2025
Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? (250 words)
Placing second among two thousand competitors in the University of Bristol's 'Business of the Future' competition ignited my passion for commercial law. In developing a business plan for an AI/Machine Learning application to simplify terms and conditions, I was particularly intrigued by the legal complexities surrounding jurisdictional issues and intellectual property (IP) protections. These considerations, especially in the tech industry, directly determine a business's viability and long-term success, illustrating the real-world, tangible impact that commercial law has on businesses. Furthermore, my multicultural background, further deepened this interest as I observed how legal frameworks differ globally.
To explore the intersection of black-letter law and commercial considerations, I attended Open days with various international law firms participating in workshops on International Tax, Corporate M&A, and IP. These experiences solidified my passion for cross-border collaboration in international commercial law. During my internship with the Government Legal Department, drafting defences for civil litigation and an IP dispute, I was also captivated by the problem-solving nature of applying legal knowledge to formulate legal arguments. It allowed me to apply legal knowledge in practical, real-world situations, strengthening my ability to formulate persuasive legal arguments. These experiences confirmed my aspiration to pursue a career in commercial law, where I can combine my analytical skills with my passion for solving complex, cross-border legal challenges.
Why have you applied to Reed Smith in particular? (250 words)
1. Global:
Having lived in four countries, I am passionate about working at a firm that offers strong cross-border opportunities and a truly global perspective. With 31 offices worldwide, Reed Smith’s extensive reach provides exceptional growth prospects aligned with my commitment to international collaboration. The firm’s expertise in contentious cross-jurisdictional work, demonstrated by its representation of ICICI Bank and 4 other Indian banks in securing a $2.2 billion judgment against the GVK Group, resonates with my interest in complex global disputes.
2. Inclusivity:
At Reed Smith's Open Day, I was impressed by the inclusive and supportive culture among trainees and associates. As a BAME male with vitiligo, I’ve found commercial law can be unwelcoming, making Reed Smith’s commitment to D&I particularly meaningful to me. The firm’s 35.4% diverse representation in its DEI Annual Report is a testament to this. Reed Smith’s unified global partnership, as highlighted by Managing Partner Andrew Jenkinson, further aligns with my values, rejecting the Swiss Verein model to ensure all offices work toward a common goal.
3. Reputation and truly ‘Full Service’:
Reed Smith’s Band 1-ranked Media and Entertainment Sector, especially in Video Games and Esports, stands out to me. As Ed Chapman notes, the firm’s full-service approach and expertise in non-conventional areas like AI and video game law, exemplified by the recent hire of Stuart Irvin, highlight its innovative edge. This dynamic sector presents exciting challenges in copyright, generative AI, and commercial agreements, aligning perfectly with my interests and goals for a training contract.
Focusing on one of Reed Smith`s sectors, what current issues, aside from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), do you think will impact this sector? What opportunities or challenges could this present Reed Smith or our clients? (300 words)
The taxation of private equity carried interest can significantly impact Reed Smith’s private equity practice, particularly as carried interest represents a key part of compensation for fund managers. On 30 October 2024, The Autumn Budget recently announced a capital gains tax rate increase on carried interest from 28% to 32% beginning in April 2025. Further, from April 2026, carried interest will largely be taxed as income, with effective rates of up to 47% for funds not meeting asset-holding requirements.
This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for Reed Smith and its private equity clients. As they would need to restructure their assets and compensation packages to optimise tax efficiency and falls within the lower current capital gains tax bracket (32%). Additionally, Fund managers would also need to restructure their fund structures that align with these tax requirements. This could involve adjusting holding periods or co-investment strategies to maximize tax benefit and may even explore relocation options to countries with more favourable tax regimes.
Reed Smith is well-positioned to support clients through these challenges. The firm’s expertise in fund structuring and regulatory compliance is particularly relevant, as restructuring compensation and fund organization to align with new tax requirements will be critical for clients seeking to minimize tax liabilities. Additionally, this also presents an opportunity to strengthen its market presence in international tax advisory services. The firm’s dynamic multinational presence—spanning Europe, the US, and the Middle East—enables it to assist clients in exploring international tax planning options. For those opting to remain in the UK, Reed Smith’s award-winning (Private Equity Wire) expertise in fund structuring provides a solid foundation for helping clients navigate the new requirements while maintaining regulatory compliance.
