2024

If we were to invite you to interview, what is the issue that you would most like to talk about? And why? This can be a non-legal issue that you would happily discuss with your friends and should be something you feel genuinely passionate about. (300 words)

I would want to talk about guide dogs. The topic interests me because a guide dog helped my grandmother retain independence after her partial loss of sight. She described her dog as her ‘superpower’ and indeed they are silent superheroes.

There are 4,800 working guide dogs in the UK and they are provided free of cost. Puppies are chosen at 6 weeks old through a Puppy Profiling Assessment which consists of exercises like recall and rates puppies between 1-9, with around 4-5 being the preferred temperament. At 14 months they enrol at the National Training School and learn skills such as leading with a harness. Once a match is found with an owner the guide dog works for about 6 years of service, after which they will be retired. Contrary to popular belief the owner is not completely dependent on the guide dog; they are a team. Guide dogs are familiar with common routes, but on new routes, the owner directs the dog through verbal and hand signals. The dog is responsible for making judgements, such as blocking their owner if there is traffic. 

Guide dogs empower individuals to re-engage in activities we take for granted, like grocery shopping. I volunteer with Guide Dogs UK and have found that many view guide dogs as just adorable pets. It is vital to explain that they must not be distracted when working as this could result in grave accidents. Moreover despite the Equality Act stating that guide dogs have the right to enter most premises, 75% of guide dog owners have faced refusal. This can result in high levels of anxiety and shame in public spaces. Through conversation and raising awareness, I wish to be part of the change to treat guide dogs and their owners with the respect they deserve.

Successful lawyers are great Shapers: individuals with interests, hobbies, passions or visions; and the drive and motivation to develop these in order to shape the world around them. We're looking for people who can shape the information they are given; shape arguments; shape relationships; and shape solutions. Tell us about a time that you have demonstrated being a Shaper. (300 words) 

I demonstrated being a shaper when I was part of my university's Lawyers Without Borders events committee. Every year the events committee organised a fashion show in order to raise money but the Omricon wave meant that safety regulations were more stringent than usual and it was not viable. Cancelling the fundraiser became an unfortunate possibility. I was passionate about what Lawyers Without Borders stood for and was acutely aware of the difference that funds made in providing pro bono. I thus became determined to shape a creative solution that respected regulations but also raised vital funds. I suggested that instead of cancelling we organise a less crowd-heavy event. I proposed that a cake sale in the outdoor university courtyards, where everyone baked separately and collected funds through electronic bank transfer, was a viable and COVID-friendly alternative. I also propounded that instead of viewing the pandemic as purely a hindrance we harness it and use it to raise awareness of the impact of COVID on access to justice across the world. Alongside some of my committee members, I helped shape a written proposition detailing the benefits of the event alongside the safety compliance measures I had drawn up such as the introduction of a plastic barrier between the goods and buyers. This was approved by the Society President on the merit of its comprehensiveness and mitigation of the risks. The fundraiser was a success as we matched the amount collected from the year before. Moreover, leaflets about our society were distributed and we were able to engage in meaningful conversations about how the pandemic had halted many pending pro bono cases in the courts. I was satisfied that I had managed to shape an unfortunate situation into a unique success for my society through persuasive arguments and lateral thinking. 

Aside from wanting a challenging and stimulating career, why do you want to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer; and why do you want to train at Mishcon de Reya? (300 words) 

Commercial law appeals to me as it is rewarding to form deep connections with individuals and help them achieve their goals. I experienced this when I taught GCSE students English Literature. In order to make the content more stimulating, I created bite-sized podcasts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to make learning more accessible. This resulted in my students receiving top marks as they could revise consistently at their own pace. Client-lawyer relationships are particularly generational and trust-based in the sphere of private law for which Mishcon de Reya (MDR) has a strong reputation as evidenced by its Band  1 Chambers ranking in private wealth disputes and family law. The firm’s significant focus on these practice areas will be facilitative to me cultivating similarly fulfilling relationships. 

