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

I chose to start my legal career at Ropes & Gray because I knew that I would receive fantastic training, learn from accomplished peers, and be pushed to achieve my best.

I was also impressed by the growth of Ropes and Gray’s London office since opening in 2010-- an upwards trajectory that continues to date.The firm also recently opened a Dublin office, and the antitrust team has now introduced an internal trainee secondment there. Such progress is a testament to Ropes’ commitment to driving growth and development, and this creates an exciting environment to work in.

How did you find the recruitment and selection process?

I found the recruitment process to be challenging, but this is representative of the expectations set at Ropes & Gray. For example, several of the exercises focused on your ability to collaborate effectively with your peers. I consider this central to our culture, and the selection process seeks to identify people that align with these core values.

I was also pleasantly surprised to receive my training contract offer via a call from one of the partners at the firm. This shows the investment that Ropes puts into recruitment, with even the firm’s most senior lawyers showing a keen interest and being closely involved in the hiring process.

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

I would describe Ropes’ culture as highly collaborative and supportive. From the very first day of my training contract, it was clear that across all levels of seniority, people want you to ask questions and they are happy to take time out of their day to discuss your responses. You feel that people are genuinely invested in your development, and this is invaluable as learning from the experiences and perspectives of your seniors is a key benefit of being a trainee at such a high calibre firm.

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

I was given the opportunity to prepare and draft a submission paper that was later sent to various competition authorities across the globe. The matter eventually made its way into the public domain and was reported on across the world. Knowing that I had played a part in something that made headlines was a very memorable moment in my training contract!

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

I worked on a matter providing guidance on the status of LGBTQ+ rights in various nations across the globe. This gave me the opportunity to conduct research into areas of law outside of Ropes’ usual practice areas. I also worked with members of the firm across different levels of seniority, from fellow trainees to partners. Pro bono work is rewarding as you hope to provide support/resources to those in need, and it is also a fantastic way to foster cross-departmental interaction.

What tips would you give a potential applicant?

I would advise attending a Ropes & Gray presentation or reaching out to lawyers at the firm, particularly those working in a department that you might be interested in. I was lucky enough to speak with a Ropes solicitor before applying to the firm. The conversation helped calm my nerves ahead of my interview and gave me a useful insight into the firm.