Bird & Bird (Communication & Engagement) Flashcards
Can you describe a time when you had to explain a complex idea to someone with little or no prior knowledge of the topic? How did you ensure they understood?
S: An instance of when I have had to explain a complex idea to someone with no prior experience has to be during my EPQ presentation regarding music copyright..
T: As part of the qualification, I was required to summarise all of the research I had collected for my 5000 word dissertation to a small audience that included my EPQ supervisor and coordinator who had no musical or legal background.
A: Since I had to condense a lot of information into a brief 10 minute presentation, I made sure that I only covered the key points necessary, summarising the information that would still be well understood to first-time listeners but also within the set time frame. To make the information more accessible to the audience, I included practical demonstrations using a guitar so that my audience could audibly distinguish different musical concepts which affected the determination of music copyright. Furthermore, I used diagrams and analogies that my audience would understand, for example using soundwaves to explain why certain harmonies worked together as my audience mostly had a STEM background. I also included an interactive element to my presentation, using a quiz to test the audience’s knowledge in a stimulating and challenging way. Finally, I dedicated a portion of time to questions at the end, making sure to re-explain concepts in a different way if they were not entirely understood.
R: As a result, my presentation was well-received by all members of my audience, with my final EPQ project attaining full marks.
Apply: Through this experience, I have therefore developed the necessary communication skills needed by a solicitor apprentice, who must often explain legal concepts in layman terms to effectively inform clients and recommend services.
Lawyers often need to communicate with a range of stakeholders. How would you adapt your communication style when speaking to a client versus a senior partner?
Adapting communication style is imperative for solicitors, particularly between clients and senior partners in order to ensure the most effective understanding.
Primarily, for clients, it is important to note that they may not have prior legal knowledge so I would ensure to use clear, jargon-free language so that they fully understand their legal position. I would focus on explaining complex concepts in simpler terms to make sure that they are informed on every decision that needs to be taken. Particularly in face-to-face or verbal communication, I would ensure to have an open and approachable tone, allowing them to voice any concerns if necessary and feel reassured, In addition, I would make sure to have positive body language such as eye contact and nodding , ensuring to maintain a professional yet friendly image and conveying empathy when dealing with sensitive issues.
Conversely, when talking to senior partners, I would consider the partner’s status as well as prior knowledge. Therefore, my approach would be more formal and precise, acknowledging that the partner’s expertise does not require me to explain things more simply but rather get to the heart of the matter. I would therefore use more precise legal terminology when appropriate, focusing on key facts, legal reasoning and potential solutions clearly and succinctly. In order to show my preparation, I would anticipate any potential questions they may have and return with well thought responses backed by legal evidence when applicable.
Regardless of the audience, I would always aim to be professional and polite, using active listening and clear language. This will allow me to maintain and build professional relationships as well as contribute effectively to my team.
Give an example of a time when you worked as part of a team. How did you contribute to effective collaboration?
S/T: An instance where I have achieved effective collaboration was during a team-building project for my school economics and business society, in which we were given the hypothetical task of being a delivery driver that had to deliver customer orders in the most fuel-effective way.
T: My goal was to ensure our team collaborated effectively to analyze key information, divide responsibilities efficiently, and develop a well-reasoned solution within the time limit.
A: Primarily, we began by reading all the information provided, making sure to fully comprehend it ourselves and making notes before discussing with the group. I then facilitated a discussion, identifying weight distribution and route planning as the most critical factors.
To maximize efficiency, I suggested splitting into two teams—one focusing on optimizing the route and the other on weight distribution. I also set a 15-minute time limit for each team to analyze their area before regrouping. This allowed us to work in parallel while maintaining structure.
When we reconvened, I encouraged open discussion, ensuring all perspectives were considered and validated with logical reasoning. By keeping track of time and guiding discussions back to our key objectives—fuel efficiency and practicality—we refined our final solution effectively.
R: We were the first team to finish, and our solution was well-supported by analysis. This experience reinforced the importance of communication, time management, and problem-solving—skills I would apply as a solicitor apprentice when analyzing legal information, collaborating with colleagues, and managing client cases efficiently.
