Reading time: 3 minsMy name is Rebicca and I studied Law at the LSE. I was born in Nepal and moved to the UK with my family when I was 3. I am the first member of my family to go to university and I am very passionate about social mobility and de-mystifying the corporate world for first generation applicants, having been a subcommittee member for my Uni’s Outreach program to help do so. Outside of studies, I love weightlifting, reading and fashion!
What do you find most interesting about the legal sector/Goodwin?
What I find most interesting about the legal sector, and Goodwin in particular, is how the law operates in complex and rapidly changing fields. Whether it’s technology, private equity, or life sciences, the legal landscape is constantly evolving in response to innovation and global trends. This requires you to always be open to learning new things and stay ahead of legal, political and economic trends, which is what makes the work so intellectually stimulating and why Goodwin’s focus on innovative, fast-moving sectors really appeals to me.
What surprised you most about the vacation scheme experience?
I was most surprised about how open everyone was to working alongside the Vacation Schemers there. I had the misconception that vacation schemers would ‘be in the way’ and that we were there to mainly do assessments. However at Goodwin, I got real, valuable work and first hand exposure to deals. All the associates and trainees were more than willing to help, explain things over and listen to our questions. There were also many fun socials where we got to have fun and relax!
What advice would you give to a potential applicant?
I would advise applicants to make sure that they align their personal strengths with the strengths of the firm, and highlight how that would make them a good fit. Detailed research, networking and speaking to people at the firm can help build a genuine and unique application that stands out.
In addition, commercial awareness is key. Researching Goodwin’s main clients, the firm’s strategy and the latest legal trends all help refine applications and performances at interviews.
How did you prepare for the interview and assessments?
I did 3 main things. Firstly, I reread over my application and made sure I knew how to articulate answers to basic questions like why law, why Goodwin etc. Secondly, I brushed up on my commercial awareness, making sure I knew the definitions to key legal and financial terminology and that I was aware of the main developments in the news at the time. Thirdly, whilst on the Vacation Scheme, I kept a diary of the tasks I did and the people I spoke to so that I could recall and expand on these experiences during my final interview.
What’s one misconception you had about working in a law firm that changed during your time at Goodwin?
I had the misconception that lawyers constantly had to use detailed and complex terminology, but during the Scheme I realised that one of the most important skills a lawyer can have is the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Clients often come from a variety of industries and may not be familiar with technical legal language, so breaking down complex concepts into accessible advice is essential.
How did the scheme help you understand what kind of lawyer you want to become?
The scheme really helped me understand the type of lawyer I want to become by giving me exposure to a variety of different seats. Hearing from people across departments taught me the value of keeping an open mind when it comes to seat rotations, as there are so many areas of law I hadn’t considered before. At the same time, I found myself particularly drawn to the regulatory and compliance side of the work having sat in the commercial side of the Tech and Life Sciences team. I enjoyed how it combined technical detail with broader commercial awareness and provided a range of tasks to tackle. When I commence my training the skills I’ve learnt from my scheme will definitely help me excel.