I developed an interest in commercial law when starting a local pottery business. In order to stand out in the market I researched what customers valued apart from pricing and quality which was sustainability. I decided to pack the pottery in biodegradable material which resulted in a sales boost of 30%. I found it rewarding to think from the viewpoint of a customer and see that yielding tangible results in a similar way to a commercial lawyer with their client. MDR appeals to me as it avoids legal myopia. The innovative integration of its MDR Brand Management service within its private client practice is vital as a client could win the battle but lose the war if they win a legal case but face reputational damage. By being a one-stop shop the firm makes project management seamless and disincentivises clients from seeking external ancillary services. I wish to work at a firm which recognises that business, society and the law are all intertwined and anticipates their client's needs accordingly to remain competitive.

2024 (Open Day)

Please tell us why you would like to attend an Open Day at Mishcon De Reya and what you hope to gain from attending (300 words) 

My primary motivation for pursuing a career at Mischon de Reya stems from the firm’s commitment to forging deep interpersonal relations with clients and fostering innovation, exemplified through the relationship with Legal Tech startup Ayora, and the offering of MDR Lab. Having found the advisory nature of mentoring underprivileged students particularly fulfilling, I am eager to learn how this personal approach operates in practice, particularly the extent to which trainees at Mischon are able to form meaningful client relationships, while providing legal advice, from an early stage. By engaging with associates and partners, I hope to draw from their experience to further refine my ability to understand the client and their priorities to foresee, advise, and mitigate risks.

Mishcon’s reputation for expertise and involvement in high-profile cases, from bringing a major class action lawsuit against Google and Deepmind Technologies to the award-winning creation of MDR Brand Management, is particularly appealing. I am keen to attend the open day to gain insights into the realities of working on revolutionary cases, whilst understanding the challenges and rewards associated with such work. This revolutionary ethos appeals to my drive to navigate complex legal challenges innovatively, a commitment evidenced by my involvement with a national criminal pro bono initiative where I researched new technology to disprove evidence. Exploring the fascinating intersection between law and technology motivates my aspiration to train at Mishcon; a firm that embraces and pioneers cutting-edge solutions.

I would revel in this opportunity to learn more about Mishcon’s uniquely diverse range of practice areas and gain a deeper insight into the culture and diversity initiatives. As a minority ethnic individual, it is important for me to ensure that Mischon fosters an environment where I can thrive, and actively contribute to the growth of the Mishcon, thereby returning your investment in me.

Describe an interest or passion you have actively pursued outside of your academic studies. What specific actions have you taken to demonstrate initiative and commitment in this area? Reflect on what you have learned about yourself through this experience. How could these insights and skills be transferable to the role of a lawyer (300 words) 

I embody the bold, innovative persona valued by Mishcon De Reya. As Head of Fundraising for Lawyers Without Borders, I tirelessly raised awareness and fundraised to advance access to justice initiatives and, as a testament to my achievement of raising the highest amount to date, I was recently promoted to President. 

In this role, I faced the challenge of organising events within a limited budget. I spearheaded creative approaches to project execution; recognising the power of social media in raising awareness, I voluntarily championed this additional role. To maximise impact, I leveraged specialist software to create visually appealing digital content, and strategically selected a central venue, enabling cost minimisation, expansive scope, and optimal use of resources.  In taking this initiative, I discovered my natural aptitude for entrepreneurship, thereby enhancing my commercial acumen and ability to identify strategic opportunities for growth and innovation. 

Moreover, in successfully securing a collaboration with other universities and leading a subcommittee, I honed my ability to manage multiple relationships in negotiating the division of labour according to each member’s capabilities and capacity and ensuring effective coordination and communication. I approach setbacks with unwavering determination, for example, the partnering society cancelled at short notice despite all arrangements being finalised. I rapidly rebranded the event and re-delegated tasks, while devising a contingency to mitigate against similar setbacks recurring. Hence, my resilience, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills will put me in good stead when providing a client holistic advice from various departments, managing relationships, and bridging potential language and cultural gaps.

With this relentless drive to have a personal impact alongside organising my time efficiently to balance my degree, I will be invaluable in building client relationships and contributing to the firm’s success through my ability to be proactive rather than reactive, think innovatively, and shape relationships and solutions.

