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5 THINGS LEANRED FROM DANIEL LO
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BOTH INVESTORS AND COMPANIES BENEFIT FROM PRIVATE EQUITY
On one hand, investors inject money into companies to attain profits, diversify their offering, and may even do so for social good. An example of this would be funding companies developing anti-COVID vaccines which would help curve the spread of the pandemic. On the other hand, companies receiving investment opportunities will be able to grow their enterprise, associate their brand to the investor’s reputation, and gain access to their network.
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INVESTORS CANNOT SOLELY CONTROL A COMPANY
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Investors become part of the board whose tasks involve decision-making. The amount of decision-making power an investor has depends on the equity the company gives in return for their money. If investors have a sizeable chunk of shares, they could then essentially veto decisions to suit their own motives. Therefore, during the negotiation stage, it is necessary to consider how much autonomy the company will want to give up against the value and expertise the investors would add to the board to make profitable decisions for the company.
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NO BUSINESS DEGREE REQIREMENT TO BE A PRIVATE EQUITY LAWYER
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Though a business/commercial background could help you sort through financial and capitalisation tables easier, it is not a must-have. What really matters is your liking for the profession and willingness to learn more.
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THE IMPACT OF BREXIT ON PRIVATE EQUITY
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The biggest impact is the rise of uncertainty surrounding how the UK will manage to settle down after it’s exit from the European Union (EU). This uncertainty leads to a lack of investments, but it will be temporary. The UK is host to many high-net worth individuals and large corporations, so, an investment flow from the UK is definite. It’s all just a matter of time.
Regarding EU investors, there would be reluctance from them to invest in the UK due to its controversial exit. Countries like Luxembourg and Ireland (which are investment fund hubs) may take advantage of this situation by offering to fill in the vacuum the UK has created and essentially grow their market share.
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COVID-19 VS PRIVATE EQUITY
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There is now a major lack of optimism from investors. Private equity in itself is a risky industry, and with the added uncertainty due to COVID-19, not many would invest since there is little possibility of it paying off. That being said, this could also be the perfect time for investors out there who have the capital to invest in companies, since valuations are much lower. In the end, it all depends on the investor and their level of risk tolerance.
INTRODUCTION TO PRIVATE EQUITY LAW
Published on 25/06/2020
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7 ELEMENTS OF NEGOTIATION NICOLE DAVIDSON
INTRODUCTION TO NEGOTIATION AND KEY STRATEGIES TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
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COMMUNICATION
Communicating takes up a majority of lawyers’ tasks: from ensuring the clients are able to understand the law and how it applies to them, to drafting contact terms which require razor sharp clarity. So, it’s no surprise that amazing lawyers must also be excellent communicators. Similarly, negotiators must clearly express themselves and their (parties’) interests. It is also equally important to frequently ask questions and be a listener. That way, you are able to comprehend the other party’s perspective and reduce the chances of misinterpreting the agreements later on.
RELATIONSHIPS
Have you ever considered negotiating with your archenemy? I bet you thought you’d rather not. Likewise, individual perceptions on people create biases around them which influences the negotiation flow. It’s essential to understand whether or not those perceptions are true to diminish unhelpful biases. Nicole points out that you don’t have to like the other party, but you must be able to sit down, discuss and reach an agreement with them.
INTERESTS
Interests are the goals parties aim to achieve through negotiation. You always have to keep in mind the reason why you are negotiating in the first place, and what the ideal outcome would be. Doing so will come in handy when navigating through your viable options and will help you decide on one that is closest to a mutually beneficial deal.
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OPTIONS
A problem negotiators face is that they often agree to very suboptimal options. This means accepting a suggestion merely because both parties do not have any issues with it, and as a result missing out on the better deal. That is why it is vital to identify the underlying interests of the parties prior to the negotiation so they know what they want and are not settling for the short end of the stick.
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STANDARDS
Standards in a negotiation are all about how to justify options in hand. It involves utilising research material, familiarising one’s self with the relevant precedents or statutes, knowing the relevant legal documents like the back of your hand, and having all the facts in place. Standards can be negotiated against moral or ethical considerations.
