2025

Cover letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a penultimate year law student at (redacted) University, and I am writing to express my interest in applying for a training contract at Taylor Wessing.

I am currently the president of the (redacted) Society at (redacted) University. In this role, it is my responsibility to listen to and amplify the voice of Jewish students. I recognised that Jewish students felt their voices were previously not heard on campus and sought to address this as effectively as I could. I engaged in meetings with the Chancellor of the University and successfully advocated for the appointment of a University Chaplain to offer support and counselling to Jewish students. I also successfully advocated for regulation on antisemitic material on campus. Following my meetings and submissions made to the University on behalf of the Jewish Society, the University committed to wider support initiatives and greater engagement with the Jewish community. I have demonstrated effective leadership and an ability to navigate complex political and social topics with respect.

Alongside my studies, I currently work as a paralegal in criminal defence. This has provided a foundation of knowledge in criminal law and regulatory matters. During my time at (redacted), I have contributed towards countless ‘No Further Action’ decisions for clients following complex criminal investigations, secured acquittals for clients at trial alongside counsel, and ensured that client care is at the centre of every approach I take. I consider the individual needs of each client and provide effective support. I am experienced in handling sensitive client matters, supported by my experience in family law and private wealth.

Why Commercial Law?

A career in commercial law offers the unique opportunity to drive economic and social change in the commercial field. Businesses are an instrument for change, growth, and development. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer indicates that businesses must lead on innovation. Specifically, businesses should drive innovation as it is the most trusted institution, considered to have higher competence and greater ethics than government. People trust companies more than they trust governments to make social change.

The biggest global changes happen through the private market. I am inspired to pursue the opportunity to work with leading businesses to deliver change. Commercial law offers a unique chance to drive change, not just to respond to it. Having the opportunity to advise and work with clients to bring about significant change is the reason I want to pursue a career in commercial law.

The law must adapt to innovation and set precedents. The Digital Markets Act, which identified ‘gatekeepers’ and ensures open digital markets, demonstrates how the law must rapidly respond to the constant growth of commercial law. This offers the chance to work on cutting-edge aspects of law, where the law itself is adapting to the new climate we live in. Commercial law is a fast-paced environment which drives me.

Why Taylor Wessing?

The firm places collaboration, creativity, and excellence at the core of its values, which I strongly identify with. Creative problem-solving is a skill I began to develop at (redacted), where I regularly drafted representations to the CPS to achieve positive outcomes for my clients. By undertaking research into the use of undercover officers, entrapment, and the admissibility of unfairly obtained evidence, I was able to secure a positive outcome for my client. I believe that Taylor Wessing offers the opportunity to be creative and innovative in order to deliver the best outcomes for clients, which is something I would like to continue to do at a cutting-edge firm like Taylor Wessing.

The firm emphasises the value of teamwork and collaboration, which I find particularly compelling. As an award-winning firm across numerous jurisdictions and operating across international markets, Taylor Wessing requires integration of international law across global sectors. Collaboration creates results for clients by combining expertise around the globe. I am passionate about this approach, which I had the opportunity to develop as a paralegal at (redacted). I contributed to one of the firm's most notable cases and supported conferences addressing multi-jurisdictional issues between Dubai and the UK. I represented the firm at conferences alongside our director, engaging with prominent attorneys in Dubai. The role required me to learn about the law and its application within alternative market conditions and jurisdictions.

To do so, I collaborated with colleagues who had a deeper understanding of the legal landscape there and sought regular feedback from the director, as well as insights from the wider team in Dubai. Our collaborative approach generated a successful outcome for our client, and I truly value the importance of teamwork. I therefore felt drawn to Taylor Wessing, and I believe it offers an environment that would enable me to work towards creative legal solutions as part of a supportive team.

I am keen to work in the sector of corporate criminal liability, which drew me to Taylor Wessing. The case of R. v Alstom Network UK Ltd, in which the firm secured an acquittal for their client after a re-trial, highlighted Taylor Wessing’s commitment to excellence and creative legal solutions, which I strongly identify with.