2022

Beyond looking for a challenging career, why do you want to be a lawyer? Why do you want to be a lawyer at Mishcon de Reya?

A Mishcon lawyer’s career is underpinned by the necessity of offering both legal and business advice to clients. As a trusted advisor their lawyers must provide a competitive advantage for their clients by anticipating potential challenges within the wider commercial environment. As I learnt during my internship at [Wealth Management Firm], the key is to be proactive, not reactive. Thus, a career with active involvement in the market when offering business and legal solutions to the client greatly interests me.

The continuous drive to remain competitive is accompanied by a high-stake and intellectually stimulating environment. Within the hospitality industry I enjoyed its fast-paced nature, particularly during staff shortages driven by COVID and the influx of customers after restrictions eased. However, I missed the intellectually stimulating aspect which I have thrived off during my commercial internships. These positions were most engaging when analysing complex documents and providing novel solutions in aligning client’s business objectives and wider personal objectives, such as philanthropy goals. 

The greatest attraction of Mishcon is its unconventional nature. As Anthony Julius (Deputy Chairman) states, Mishcon de Reya lawyers are not afraid to argue against the rule of Law and “in support of fairness and justice”. As a bold character I firmly believe that I would succeed in Mishcon’s environment, portrayed as creative and ambitious in graduate interviews. My involvement in Private Wealth Management has attracted me to the Private Equity practice at Mishcon, which proved its entrepreneurial outlook on private equity investment in its recent work with Trimountain. As prevalent at [Wealth Management Firm], the client-centred approach at Mishcon is one which I want to uphold throughout my career. Having guarded client interest through risk-rating investment offerings alongside clients’ capacity for loss, I want to guarantee that my work remains client-focused; that which a career at Mishcon ensures.

Please could you discuss a current legal case that recently caught your attention. Why does this interest you and what are the implications?

After drafting a Centralised Retirement Proposition at [Wealth Management Firm], in which the implications and planning surrounding inheritance were reviewed, I have recently been drawn to the case of Ugolor & Ors v Ugolor [2021] EWHC 686 (Ch). In this case, the executor (Defendant) was removed from his mother’s £1 million estate in a will dispute made by the executor’s three siblings (the Claimants). The reason why this case particularly interested me, was that the Claimants contended that the 2008 Will was invalid and thus their mother’s estate should be distributed in line with the rules of intestacy. 

‘Dying intestate’, with no valid will, an estate is divided according to a strict order; highlighting the importance of making a valid will so that one’s wishes are carried out after death. In this case, claims for equal share were successful because the rules of intestacy ensured that anything over £250,000 was divided equally between the children. Under the Inheritance Act 1975, the court can change the estate distribution in favour of the surviving children. Successful inheritance claims are therefore shown to be possible under the rules of intestacy. This case reminded me of the 2015 Court Appeal of Illot v Mitson, which sparked a rise in inheritance claims, demonstrating that even when adult children are deliberately disinherited, it remains possible to challenge the Will of the deceased. 

Mishcon’s Victoria Sara-Kennedy (Managing Associate) draws attention to the issue of COVID social-distancing restrictions and valid wills, arguing that wills are more likely to be open to challenge. This is because with a lack of witnesses, due to social distancing, and the added urgency people are facing to create wills, there is the risk that testators may have taken shortcuts and not validly executed the will. Therefore, meaning that they are open to contention.

If we were to invite you to interview what is the issue that you would most like to talk about? And why?

The highly contentious debate regarding conceptualizing climate change as a security issue is a topic which I am significantly interested in. Traditionally security is defined as “the absence of conflict”. However, as climate change fuels conflict by facilitating resource depletion and migration which heighten tensions, it is increasingly being defined as a security threat within current literature. With the escalating need to address climate concerns, as identified by Mishcon and their sustainability values, I am evermore drawn to this area of security studies. Therefore, I wrote a first-class essay justifying the necessity of legitimizing climate change as a security threat to promote sustainable development through individual behaviour modifications, national policy changes and international action.

