2025

Why are you suited to a career at Walker Morris? (250 words)

I believe I am well-suited to a career at Walker Morris due to my ambition, commercial acumen, strong northern association, and collaborative skills. Through various insight schemes and internships, I have developed an interest in commercial law. I have taken this further through my role as Vice President of the Sheffield Corporate Law Society where I create weekly newsletters about commercial developments and their effects on the legal industry. From these experiences, I have developed an ambition for commercial law and commercial acumen, attributes necessary for a lawyer at Walker Morris, handling significant commercial transactions. The firm's work in their band one ranked real estate department is an example of this, recently working on the acquisition of a £75 million PBSA in Hackney. This will further fuel my ambition as someone with an interest in real estate law, having enjoyed a summer internship at a Sheffield-based firm where I completed tasks such as responding to pre-loan enquiries to refinance a commercial property.

Having lived in Yorkshire all my life, I have a strong association with the North. Walker Morris’ strong Northern roots lead me to believe I will be well-suited to the firm as someone with career ambitions in the North. As all of the firm’s trainees are based in one office, I believe that my collaborative and interpersonal skills- developed from playing Cricket at a regional level, where I have learned to work as a team under pressure- will help me fit in and form connections across my cohort. 

Tell us the achievement you are most proud of and why (250 words)

The achievement I am most proud of is raising over £3,000 for Samaritans and Movember over the past four years. As someone passionate about mental health due to friends’ experiences and my parents’ work in the field, the Samaritans and Movember are hugely important charities to me that need support. Walker Morris’s charitable initiatives, especially their Movember commitments, therefore strongly appeal to me. 

In addition to raising the money, I am particularly proud of how I managed to raise it. I achieved this by running 3 marathons and 2 half-marathons, giving speeches, and writing articles for local newsletters. It required a lot of ambition and a consistent positive attitude to persevere when things got difficult. For instance, 2 of the marathons I ran for the Samaritans were during academic assessment periods, one during my second-year university exams and one in my A-level mock exams (during COVID when lots of weight was placed on mock examinations). Therefore, I am proud of how I was able to balance my time and achieve multiple objectives, raising significant amounts for charity, training for and completing marathons, and achieving desirable exam results. Also, I am proud of how I overcame my fears relating to public speaking. To help with fundraising I made a speech in front of my school of around 700 people, this was challenging but helped me gain confidence in my speaking, and I am proud of myself for going so far outside of my comfort zone. 

Please provide details of positions of responsibility and why they are important to you. (400 words)

Last April, I was elected Vice President of the Sheffield Corporate Law Society. In this role, my main goal is to make commercial law and careers in the field more accessible. I have various responsibilities which include securing sponsorships with firms such as Slaughter and May and Herbert Smith Freehills and organising events with them for the benefit of our members. I also write weekly newsletters on commercial developments and their impact on the legal industry to help members stay commercially aware. This role is particularly important to me, as it involves helping others pursue careers in commercial law by giving them the information and the confidence to do so, something which I did not have at the start of my time at university. 

I am also currently an indoor captain for Sheffield University Cricket Club. In my role, I am responsible for team selection, organising transport to games, and liaising with league officials. This is a particularly challenging role as, in addition to these responsibilities, I am also tasked with ensuring the well-being of players on my team. Indoor cricket is a difficult high-pressure game due to its fast-paced nature and the fact that there are only 6 players per side. Therefore, it is crucial that I ensure all players work together and maintain confidence in their abilities. I frequently take time out of my schedule to speak with players one-on-one, especially freshers, who struggle with the pressure and adjusting to indoor cricket. This is why the role is important to me: it allows me to ensure players feel confident and supported while playing. By providing this support, I hope to help them overcome challenges and grow as players, making the experience of indoor cricket enjoyable for everyone involved.

Over the summers I work as a freelance gardener which involves advertising my services, responding to requests, and completing jobs for clients in my village. This position of responsibility is really important to me, as a lot of my work is for the elderly living in the village who can not do their own gardening. Thus, I am aware of how important my role is in supporting them and ensuring that their gardens look in accordance with their wishes. My role is also important as some of them do not have many people to speak to, so I also can help them feel less isolated. 