The firm’s series on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 provided insightful clarity into the new corporate offence of failure to prevent fraud. The widespread corporate liability for the prevention of offences is extremely interesting to me, and it is an area I am keen to gain further understanding in. I am eager to embrace the opportunity to work amongst the leading experts at Taylor Wessing to develop my awareness of this area.

In summary, I am drawn to the ethos of the firm, in addition to their excellent practice. I am excited about the prospect of applying to train with Taylor Wessing.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my application.

2024

What motivates you for a career in law at Taylor Wessing, and what key skills would you bring? (1000 characters) 

The company's stellar venture capital reputation is a major factor in my interest in Taylor Wessing. At Legal Cheek’s virtual law fair, trainee Hope Oraka explained to me that venture capital allows solicitors to provide advice to often inexperienced business owners who require commercial as well as legal guidance. Volunteering at [a charity] has equipped me with skills that are highly applicable to this practice area and beyond, like the ability to build rapport with a client, simplify complexity, and effectively communicate creative solutions. 

Taylor Wessing’s quality in the technology, media and communications sector also appeals to me. The firm’s progressive ethos was exemplified in the Tech Me Up! webinar on AI regulation that I attended. As I am currently writing my dissertation on the impact of AI on democracy and have studied data science at university, I have developed skills that will allow me to contribute to Taylor Wessing’s expertise in the sector.

Taylor Wessing has its core values (Excellence, Creativity, Responsibility, Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect). Tell us, through an example, how you have displayed one of these. (1000 characters) 

I demonstrated creativity while interning with [an NGO]. [The NGO] recorded data from polling stations across the UK during the 2023 local elections and produced a long-form report detailing the findings. However, the team was concerned that only producing a long-form report would struggle to capture enough attention. I suggested that publishing the information in a more accessible form on social media would ensure increased exposure of our data to the general public. 

I set about producing an infographic to accomplish this. I emphasised the most important findings from the report, using eye-catching visualisations of the data and a bright colour scheme to draw in readers and quickly communicate the information. The post was a success: the infographic received more interactions than anything else published on [the NGO’s] LinkedIn page. It was incredibly rewarding to see my creative idea translate into increased visibility for the charity.

2023

Please tell us about any activities that you have been involved with over the past 3 years that you feel has helped build your skillset. This can range from sports teams to mooting, to simply juggling responsibilities you have at home. (250 words)

I was elected as the General Secretary of the Negotiation Society during my second year. This was my first committee role involving securing sponsorships and communicating with large organisations. Despite several rejections, I have successfully secured three sponsorship agreements with Vantage, The Corporate Law Academy, and the Commercial Law Academy amounting to £350 for which I have drafted the contracts. Alongside this, I was responsible for general administrative duties such as recording meeting minutes.

During my role as the Events Officer for the Mooting Society in my second year, I organised social events for the society's 100 members. I organised a virtual pub quiz which was attended by 30 members and also organised a fresher’s mixer at the start of the year to create a friendly atmosphere amongst all members.

In my first year, I was elected as the treasurer for my halls of residence. This role presented its challenges as I had to manage a budget of £5000 through strict allocation between social events and improvements within the hall. At the end of the year, as a result of successful allocation, I was under budget and donated the remaining £750 to St Gemma's Hospice.

I was the only first-year to be elected in a director role as the Director of Socials of the European Law Students' Association, which has 150 members. Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, I adapted to virtual socials and successfully organised virtual escape rooms, welfare calls, movie nights, and fortnightly Kahoot quizzes. 

Please outline your most significant achievement to date and how this was achieved? The example you choose can be from within or outside your academic career. (250 words)

My most significant achievement is achieving the Mathematics progress award in senior school. Mathematics was an area I considerably struggled with at school to the point where teachers thought entering me for the higher tier paper was a risk at me not gaining a GCSE in Mathematics.

