Why did you choose Ropes & Gray to start your legal career?

I wanted to train at a firm with a smaller trainee intake and a large emphasis on personal responsibility. This is what made Ropes & Gray stand out to me during my university law fair, and it is why I applied for the vacation scheme. During the vacation scheme, it was clear that Ropes & Gray values taking initiative and being independent; this resonated with my personality and solidified my decision to start my legal career here.

How did you find the recruitment and selection process?

I felt the recruitment process was focused on getting to know me as a person, rather than my background or whether I conformed to a specific “type.” The CV-blind nature of the selection process encouraged me to come out of my shell, and meant that I could focus on being my genuine self. This made the experience more enjoyable and less pressured.

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

Ropes & Gray has a close-knit culture that places value on asking questions and not being afraid to reach out to people who are more senior than you. As a relatively new firm in the London legal market, there’s also an element of entrepreneurship and adventurousness that comes with being in that position. One effect of this is that trainees feel their opinions are valued.

Tell us about a memorable matter you’ve worked on.

I was involved in the closing process for Virgin Media’s merger with O2 in June 2021. Due to its size, the deal had to receive competition clearance from the Competition and Markets Authority. Then it was all-hands-on-deck to ensure the necessary finance documents and closing steps were in place. I had a lot of client contact and felt truly ingrained in the deal team. I remember getting a customer update email about the merger from my mobile provider the day after the deal closed and thinking to myself, “I already know – I helped work on it!”

What tips would you give a potential applicant?

Research the firm thoroughly. It is never enough just to have a vague idea of what we do at Ropes & Gray. Read through the firm’s press releases carefully and try to understand who our clients are, what their business goals are and the role that Ropes & Gray plays in the achievement of those goals.