Virtual insight event Review

I enjoyed the virtual insight event thoroughly. It was a great opportunity to meet future trainees, trainees, a partner and the graduate recruitment team of the firm to understand the values and key business strategies of Dentons. I was interested to learn about the firm's polycentric model and how the various offices collaborate to find the best client solutions. The firm's global nature resonated with me as I worked for an international firm in my previous career.

The graduate recruitment team made sure that everyone felt comfortable and valued throughout the virtual insight event. There were ample breaks in between each presentation and the presenters always made sure to address questions when asked. Trainees were very helpful during the commercial negotiation exercise in guiding us through the fact pattern and providing us with advice on how to strategise. Trainees also provided us with good feedback about how we approached the negotiation exercise.

The event was very well organised from the start. The graduate recruitment team outlined how the day would proceed along with housekeeping rules. The graduate recruitment team coordinated the commercial negotiation exercise via Zoom with very little interruption to the schedule of the event. The graduate recruitment team also kindly made sure to address as many questions on the chatbox and to make it more interactive by giving us a chance to speak in person.

The commercial negotiation exercise helped me understand the commercial considerations for lawyers when advising their clients. The exercise required us to understand the client's goals thoroughly and to analyse the bargaining power of each party. We examined the BATNA as well as the client's ideal outcomes. This helped guide our strategy in predicting different responses from the other side and how we would react accordingly. The exercise taught us the importance of active listening and asking open-ended questions.

The insight even was very well structured. We understood what to expect from the beginning of the event and after each presentation, we were given ample time to break. Before each break, the graduate recruitment team provided us with clear guidance about what to expect. It would have been nice to have some more time to be able to speak directly with the trainees in separate breakout rooms. However, understandably, there may not have been enough time during the event for that.

The graduate recruitment team made sure that everyone was comfortable during the event. There may have been certain points where connection issues limited communication but overall, the event felt smooth. The trainees were very encouraging during the commercial negotiation exercise and provided good honest feedback about our performance whilst preparing for and executing the negotiation. Everyone including the insight event participants was very friendly and I was happy to be able to network with them.

The firm was very keen to provide us with good insight about its operations and strategies for us to consider applying to the firm.

The partner provided us with a great understanding of the firm's strategy as well as its future trajectory. I was inspired by how ambitious and innovative the firm is and how diverse its lawyers are. During the commercial negotiation exercise, we had a chance to ask questions to trainees during the remaining time. It would have been nice to have some more time allocated for participants to understand what a day in the life of a trainee would look like.

I already had an idea as to how global the firm was but I was further impressed by how much it emphasised D&I including its pro bono work. I was particularly interested in hearing about the various practice areas at the firm. It would have been nice to meet some lawyers from some of the London practice areas who would be able to weigh in on the key trends and challenges, perhaps with reference to the pandemic as well.

The firm helped me reaffirm my passion for commercial law.

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The graduate recruitment team made sure that we had time to ask questions to the partner and trainees. During the commercial negotiation exercise, I had some opportunity to ask trainees about their experiences including remote working and trainee responsibilities. During the remaining time of the commercial negotiation exercise, we also had an opportunity to speak with other participants and eventually exchange contact details. It would have been nice to allocate specific time for networking with trainees and participants.

We were able to interact with each other in the breakout room during the commercial negotiation exercise.

The partner spoke about some of the pro bono activities that Dentons lawyers are involved in. She also mentioned D&I groups and some of their respective initiatives.

Yes, I would recommend this virtual insight event to a friend who is interested in commercial law at a global law firm. I would tell them the structure of the event and share with them the insight I gained from each presentation and the commercial negotiation exercise. I would let them know how friendly and welcoming the firm was. I may also let them know that there was not much time allocated to speak directly to trainees.