Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

In the interim period between the Summer Placement Scheme and the commencement of my Training Contact, the Trainee Recruitment & Development team offered me an invaluable opportunity to work at the Firm’s Dubai office. This unique placement has allowed me to gain practical experience across the office’s Banking, M&A and Global Disputes practices, which deal with international matters, as well as issues pertaining to the emirate’s financial free zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

I have enjoyed engaging in the work that the DIFC attracts. I am particularly captivated by the unique nature of this financial hub, which couples a court system largely modelled on the English Commercial Court, with the regional business cultures of the Gulf and wider MENA regions. As a fluent Arabic speaker, I have been able to engage in matters related to the region’s prominent sectors, such as large-scale construction disputes. This has also given me a platform to work alongside, and learn from, an experienced and cosmopolitan legal team.

While the distinctive local features have greatly contributed to this interesting experience, I have been equally impressed by the seamless nature in which the Firm’s global offices collaborate on projects. One particular instance that exemplified the Firm’s “One Firm Worldwide Ethos” was my involvement in a complex legal research matter, for which I coordinated with colleagues based in the Firm’s Singapore, Paris and Tokyo offices, on the same day.

I have particularly enjoyed the exposure to a large and diverse caseload. The responsibility of working on contentious and transactional matters simultaneously has allowed me to further develop my time-management, organisation and communication skills. This experience has also enhanced my legal drafting, research skillset and confidence in client interaction – key skills that I look forward to implementing, and developing further, during my Training Contract in London.

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I attended a two-week Summer Placement Scheme at the Jones Day offices in London.

During the Scheme, I had the opportunity to work with partners, associates and trainees on matters spanning different practice areas – this ranged from banking and M&A deals to global disputes and anti-trust issues. The Scheme offered me first-hand experience of the Firm’s unique non-rotational training system. The inherent flexibility of this approach meant I could readily communicate with lawyers from a number of different departments and take on a diversified caseload. It was through knocking on doors, to obtain and discuss work, that the Firm’s collegiate culture became apparent – lawyers were very approachable and always keen to offer detailed feedback on the work product.

It was evident that the non-rotational system also focuses on developing and instilling a number of key skills in trainees. During the Scheme, it was important to strike a balance between proactively seeking a variety of work and managing the delegators’ expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed this training system, as it allowed me to work on the different elements of complex multi-faceted matters, in turn providing me with a more holistic understanding of commercial work. The scope for working with different specialist lawyers also created a continually renewed zest for work.

In parallel to completing the different legal tasks, I updated and submitted regular work logs to the Trainee Recruitment & Development Team. This exercise gave me the opportunity to reflect on key legal aspects, such as the broader context for each task; the clients’ needs and objectives which influenced the bespoke service they received; and the key points I learned from the task.

The Scheme also involved a number of a distinctive exercises, each tailored to elicit different legal and interpersonal skills. I delivered a presentation to a partner regarding a company I considered to be a good potential client for Jones Day. This encouraged me to rely on my commercial awareness, as I had to consider the business aspects of the Firm and to draw upon Jones Day’s unique selling points – such as its One Firm Worldwide approach and unrivalled proficiency in M&A deals. This task also challenged my understanding of the prospective client’s market and key business drivers.

I also took part in a group negotiation exercise, alongside fellow interns. This was an extremely enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experience, which contextualised points of contention that commonly arise in business transactions. This involved evaluating the facts of a potential deal, to assess each party’s bargaining power and to draw up different negotiation tactics. For instance, it was often prudent to accede to the other party’s request for a term that benefitted its client, in order to gain leverage for securing an alternative demand that was of greater interest to our own client. This also required us to utilise effective teamwork and communication skills, particularly as the factual background of the deal was not disclosed prior to the exercise. This made it crucial to collaborate effectively.

This robust Scheme was complemented with enjoyable social events, such as a dim-sum masterclass and a summer party, which offered ample opportunity to interact with members of the Jones Day team and fellow interns.

At the end of this fulfilling experience, and following an interview with two of the Firm’s lawyers, I was delighted to receive a Training Contract offer. I am very much looking forward to starting work at the London Office in September 2020.

I studied at the University of Sheffield, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2017 and completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in 2018. Alongside my studies, I interned at several law firms, volunteered at the University’s pro bono legal clinic, and was involved in a number of student-led initiatives. In June 2018, I attended Jones Day’s two-week Summer Placement Scheme and was delighted to receive an offer of a Training Contract (to commence in September 2020). I currently work as a paralegal in the Firm’s Dubai office, assisting on Banking, M&A, and Global Disputes matters.

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