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

I wanted to begin my legal career at a private equity-focused firm with lean teams, offering early responsibility and meaningful exposure to senior lawyers. Ropes & Gray’s reputation for high-profile private equity work matched my interest in understanding the legal infrastructure behind ambitious sponsor-side mandates. I was particularly drawn to the firm’s highly focused, international offering, and appreciated that every practice area, from antitrust to anti-corruption, presented interesting seat options. After speaking with a diverse range of Associates at the firm, and attending other summer schemes, I felt Ropes & Gray was the most natural fit for my interests and career goals.

How did you find the recruitment and selection process?

I found the process to be refreshingly transparent and meritocratic. From the outset, the application form encourages critical thinking about the type of firm Ropes & Gray is and the work we do, rather than asking generic questions like ‘why Law’ or ‘why this firm’. This approach felt much more personalised, reflecting the firm’s commitment to understanding candidates as individuals. The vacation scheme provided a holistic assessment of my strengths and areas for development, with a clear focus on real-world skills and experiences —no interrogative interviews or tasks attempting to catch you out!

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

The firm has an ambitious, collaborative culture where everyone is encouraged to contribute. Strong emphasis is placed on professional development and mentorship, with senior lawyers willing to offer their time and share their expertise. This makes it an incredibly rewarding environment to be a trainee in, as you have the opportunity to be part of dynamic, forward-thinking teams that value both individual development and collective success.

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

One particularly memorable matter was advising ICG on Law Business Research’s strategic merger with ALM. This stands out to me because the merged entity was a legal intelligence provider, a resource which lawyers rely on in everyday practice, so it was interesting to gain an understanding of how the business operates. The transaction was run out of both our London and New York offices, giving me first-hand experience of Ropes & Gray’s cross-border capabilities. This matter gave me a deeper insight into how specialist teams feed into complex deals with lots of moving parts. I valued having the autonomy to liaise directly with ICG, their insurance providers, and various internal teams to support the diligence process, contribute to the final report and facilitate the merger.

Tell us about a pro bono matter you’ve worked on.

I worked closely with a pro bono client as part of the Windrush compensation scheme, which Ropes & Gray runs in partnership with the charity United Legal Access. I met with the client to understand her case and reviewed documents to compile her claim form, which was recently submitted to the government. It was rewarding to help ensure the client’s story was heard and see the more personal impact of legal work.

What tips would you give a potential applicant?

The application process can be daunting, but practice and determination go a long way! This starts with taking the time to draft a targeted application form, practising interviews ahead of the assessment centre and showing an enthusiasm to learn during the vacation scheme. The role of speaking to current trainees and junior associates also cannot be overstated, as there is only so much you can take from a website. Throughout the process, it is reassuring to remember that the interview process is two-way —you are assessing whether the firm will be a good fit, just as much as they are assessing whether you will be.