2025

Note there were no specific word counts for these questions. My answers are ~310-360 words.

Please detail a recent news article that has interested you and highlight how this might have an impact on Morrison Foerster’s business. 

A recent news article that has interested me is a Financial Times article released on the 12th of December 2024, titled “ECB lowers rates to 3% and paves way for more cuts.” The article discusses the European Central Bank’s decision to cut interest rates three times in 2024 alone, as well as potential future cuts, in response to the faltering recovery of the Eurozone and concerns about below-target inflation.

This development is relevant for Morrison Foerster’s business in several ways.

Firstly, as a leading firm in M&A, Morrison Foerster stands to benefit from increased deal activity driven by lower borrowing costs. The reduced cost of financing could incentivise clients to pursue mergers and acquisitions, potentially leading to higher demand for the firm's legal expertise in negotiating and structuring complex transactions. Additionally, higher valuations of target companies may result in larger and more lucrative deals, which could enhance the firm's revenue from advisory services.

Secondly, the environment of low interest rates could drive cross-border investment activity by multinational corporations, an area where Morrison Foerster has a strong presence. The firm's European offices, in particular, may see heightened demand for legal advice on international financing, investment structuring, and tax optimisation strategies. This increased demand can solidify Morrison Foerster’s role as a trusted advisor in the Eurozone and beyond.

Lastly, the lowered interest rates could reduce the number of insolvencies, which might initially appear to limit opportunities in restructuring. However, it also presents the firm with opportunities to advise on refinancing strategies, debt restructuring, and proactive measures to stabilise struggling businesses. By guiding clients through these processes, Morrison Foerster could position itself as a key partner for companies navigating this shifting economic landscape.

In summary, the ECB’s rate cuts create an economic environment likely to drive increased demand for Morrison Foerster's services across its M&A, financing, and restructuring practices, strengthening its business outlook. 

Please outline your personal achievements, interests and positions of responsibility. How do you think they may be relevant to the pursuit of a career in law.

Currently, I serve as the Social Secretary of the [redacted] Law Society, where I have been responsible for coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of social events throughout the academic year. This role has provided me with relevant negotiation experience and allowed me to hone my critical thinking skills. I came up with practical solutions to budgeting, which helped reduce our costs by £13,000 below the projected annual budget and allowed for a 20% reduction in the cost of tickets for [redacted] Law contextual offer holders. These experiences have developed my ability to balance competing priorities and find innovative solutions, skills that are vital for a career in law.

I am also the founder of [redacted] in Nigeria, which provides underprivileged children with essential support, including food donations, educational sponsorship, and healthcare insurance. We currently work with an orphanage that houses 243 children. Leading this initiative has strengthened my problem-solving abilities and given me valuable insights into managing responsibilities with compassion and integrity, qualities essential for the legal profession.

Moreover, I am an avid debater, having won both the [redacted] x HSF ESG Debating Competition and the [redacted] x Manchester Inter Varsity Debating Competition. These achievements reflect my ability to think critically, construct persuasive arguments, and articulate complex ideas clearly, skills that are crucial to be able to represent and negotiate on behalf of clients effectively.

Furthermore, swimming has always been a significant part of my life. I competed at a state level in Nigeria for four years and am now a member of [redacted] advanced fitness swimming team. This commitment has instilled in me the importance of discipline, perseverance, and striving for excellence, which are key attributes for a successful career in law.

Finally, I have a deep passion for exploring nature and wildlife through challenging, adrenaline-inducing activities. I have hiked the Atlas Mountains, climbed Dunn’s River Falls, swum with dolphins in the heart of the Caribbean, and I have an upcoming walk with lions planned. These experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive under pressure, qualities that are directly transferable to the high-stakes environment of legal practice. 

Please explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at an international law firm and your specific interest in Morrison Foerster.

During my internship at Prime Solicitors, I analysed an indemnity agreement and drafted a negotiation letter for a client whose signature had been forged to secure a federal loan for international investment. This work exposed me to the fascinating nature of multi-jurisdictional work, and this where my interest in pursuing a legal career at an international law firm lies. At an international law firm like Morrison Foerster, I will be guaranteed the opportunity to be continuously exposed to such exciting, cutting-edge work which spans several jurisdictions.