I was determined to do better so I started devoting an hour after school every day for the entirety of my GCSE years. I was working through topics of weaknesses by attempting past paper questions as well as problem-solving questions to improve the application of understanding within topics. As I started to do this, I was witnessing an improvement in both confidence and grades. I was fortunate to have teachers who appreciated my hard work and that is when they suggested entering me for the higher tier examinations, making me the only student in my cohort who was moved from foundation to higher tier examinations. 

With the additional content and workload of the higher tier, I continued to apply the same method, staying back after school, working and self-teaching myself on particular topics. Subsequently, I very soon saw my grades reach from 4's to 6's in the mock 3 months prior to my exam.

In my final examination, I achieved a 7, which led me to achieve the Mathematics progress award. I also continued pursuing and challenging myself in the subject by undertaking the nationwide Senior Mathematics challenge during lower sixth, achieving a bronze certificate in the nationwide Mathematics challenge.  

We strive for excellence for our clients and people. What does success look like for you and where have you seen or experienced this. (250 words max)

To me, success involves making an impact, seeing results, and building positive relationships along the way. I have experienced this in my role as a Zero Gravity mentor which is a mentoring platform for disadvantaged students.  

Twice a week, I would have a call with my mentee to support his progress with his academic studies and UCAS applications. In these sessions, I would provide guidance on essay writing and effective revision methods. The student also aspired to study Law at a Russell Group institution and as such, I gave him tailored sessions on effective personal statement writing as well as setting him wider reading to help him gain a critical perspective to write his personal statement. It was rewarding for me to see my tailored revision sessions work as he started to perform a grade above his target grade across his subjects. It was even more rewarding for me to witness him achieving all 5 offers from his desired universities. 

Having grown up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I was taught the value of education and the power it has to drive social mobility from an extremely young age. As such, I felt a tremendous amount of success at the end of the year when my mentee achieved AAA and secured a place at Manchester University to study Law. I was glad that my hours of mentoring and tutoring allowed me to make an impact and see a student thrive and achieve his full potential which to me was a huge success.  

Taylor Wessing has its core values (Excellence, Creativity, Responsibility, Teamwork, Integrity and Respect). Tell us, through an example, how you have displayed one of these. (250 words max)

An example of when I have displayed responsibility was in my role as the Director of socials. I was the only first-year to be elected as a director of socials at the European Law Students' Association. As such, this was my first committee role which involved planning social events for a society of 184 students.

A challenge I faced in this role was taking extra responsibility and organising an additional social during the Christmas term. Given the restrictions of the pandemic of people meeting physically, I put further pressure on myself to organise creative virtual socials in order to prioritise the mental health and well-being of all members. As a result of this, I agreed with the president of the society to organise an extra social during Christmas, despite having two essays due around the same time as well.

I was dedicated to fulfilling all my commitments. Due to this, I spent additional evenings in the evening planning the socials, comprising my own plans whilst spending the mornings and afternoons working on my academic commitments. Whilst this was quite taxing initially, it was rewarding for me to see this approach work. I organised a virtual escape room social which was attended by 40 members having also completed my essays which were commended by my tutors.

I enjoyed taking this responsibility as it made a positive impact on the other students. This experience has also helped to develop my ability to prioritise tasks, work under strict deadlines, and multitask. 

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Why is inclusion important to the success of Taylor Wessing? (250 words)

Inclusion is important to the success of Taylor Wessing as it allows everyone at the firm to feel integrated and valued, and therefore perform to their best which is crucial as the firm deals with complex legal challenges across a wide variety of sectors.

Initiatives from Taylor Wessing such as the annual pay gap report show the firm’s commitment to transparency towards disparities between pay due to gender. Initiatives such as this encourage women to feel that they are truly valued and are not paid less compared to their male peers. Attempts of inclusion such as this mean the inequality of pay will not be a concern for women anymore and therefore Taylor Wessing will continue to attract the best talent regardless of gender, who will continue contributing to the firm’s success. 