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COMMITMENT
The ultimate goal of negotiation is commitment to the agreed terms. Some key problems often arise as there is no solid agreement between the parties, either because their interpretations differ, or the parties are late to realise that the terms are not operational. You can also use commitment to influence ‘how we are going to negotiate’, along with ‘what the result is.’ This means focusing on the WHY and HOW aspect, rather than WHAT.
Published on 03/07/2020
Negotiation Book List by Nicole Davidson
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WEBINAR ARTICLES
5 THINGS LEANRED FROM
MALIK SIDDIQUE
CRIMINAL LAW 101: HOW TO REALLY GET AWAY WITH MURDER
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Ever heard of a Solicitor-Advocate?
The roles of barristers are very different from solicitors: the main difference being that the latter do not have rights of audience which allow barristers to represent clients in court.
Malik has the best of both worlds by being a Solicitor-Advocate. This means he is a licensed solicitor who can do both the paperwork and represent his clients in court because he possesses the Higher Rights of Audience that a normal solicitor does not. Here’s a route he recommends, and one you might want to consider if you’re looking to build a career in criminal law:
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Take the traditional route of a solicitor: Doing a qualifying law degree, taking the LPC/SQE and acquiring supervised experience as a solicitor by acquiring a training contract.
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Solicitors then must do the Higher Rights of Audience course, in which success leads to the Higher Rights Advocacy Qualifications. This allows you to oversee a case from beginning to end!
Have the best of both worlds! You won’t regret it!
Does Ethnicity and Religion pose a limitation in the profession?
Though Malik recalls some instances of racism he had faced in the UK, it was never a barrier that kept him from doing his job and fighting for justice. He had accepted earlier on that he was of a different background, culture, and religion, and that does not make him different from any other. Instead of trying to fit in with his white colleagues Malik took all of the elements that made him different and used them in ways he could effectively approach his clients’ problems.
As a Muslim, has his morals and principles ever conflicted with his strategies/arguments in a case?
The English Legal System does not follow Sharia Law and is based on common law and statue law. According to Malik, he works on the boundaries of this system and he ensures that he upholds its values and principles, and stays within its professional confines.
The hard truth about working in the field:
Based on experience, Malik addresses the tough fact that not everyone fits the job description. It takes a certain type of person to be successful because although the cases will be the same, the people to be dealt with are always different. Different people carry different life experiences and so can either make or break you. He mentions that it is not at all the glamorous profession everyone pictures it to be, but is rather the complete opposite side. Pay is incredibly low in the UK due to cuts in legal aid, and because you work to protect justice and the “law of the land”, you’re always fighting against injustice (which manifests itself in the wrongful actions of authorities, racism, or religious discrimination and more).
The biggest silver-lining in this would be the thought of being able to preserve justice and give people what they truly deserve, whether that be freedom or a more comfortable sentence.
Lastly, always remember:
“It’s not our job to find out whether the client is guilty. That’s the prosecution’s job. Ours is to do justice.”
Published on 10/07/2020
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4 THINGS LEARNED FROM
DAVID GALEA
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WHAT IS MARITIME LAW?
Just as you thought, Maritime law is all about ships. But it’s not only that. Look around you: 95% of the things you see have been imported or exported on ships. From huge economic drivers like oil down to your shoelace aglets! David defined Maritime law as “the engine of world trade!”. More specifically, it involves the application of an assortment of legal basics across onto multi-million-dollar ship transactions and disputes. It’s an extremely competitive field that is nearly foolproof!
WILL THE INDUSTRY STAND THE TEST OF THE 2030 UN AGENDA AIMED TO REDUCE OIL CONSUMPTION AMONGST OTHERS?
While oil is undeniably one of the biggest products shipped worldwide (for example, KSA oil is delivered by ship to different parts of the globe), shipping isn’t just about oil and gas. In fact, a majority of shipping transactions do not revolve around those resources. In fact, the professionals today are starting to consider man-less ships depicting great things to look forward to in the future! Thus, the industry is likely to stand the test of time! So, wash those worries away and try your luck in the field!
HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF AN ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATE TO LAW FIRMS?
Internships may look great on your CV, but do not limit yourselves to just that! According to David, students should be involved in extracurricular which not only suit their personalities but will also help in developing competencies that the legal profession values. Fortunately, we live in the age of the internet where being part of various projects or becoming business leaders are easy since we can do it in the very comfort of our homes. Students have to grab these opportunities as it will contribute towards developing various skills like those of marketing and sales -both that are assets to law firms but what law schools don’t teach!