How would you handle a situation where a client disagrees with your advice or is unhappy with the information provided?
Working in customer service for the past 2 years, it is common to handle situations when clients disagree or are unhappy with the advice or information provided. Similarly, solicitors must handle negotiations with diplomacy, where commercial perspectives do not align with legal ones. In these instances, I find the most effective way to reach a negotiation is by finding out the client’s top priorities and then using open communication to come to a collective agreement.
S: For example, in my current role, I am responsible for hiring out the centre facilities to clients for events. However, there was an instance in which I reached a disagreement with a client, who wasn’t open to hiring a larger space for their party, despite my recommendation due to the size of their planned entertainment.
T: I therefore needed to come to a resolution that would both adhere to company policy recommendations as well as keeping the customer satisfied.
A: In order to do so, I made sure to openly discuss my concerns with the client from a company perspective, outlining the health and safety concerns of placing too many items in a compact space as well as evidencing that previous parties who had tried similar things were often not an enjoyable experience for guests, particularly for children who often needed more space to move and for whom the party was for. I then asked the customer as to which piece of entertainment was their top preference, suggesting it may be ideal to cut down on certain elements or hire extra space to limit disappointment on the day. I also offered a viewing of the facilities with a typical party set up so that the client could visually see my perspective and make an informed decision.
R: As a result, particularly after the viewing, the client came to see my reasoning and decided to hire the extra space, understanding that my priorities were not just about money but also client experience for the guests.
Can you describe a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view? What approach did you take?
S: An instance where I have had to persuade someone was during my current role, in which I reached a disagreement with a client, who wasn’t open to hiring a larger space for their party, despite my recommendation due to the size of their planned entertainment.
T: I therefore needed to come to a resolution that would both adhere to company policy recommendations as well as keeping the customer satisfied.
A: In order to do so, I made sure to openly discuss my concerns with the client from a company perspective, outlining the health and safety concerns of placing too many items in a compact space as well as evidencing that previous parties who had tried similar things were often not an enjoyable experience for guests, particularly for children who often needed more space to move and for whom the party was for. I then asked the customer as to which piece of entertainment was their top preference, suggesting it may be ideal to cut down on certain elements or hire extra space to limit disappointment on the day. I also offered a viewing of the facilities with a typical party set up so that the client could visually see my perspective and make an informed decision.
R: As a result, particularly after the viewing, the client came to see my reasoning and decided to hire the extra space, understanding that my priorities were not solely about selling more services but also client experience for the guests.
Apply: For solicitor apprentices, this can apply to dealing with clients, whose commercial concerns may not translate well to establish agreements, therefore needing solicitors to work together to reach compromises.
What skills do you have that would make you suited to this position?
I believe my standout skill is my creativity, which I have developed earning my grade 8 piano certificate and employed as Sports Captain, using versatile thinking to analyse opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, developing new approaches for my netball team and often leading them to victory against more experienced players. This is necessary for solicitors who must navigate upcoming legislation and complex litigation to suit their clients’ business needs.
Furthermore, these problem-solving abilities are enhanced by my strong communication skills, maintaining client expectations and case progress through precise and coherent language.
Effective communication not only ensures successful negotiations and persuasive advocacy for clients but also fosters teamwork in the workplace, building professional relationships and collaboration. Through participating in Debate society and my English Literature studies, I have refined both my written and oral communication, structuring arguments using logic and clarity. These experiences earned me recognition as runner-up at the Catenian Province 5 speaking competition, demonstrating my critical thinking and confidence.
Finally, what a successful solicitor needs and a key quality of mine is having a growth mindset. In a field that is constantly shifting, solicitors are bound to approach unfamiliar issues that demand resilience and perseverance. To cope with this demand, it is also critical for lawyers to consistently update their political and business acumen, helping to provide nuanced, practical advice. It is volunteering at Citizens Advice that has provided me with this growth mindset, allowing me to step outside my comfort zone and enhancing my interpersonal skills through continuous reflection and client interaction.
