by Elliot Stein, Future Trainee Solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson.

The intention of this article is to outline both the purpose of research when applying to law firms and a clear view on how much research should be taking place at each stage of the process. Everyone approaches applications differently, and there is no single right method. This article will set out a practical perspective that balances efficiency with depth so that applicants can maximise their chances of success without wasting unnecessary time.

Why Research is Important in Applying to Law Firms

Research is the foundation of a strong application. It allows you to move beyond generic answers and demonstrate why you are drawn to a particular firm. The Graduate Recruitment team expects to see evidence of genuine interest, and a well-researched application shows that you understand the firm’s culture, practice strengths, and recent work.

Good research also enables you to make better choices for yourself. Training contracts are not simply about securing a position anywhere. They are about finding the right environment to grow in, which requires knowing the firm’s approach to training, its international outlook, and the areas of law it prioritises. Research provides the information needed to judge whether your values and ambitions align with the firm’s opportunities.

Research also equips you for interviews and assessment centres, whether these are in person or conducted through video. A candidate who can speak confidently about a recent deal, explain how it relates to their own skills, and engage in a discussion about the firm’s market position will always stand out to the Graduate Recruitment team. Without this preparation, candidates risk appearing underprepared or unconvincing.

When Research Should Be Taken More Seriously

The key question is not whether research matters, but how much of it should be done at each stage of the process. Research should be lighter in the early stages and then increase as you progress further. At the initial application stage, it is more effective to focus on producing a strong, tailored submission rather than sinking hours into exhaustive research that may not pay off if you do not pass the first round. In fact, the main benefit of research at the application stage is discovering whether the firm is the right fit for you. By contrast, once you are invited to an interview or assessment centre, you should be spending significantly more time reading about the firm in depth and thinking critically about how your experiences link to its work.

Another practical reason for this approach is memory. If you carry out heavy research before submitting an application, there may be weeks or even months before you hear back from the firm. Much of the detail will be forgotten by the time you reach later stages. A more effective method is to build your knowledge gradually: as you progress further into the process, you will absorb more information and retain it naturally, rather than forcing yourself to re-learn old notes. This ongoing engagement ensures the information stays fresh and usable when it matters most.

It is also important to recognise that strategies vary by individual. Some applicants prefer to spend a great deal of time on a handful of firms, whilst others aim to apply to a larger number with a consistent but lighter touch. Sometimes, a more effective approach is to spend 20 to 30 percent less time researching each individual firm and use that extra time to apply to another. This way, you still produce strong, tailored applications, but you also increase your chances of progressing across a broader set of firms.

Striking the Right Balance

In practice, the most effective strategy is balance. Do enough research early on to make your application stand out to the Graduate Recruitment team, but avoid investing so much time that you reduce the number of firms to which you can realistically apply. Save your deepest research for the later stages, when it will be both most useful and most memorable.

Ultimately, research is not about how many facts you can collect. It is about making connections between what the firm does and what you bring to the table. By being strategic about when and how to deepen your research, you can maintain both quality and quantity in your applications, giving yourself the best chance of securing a training contract.