2024
Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? Max 250 words
As an individual who appreciates a fast-paced lifestyle, commercial law appealed to my passion for navigating the complex landscape of business transactions, contrary to alternative legal sectors. During my Reed Smith placement, I valued the sector’s unique intersection of legal and business expertise, allowing me to assist clients in making informed decisions to achieve their strategic goals. Consequently, I appreciated the sector’s ability to foster self-growth as I enjoyed developing stress-management techniques in high-pressure situations, like catering to unprecedented court deadlines. Unlike the immigration sector, the flexible nature of commercial law according to turbulent economic climates per Reed Smith’s recent ‘Energy Explored’ podcast, appealed to my commercial interests and desire for continuous learning. I was particularly fascinated by learning how businesses navigate emission cuts whilst working towards a carbon-neutral global economy.
Additionally, my natural strengths in analysis are optimally suited to commercial practice, particularly in reviewing opposing parties’ counter-arguments to identify available solutions. Further, my 'problem and solution' based approach compliments commercial lawyers’ need to interpret and apply intricate legal frameworks to business scenarios whilst considering clients’ needs to uphold Reed Smith’s client satisfaction core value. Moreover, my perfectionist work ethic also drives me to ensure my work reflects my meticulous attention to detail, which is suited to identifying errors in NDAs and reviewing correspondence during disclosure.
In essence, the commercial law sector provides an opportunity to continually challenge me and foster self-growth whilst Reed Smith's inclusive culture and supportive environment can leverage turning my ambitions into a sustainable career.
Why have you applied to Reed Smith in particular? Max 250 words
I am eager to apply to Reed Smith for 3 key reasons, aligning with my professional ambitions.
Firstly, the firm's industry expertise and global presence across 31 offices offer an exciting opportunity for global collaboration. Reed Smith's renowned litigatory practice, as 'Litigation Team of the Year' by BLA 2022, reaffirmed my litigation passions during my placement, as I was fascinated by Reed Smith lawyers remaining at the forefront of cutting-edge contentious work such as SKAT’s £1.5B Tax Fraud case. My engagement in the case provided a challenging environment with high-quality work that aligns with my intellectual drive.
Secondly, Reed Smith's practice of granting junior roles significant responsibility from the outset, experienced during my placement ranging from direct client communication to attending in-person trials, immediately interested me as I enjoyed adapting to a fast-paced environment as it resonated with my proactive nature. This is furthered by the firm's investment in trainees, per the Cornerstone Trainee Development Programme, underscoring their commitment to early talent development.
Finally, Reed Smith's innovation core value, as a finalist for FT’s 'Most Innovative' law firm, to exceed client expectations directly appealed to my ambitions of becoming a well-rounded lawyer. My unique placement experience in the innovation seat highlighted the firm's focus on 'out-of-the-box' thinking to cultivate ‘O-shaped’ lawyers, as reflected by the launch of the 2022 Global Innovations Lab to deliver next-generation legal services. This prioritisation of lateral thinking creates an environment where I believe I can thrive, aligning with my motivations in delivering exceptional client service.
Focusing on one of Reed Smith`s sectors, what current issues do you think will impact this sector? What opportunities or challenges could this present Reed Smith or our clients? Max 300 words
Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resource sector faces two key challenges; the increasing prominence of renewable energy sources and the global commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
The first challenge concerns renewable energy as an alternative energy source, given Russia's geopolitical strength. Per Reed Smith's 'Energy Transition' Report, one challenge is keeping clients, like renewable energy developers and green hydrogen and ammonia buyers, well-informed of regulations and policy changes. For example, the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy may pose challenges for clients, like renewable project developers and gas traders, unaware of reformed licensing requirements and hydrogen production safety standards. Reed Smith mitigates such risks by providing a comprehensive understanding of regulatory risks. For instance, the ENR Group analyses hydrogen energy rules per Pratt’s 2023 Energy Report, keeping clients notified of funding initiatives and future hydrogen availability when advising investment decisions.
Another challenge is the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions movement per the Paris Agreement, demanding support for renewable energy projects and more stringent emission standards. A challenge for Reed Smith lies in preventing clients from engaging in 'greenwashing'- making unsupported environmental or sustainability claims. Nonetheless, Reed Smith’s adoption of transparent business practice by vetting information before advising clients on sustainability matters is evidenced by advising clients to adhere to FTC's Green Guides to ensure accurate representation of US environmental claims. This not only gives clients a competitive edge but can also attract investors, as 48% expressed interest in sustainable investing funds per a 2022 Gallup study. Thus by engaging in ESG initiatives, Reed Smith and its clients can empower investors to choose companies offering a sustainable future.