I was particularly drawn to Morrison Foerster because of its involvement in work at the forefront of the legal landscape, representing clients and advising on deals that are in uncertain and quickly developing areas of the law. An example of this is the firm’s representation of Euler in negotiating the return of more than $220 million in digital assets, three weeks after the assets were stolen. This was one of the largest recoveries in decentralised finance history. My interest in this area was peaked during the LSE Law Summit where I was introduced to the issues surrounding the regulation of digital finance in a continuously evolving technological landscape, and its impact on businesses and consumers. Having witnessed how the absence of a well-defined regulatory framework for cryptocurrency platforms affected economic stability in my home country Nigeria, I became acutely aware of the risks posed by regulatory ambiguity. Therefore, Morrison Foerster’s involvement in work in this area highlights that my professional development will thrive at the firm, because it is committed to staying at the cutting edge of advancements in law.

Furthermore, the firm’s ranking in International Arbitration stands out to me. During my First Year Scheme at Covington & Burling, I became interested in international contentious matters and gained a deeper understanding of the way International Arbitration transcends commercial fields and can be influenced by cultural nuances, which highly interests me. Morrison Foerster’s strong reputation in this area, combined with its global presence, offers the perfect environment to deepen my expertise while working on complex, cross-border disputes that require both legal precision and cultural sensitivity. 

2024

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am [redacted name], a penultimate LLB student at the [redacted university]. I am writing to apply for the 2024 Summer Internship at Morrison Foerster.

I am interested in developing a career in commercial law due to the dynamic nature of work and the international, collaborative environment. In the past three years, I have undertaken 11 legal internships,  including in-house experiences at [redacted companies]. They allowed me to appreciate the  dynamic nature of commercial law, convincing me that this vibrant and fast-paced field would propel my  continuous learning. This aligns with my ambition to formulate cutting-edge solutions and excel in a  conducive professional setting. Further reinforcing my career choice was my three-year residential  experience at [redacted university hall], an integrated and internationalised hall at [redacted university]. As vice-chairperson of  the Orientation Organising Committee, I co-managed and worked with a multi-ethnic team of sixty to plan  and execute a ten-day orientation in the summer of 2022. The process involved extensive consultations  with senior management, residents, and team members, listening to diverse perspectives, culminating in an  inclusive orientation series fostering global awareness. I found myself energised by this international and  collaborative experience that mirrors the working environment of the field. My experiences have collectively  solidified my belief that a career in commercial law offers the dynamic, international, and collaborative environment in which I thrive.

Morrison Foerster offers the ideal setting for my professional growth, strongly aligning with my aspirations,  values and commitments. As one of the few US firms with a broad industry focus and top-tier rankings in  wide-ranging practices in Hong Kong, Morrison Foerster can offer me hands-on client-facing opportunities  to develop my interests in a variety of practice areas. As I strive to become an exceptional legal professional,  I recognise the importance of a robust global network. Collaborating daily with lawyers from different  Morrison Foerster offices and overseas secondments will foster such a network while providing a synergistic  environment for my growth. Moreover, Morrison Foerster’s training initiatives, such as formal training  workshops and reviews with supervisors, coupled with its people culture marked by inclusion, unity in  commitment to excellence and emphasis on mentorship, will support my adaptation to the demands and  technicalities of each sector. Lastly, I am particularly aligned with Morrison Foerster’s commitment to social  responsibility, as evidenced by the firm’s pro bono involvements, such as teaming up for LGBTQ Rights  in Hong Kong and engagements with Kiva. This resonates with my motivation to contribute to an  integrated community, a commitment demonstrated during my time as a pro bono student at Linklaters.

I believe I am a good fit for Morrison Foerster for two reasons. Firstly, I am a self-motivated and curious  individual. I taught myself programming four years ago and developed a mobile application to assist  children with special educational needs. Furthermore, I proactively participated in case competitions to  develop problem solving skills and acquire business knowledge. A notable achievement was being ranked in the Global Top 16 in the 2022 International Online Case Competition, where my team of four devised  creative solutions to tackle the challenges faced by [redacted company] and help the company maintain its  industry-leading position. Secondly, I am an excellent team player. I dedicated myself to captain for the St.  John’s College hockey team, which equipped me with the essential people-skills to communicate and  collaborate effectively with a diverse group of individuals. During my captain year, I led a team of 20 players,  hailing from six nationalities and with varying skill levels, from beginners to national team members. I did  my best to foster a unified team through reflecting on how I guide different players, and holding regular  meetings and bonding activities. Our hard work and solid collaboration paid off as we won the hockey championship at [redacted university] for three years running.

I am an ambitious and confident individual who possesses the qualities to become a well-rounded  commercial lawyer. I sincerely hope that I will have the opportunity to contribute to Morrison Foerster this  summer. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application, and please do not hesitate to contact  me at [redacted email]. 

Yours faithfully,

[redacted university]

[redacted date]