Taylor Wessing has an expansive sector focus, with clients ranging from highly international backgrounds. As such, inclusion is important to reflect this. Creating an environment at the firm which embraces individuality and celebrates differences allows Taylor Wessing to reach and hire trainees and staff from a wide range of backgrounds. For example, building on initiatives from the firm such as celebrating Eid. This is important for success as hiring from such an eclectic pool of talent would mean the firm benefits from fresh perspectives from all members of staff. Therefore, such a wide pool of talent would be able to come up with innovative solutions for what is an extremely wide client base the firm assists. 

2023

Please use this section to summarise three key skills you have learned from your work experience to date and how these skills will be beneficial at Taylor Wessing. (250 words max) *

Whilst working as a Legal Advisor at the [redacted company], I learnt how to diagnose legal problems and provide advice quickly and accurately. One client worked as a freelance seamstress. She had not been paid on-time by a customer for a wedding dress. Having assessed the situation, I advised the client on her contractual obligations and the best way to obtain payment. I enjoy problem-solving and thinking critically about detail-oriented issues. These skills would allow me to find the best outcomes for clients at Taylor Wessing.

As a Legal Advisor, I also learnt how to form strong relationships with clients. I often advised on matters that were of great individual importance, and I invested time into building trust and confidence with a client. A people-facing role appeals to me because I find establishing client relationships very rewarding. I would enjoy being entrusted with these high levels of personal responsibility at a firm such as Taylor Wessing, which has a reputation for client excellence.

During a placement at [redacted law firms], I learnt the importance of understanding how the law facilitates commerce. Having assisted with a disclosure task in relation to a gas price dispute, I was instructed to present a summary of the client’s position. In order to fully evaluate the situation, I needed a complete understanding of how geo-political events had impacted the market sector. Cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the commercial context behind the legal advice is essential to attracting and retaining the best clients at Taylor Wessing.

Please tell us about your personal interests, positions of responsibility, scholarships, awards or prizes that will enhance your application to Taylor Wessing. (250 words max) *

I recently started running 20 kilometres per week. I find running not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. However, I am motivated by incremental progress and the pursuit of self-improvement. I researched training methods and incorporated long distance recovery runs with shorter, high intensity runs. In October, I accomplished my goal of running five kilometres in under twenty minutes, which I had been working on for several months. I am currently working towards a ten-kilometre goal.

My enjoyment of acting has provided me with opportunities to partake in varied productions. I undertook significant responsibility for one such play at university which we took to the Edinburgh Fringe. I worked with castmates to direct and manage scenery, costumes and front-of-house. I have also attained distinction for every [redacted drama school] exam, from Grade One to Eight.

At school, I was elected Deputy Head Girl. I was responsible for delivering speeches to prospective parents. I had to talk confidently about academic achievement, extracurricular activities and highlight the best aspects of my school. I was chosen for this position because I developed a reputation as a capable team-leader who could share responsibility and work towards common goals.

At the end of my school career, I was awarded the [redacted school prize], given to a pupil whose general all-round attitude reflected the ethos of the school. I was awarded this prize due to my ‘strong integrity and values’, and demonstrations of leadership throughout my time at school.

Please outline your most significant achievement to date and how this was achieved? The example you choose can be from within or outside your academic career. (250 words max) *

Whilst working at the [redacted firm], I dealt with a wide range of customers seeking legal advice. My most significant achievement to date was helping a suicidal woman through a legal dispute that was causing her immense stress.

The client was dealing with nuisance neighbours and the details of the case dated back several years. She had reached a point where she felt as though she may as well ‘not wake up tomorrow’ because she did not know what else to do.

I knew the client felt let-down by the council and the police, so I spent a lot of time building trust with her. I listened carefully, extracting the relevant information which I then ordered chronologically to gain a holistic overview of case’s trajectory. Having compartmentalised the issues, I worked through each individually, applying my knowledge of Tort, Property and Criminal Law. I explained her legal position and suggested a series of practical next steps.

