2024
Why do you want to work at Marriott Harrison? (200 words)
Marriott Harrison's M&A department, which has been named one of the top ten firms in London for M&A, prompted me to apply here. The transactional nature of this process piqued my interest when I received a case study on the subject at Wedlake Bell. To further my interest in this field, I chose Corporate Law as an LLB module to gain contextual knowledge. Working at a firm that specialises in this field will help me understand how the theory I've learned translates into practice by observing the firm's renowned work in this area. Coupled with the small trainee cohort, exposing me to more opportunities to take responsibility will allow me to develop into a well-rounded trainee by training alongside those of the highest calibre.
Furthermore, I was impressed by the firm's fulfilment of its CSR initiatives with The Felix Trust, which shows the firm's positive contributions to society. This is important to me because it aligns with my own values of working collectively to create a thriving society. This has inspired me to start a career at Marriott Harrison, as not only will I fulfil my legal ambitions, but I will also be part of a force for good.
What interests you about the prospect of working in our core practice areas? (200 words)
Working in Marriott Harrison’s core practice areas interests me because of the exemplary standard of services they offer to clients, particularly in the Contentious Insolvency department. Completing tasks pertinent to insolvency at Wedlake Bell was extremely interesting because of the unique challenges that lawyers face in aiding struggling businesses and individuals. The client's reviews indicate that the firm’s contentious insolvency team ‘has seen it all and is unflustered by anything the other side might raise', which excites me about working in the firm as I will be working with the best; this will provide me with the opportunity to become a trainee with a depth of knowledge and an informed perspective.
Writing a paper on trademarks and their validity in response to a dilemma presented in my Intellectual Property Law module prompted my interest in the application of Intellectual Property law in the practical sphere. Marriot Harrison’s wealth of experience in this sector, for example, acting for private equity firm Chiltern Capital on the Intellectual Property aspects of their investments in technology, was extremely interesting because I also aspire to contribute my analytical and innovative skills to provide clients with practical solutions.
Describe a situation where you have used your commercial awareness to achieve a better outcome. (200 words)
I used my commercial awareness to attain a better outcome when I collaborated with Abdullah Aid as a volunteer to raise funds at a fundraiser. I used my understanding of market demand to determine which stalls would generate the most revenue and which stalls attendees preferred to see at fundraising events. After deciding on the stalls, I had to collaborate with my colleagues to discuss a competitive market price for the items at the stalls and determine ticket prices to ensure the proceeds would be sufficient to cover the venue rental fee. This experience taught me the value of market research for solicitors and the importance of providing tailored advice to clients by considering the current economic climate. Furthermore, being commercially aware has helped me understand the environment that a company operates in. For instance, while attending a DWF networking event, I was able to inquire about how the Red Sea supply crisis was affecting the work of the firm's shipping practice. Therefore, being commercially aware has not only helped me provide better solutions for consumers, but I have also been able to understand the impact that current affairs have on the work the firm does.
What is your biggest failure and what have you learnt from it? (200 words)
My biggest failure was not achieving my predicted grades when completing my GCSE’s. As a high-achieving student, it was extremely disheartening to receive grades of 5-7 instead of the predicted grades of 7-9 in all of my subjects. This experience motivated me to reform my study skills and become more organised. When I started college, I worked extremely diligently from the start by creating a comprehensive study schedule. Every day, I would dedicate two hours to each subject. As a result, I was able to approach my workload in a calm and composed manner without being overwhelmed by deadlines, and consequently, I achieved two A*'s and an A. Furthermore, in university, I continue to dedicate considerable effort to maintaining my progress towards earning a first-class degree.
Experiencing academic failure at an early stage has instilled a strong sense of responsibility in me, inspiring me to approach every opportunity that follows with dedication and thoroughness. Having previously missed out on opportunities due to poor grades, I now aim to complete all tasks with excellence, a skill that I will continue to implement so that I can become a committed and conscientious solicitor.
Please tell us about your most outstanding personal achievement and how it added value to the environment you were in.
