Watch Laura Kendrick’s video — and those of the five other extremely impressive finalists — below
A final year law student has clinched victory in Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) ‘Too Good to Miss’ competition, with a one-minute video inspired by the ‘Visit California’ advertising campaign. In the clip (embedded below), she explains why she stands out from the crowd.
Six aspiring lawyers, whittled down from over 1,000 entries, made it through to the final stages of the competition. The prize is a trip to Hong Kong and Australia where the lucky winner will have the opportunity to network with lawyers at the firm’s international offices, plus work experience at the London office.
After completing a quiz about the firm, applicants were asked to submit a short video giving the things that set them apart from other applicants. The videos showcase some extremely impressive future lawyers.
Last week the final six headed down to HSF’s City of London office. There, each made a presentation to the firm’s lawyers and graduate recruitment team as they battled to show that they are the best person to promote the firm while in Hong Kong and Australia.
It was University of Birmingham student Laura Kendrick who came out on top — and she’s “absolutely delighted” about it.
The aspiring lawyer, who combines a love of endurance events with a role as The Economist’s campus ambassador for her university, tells us:
My presentation focused exactly on how I’d use social media to promote Herbert Smith Freehills to potential applicants. I want to communicate all the great things about Herbert Smith Freehills in a less formal way that will hopefully showcase the firm’s culture. When researching the firm I learnt a lot about how many charitable causes Herbert Smith Freehills support which inspired the idea to do a sponsored skydive to complete the trip!
Kendrick adds: “My video focuses on two of my most unique points: that I’m a mechanic, and that I take part in endurance events. It was a play on the Visit California advert, which I hope the judges found funny.”
Meanwhile, judge and graduate recruitment partner Mark Bardell said:
On behalf of the firm I’d like to congratulate Laura Kendrick, this year’s winner. I personally look forward to following her trip on Snapchat!
Take a look at the videos from the other finalists, here:
Spike Western
Traveller, busker, school-builder, University Officers’ Training Corps member, gender equality writer and first year at Birkbeck, University of London
Spike explains:
I considered lots of different ideas when making my video. I decided to do a video of me talking for 30 seconds each about firstly my confidence and then my determination. I’m really happy my video made it this far.
Wen Jin Teh
Rubik’s Cube expert, linguist, pianist and first year at the University of Cambridge
Wen Jin says:
I entered the video competition because it’s a very unique opportunity. Many firms do open days and vac schemes, but this was one of a kind. No way could I stand in front of a camera and tell viewers all the things I’m great at, so I thought I’d show them instead.
Alina Haider
Performance artist, legal advice clinic volunteer, linguist and third year at City, University of London
Alina tells us:
My video highlights who I am and why I’m different, and explores different aspects of my personality, particularly my unconventionality and my resilience.
Harry Davies
China-expert, Confucius scholar, Mandarin speaker and Cardiff University graduate
Harry comments:
Since my video featured myself in Beijing’s central business district, I suppose the key thought process was to capture China and how I have engaged with it. With a proficient level of Chinese language and having done research on Herbert Smith Freehills and its work with China, I felt I had to show the viewers of my video that I am similarly committed and ready to work with the country.
Kelly Evans
Community sports leader, English language teacher, children’s hospice fund-raiser and second year at the University of Liverpool
Kelly says:
I focused on my academic ability in my video. I studied the IB, which is not very common. I also talked a lot about my charity work with, for examples, diabetes, environmental and children’s charities. I’m planning on being a legal intern in Kenya when I graduate.
Applications for training contracts at Herbert Smith Freehills open on 1 June and close on 31 July. Find out more here.
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