Please provide details of extracurricular activities, interests and your level of involvement (400 words)

As a keen sportsman, most of my time outside of academics and work is devoted to cricket and running. I have played cricket since I was 6 and have been fortunate enough to play at a high standard, representing North Yorkshire age groups, Cleveland Schools, and Hambleton. I open the batting for my local club and have represented the first team in the North Yorkshire South Durham ECB Premier Cricket League. Additionally, I also play for the University of Sheffield’s indoor and outdoor teams and, as previously mentioned, captain an indoor team for the club. This is a significant commitment year-round, during the winter I play indoor cricket for the University, training and playing twice a week, over Christmas, I also train with my local club back home. In the summer things get even more hectic! I usually train twice a week and play twice a week as well, this requires significant organisational skills to ensure I can still fit other commitments in my schedule, a great deal of ambition, and a positive attitude to stay committed and overcome setbacks.   

I have also been running since I was young and at a competitive standard, representing my region in cross-country. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the National Schools Cross-Country Championships in 2021. Currently, I mainly run half-marathons and marathons, having completed 3 marathons to date and countless half-marathons. Although I still run at a decent standard, most of my running now is dedicated to fundraising for charity. For instance, all of my marathons have been ran in aid of Samaritans and Movember, and I have completed two Great North Runs for the Samaritans. To maintain my fitness, I usually run a minimum of three times a week year-round, based on a running plan I created after conducting lots of research over the years. Again this is a big commitment and requires me to balance my time effectively, a skill I have been able to develop through my extensive sporting commitments. 

Outside of sports, I have recently found a passion for writing articles for my university’s newspaper. My articles mainly focus on current affairs and entertainment. Although I have only written a handful of articles so far, I plan to write more over the coming months, focussing primarily on political developments, something I find particularly interesting having grown up under a Conservative government for pretty much all my life. 

Tell us about a current affairs topic that you find of interest and why (250 words) 

A topic that fascinates me is the increasing importance of ESG values in real estate. As someone with a personal interest in real estate, who regularly stays up to date with trends in the area, this particular trend was initially unfamiliar to me, making it all the more intriguing. To expand my knowledge, I recently attended a webinar called ‘The ESG Real Estate Transition’ and was fascinated by the environmental impact that buildings have (they are responsible for around 40% of global carbon emissions) and the degree of demand for sustainable real estate.   

This demand appears to have increased significantly for two key reasons: regulatory standards and increased awareness of environmental impact. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have set a minimum required EPC rating of B for commercial property owners by 2030. With 70% of UK commercial real estate estimated to be under this rating, it is clear that changing regulations are a major driver behind increasing demand as businesses and individuals will look to purchase more sustainable buildings that comply. Additionally, in the aforementioned webinar, I spoke to Alan Watson who highlighted the growing personal importance of ESG compliance in real estate. He noted that many of his clients prioritised sustainable real estate, partly due to a broader cultural shift toward environmental responsibility. Both of these points demonstrate the increasing relevance of ESG values in real estate and illustrate the changing demands of the real estate sector, making it a fascinating trend.

2024

Tell us about a current affairs topic that you find of interest and why. (250 words)

I am interested in the government’s response and public messaging surrounding the promotion of positive health. During my Drugs, Crime and Control module, I was fascinated by the ethical and moral debates concerning drug use. A topic that has recently caught my attention is the recent increase of non-alcoholic beer within the food and drink industry, as spending at pubs and bars has increased. I’m interested in the complexities of non-alcoholic beer being more available within the drink market, in light of the UK’s current attempt of banning cigarettes. Commercially, this would influence other manufacturers to innovate and produce alcohol-free options to stay competitive. 