Word Count (200 words)
An achievement of which I am extremely proud is delivering a presentation on AI and its impacts to a group of solicitors from the Disputes, and Commercial Property teams at Wedlake Bell. I discussed AI’s application in law, a case study on CHATGPT, discredited the myth of lawyer extinction, and addressed ethical concerns. I consider this to be an outstanding personal achievement because public speaking was something I felt extremely anxious about. However, I was able to work on this fear by offering to deliver the presentation first and rehearsing multiple times before my trainee buddy and fellow students. This added value to the environment, as the ambiguity surrounding AI and the abundance of information from various sources meant that everyone was attempting to validate their knowledge. As a result, I was capable of conducting comprehensive research and delivering an enlightening presentation that addressed prevalent hot topics related to AI. My achievements demonstrate my commitment to Marriott Harrison’s value of continuous learning and staying aware of current trends. As a trainee, I will contribute to the firm by ensuring that my legal and commercial knowledge is up-to-date so that I can consistently provide clients with the most effective advice.
Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (200 words)
Positions of responsibility: As a teacher at an Islamic centre, I was responsible for teaching children Arabic grammar. Completing this alongside other commitments has refined my ability to multitask. Using effective time management and planning skills has helped me improve productivity; this has allowed me to remain on track to achieve a first-class degree.
Achievements: Being selected for the DWF and Irwin Mitchell mentoring schemes. The programmes have been instrumental in aiding my professional development by providing constructive advice, which has given me confidence in the application process. Partaking in these schemes demonstrates my commitment to refining my craft and living up to the Marriott Harrison value of being the best through my ambitious approach to my work.
Prizes: As part of an Islamic jurisprudence degree that I have been pursuing, I have managed to win first place for 4 consecutive years. Despite the competitive and challenging nature of this course, my success reflects my commitment to excellence and the high standards I hold myself to, whether that be academic or extracurricular achievements. As a trainee at Marriott Harrison, I will ensure that whatever work I do is of the highest standards that reflect the firm’s specialist expertise.
Please tell us about your hobbies and extra-curricular interests. (200 words)
As an extracurricular interest, I have been pursuing an Arabic morphology degree. By studying the language's morphology and syntax, I have been able to significantly improve my Arabic language abilities, earning me the highest degree of qualification in Arabic grammar. Studying Islamic jurisprudence with English common law has enabled me to find parallels between the two diametrically opposed systems and understand the functions of the law in various jurisdictions.
As part of my hobbies, I enjoy travelling. I love engaging with local customs because it offers a window into a different way of life and allows me to meet people from all walks of life. As a trainee solicitor, appreciating all clients is a crucial skill, and my travels have given me the insight needed to build meaningful rapport with all people.
The versatile and creative nature of cooking makes it another favourite hobby of mine. I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen by attempting to replicate dishes from cuisines different from mine. Honing my cooking skills over the years has allowed me to develop resilience by practicing repeatedly until I achieve the desired outcome, a strategy that I have been implementing in my training contract journey.
Please provide any additional information in support of your application. (200 words)
My appreciation of Marriot Harrison’s collaborative values is a strength I will bring to the firm, as working together allows for all individuals to excel, positively influencing the firm’s success. I was able to display my teamwork skills during my work experience with the Met Police. While assisting officers on an arrest warrant, I was in charge of taking notes at the crime scene in order to create a crime report. This experience translates into the legal industry as strong camaraderie between colleagues promotes the production of greater-quality work and fosters good rapport between all members of the team, which is essential to providing the best service to clients.
Furthermore, pursuing an Islamic jurisprudence degree since 2016, alongside my other interests, has tested my ability to effectively manage my time and balance various focuses at once, something that is an imperative skill for a trainee. This experience is a testament to my commitment and dedication. As a trainee at Marriott Harrison, I do not intend to just qualify; rather, I am seeking a long-term career within the firm. This commitment sets me apart, as I am willing to invest time and effort to contribute to the success of the firm.
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