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

I was drawn to Ropes & Gray for three main reasons. First, the breadth of client work is exceptional—the firm advises across mid-market, large-cap, and ultra-large-cap transactions for a diverse range of clients. For a junior lawyer, that variety is invaluable: no two matters are the same, which allows you to learn quickly and develop a broad skill set early in your career.

Second, the relatively small trainee intake translates into greater responsibility and hands-on experience from the outset. I wanted to be in an environment where I could contribute meaningfully and accelerate my development.

Finally, the firm’s culture really stood out. The black-box partnership model fosters genuine collaboration at the partner level, and that spirit of collegiality flows naturally through associates, trainees, paralegals, and support staff. It creates a supportive, team-oriented environment that makes a real difference day to day.

How did you find the recruitment and selection process?

The recruitment process was structured in a way that felt both thorough and supportive. Each stage was clearly explained, and the communication throughout meant I always knew what to expect. That made it much easier to focus on showing my strengths rather than worrying about the process itself.

The interviews felt like genuine conversations rather than formal tests. The questions encouraged me to think carefully about how I would approach real situations, and I got the sense the firm wanted to understand my way of working as much as my background.

The assessments were practical and engaging, and they gave me a genuine sense of the kind of challenges trainees encounter. It was also reassuring that the process emphasised cultural fit as much as technical skills, which reinforced my impression of Ropes & Gray as a collaborative place to train.

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

Ropes & Gray has a genuinely collaborative culture. People are approachable, generous with their time, and invested in helping you develop.

The smaller trainee intake also shapes the culture, giving you real responsibility early on while ensuring the right level of support is always available. For me, the balance between being challenged and being supported has been one of the most rewarding aspects of training here.

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

The first deal I worked on as a trainee was EQT Private Capital Asia’s consortium acquisition of Nord Anglia Education for $14.5 billion—the largest UK deal of 2024, now shortlisted for the British Legal Awards. From the outset, it was fast-paced and highly complex, involving multiple cross-border stakeholders and a combination of equity and financing arrangements.

Being my very first transaction, it was an exciting introduction to the realities of private equity work. I quickly got hands-on experience with drafting, due diligence, and coordinating with clients and other advisers, which made it a fantastic way to start my training contract and learn how much responsibility and exposure you can have even as a junior.

What tips would you give a potential applicant?

Be enthusiastic and authentic. It’s important to understand what sets Ropes & Gray apart in the market. This means not only knowing the types of clients and transactions the firm handles but also understanding how it compares to other firms, so you can clearly articulate why you are drawn to it specifically. A basic yet solid understanding of private equity and the typical timeline or life cycle of a deal is also helpful, as it allows you to engage meaningfully in discussions and exercises.

Above all, just be yourself. The firm wants to see both your skills and your personality, so use the process as an opportunity to show who you are and whether you’d thrive at Ropes & Gray.