Branded alcoholic beers such as Heineken significantly reduced sales in the UK and EU over this summer as consumer preference, and therefore the market trend had altered. However, this rising trend poses questions on whether there should be restrictions on selling to children, encouraging drinking culture among youths. The term ‘non-alcoholic’ actually ranges from “trace amounts” to “around 0.5% ABV”. The ambiguity of ingredients and lack of reformed regulations may leave the wrong impression on youths and leave businesses open to reputational risk. 

With over 15 years of experience in such a sector, Walker Morris would have to advise their current clients on the potential financial advantage of adding non-alcoholic beer to their offerings, evaluating public opinion and regulation reform, ethical supply chains as well as pressures on manufacturing as the UK and main European locations such as Germany are currently in a steep decline.

Why are you suited to a career at Walker Morris? (250 words) 

I was first drawn to the quirky and bold personal branding of Walker Morris' website. Specifically, I was attracted by the bright and interactive layout and the way in which the firm presented itself to clients, talent and intermediaries. This resonates with me because I have a strong interest in social media and marketing, as exemplified in my experiences with [redacted] as well as managing [redacted] LinkedIn page.

I was impressed by the firm's expertise in corporate, commercial and litigation work. In the heart of the Leeds’ business district, I will be exposed to high-level work in these areas with access to high-profile clients like Starbucks and Ugg, resulting in the firm's recognition as Band 1 (Chambers & Partners). The firm’s website acknowledges that 45% of the firm’s partners started as trainees themselves and refers to recent increases in revenue since moving to a more business-centralised building. In turn, this reflects a firm that is invested in its employees and is ambitious, mirroring my values of career progression and building a long-term relationship with the firm. 

Further, I value a workplace that reflects one team. Walker Morris’ approach to all departments liaising in the same building not only allows for direct access to expertise but also effective collaboration with a ‘family’ feel. Offering six seats appealed to me as I will obtain more experience and exposure to varying clients, increase networking opportunities and be able to learn more about the functions of the firm as a whole. 

Tell us the achievement you are most proud of and why. (250 words)

My greatest achievement was when I successfully hosted the [redacted] annual Careers Dinner in my capacity as the Academic and Careers Secretary, on November 25th, 2022. My primary aim was to connect our members to various legal networks, despite their backgrounds. Students successfully gained an advantage in an incredibly competitive field, as they obtained exposure to the various legal roles they aspire to pursue. Having this incredibly positive impact on students made this project my biggest achievement yet. 

The event attracted approximately 160 students varying from first-year to postgraduate students, and legal professionals alike, to network and build relationships to guide their future legal careers. A total of 14 differing firms as well as a chamber attended to encourage inclusivity. A notable feature of the evening included a raffle, raising £541 for the [redacted] Charity. This allowed for students to claim an all-expenses paid-for weeklong work experience placement at Browne Jacobson LLP and also allowed for the society to fundraise for a good cause. 

I faced numerous obstacles including logistics with seat rotations, firms dropping out on the day resulting in last-minute changes to rotations as well as managing the project generally alongside a law degree, a part-time role and other commitments. As such, my organisational and leadership skills in particular would benefit me as a trainee as I will be balancing competing deadlines for a variety of projects and deals, all of which require attention to detail, planning ahead, and clear communication and collaboration. 

Please provide details of position of responsibility and why they are important to you. (400 words)

I was scouted for the role of Secretary for the [redacted] Society. I was responsible for organising the membership process, supporting the President and managing the society's correspondence. Further, I organised and managed legal tech-based events for students but also engaged in relevant topics such as smart contracts, blockchain and data protection, and monitored the changing priorities of the legal industry. This was important to me as I held an integral position in the society and I wanted to prove I could be a trusted committee member, whilst simultaneously developing my personal interests. My enthusiasm to stay on track with relevant trends and innovative solutions to legal issues is a strength I aim to reflect on during the Training Contract at Walker Morris, to aid in client-focused projects such as the Factory of the Future and mirror my advanced commercial awareness within client deals directly.

Throughout university, I engaged in legal competitions such as client interviewing, where I was responsible for building a trusted relationship by actively listening and delivering appropriate advice after extracting the most beneficial information from the facts given by the client. Working without supervision, I was required to use this information to the client’s advantage and provide sufficient legal advice based on this single conversation. This was important as I was reliant on myself and took ownership of my role, and succeeded in doing so as I was commended for my line of questioning to the client, showcasing aspects of the case other individuals did not consider. 