Climate change does not possess the traditional characteristics of a security threat, such as direct intention or agency but it is indirectly caused by human action. Thus, when implementing a human security lens, which regards humankind rather than the nation state as the referent object, climate change is seen to threaten a human’s ability to survive and prosper. Sustainability is achieved through sustainable development, which is defined as the regulation of human behaviour so that Earth can sustain future generations. In Property Week’s Climate Crisis Challenge Campaign, Nicola Insley (Legal Director, Mishcon) is shown to discuss the unseen barriers to sustainable development and the difficultly of implementing climate change policies.

In my essay I discuss that sustainable development can be approached through an anthropocentric lens, prioritising human management and technocentrism; or an ecocentric lens, understanding the degrading impact of human action on the environment. Arguably, ecocentrism promotes increased sustainable behaviours, due to tackling the society-nature dualism. For Mishcon, anthropocentrism provides opportunity for growth, whereby Mishcon can prioritise technocentric innovation and as stated in the Property Week Podcast, navigate through the changing regulations regarding investment and development.

Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your application?

Studying Feminism at university, I have gained a deeper insight into the discrimination of women, different ethnic groups, and the LGBTQ+ community. Within seminars an open dialogue was encouraged, with a strong emphasis on tackling bias and challenging our own views. This transparent environment was instrumental to success because it widened understanding about each topic. 'The wisdom of the crowds' was an important concept used, highlighting the accuracy of a group is far greater than the individual. Each person has a different way of analysing a topic which contributes valuable understanding in overcoming problems. Innovation is more likely when there is a diverse group. 

I will personally offer diversity of thought to Mischon de Reya through my background in International Relations. Understanding the dynamic nature of the international environment is central to anticipating potential challenges and opportunities for clients at Mishcon. The modules I have taken at university required me to formulate arguments on developments in the commercial sector and analyse how they could affect the policies of Governments and corporations. Often debating our positions on the repercussions of such developments in Domestic and International environments.

Finally, the inclusive environment at Mishcon was evident when speaking to partner Martyn Hann about the culture of the firm. I believe that an inclusive environment is vital to success because it allows everyone to voice their own valuable perspectives, leading to more creative problem-solving. Freedom of individuality was celebrated within university seminars and enabled a more creative culture. I was able to be myself in seminars and reach my potential because my own views are celebrated. Identifying the diverse nature of society and reflecting that within our classrooms has allowed us to find innovative solutions to problems because, in being open to all contributions, we are adaptive and agile in our approach. 

2021

Beyond looking for a challenging career, why do you want to be a lawyer? Why do you want to be a lawyer at Mishcon de Reya? (300 words max) *

My interest in a career in law has developed through attending relevant workshops. The most memorable was a negotiation ran by BCLP in November 2017. Acting as the owner and seller of a failing hotel franchise I relished the challenge of applying my problem-solving skills within a commercial law context. My vacation scheme with [UK national / multi-site commercial law firm] in 2019, cemented my interest in becoming a lawyer. From summarising the facts to calculating a likely quantum, I liked working on a case report on the liability of an insurer against an accident at work claim.

I initially became interested in Mishcon for its consistent Legal 500 ranking in Competition Litigation. During my LLM, I enjoyed applying my analytical skills when completing a 10,000-word practice project on a merger between two Internet of Things companies. I acted as legal counsel writing a memorandum to the Director-General for Competition. The project furthered my interest in not only Competition, but also Corporate and M&A. Completing a vacation scheme at Mishcon, a firm that consistently ranks well in these areas, will allow me to gain practical experience in these areas.

Mishcon’s drive for quality permeates down to its training and development. Specifically, the Academy, of which I gained a deeper understanding from Patrick Connolly at the November 2020 Open Day. The courses and talks offered through the four strands of the Learning Centre ensure that trainees are receiving sustained support to become competent future-facing legal advisors. After attending several training sessions with support workers, as a receptionist at Shelter, I was selected to become an advisor. I enjoyed the responsibility of seeing clients and supporting them on their enquiries. So, the emphasis Mishcon puts into the development of its lawyers resonates with my own desire to continue this exposure to building and maintaining long-lasting relationships.