In conclusion, Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources sector grapples with transitioning to renewable energy and achieving net-zero emissions. This plays a critical role in navigating clients around evolving regulatory landscapes and ‘greenwashing’ ESG business risks.
2024
Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? (250 words)
My interest in pursuing a legal career is driven by a passion for the law and a belief that my skillset will enable me to make a strong contribution as a successful commercial lawyer. My study of Philosophy, Politics and Economics has provided me with a diversity of perspectives on the law. I have particularly enjoyed philosophy modules that critically evaluate the law against ethical principles, alongside politics and economics modules that analyse legislative frameworks and focus on solving social problems through public policy. The capacity for the law to make substantive change by establishing precedents in matters of real societal importance makes it a field I am intensely interested in.
To cultivate my interest in law, I worked as a paralegal at my local high-street law firm over the summer to gain practical insights into the legal industry. I found the process of taking a client’s instructions, understanding the factual situation, consulting the relevant legal material, and working with colleagues to solve problems to be enormously rewarding. It drew on many of the skills in analysis and argumentation that I have developed throughout my degree, while remaining people-oriented in my collaboration with the solicitors and communication with clients. However, I missed the business-oriented work I had been exposed to during my work experience at [asset management firm] and through my study of Economics. A career in commercial law represents the best of both worlds, ensuring stimulating legal work in the dynamic and innovative world of business.
Why have you applied to Reed Smith in particular? (250 words)
Firstly, Reed Smith’s high profile in the financial services sector greatly appeals to me. The firm received a Band 1 Chambers UK Ranking in Banking & Finance and continues to represent market-leading clients like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. Completing work experience at [asset management firm] and studying Economics has cemented my interest in the financial sector, and Reed Smith’s expertise in the department makes it a particularly enticing place to train.
Nonetheless, a major factor in my interest in Reed Smith is the opportunity to experience less traditional sectors of commercial law, like media and entertainment. As a music lover, Billboard Magazine’s recognition of three Reed Smith partners as top music lawyers enhanced my interest in the firm. Indeed, at Reed Smith’s Open Day, trainee Nicky Ghods informed me that she regularly works alongside these leading professionals, ensuring that the training is top quality. Being part of a team where I can collaborate with industry leaders is an exciting prospect that further encouraged me to apply to Reed Smith.
Finally, at the open day, I was struck by the emphasis the trainees and partners alike placed on the supportiveness of the firm’s culture. Trainee Mahmuda Kamalee assured me that the firm’s ‘open-door’ policy was not superficial and that colleagues were especially sociable. This culture was manifest in my conversations with members of Reed Smith’s team, making the prospect of joining the firm particularly appealing.
Focusing on one of Reed Smith`s sectors, what current issues do you think will impact this sector? What opportunities or challenges could this present Reed Smith or our clients? (300 words)
In a tumultuous global landscape, Reed Smith's Energy and Natural Resources sector will advise clients seeking to adjust to a rapidly evolving industry. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the Israel-Palestine conflict, geopolitical issues continue to disrupt the global supply of oil. In response, governments are seeking to mitigate oil market volatility through reducing their dependence on unstable international markets, presenting both opportunities and challenges for energy companies.
Firstly, to ensure energy security, governments are likely to pass legislation that incentivises private sector investment in local energy sources. This has been demonstrated by Rishi Sunak's North Sea oil and gas licensing scheme, or the EU’s attempts to decouple themselves from Russian gas through investing in nuclear power. Energy companies will consequently aim to capitalise on new profit opportunities unlocked by the legislation, or take market share from sanctioned foreign competitors. In turn, Reed Smith can provide advice on the financing initiatives, joint venture agreements, and concerns related to competition law violations to facilitate the exploration of these energy sources.
Secondly, many of these local energy projects involve investment in renewable energy sources. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act dedicated $370 billion to decarbonising the USA’s economy by extending tax credits to low-emissions technologies. Energy companies that are embracing the ‘green transition’ away from fossil fuels thereby have more money to invest in R&D and business expansion. Nonetheless, bearish markets and the relative expensiveness of renewable energy make financing these projects difficult, as evidenced by Ørsted’s recent cancelled wind farm projects in the USA. While poor macroeconomic conditions may challenge Reed Smith’s transactional practices, the volume of disputes work tends to be counter-cyclical; as projects are disrupted, contractual obligations are more likely to be contested. Reed Smith's strong dispute resolution capabilities will therefore help offset the revenue loss in transactional work.