The client later informed my manager that my advice had helped to solve the problem and more importantly, I had made her feel significantly more positive in herself. My manager listened to a recording of the call, and I subsequently received a formal commendation. In my appraisal, I was specifically praised for my resilience and handling of the difficult situation, particularly as I had only recently finished training.

I was grateful that I had given the client hope and proud that my advice had gone beyond resolving just a legal dispute.

We strive for excellence for our clients and people. What will drive you to deliver excellent client service? (250 words max) *

I believe that the drive to achieve success in any field must come from within. External factors such as remuneration and status play a part, but ultimately it is the satisfaction of completing a task to the highest standard that motivates me. The most personally fulfilling moments of the various work experiences referred to in this application are those where I have gone the extra mile to achieve the best result possible.

Additionally, I am driven to deliver excellent client service because I enjoy creatively engaging with situations that involve diverse perspectives and a high degree of complexity. Taylor Wessing’s clients expect expert legal advice which is commercially focussed. Providing this level of service requires specialist advisory, transactional and contentious capability. Taylor Wessing facilitates this by organising itself into a sector-based approach which focuses on clients’ key industries. This structure stood out to me as different to many other City firms and particularly appealing as it allows fee earners to gain a better understanding of clients’ wider business strategies. This approach is also conducive to more creative methods of problem-solving which address the client’s position from every angle.

This seamless process fosters strong, long-lasting client relationships. It is these features that very much reflect my own attitudes to problem-solving and the enjoyment I gain from exceeding client expectations would motivate me to deliver excellent service at Taylor Wessing.

Working with innovative and fast paced clients means our lawyers must display more than just legal expertise. What other key attributes would you bring to the firm and why are these important? (250 words max) *

I enjoy identifying opportunities and making things happen. Whilst working at [redacted café] in London, I implemented a food waste saving practice. A large amount of food was wasted daily because the products had a short shelf-life. During my degree, I examined the detrimental socio-economic impact of food waste. As a result, I had a strong desire to improve the business’s approach. After talking to my manager, I registered the business with ‘Too-Good-to-Go’. This company uses an app to sell surplus food at a discounted price. This had a two-fold benefit. First, some of the costs of food production were recovered. Second, the focus on sustainability established a competitive advantage. An entrepreneurial spirit is important because clients are looking for advisors who can recognise commercial opportunities.

I also have excellent communication skills. At school, I attained a public speaking qualification from the [redacted prestigious London drama school] following a training programme which culminated with a presentation to a panel in London. Whilst studying at university, I volunteered to deliver presentations whenever opportunities arose. During my Philosophy and Social Theory unit, I delivered a ‘PechaKucha’ presentation – a high-pace storytelling format, necessitating creative styles of thought. I received excellent feedback and was awarded a first-class mark. As a member of the Debating Society, I also participated in structured debates on a variety of legal and political issues. Communication skills are particularly important for lawyers who must be able to present complex ideas, explaining them in sufficient depth whilst maintaining clarity.

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Why is inclusion important to the success of Taylor Wessing? (250 words max) *

An inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong and everyone is comfortable being themselves, facilitates collective innovation. In this environment, everyone can be the best version of themselves. Diversity is vital to Taylor Wessing’s success because encouraging different viewpoints enables the collaboration necessary to find the most creative solutions for clients.

Championing inclusion and diversity has benefited many situations I have worked in. For example, during sixth form, I took the opportunity to volunteer at [redacted school] as a classroom assistant, helping to teach students with autism and ADHD. By adjusting the system for greater acceptance of different ways of working and learning, the students’ mental health and academic performance was greatly enhanced. It was immensely rewarding to have fostered a more positive learning experience by embracing inclusive ways of thinking.

The visible impact of this experience gave me confidence in the effect of coordinated diversity and inclusion initiatives. An inclusive approach is embedded across every aspect of Taylor Wessing. This culture is particularly significant at a recruitment level, where people are first attracted and recruited. It is vital that women, minority groups and LGBTQ members do not view their identity or their socio-economic class as insurmountable barriers to the legal profession. This diversity benefits Taylor Wessing because ultimately it leads to a broader pool of talent which is highly valued by clients. Clients expect the firm to commit to inclusion in the same way that they do. A diverse workforce promotes a diverse client base and a happier workplace.

