Taylor Wessing Commercial Challenge – the results are in!

Taylor Wessing is pleased to announce that team ‘Long Island’ from the London School of Economics were announced last week as the winners of the second Taylor Wessing Commercial Challenge. Team members Barry Hughes, Rui Da Silva Laires, Sarah Gledhill and Stephanie Moffat collected their trophy and prize from Senior Partner Martin Winter, before being whisked away for a private trip on the London Eye and celebratory meal at a top restaurant.

The Commercial Challenge is organised and run by Taylor Wessing’s Campus Champions, who were this year joined on the judging panel by former winner of The Apprentice and CEO of Bright Ideas Trust Tim Campbell.

Nearly 200 students took on the Challenge to prepare a pitch for a corporate transaction as if they were Taylor Wessing partners. Each team participated in a conference call with the client and submitted a written proposal. Three teams, representing King’s College London, London School of Economics and University College London, reached the final and were invited to Taylor Wessing’s London office to present their pitch to the judging panel. The competition gives students the invaluable opportunity to understand the work and issues involved in City transaction, not least because the Challenge uses real Taylor Wessing deals.

Graduate Recruitment Partner Jayne Schnider comments:

“The Commercial Challenge gives students an opportunity to experience the life of a City lawyer and to face one of the most important challenges for professionals – successful business development.

Once again, we were incredibly impressed by the quality of all of the entries. The finalists showed us that they really understand that clients are looking for more than just legal advice from their lawyers – they really have to demonstrate that they understand their clients' businesses and the industries in which they operate. Many congratulations to all who took part."

The winning team said:

"The chance to practice such an array of real world skills with a top law firm was unique. What also set this apart is the ongoing interaction with the Taylor Wessing team, enabling an excellent long term insight into how a top legal firm works. The process was so realistic, that by its conclusion, we really did feel part of their team."

Lawyers Edward Hooper, Jayne Schnider, Damian Simpson, Justine Wilkie, Martin Winter

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Sarah Le Cheminant at
Taylor Wessing:

Sarah Le Cheminant
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