Please could you discuss a legal case that recently caught your attention. Why did this interest you and what were the implications? (300 words max) *

The EU Competition Commissions Statement of Objections against Amazon has caught my interest. In November, the Commission completed its investigation into Amazon’s practices in the online retail market. The Commission has found that the company has been acting anti-competitively by using independent sellers' data on the Marketplace platform to benefit their own position as a seller on the platform.

Within the modules EU Competition Law and Economics for Competition Law, I became interested in the growing trend of regulators clamping down on the activities of the world’s largest tech companies. Tech companies have been encouraged to grow exponentially in the past, as they have provided important innovations to goods and services in many markets. As such, they have been very beneficial for the world’s economy. However, there is now a growing concern that these companies, with their large financial reserves and access to consumer data, create unfair barriers to entry for start-ups and leverage their dominance to create competition dampening effects.

This trend began, in part, after the introduction of the strict GDPR regimes introduced in 2018. Although an EU regulation, it has had global affects. As a consumer, I have become increasingly aware of the invaluable nature of personal information. Specifically, where companies like Google and Facebook are financially free to use for end consumers, our buying or using habits are shared with many third parties for revenue. So, if Amazon is forced to make all customer data freely available or Facebook is made to unwind its acquisitions, there will likely be an insurgence of similar interventions from regulators globally. It may also result in companies competing on the quality of privacy policies they have in place as opposed to traditional price competition.

If we were to invite you to interview what is the issue that you would most like to talk about? And why? This can be a non-legal issue that you would happily discuss with your friends and should be something you genuinely feel passionate about. (300 words max) *

The new wave of feminism to hit Pakistan over the past two years, in the form of the Aurat (women in Urdu) March, interests me. The idea behind the March began in 2018 when women decided to use social media to bring their networks together to have a gathering in Karachi on International Woman’s Day. The movement comes on the back of the My Stealthy Freedom movement in Iran which involved a group of Iranian women posting pictures online without headscarves to protest the mandatory head covering rule in the country.

Globalisation, particularly of the media, means that people can see the developments occurring in other countries. As such, a move towards a form of activism that is concerned with the personal self has emerged in some traditionally conservative countries. The Aurat March is the realisation of this in Pakistan. 2020s theme being “Mera jism meri marzi” (“my body, my choice”) which is fundamentally a message on autonomy over one's own body.

As a Pakistani woman, this movement appeals to me for its potential to progress the political and social framework of Pakistan. Having written about this new age feminism in my Gender and Development module, I have a deep personal interest in seeing how it may develop.

I am also intrigued by the potential domino effects that could result from the successful culmination of the movement, specifically on the economy and in improving Pakistan’s Gender Parity Index. The International Monetary Fund has highlighted that bridging the country’s gender gap could boost Pakistan’s GDP by 30 percent. In my view, such progress can only be made where businesses adopt networks that encourage the progression of women to leadership roles.

I would love to talk about this at interview as I feel strongly about the developments it could bring the country.

Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your application? (300 words max) *

To improve my fitness, get active and meet new people, I took up running as a hobby. Not being a very active person in general, I followed the couch to 5k programme and ran my first 5k with [university] Fun Run in October 2019.

From January to April 2019, I worked with [aid charity] and [non-governmental organization focused on ending human trafficking]. Following on the job training by observing the initiative leader delivering presentations, I delivered several presentations to colleges on how to recognise and act upon signs of trafficking. These workshops also involved having open Q&A sessions, to really engage students.

Being a Peer Mentor, from September 2017 to June 2018, entailed supporting a group of six students throughout their first year. I made sure I was available every other Tuesday for an hour to meet with students face to face and responded promptly to emails pointing students to appropriate resources where applicable.

I was awarded the Religious Studies award and trophy after my final year at [secondary school] in October 2016. Each subject recognised one student that stood out throughout the year for their dedication and input during class. My teacher nominated me for Religious Studies, from a cohort of around twenty.