operations, and navigated and applied the complex clauses of Model Service Contracts. My litigation experience included writing a pre-action letter for a judicial review claim regarding a controversial government proposal, improving my legal writing skills. I also observed Court of Appeal cases at the Royal Courts of Justice, taking notes to brief partners on the matters, and collated the bundle for a successful Employment Tribunal hearing. In Construction, I produced an article on school construction contract risks, and investigated adjudication as a form of alternative dispute resolution, researching different boards of adjudicators and their respective registration requirements. During my final seat in Real Estate and Parliamentary Planning, I authored an article on the implications of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 for commercial property. I later wrote another article on pavement licensing, following positive feedback from my supervising partner on the high quality of my initial work.
Working as a Sales Associate at [redacted], I fostered a welcoming and approachable culture to facilitate smoother customer service and enquiries. During the busy retail period, I processed hundreds of sales efficiently while fostering a welcoming environment. Working part-time alongside my studies reared my time management skills, and taught me how to thrive under pressure and work with precision, all of which are valuable skills for legal practice.
My virtual experience at [redacted] in August 2023 focused on commercial law, particularly intellectual property. I researched legal sources to identify rights and remedies for clients, drafting memos and emails on key legal provisions. A major part of my role involved drafting software licensing agreements, where I focused on essential provisions like warranties and limitation of liability clauses. This internship gave me a strong foundation in commercial IP law, especially in patents, licensing, and infringement issues, while developing my attention to detail and legal drafting capabilities.
At [redacted], my virtual internship in July 2023 centred on business and human rights issues. I worked closely with senior associates to identify potential human rights risks in M&A transactions, advising clients on their legal obligations and mitigation strategies. I drafted client correspondence and prepared materials for client calls, focusing on areas such as human trafficking, ESG standards, and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) violations. This internship not only enhanced my understanding of corporate social responsibility but also introduced me to the vital role lawyers play in ensuring compliance with human rights regulations.
My legal internship at [redacted], was a unique opportunity to understand the American public law system and compare it with UK law. Working closely with senior attorneys, I was exposed to a wide range of cases, from traffic violations to domestic violence. I observed both district and circuit court proceedings, enhancing my understanding of how the dual nature of cases operates in practice. I also developed valuable networking skills by interacting with attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals, which strengthened my communication abilities.
Interning at [redacted], I engaged in practical legal exercises such as judicial review assessments and wrongful termination reviews, and drafted a pre-action letter. In addition to my legal work, I explored business development opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, and pitched my ideas to [redacted]. This internship expanded my understanding of legislative applications and the importance of public law in shaping societal frameworks.
My position as a Customer Service Representative at [redacted] between September 2021 and September 2023 allowed me to interact with diverse clientele, including asylum seekers and international guests. I honed my skills in administrative tasks such as guest check-ins and stock accounting while providing first-class service. The ability to communicate with people from all walks of life is crucial in law, where client relationships and understanding their unique circumstances are key.
Video interview
I had a minute and a half to answer each question using the SystemIntegration software. I had unlimited time to prepare, but could only record once. The questions were as follows:
What was the outcome?
The firm emailed me a week after I submitted my video interview to tell me I had been successful.
Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?
For the application/work experience section, make sure you write in detail. There is no word limit for this section, and this is essentially the only part of the written application, so make it count! There is a limit on the number of experiences you can use, so make sure you use the most relevant ones.
For the video interview, make sure you structure your answer, especially for the first question. You only have a very short time to essentially answer four sub-questions, so make sure each word you use is intentional and adds value by answering the question.
2021 (A&O application, pre-merger with Shearman & Sterling)
If you could introduce a new law what would it be and why? (250 words)
I would introduce mandatory vaccinations for all U.K. citizens. The legislation will increase GDP by: (1) improving the populations’ health; and (2) stimulating the pharmaceutical sector.
Mandatory vaccinations will improve all citizens’ immunology, increasing GDP. Illness contributes to approximately 141.4 million lost working days. Vaccinations will decrease the amount of sick leave taken, ensuring fewer hours are lost and workers operate at full productive capacity. With improved health, citizens will register higher on the Gross National Happiness index, indicating future productivity improvements. Though mandatory vaccinations may prove unpopular, in the long run, increases in GNH will offset lost political capital. Furthermore, a fall in vaccine preventable sickness will relieve strain on the NHS. These savings will be chanelled into another sector, such as education, forming a virtuous cycle by re-stimulating GNH.
The law will shift-out the production and supply of vaccinations. Pharmaceutical manufacturers will benefit from increased revenues by reinvesting their increased volume of profit into research and development. With AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and leading university research (ranking ~3rd globally for clinical trials), the U.K. is well-placed to benefit from an expanding pharmaceutical sector. Growing the industry will boost GDP, and allow technologies to be researched and transferred between sectors at a faster rate. Consequently, the U.K. will increase its patented pharmaceutical exports and have a technological advantage, which triggers a further increase in real output.
