📩 Free mock interview with a former Mayer Brown recruiter

Hey

This week we hosted 'Standing out in a competitive field' with Mark Dubes, a former graduate recruiter at Mayer Brown. The response was overwhelmingly positive and many of you stayed well after the session ended to keep the conversation going.

We're now announcing that Mark will be running multiple sessions on the application process, plus a monthly Q&A where you can bring your questions directly to him. You’ll receive the invite links once they’re set up.

And for anyone who completes the Future Trainee Academy in the next 30 days, Mark will give you a mock interview.

If you've already completed the Academy, you'll be contacted separately once bookings open.

Applications

1. Research for your applications

   Access over 20 law firm profiles, complete with breakdowns, seats, secondments, and other requirements.

2. How to research a law firm

   A 9-step law firm research checklist that shows you what to look for, where to find it, and how to use it.

3. Magic Circle Analysed Deals

   This breaks down recent transactions and explains how to move beyond simply mentioning a deal, towards demonstrating real commercial understanding and relevance.

4. Written Application Framework

   How to structure your answers, apply the rule of three and build a compelling narrative for your applications.

5. 15 Applications Sample Bundle

   15 real application answers samples from major firms along with an explanation of what worked and why

6. Securing a Vacation Scheme

   What to do if your efforts still aren’t converting, despite trying everything.

7. Application tracker, CV & Cover Letter Guidance

   Track your applications, access CV and Cover Letter templates, and more.

Psychometric Tests

1. Watson Glaser Cheat Sheet

   A clear breakdown of the key skills tested in critical thinking tests, along with where to practice, mistakes and red flags to watch out for.

Interviews

1. Commercial Awareness Starter Pack

   Guidance on how to develop your commercial awareness and a worked example showing what a strong answers looks like.

2. The Interview Question Bank

   Over 80+ interview questions asked by leading law firms.

3. Video Interview Guide

   Covering common formats, how firms assess answers, and how to communicate clearly and confidently on camera.

Work Experience

1. How to gain Legal Work Experience

   This covers six avenues you could explore to gain relevant legal work experience.

2. Virtual Work Experience

   Explore free virtual internships and DIY vacation schemes. Build real-world skills you can showcase on applications.

3. Opportunities in Law

   80+ opportunities across law firms, chambers, early-careers programmes and paralegal roles.

Studying

1. First Class LLB Notes

   Includes proven tips for managing time, revision, and exams.

2. First Class Problem Question Model Answer

   How to structure a problem question answer and showcase your legal reasoning.

3. Essay Structures

   Covers how to open with impact, write clearly and finish with a focused conclusion.

4. Oscola Referencing Cheat Sheet

   A simplified guide to OSCOLA referencing, covering how to cite cases, legislation, books, journal articles, and more.

Wall Street Banks Thrive Amidst Conflict

The geopolitical turmoil arising from the Iran war has driven trading activity, leading to major US banks posting record first quarter earnings. JPMorgan Chase reported its highest ever trading revenues at over $10 billion, with Citigroup similarly achieving its best quarterly revenue in a decade.

Together, these major US banks have raked in billions of dollars in profit during the first quarter of this year alone. JPMorgan Chase’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Barnum, notes that the banks have been benefitting from ‘good volatility’ during this period.

The Implications

Investment banks flourish with market volatility because their business model depends upon facilitating client activity. And it is during these periods of volatility that clients will want to balance their exposure to certain assets and execute trades quickly. The banks then earn fees on every transaction, so higher trading volumes directly boost revenues for them regardless of whether the markets then move up or down.

Jeremy Barnum bringing up ‘good volatility’ distinguishes the current situation against markets that are so chaotic that cash flow evaporates as clients choose not to trade due to unreliability. This would then collapse transaction volumes for banks, preventing them from collecting on fees. The Iran war is allowing for these clients to actively trade with sustained cash flow and so the banks are able to competitively play a part.

What does this mean for capital markets?

• Investment banks gain significant revenue opportunities during geopolitical crises through heightened trading activity

• Banks that have chosen to restructure their offerings with a greater focus on investment banking, like Citigroup, are seeing these turnarounds pay off rather quickly

• Whilst banks are winning today, they may lose tomorrow if clients begin to default on loans throughout this renewed crisis

How to Use This In Applications

19 April 1775 — The start of the American War of Independence against Britain when fighting began at Lexington and Concord.

20 April 1516 — Henry VIII knights Brian Tuke, the first Master of the Posts, in an act that was the catalyst for the creation of the Royal Mail.

21 April 1509 — Henry VIII becomes King of England.

22 April 1662 — Charles II grants a charter to the Royal Society for London.

23 April 1616 — Death of William Shakespeare

24 April 1900 — First issue of the Daily Express is printed.

25 April 1599 — The birth of Oliver Cromwell, Protector of England who led his ‘Ironsides’ in the English Civil War against the ‘Cavaliers’ of King Charles I. Cromwell’s victories enabled him to have the King tried and beheaded, after which he established a republic.

Want a clearer route to securing a training contract?

The Future Trainee Academy brings the full recruitment process into one place, with guidance from a recruiter who assessed 10,000+ candidates and examples from future trainees at top firms.

It covers applications, interviews, assessment centres, and more. You’ll also get a certificate you can add to your CV and LinkedIn.

When you join, you will also gain access to the Watson Glaser Practise Hub where you can practise as much as you need to comfortably pass it!