How to Answer “Why Are You Applying to This Firm?”
Almost every training contract and vacation scheme application form will require you to explain your interest in applying to that firm, usually after you have outlined your journey to pursuing commercial law.
The priorities when answering this question are to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the firm’s work and what trainee life there entails. The most effective answers will showcase a personal interest in practice areas where the firm excels, alongside detailed research of the firm through open days, virtual experiences and in-person or LinkedIn interactions.
You will usually have 300 words to answer this question, but some firms may limit you to half of that, especially when it is combined with “why commercial law?”. A tighter limit will restrict the detail you can include and require you to be concise. In these cases, do not be afraid of brevity.
Below is how to demonstrate genuine interest in a firm, covering research, structure and the pitfalls to avoid.
How to structure your “why this firm” answer
As with responses to “why commercial law?”, there is no one-size-fits-all structure for answering this question, as the structure of your response will be dictated to a large extent by the content.
As a starting point when researching the firm and drafting your answer, identifying two practice areas or industries where the firm has excellent capabilities will get you off to a good start. To complement your discussion of the firm’s work and why it interests you, discussing your suitability for the firm’s training structure can be an effective third and final section.
The result is a balanced answer that focuses on the firm’s work primarily and your suitability for its training culture secondarily.
What to include in your answer
While open days are the best means of gaining an insight into a firm’s main profit-driving practice areas, there will almost certainly be occasions when you apply to firms that you have not interacted with in person.
Therefore, when researching online or through virtual insight events, focus on identifying the firm’s principal practice areas. It is not a negative to demonstrate a breadth of interest. In fact, it is generally recommended to do so. However, a firm whose primary strengths are transactional may query your suitability and level of research if you spend the application discussing your interest in its disputes capabilities.
Moreover, consider whether a firm divides its departments by practice area, as is more common, or by industry, alongside the pros and cons of these approaches. For example, some applicants choose to discuss their interest in contentious and non-contentious practice within an industry in which they have worked or researched, effectively expressing a desire to gain in-depth sectoral insight.
When demonstrating suitability for a training contract at the firm in the final section, consider whether there is a large or focused intake and the degree of structured training compared to learning via osmosis. Then, identify your relevant experiences. For example, have you thrived when assuming early responsibility, or do you excel when operating in larger collegiate environments?
Common pitfalls to avoid
Evidencing a firm’s strength in a particular practice or industry through examples of its work can demonstrate a strong level of research. However, avoid name-dropping transactions or matters without explaining why they appealed to you. Do not leave the recruiter unsure why you selected that piece of work over another.
Elsewhere, while pro bono is an important element of working in private practice, do not spend the majority of your application discussing it. It can be challenging to demonstrate what makes pro bono at one firm different from another, and therefore why you are uniquely interested in the one you are applying to.
Similarly, the increasing use of AI is a reality of day-to-day work at the majority of law firms. Therefore, unless a firm is widely regarded as a trailblazer in legal technology and you have a proven track record in coding or technology, your words can be better used elsewhere to respond to “why this firm?” questions.
Want expert help with your applications?
Training Contract Coach works one-to-one with candidates applying to top City law firms. Coaching is led by Kabya Chaharia, an ex-Magic Circle and elite US firm lawyer. Learn how the coaching works on the process page, or see what is included on the programme page.