Though politically provocative, the law’s benefits are objective. Improving GDP and citizens’ health are necessary to mitigate the pandemic induced recession and decline in public health.
Describe a challenging situation you have faced, what made it challenging, how did you respond and what did you learn in the process? (250 words)
I represented Bristol Law School in the International Commercial Arbitration Vis Moot 2020. I was the only non-law student in a team of three others. The task was to submit two memorandums.
The challenge was that my teammates were disorganised and complacent. 48-hours before each submission of the memoranda, they had not finished writing their respective sections. This threatened complete failure and dropping out of the competition. However, as a non law student, I had set aside substantially more structured time to understand the necessary law (such as the UNCITRAL). Therefore, I was able to have my tasks completed well ahead of time, and subsequently assist others.
To help the team’s panic at the deadlines, I organised all-night working sessions in the library. In my own time, I collaborated on my teammates’ work to help lighten the load. I did this by researching and assembling CISG case tables to assist their research. Furthermore, to sustain morale, I invested some of my own money into buying dinner to keep them happy and working. Although I knew that this was above what my position demanded, I subsequently learnt to expect to go beyond the expectations of my role and galvanise a team to achieve a collective goal.
As a result of my actions, I kept the team’s morale and motivation high, and we managed to submit the memorandums before the deadlines. Though we did not win the moot, I learnt a valuable lesson in sacrificing personal comforts for the broader group success.
As the world of law evolves, adaptability is a crucial attribute for future lawyers to have. Describe a time you had to demonstrate adaptability to reach a positive outcome. What role did you play in the scenario and what was the outcome? Did you do anything you would consider innovative as part of the solution. (250 word limit)
In February 2020, I was appointed Consulting Director for Enactus Bristol Consulting leading a team of three new Client Portfolio Managers. However, my role only came into effect in May 2020 to allow for a transition and handover period between executive teams.
As a result of COVID-19 and lockdown, the teams were unable to have a proper handover, and previous clients were lost. The challenges were adapting to a virtual WFH system and sourcing new clients who were now less able to onboard as a result of the economic downturn.
I adapted my role from a ‘leader with oversight’ to a ‘hands-on galvaniser’. I adapted the traditional Enactus strategy to now break with convention and harness the virtual environment as a flexibility advantage. Using my previous experience in theatre, I wrote and directed the video pitches to be sent to prospective clients, as they had a better reply rate than cold emailing. Additionally, I set up a Microsoft Teams group and a SharePoint to simulate a virtual office and allow my teammates to work as naturally as possible. Finally, I sourced leads for social enterprises on Facebook and start-up forums, such as the Social Tech Guide, and fed them to my team to further explore.
My adaptability given the new virtual working environment ensured that I maintained team morale and efficacy. As a result of my virtual-adjustment drive, I have secured ‘Excellent Development’ as a client two months ahead of schedule, and have discussions with ‘Fairtrade International’ pending.
Please bullet point anything else you’d like to add which you think is relevant to your application. This can be positions of responsibility, extra scholarships. (100 word limit)
2021 Application for A&O First (pre-merger with Shearman & Sterling)
Discuss a recent news article that interests you and how it is relevant to Allen & Overy (250 words)
My chosen article writes about Arcadia and how it’s selling off its assets since going into administration. The story writes about its stores closing and outlines which buyers were in the running to purchase certain parts of Arcadia’s portfolio. Transactions like this that are complex, multi-jurisdictional and require strong collaboration are what I strive to work with in the future, which is one reason this interested me. I also like to speculate on the future market trends in a sector and this article offers interesting insight on this.
Arcadia is a client of Allen & Overy’s (A&O), therefore it’s clear of the relevance in terms of potentially bringing in work relating to its collapse. For example, in recent negotiations with ASOS, or in other departments such as M&A if the deal is agreed, or tax to structure the transaction effectively. Furthermore, the story suggests a wider trend of retail shifting towards an online focus. The article outlines that Australian business City Chic has acquired Arcadia’s brand Evans. However, the deal excludes all physical stores, with the buyer only acquiring it’s online and wholesale business. This could suggest that in future the demand for physical ‘high-street’ retail may be less. Therefore, it could end up being damaging to A&O’s commercial real estate clients, as less businesses may be seeking physical locations due to focusing online, meaning A&O could be utilised to offer solutions to these problems or organising the sale of property to reduce client exposure to the drop in demand.
Please bullet point your main interests, activities and pastimes, including any positions of responsibility you have held during or after education (200 words)