After attending Bright Network's First Year Lawyers Top 100, Jack has secured a Training Contract with Clyde & Co. We caught up with Jack to hear all about it.
We caught up with Jack while he’s on secondment to see what life is now like at Clyde & Co, how networking has boosted his career and looking back on his applications, what tips would he offer to Bright Network members now.
Now you’ve been at Clyde & Co, what is the culture of the firm like?
Everyone is genuine and very friendly - they take a legitimate interest in your career progression, all the way from grad recruitment to the partners. They also make an active effort to get you involved in good stuff and the exciting cases. When you’re doing the job, it’s a very supportive culture and a great environment to learn in. Plus, it is very social - everyone is open for a drink or catch up.
Are you enjoying the work? Is there a particular project/task you’re enjoying especially?
My training contract as a whole has been great. My opportunity for secondment came along quite late in the process in my second seat. It was a useful opportunity to understand the claim system from the client’s side which has been really helpful when understanding insurance.
How has networking helped you in your time at Clyde & Co?
It has been so useful. In my position, I have been able to get to know all the claims managers across all of the claims team. This has massively benefitted me in knowing what individual people want - i.e. the types of reports, the individual preferences to the work lawyers do or what they want to hear and be able to understand that from their perspective. Understanding those contacts has given me a great USP and allowed me to develop contacts I can stay in touch with.
What 3 tips would you give BN members?
- Make yourself unique - show how you can distinguish yourself from other candidates and how that will add value to the firm. To do this, you need to go and speak to people at events and put a name to your face. This will separate you from the crowd. Think about what your USP is, develop and utilise it.
- Don’t underestimate the value of work experience you’ve done in the past, particularly where you have added value to the client. As a lawyer, your main job is to consider the client’s business needs, think about that when drawing on your work experience. Also make sure to tailor your experience to the law firms you are going to and their values.
- Stick to your guns, be resilient and adapt - everyone will get rejections. I once got three in a row on ‘rejection Friday’. Talk to anyone you can have a chat to in the industry, career consultants, friends anyone. Work out what you need to change to get past that application. The hardest bit is getting from paper through the door, but don’t be disheartened.
What's your lucky charm or pre-interview ritual
Eating some harribo!