2021
What current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession? How will they impact and why?
The use of smart contracts in the legal sector has the potential to revolutionise contract performance. Smart contracts are computer codes that automatically execute and enforce legal obligations set out in a contract. It has recently been asserted by a group of legal experts that smart contracts are legally enforceable under English law. Smart contracts could be advantageous as they will allow for certain transaction costs to be reduced and human mistakes to be eliminated. For tasks such as payment flows, the technology can trigger the release of funds to a party when a certain condition is met. This is particularly beneficial for parties who require certainty of performance. However, the use of smart contracts could also have negative implications. For example, as the technology does not allow retrospective alterations, smart contracts are final. This could be problematic for parties who seek to modify their contractual obligations. As well as this, the possibility of an incomplete or incorrect code may also attract liability for law firms.
Big data is playing a significant role in changing various industries by allowing organisations to use large chunks of analysed data to increase their efficiency and make better, more profitable decisions. Through big data, law firms can use algorithms to offer predictions on current cases based on how similar cases turned out in a particular jurisdiction. The data analytics could then be used to determine when to take a case or when to recommend that a client should not pursue a case. Although big data could present opportunities for law firms, it also poses certain risks. Amongst others, the biggest risk is the privacy issues that may arise especially as law firms constantly deal with a huge amount of confidential client information, therefore, the use of big data could attract liability for law firms.
Why have you chosen a career in commercial law?
My interest in commercial law developed during an internship at [redacted], a leading commercial law firm in [redacted country], where I researched the effects of the [redacted country] economic climate on M&A transactions. I discovered that the low business confidence in the country, especially due to the fall in world oil prices, greatly affected the number of M&A transactions initiated. I compared my findings with other jurisdictions and made predictions about the effect these findings will have on the firm as a top M&A law firm. I suggested that the firm should adapt to the situation by prioritising its international work in order to meet its revenue goal. I enjoyed this research as it demonstrated that commercial lawyers often have to look at issues in both domestic and international contexts and continually look for ways to adapt to changes in the market. Thus, my motivation for pursuing a career in commercial law, especially at Reed Smith, is the prospect of supporting clients on complex projects at the forefront of global issues.
Completing a vacation scheme at Norton Rose Fulbright confirmed my interest in commercial law. During the scheme, I sat in the Project Finance Department with a focus on Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources and I worked with my supervisor on a construction project in Malawi. I carried out several tasks for him, which exposed me to the complexities involved with construction projects in emerging economies. For example, I discovered the importance of placing the design risk on the construction company in Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts which involve emerging markets to protect clients from future liability, given the unpredictability of projects in these economies. This piqued my interest as it demonstrated that commercial lawyers often have to anticipate their clients’ problems and deliver tailored solutions to them.
Reed Smith's core values are Integrity, Quality, Teamwork and Respect, Performance, Innovation and Improvement. How do you think they impact what we do and the way we work with our clients?
Taking part in the Aspiring Solicitors’ Black Mentoring Scheme demonstrated the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through its internal networks. The firm’s commitment to diversity impacts the way it works as it ensures a variety of different perspectives. As employees at the firm are from various backgrounds with different experiences, they will be able to offer different skills and perspectives when working on deals. This gives Reed Smith a competitive advantage over its competitors as clients want to leverage on the firm’s diversity to achieve better business and legal results.
I am impressed by the firm’s ability to look for the most effective ways to use digital technologies to improve its internal processes as well as provide excellent technology-based solutions to clients. The firm’s Innovation hours program allows lawyers to take time to look for ways to make innovative changes within the office, this enables the firm to maximise their internal efficiency as well as provide more efficient solutions.
The firm’s ability to support clients through the most complex matters seamlessly across multiple jurisdictions is another thing that sets it apart from its competitors. The ability of its lawyers to work within teams cross jurisdictionally means that the firm can support its clients on the most complex global projects. I am impressed by the firm’s ability to advise clients on cross-border complexities and its prestigious clientele of multinational companies like Bank of America, Soundcloud and Royal Bank of Scotland. This is further demonstrated by the London office’s key involvement in the creation of the world’s first cross-border healthcare development impact bond where the firm advised both Optimus and Palladium on the structuring and legal aspects of the bond.
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