My journey into Law | Qinglan's story

My name is Qinglan and I just completed my undergraduate studies in law at the University of Cambridge. I’m originally from Beijing, but grew up also living in Jerusalem and Malta. This experience has shaped a big part of who I am, and led me to love new cultures and languages. Outside of law, I enjoy singing, performing, and writing songs.

I wanted to train with a close-knit group of highly driven people. After meeting the current trainees at Goodwin, they were exactly the kind of people I want to work with and learn from. I was also attracted to the startup feel of Goodwin, where every trainee plays an important role in the team and is given responsibility from day one. This might be challenging but, in my view, it is the best way to grow as a lawyer.

Law is so broad. When we think about law, whether as a career or academic subject, we often have stereotypes based on how the media portrays it. However, from studying law and applying for the trainee solicitor programme, I realised that law is so much bigger, more diverse, and more interesting than those stereotypes.

How fast the legal sector changes. The law around us is constantly changing and adapting to social, political, and technological events. This makes being a lawyer really interesting because you can learn new things all the time. In terms of Goodwin, I find it interesting how closely all the teams work together, whether across the London office or all offices in general. For example, I sat in the employment team during my vacation scheme and they explained how they support and collaborate with other teams all the time.

So welcoming and supportive. Everyone is willing to talk and provide help, whether it is over a coffee, lunch, or just popping by in the office. I really enjoyed the vacation scheme at Goodwin and was genuinely excited about coming into the office every morning. In particular, my supervisor and trainee buddy supported me throughout the week and were always there to answer any questions.

I recommend really doing your research into the firm, looking at different sources, and attending networking events. At the same time, approach the application with an open mind -- demonstrate your willingness to learn more about the firm, not just what you already know.

I prepared for the interview by reading more about Goodwin and what notable projects they recently did. I also reflected honestly about why I am attracted to Goodwin and which part of the work genuinely interested me. For the assessments, I practiced reading commercial news stories and analysing them from the perspective of one company or a law firm. I also spoke to people who have gone through the process and asked for advice.

During the vacation scheme, I sat in the employment team and saw how the employment law I studied at university applied in practice. Although I still have no idea where I want to specialise, the scheme helped me understand the differences and similarities between law as an academic subject and commercial law in the real world. I also learned that I want to be a lawyer who eagerly explores unfamiliar areas and keeps an open mind to the legal sector.