Rare | Articles | Testimonials

The Rare Articles programme was not only integral in helping me secure a training contract but invaluable in allowing me to build my professional network, confidence, and understanding of the legal sector. The coaching sessions and mock interviews during and after the application stage equipped me with the necessary skills, knowledge, and practices required of a prospective trainee solicitor. From being able to undertake a case study with confidence to developing my commercial acumen, the level of support provided by rare was truly immeasurable.

I also really valued the ability to attend exclusive insight days at top firms around the city and attain in-depth information that would allow me to improve the quality of applications I submitted. The countless opportunities I had to network with legal professionals and learn about the nuances of the corporate world helped me to consolidate my reasons for pursing law in the long-term.
Sarah Asse, Law King's College London

Sarah completed the Rare 2022-2023 Articles programme and secured vacation schemes with Slaughter and May and White & Case. She subsequently accepted a training contract offer from Slaughter and May.

Rare Articles was an invaluable development programme. It provided me with a first-hand account of working life within commercial law. I enjoyed visiting the various UK and US firms. This allowed me to learn about the intricate differences between the law firms and to further distinguish them from each other.

Articles involved workshops that developed my commercial fluency. I participated in case studies regarding mergers and acquisitions and I learned how to confidently deliver presentations. The application and interview skills workshops were very beneficial. I learned how to thoroughly research a law firm and write good applications. I also received practice interview questions which improved my interview technique and helped to iron out bad habits such as fidgeting.

Also, my experience on Articles allowed me to expand my network. I met partners, associates, trainees and graduate recruitment at the different law firms. Moreover, my peers on Articles were my most important network. We supported each other with applications, shared useful tips and eventually became good friends.
Milambo Makani, Law Durham University

Milambo completed the Rare Articles programme and secured vacation schemes at Latham & Watkins and Travers Smith. He is now an associate at Freshfields.

Even if I had conducted the necessary research and identified Herbert Smith Freehills as a place I would like to work, I do not believe I would have had the confidence to apply because I felt that even if I had succeeded at application stage, I would have been a little out of my depth on the assessment day. Rare filled me with the confidence to do so.

What was the best thing about applying through Rare? I cannot pick a single thing, because there were so many - the individually catered feedback, the high calibre candidates, the inspiring individuals and the case studies. But I guess the best thing was their cumulative effect, in that all these aspects of the programme gave me the confidence to believe that being myself was enough, rather than needing to impersonate "the perfect candidate".
Roy Kwasi Appiah, Law, City University

Roy completed a vacation scheme at Herbert Smith Freehills and then a training contract at Clifford Chance after completing Rare's Articles programme. He is now a senior associate in their Litigation and Dispute Resolution team.

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