Information hub

5 minutes with future trainee, Raphaël Tulkens

What University did you attend?
I attended the New College of the Humanities (NCH) and I am now at University College, Oxford.

What subject are you studying?
Having studied Philosophy and Art History at NCH, I am now reading for the BA in Jurisprudence with Senior Status at Oxford. This means that I get to do the full BA in two years instead of three.

When do you join as a trainee?
August 2018.

How did you hear about Shearman & Sterling?
Word of mouth: a friend of mine was taking part in the Shearman & Sterling moot at Oxford.

What made you apply?
A combination of things. Being initially interested in International Arbitration, I was drawn to Shearman’s strong practice in that area. Looking further into the firm, I quickly realised that the quality of the work was not limited to arbitration, but extended throughout its practice groups. Global opportunities and a small trainee intake were also important elements for me, both of which Shearman offers. Finally, I must say that the simplicity and straightforwardness of the application process was also a positive factor — other firms I was looking into at that time had long-winded and convoluted online application forms.

How did you approach the initial application form?
I started by making sure that my CV was up-to-date and that I knew why I was applying for Shearman rather than any other firm. I then took sufficient time off to fill in the form with an extra eye for detail. Those three questions might seem straightforward, but there is a lot to say, so I tried to write as concisely and legibly as possible.

What made Shearman & Sterling different to other firms?
One of the reasons Shearman stood out is that it is arguably the most ‘anglicised’ of US firms in the City, having been established in London since 1972. The London office is still growing fast, and it truly felt like a buzzing place during my vac scheme. The quality of the work is comparable to Magic Circle firms, but handled in a smaller and more personal environment. This appeared to me as the best of both worlds.

What made you accept?
Having participated in a vacation scheme, I had the chance of being able to take a decision on the basis of my own first-hand experience at the firm. Not only was I given challenging work, but I felt that I was part of the team and that my input, however small, was genuinely valued. The office culture was friendly, which made the scheme thoroughly enjoyable. I also liked the idea of having a flexible training contract, with real opportunities to go abroad and to experience the practice groups I am most interested in.

What advice would you give to others who are interested in Shearman & Sterling?
Be yourself. I know how daunting the application process can be, but that should not let you forget that the people on the other side are not there to trick you; they are actually interested in you and what you have to say. Also, if you do get a spot on a vac scheme, my advice would be to be proactive: do not sit at your desk waiting for work to come to you but get up, ask questions and try to meet as many people as you can. It’s a great learning experience in itself.