HOW TO SELL YOURSELF BUT NOT “PUSH IT”!
David says to “be yourself” and that’s what makes you different from others. You should be selling your personality, potential, ambition and also the knowledge you have. According to David, we should try to use all mediums possible but LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to sell yourself. However, while doing that students should not be pretentious or come off as a know-it all, but try to be someone who is willing to learn. Most importantly their personalities and professionalism should leave a good impression on others. As lawyers, it is necessary to be open to new experiences and also to learn from our mistakes and rejections!
WHAT LAW SCHOOLS DON'T TEACH YOU
Published on 19/07/2020
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5 THINGS LEARNED FROM
ALICIA LUNCHEON
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REFORMS FOR THE FUTURE
According to Alicia, right now, the Immigration system is substandard and it takes so long for the paperwork and application for citizenship to be approved. Alicia is of the opinion that after a person has lived a certain amount of years in the county, if they pay their taxes and have no criminal history, they should be able to apply for citizenship. But unfortunately, there’s no system like that right now even if you live for 50 years in America.
In criminal law, we have to focus on prosecutors and district attorneys. The district attorney has a lot of power when it comes to the cases. The prosecutors and attorneys should look far beyond the crime and understand where they are coming from. Police officers should do the same as well; but they’ll have to balance that with the “victims” interests as well.
In the end, if we really want to contribute towards providing a better and safer environment for Black lives, we will have to address the root of all the problems they face such as that with poverty and education.
WHAT CAN LAWYERS DO IN THE CRIMINAL FIELD TODAY?
Becoming a lawyer means making decisions that affect a person’s life, it means fighting for the truth every single day. Alicia emphasizes on the importance of looking at all evidence and case files from an objective point of view to figure out what the truth is as a criminal defense lawyer. Likewise, prosecutors need to be sure of their every move. It’s not enough to say “you think”. Decisions to prosecute should not be impaired by the want to help victims. Instead, be courteous: carefully explain to victims why you decided the way that you did, whether good or bad.
WHY TODAY?
The BLM movement originated in 2013, but it has never been as impactful as we see it today. The BLM movement today is the biggest civil rights movement of the century! So why now? That’s because our generation is the most outspoken, fearless and resourceful! Now we have the most powerful weapon the last generations never had: social media. We have video cameras that serve as possible evidence. Today, we have what it takes to stand up against injustices. So keep going. Changes need to be made and they need to be made today.
WHY THE 13TH AMENDMENT IS SO CONTROVERSIAL?
The 13th amendment abolishes slavery except as punishment for crimes where people have been convicted. This amendment makes it okay for involuntary servitude to exist in prisons and have corporations benefit from prison labor.
Why is this concerning? Not only do these big businesses get cheap and easy to control labor, majority of them are Black. Therefore, from this reality, how do we know that authorities aren’t using their power to get more people of color in prisons and profit from their work? Because as we know from the cases of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many more, racism is definitely a problem when it comes to policing and the criminal justice system; it needs either a fixing from the inside or a complete revamp.
THE 4TH AMENDMENT AND ITS RELATION TO POLICE BRUTALITY.
The 4th amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. So, in the scenario where an officer suspects someone of a criminal activity and attempts to stop/search them, as a citizen they have the right to walk away. But the problem is that the police does not let them do that and when there’s resistance a lot of the time it works like a signal for the police to use deadly force; in actuality the amendment only permits this when there’s a threat of serious bodily harm to either the officer or others.
BLACK LIVES MATTER: STAY WOKE!
Published on 24/07/2020
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7 THINGS LEARNED FROM
DARE ABINDE
USING LINKEDIN TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
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LinkedIn can be an intimidating platform, especially when you hear the term “Personal Branding”. But fear not! Knowing how important the platform is, we collated this list of Dare’s best tips on how to successfully build your personal brand on LinkedIn!
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A personal brand is simply what people say about you when you’re not in the room!
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Keep in mind the 3Cs when building that personal brand! You will need a Clear goal and value which you can offer to your network; Consistency to provide that value, and a Constant online presence your network can contact whenever and wherever!
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Complete your profile! LinkedIn only shows complete profiles on searches, so make sure to do this to maximise your profile’s reach!