2022

Please use this section to summarise three key skills you have learned from your work experience to date and how these skills will be beneficial at Taylor Wessing. (250 words max)

Teamwork has been a significant aspect of my employment history. For instance, I was a Campaign Assistant for a major political party during the 2015 UK Election. This experience cultivated excellent teamwork skills. For example, I worked with a team to devise a campaign strategy. I also managed the expectations of over 75 volunteers to adhere to this strategy. I will use my teamwork skills at Taylor Wessing to collaborate with other lawyers. By doing so, I will solve complex legal problems for the firm's clients. I can also cross-sell practice areas by liaising with lawyers in other departments. This skill would benefit the firm by deepening client relationships and providing greater revenue. 

I have also developed interpersonal skills through experience in parliamentary casework. The role involved resolving cases by improving communication between government departments and constituents. Interpersonal interactions were crucial to negotiate and ensure successful resolutions and constituent satisfaction. This skill will allow me to connect with Taylor Wessing's clients and encourage them to return for further legal and commercial services.

Finally, I have cultivated resilience as a paralegal by seeking extra responsibility. My team experienced an increased workload in 2021. I rose to the challenge and increased pressure by taking on more work. I drafted transactional documents and acted as a client contact on several matters. As a result, I now project manage several of my own transactions. This skill will be beneficial at Taylor Wessing by giving me the confidence to succeed despite unfamiliar and challenging circumstances.

Please tell us about your personal interests, positions of responsibility, scholarships, awards or prizes that will enhance your application to Taylor Wessing. (250 words max)

I was Vice-President of the Global Brigades Society for the 2017-18 academic year, a pro bono initiative that provides free legal advice clinics in Central America. I gained practical experience of working with local lawyers to provide legal advice. I also liaised with local businesses to fundraise and create revenue for the society. For example, I organised a quiz and raffle with a popular local pub, which earned over £750 for the society's fundraising pool.

During my LLM, I was an Associate Editor of the Exeter Law Review, an academic journal. I reviewed complex legal articles by proofreading them for spelling and grammatical errors. I also used analytical skills to consider the appeal of each article for our readership.

I am also interested in performing arts. I have reached grade 6 in violin and spent several years performing in my school orchestra. I am currently teaching myself the guitar and practise at least 6 hours per week to develop my skills. I have also achieved Grade 6 in LAMDA's Speech and Drama examinations. I have also developed my drama skills by performing at the Watford Festival three times.

Finally, I am an avid Muay Thai practitioner and have practised since 2017. I currently practice this five times per week through training at my local gym. In 2019, I travelled to Thailand to pursue this passion. I spent six weeks training daily at a disciplined Thai boxing camp to improve my capability.

Please outline your most significant achievement to date and how this was achieved? The example you choose can be from within or outside your academic career. (250 words max)

My most significant achievement was successfully running a general election campaign in 2015. I am particularly proud of this achievement as I had little experience organising a campaign at the time but was able to adapt to the challenge and perform well in my role. 

Firstly, I invested time in recruiting and building a team of volunteers to assist in canvassing and leafletting. Every day, I called volunteers for approximately two hours and recruited over 75 volunteers to help. Recruiting volunteers was challenging as I had to persuade them to give up their spare time to assist for free. However, I overcame this challenge using my persuasion and negotiation skills to remind them that we shared a common goal.

I determined how to make the best use of the team and spoke with each team member to assess their strengths. For instance, if a volunteer were a persuasive speaker, I would ask them to canvass. By assigning the volunteers to specific roles, I increased productivity and output in the number of people canvassed, and leaflets dropped.