Further, I held responsibility in my previous position as Team Leader at [redacted], where I was responsible for ensuring my line of employees were working efficiently and accurately, in line with instructions. My role also extends to resolving any disputes on the line between employees, ensuring collegiality and an amicable workplace for all. This is an important aspect of my role as I want to resultantly obtain the trust of my colleagues and build relationships. My loyalty to colleagues has repeatedly been proven by supporting their rightful complaints in the workplace, and by actively drafting their appeals and complaints when I know this is a barrier for them. I fulfilled my personal responsibility of taking action when I see wrongdoing, using my strengths to ensure positive working relations and a just result. Utilising these values, I aim to contribute positively to the work culture at Walker Morris. 

Please provide details of extracurricular activities, interests and your level of involvement. (400 words)

Whilst at university, I actively participated in many extracurricular activities to further both my personal and professional interests surrounding the legal profession and the skill set I wish to develop.  

One extracurricular activity I participated in was being the Academic and Careers Secretary for the [redacted] Society, to encourage, share and implement my interest in enhancing fellow law students’ understanding of legal career opportunities. My level of involvement was significant in achieving these aims, as I continuously liaised with various graduate recruitment representatives from differing firms of interest, as well as organising both in-person and virtual events and workshops for students to apply their commercial awareness to scenarios. 

Further, I had been promoted to Editor of our law society’s annual legal newsletter, [redacted], and over several months, I worked on this project with two other co-editors. I volunteered for this extra-curricular activity to embrace my creativity, develop my digital literacy, and implement both my own voice as well as other students’ voices on navigating the legal profession. I furthered my interest in giving students guidance regarding their mental health, and social mobility as well as being able to navigate different legal routes. My level of involvement was large as I was responsible for not only editing, proofing and finalising the 60-page newsletter, but I also continuously liaised with various legal professionals and students, so the newsletter provided a variety of representation that is reliable, relatable and beneficial. 

Regarding my leisure interests, I implement my interest in keeping active by engaging in regular walks and rock climbing. I have also previously participated in a local women’s darts team, played competitively each week, and received two runner-up trophies as a result of my commitment and resilience. This also allowed me to speak to a range of individuals from different backgrounds and age groups, which I don’t usually encounter. I had a high level of involvement in my matches, was open to conversation across teams and willing to create new friendships. Additionally, I take an interest in playing competitive games online, where I can frequently interact with other users on both a national and international scale and choose to strategise as a team as well as play individually to complete varying missions. This activity allows for a good distraction from the day and is a fun way of feeling challenged, albeit away from an intense environment.

Use this space to detail anything you wish to add. (250 words)

Despite socioeconomic and personal challenges, I have remained positive, ambitious and proactive in developing and investing in my personal and professional goals reflected through my work experiences and extra-curricular activities including the Careers Dinner. 

I resonate with Walker Morris’ notion of “we win together and lose together” because teamwork and collaboration are two of my valuable strengths. I demonstrated this when rotating teams during my internship with [redacted] as a Paralegal. My initial communications allowed me to feel comfortable and settled into the departments, creating a rapport with my supervisors and colleagues so I could approach them for additional aid if necessary. 

I have continuously found ways to elevate myself as an individual who wants to have a positive influence not only within the firm but the aspiring solicitor community also, by holding positions where I can make a direct impact either as a mentor, a campus ambassador or by sharing knowledge on LinkedIn to encourage inclusivity and kindness. I obtained guidance from the graces of others and wish to do the same whilst at Walker Morris to empower the next generation of lawyers. Therefore, I am loyal not only to myself, my work and my ambitions, but I am loyal to my friends, my community and those who seek aid outside of it. Working at Walker Morris will allow me to further invest in myself and share the values I hold, transferring these over to clients and colleagues to build trust and long-lasting relationships within the firm.