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Never forget that LinkedIn is a community of people. Foster relationships, check up on your connections and create content which will provide value to your network!
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Make meaningful contributions to your network! This means commenting on trending posts, sharing thoughtful insights and the like! Support others the way you would like to be supported!
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Remember when sharing content that early engagement matters! So, get your closest connections to comment and like your post to boost its potential reach!
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Never put links on a LinkedIn post! LinkedIn is a business and it would never promote posts which drive users away. Instead, put links in the comments section, or otherwise edit your post at least a minute after posting. This will trick the algorithm and promote your post nevertheless!
Published on 07/08/2020
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5 THINGS LEARNED FROM
WILL LLOYD
LEGAL TECH 101
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ONLINE RESOURCES RECOMMENDED BY WILL LLOYD
WHAT IS LEGAL TECH, AND WHAT IS A LEGAL TECHNOLOGIST?
Legal technology is just tech used in law! It involves the use of artificial intelligence, case management systems, e-discovery, smart contracts and many more. There had always been a need for legal technology from quill and ink to computers! We’ve been constantly using technological development in the sector! It’s always been around so don’t be intimidated! Nowadays, law firms are buying software solutions to address problem areas and respond to client’s needs. Accordingly, the role of a legal technologist is to diagnose legal problems and/or identify areas for improvement and solve those with technological solutions.
WHICH ALL SECTORS OF LAW WOULD BENEFIT FROM LEGAL TECH?
Fin-tech, or financial technology, is one of the first sectors which had benefitted from tech following the financial crash in 2008; Regulators and banks rushed towards technology to assist their comeback. According to Will, Property law, Real Estate law and Regulatory laws will benefit from the application tech. Even traditional work streams like litigation would gain from legal tech: As the process is so traditional, using e-discovery tools and e-bundling systems rather than carrying actual bundles to court will allow for better organized data and easier access. He made sure to mention that the entry of tech into the legal sector will not affect human resources negatively. In fact, it would make the job efficient as we begin seeing hybrid lawyers thinking outside the box!
SHOULD LAWYERS BE LEARNING HOW TO CODE?
No. Will clarified that the question you should be asking is WHY lawyers should code, rather than should they. The role of a legal technologist includes providing colleagues at the firm tech support when things go wrong. Thus, deciding whether to learn coding or not depends on the problem at hand! It could be handy to learn how to code when the problem requires a coding solution, but usually, it’s enough to understand the basics of how data works and how it is structured. As aspiring lawyers, Microsoft Excel is a great way to understand the basics. It’s basically a pseudocode! So, getting a good grasp of excel will be really valuable!
CAN A LAW DEGREE PREPARE YOU FOR A CAREER IN LEGAL TECH?
A traditional law degree could still prepare you for a career in the field. In legal tech, you will find yourself occupied in two areas – law and technology. Will, being a law graduate did not have a formal education in computer science, while his colleagues are computer science graduates who aren’t familiar with the law. Therefore, he clarified that what really takes place in a legal tech team is the knowledge and skills of one complimenting those of another to bring out the best outcome. Will also mentions that these days there is not a huge need to be reliant on a degree due to the availability of apprenticeships and access level courses. Thus, universities are becoming less and less of a barrier for a career in legal tech.
FUTURE OF LEGAL TECH IN A POST COVID WORLD
After the pandemic, the biggest change we’ll be expecting from the legal tech industry is the possibility of law firms being less resistant to it. Since the use of tech to enhance the quality of legal services have become more of a priority during the pandemic, many tech sceptics also have come to the realization that using tech is not as painful as they thought it was. So now, with the advent of many AI products in the legal industry, it will be really interesting to see which all products would be opted by law firms and would hit the gold standard!
Published on 07/08/2020
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5 THINGS LEARNED FROM
JOLENE BLACKBOURN
BALANCING LAW SCHOOL AND LIFE
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IS LAW SCHOOL THE RIGHT CHOICE?
This is a question many law students are familiar with! Law school is difficult: the extra readings, long hours and student debt are tangled with the pressure of pursuing a “prestigious degree”. So, it isn’t surprising why many feel like giving up, while others simply force themselves to continue just because they “can handle it”. According to Jolene, here lies the trap! Just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD!