This achievement also required resilience. In the end two months of the campaign, I worked for at least 14 hours per day to organise volunteer rotas, organise my candidate's diary and produce election literature. Working constant long days was tiring, but I was motivated to push through and succeed by focusing on the end goal of achieving re-election. I achieved this goal and my candidate was elected with an increased majority.

We strive for excellence for our clients and people. What will drive you to deliver excellent client service? (250 words max)

My solution-driven and professional personality will be significant in driving me to deliver excellent client service. My ability to talk to clients comes from my experience of working in roles that emphasise client/stakeholder interactions and satisfaction, such as my role in Parliamentary casework. I used my personality and professionalism to handle interactions with hostile or angry constituents. For example, I spoke to a hostile constituent that did not cooperate with me from the outset. Instead of acting defensively, I maintained positivity and professionalism by providing the constituent with a quick and efficient solution to their problems. By taking a proactive stance, I gave the constituent the strong client service they had previously lacked. 

I also possess professional pride in my work and enjoy interacting with others. I want clients to experience exceptional service and results that prompt them to return. For example, I provided excellent client service to bar and restaurant patrons when working at JD Wetherspoons, although I took the role out of financial necessity and did not enjoy it. My client service and efficient service offered were the reasons why the pub manager would always call me as a first choice if they required a shift to be covered. Moreover, the customers themselves reported to me that they enjoyed the service I offered them and that the professionalism and service I provided distinguished me from other employees. My love of interacting with others will be a significant driver for providing high-quality client service to Taylor Wessing's clients.

Working with innovative and fast-paced clients means our lawyers must display more than just legal expertise. What other key attributes would you bring to the firm and why are these important? (250 words max)

I would bring my adaptability to the role at Taylor Wessing. For instance, in my role as a Parliamentary Casework Assistant, a constituent could not travel back to the UK over a visa issue. I had to modify my approach to their case based on the limited timeframe and short notice to resolve the matter successfully. As Taylor Wessing tends to work with innovative and pioneering clients, a lawyer at the firm must possess the adaptability to navigate frequent changes in regulations, the broader economy, and the clients' business objectives and the confidence to set a market precedent as a result.

I would also bring my commercial acumen to the firm. My most significant example of developing this happened when working at India Inc Group in 2020. I successfully delivered a sales pitch to Citibank India to secure funding for a corporate conference. I prepared by collecting projected viewership figures and understanding Citibank's services to compile a sophisticated presentation. As a result, I successfully demonstrated how sponsorship could promote Citibank's brand and fit with their existing marketing strategy and secured £20,000 in funding. Commercial acumen and instinct are crucial to the role of a lawyer at Taylor Wessing, to understand how businesses operate and to successfully anticipate and understand the commercial issues and risks facing each client. I cultivate this skill by regularly reading publications such as The Economist and Financial Times, in conjunction with the BBC Wake Up to Money Podcast.

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Why is inclusion important to the success of Taylor Wessing? (250 words max)

Inclusion is vital to the success of Taylor Wessing for two significant reasons. Firstly, by investing in a more inclusive and diverse workplace, the firm will widen the different perspectives and ways of thinking they can access. I believe that this is important to the success of the firm's teams as it is more likely to allow them to think of creative solutions for their clients. This is particularly important to Taylor Wessing's client pool, which focuses on pioneering matters requiring non-established solutions. By investing in inclusion, I think that Taylor Wessing is offering clients access to a diverse and creative pool of lawyers that they may not find at other firms, prompting them to return for future legal services.

I also believe that embedding inclusion into the culture at Taylor Wessing will provide lawyers with the working environment and support they require to feel high levels of job satisfaction regardless of their backgrounds. Studies have indicated that companies that practice inclusion also have greater productivity than those that do not. This increase in productivity will benefit Taylor Wessing by providing increased revenue. Providing a supportive and inclusive work environment is also vital to the success of Taylor Wessing as it encourages employees to remain at the firm and build a career. By retaining a pool of diverse lawyers, Taylor Wessing will also provide a long-term and consistent experience for their clients that will help build loyalty and deeper client relationships.