Elinam's success story: Securing a training contract at Mayer Brown

Elinam is a Law (Clinical Learning) graduate from Lancaster University. She secured a Training Contract at Mayer Brown International LLP in London and used Bright Network during her application season.

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and giving advice when asked for my opinion or perspective.

As I grew up, I gained a curiosity and appreciation for the commercial sector and became fascinated by the inner workings of a company, the decisions it may make and how the law impacts such decisions.

My interests blended together in the role of a corporate law solicitor and working in the commercial sector.”

What motivated you to apply for your role?

“I recognised the importance of an effective training programme before becoming a solicitor and so my applications were made with a heavy focus on the quality of training available at the firm.

Mayer Brown has an excellent training contract programme, which allows trainee solicitors to engage fully in matters and assist on a variety of tasks, as well as maintaining a strong balance with the provision of detailed and exceptional training sessions from the fee-earners in the practice areas.”

What was the application process like?

“It was a difficult process with many different stages, but I found it encouraging to ask for feedback to find out where I could improve.

Resilience and determination are key skills for any individual, so the application process was a helpful and fruitful one.”

How did you prepare for your application?

“I prepared by completing lots of practice applications and understanding the meaning behind the common questions asked.

I spoke to mentors I had to hear their experiences and tips.

I was keen to ask for feedback from applications where possible, and I took the feedback intentionally to ensure that I applied the points in the next application.”

How did Bright Network help you secure your role?

“In 2021, I successfully completed Bright Network’s Internship Experience UK Commercial Law stream.

I was introduced to banking and finance law by attending a workshop regarding the foundations of a bond issue transaction and also particularly enjoyed a workshop on corporate litigation and the class action revolution. Another beneficial workshop involved sharing critical thinking skills and commercial awareness insights.

These sessions brought exposure to the building blocks of commercial law and ultimately helped my understanding of applications.”

What are you most proud of about your journey?

“I’m proud of the development I’m making, not only as a trainee solicitor but as an individual.

I’ve been able to acquire strong skills in a short amount of time and I have been diligent in seeking opportunities for further growth and exposure to commercial law.”

What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

“It’s helpful to discuss your experiences because we often find that someone else has gone through a similar journey before, so I’d recommend speaking to other lawyers – their advice was a key factor that helped in my process.

Additionally, having a curiosity about the legal world, the international factors and wider commercial issues is a beneficial element as these factors make the legal sector particularly relevant in society.

Finally, I’d recommend thinking about the unique skills you can bring to the firm and how you complement what the firm is looking for. It’s a key perspective to have throughout the process.”

What have you learnt from going through the process?

“I’ve learnt that despite the many law firms in this sector, it is important to know why the firm you are applying to stands out.

It’s good practice to research the firm, its clients and its values and gather an appreciation of what makes the firm unique and why you would be a good fit.”

Tell us about the future. What’s next?

“My main goal is to develop the skills I already have that are in seed form, while also picking up new skills that more experienced lawyers have and learning to apply these skills in a variety of practice areas.

I enjoy the learning process and look forward to continuing to learn after my training contract.”