Evaluating yourself is a must. Are you willing to take on ALL the harsh realities of law school along with the stress of it all? Getting your priorities straight will go a long way in identifying what you want from a career path and will keep you from pursuing the wrong one!
MANAGING TIME AND STRESS IN LAW SCHOOL
Jolene’s advice on managing time and stress is to figure out what will help you relax and put your mind at ease. Once you’ve got that sorted out, incorporate it into your schedule of things you need to get done and follow along with it! Sometimes, you won’t be able to get much work done. In those scenarios, instead of worrying about your productivity levels, try to gain control of your work first slowly and then reintroduce yourself to other activities; this will be your “mental release”. REMEMBER, nothing is more important than your well-being!
ONLINE CLASSES - THE WAY FORWARD?
Online law school has been around for almost 20 years as an alternative option for long-distance learning or Night College. With our current situation, all education has come to the online platform. Online classes do have their advantages, but students will miss out interacting with professors and peers, including the learning environment – a wholesome university experience! Online classes for the next few years will be considered as an alternative depending upon the situation. However, Jolene believes that face to face classes is still a must for law students moving forward.
MENTAL STATE
According to Jolene, it is essential to be in touch with our feelings, and if we don’t know how we are feeling at that moment, it is better to take a break and figure it out. Just like evaluating what we want from a career can be helpful, the more we can evaluate our mental health; the happier we can be. The happier we can be, the better person, friend and colleague we can be! It’s the perfect equation!
WHAT SHE WISHED SHE KNEW
Jolene wished she knew that many people are willing to help! With the internet today, there are many professionals such as legal advisors, consultants and counsellors who are eager to help and guide students towards navigating around the field. Especially with platforms like LinkedIn, networking and communicating with many legal or non-legal professionals has never been so easy! They are the people who will have the answers to your questions or the perhaps right advice to get you back on track. So, reach out to them on LinkedIn and start making connections!
Published on 30/08/2020
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WHY A VIDEO CV NATHALIE COOPER
LEVEL UP YOUR CV GAME
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Did you know that people remember only 20% of what they read and retain 80% of what they see and do! So, if you want to stand out from a pool of 300+ applicants, keep reading!
What is a Video CV?
A video CV is your 1-minute elevator pitch as to why employers should hire you. Treat it as a digital business card which allows you to tell your story - get seen and heard! That is important because it goes further than your restricted paper CV in portraying the real you. A bonus is that it portrays your digital preparedness especially during the pandemic and showcases your communication level!
Here’s why it’s important!
Currently, more and more recruiters are adapting tech in their recruitment process. On one hand, some make use of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) which filters out resumes depending on certain criteria including formatting and font sizes! On the other hand, Chatbots can be used to communicate with the job seeker, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be utilised to analyse online interviews where a malfunctioning microphone can cost you your chance! Can’t blame it, AI is just programmed that way. However, you can bypass all these barriers by submitting a Video CV!
Recording your Video CV!
Say it with a KISS: Keep It Short and Simple!
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Have a script describing why should the employer hire you, i.e: tell the recruiters something about you that shows you can do the work well, backed up with examples!
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The camera must be at eye level.
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Light – you’ve got to have the best light
DOs:
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Wear plain colours. And remember that it’s better to be overdressed than under!
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Record against a clear or white wall background!
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Make use of natural light where possible.
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Record in a place away from distractions and noise.
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Turn off notifications from your phone, computer and even your landline!
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Smile!
DON'TS:
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Don’t wear stripes/dotted clothing – it can be an eyesore!
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There shouldn’t be a window behind you!
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Don’t boast! Be humble and honest about yourself!
Top Tips you can Trust:
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Keep the video 1 minute to 1.5 minutes (maximum)
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Update your Video CV as often as possible and make different ones to cater to each position you are applying for, just as how each paper CV needs to be reviewed every new application made.
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Have the camera at eye level, then SMILE!
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Record HORIZONTALLY and make sure your mic works before recording.
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Make sure to have the best lighting.
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Lastly, keep in mind that nothing beats practice!
You can also get the professionals to step in and help you make your best Video CV! Contact VIDEOGRAMCV today and use code “Lawyer Archives” to get a 20% discount on their services! Offer valid until October 1st 2020. For more information, please check out VideogramCV on LinkedIn, or get in touch with Nathalie Cooper herself.
Published on 02/09/2020