Ask Paul, Weiss Anything!

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Good morning, I hope you're all well! Why do you enjoy working at Paul, Weiss? What are the main qualities you believe a trainee would need to be successful in the role please?

Hi Tamilore,

Please see other replies on what I enjoy about working at Paul, Weiss. On the qualities that make a successful trainee, I think some of these are:

• Being entrepreneurial: This is a key part of the Paul, Weiss culture and we want trainees to be self-starters who are excited by the chance to join a different type of law firm in London on a high-growth trajectory. Having the ability to take on challenges and learning in a thoughtful manner are key attributes to being a successful trainee at Paul, Weiss.
• Positive attitude to learning: As a trainee there will be lots of things which you don't know which is fine (it's a training contract!) but having a positive attitude and willingness to learn is key. This is the only way you can develop as a junior lawyer. At Paul, Weiss trainees will not be short of opportunities to get involved on transactions so having a positive attitude towards taking ownership is key to succeeding.

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us today.

I was wondering if you could talk a bit more about the infrastructure M&A work you are involved in at Paul, Weiss? In particular, what are some of the transactions and clients you have been involved in, and what are some of the common commercial or legal issues you picked up while working on deals on your client secondments to PE infrastructure investors?

I currently work as a regulatory consultant for utilities companies in the UK after graduating from Oxford last year, and I'm looking to make the transition into the legal side of infrastructure deal work. Always interested in hearing more about M&A and PE work in the space!

Thanks, and have a great rest of the week.

Isaac

Hi Isaac,

Thank you for your message. We are currently in the process of speaking with clients and engaging on transactions so I cannot provide specific details!

Prior to joining Paul, Weiss I have been on secondments to Macquarie Asset Management in their Real Assets division as a trainee and to Antin Infrastructure Partners as an associate. A common issue/process which comes up in large scale infrastructure transactions is structuring co-investments. Given the size and value of some infrastructure assets, investors will typically form consortiums with other investors to purchase or invest in assets. This can be in the form of direct co-investment (i.e. giving a share of the purchasing entity to investors) or indirect co-investment (i.e. giving a share of one of the entities above the purchasing entity to other investors). This allows the purchasing entity to have more cash (in the form of equity from co-investors) to purchase the asset and the economic rights are then shared amongst the co-investors.

As an infrastructure M&A lawyer you will be involved in the M&A transaction (i.e. buying the asset), but you will also work with your client to establish the legal principles governing the relationships between the co-investors, for example who has what governance rights over the purchasing entity, how are the economic benefits from the asset shared amongst co-investors and what happens when a co-investor wants to leave or join the consortium group.

Another key consideration on infrastructure transactions is understanding the regulatory landscape the asset operates in. It is key to understand whether there any consent requirements for an M&A transaction to occur and whether there are any regulatory issues which might affect the asset's ability to operate following an M&A transaction.

These are some of the interesting challenges which often come up on large scale infrastructure transactions.

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Hi Anthony!

Thanks for your responses so far. Does the department generally divide into some specialisations, like infrastructure M&A, or is that only a focus for you given your background in it? I'm wondering whether the work in the team tends to be broad and varied, or associates tend to specialise with certain industries/clients.

- Srishti Ranjan

Hi Srishti,

Everyone is encouraged to work across a range of transaction types and industries. There is no specialisation into certain industries/clients. Given my background infrastructure is an area I am interested in but by no means limited to!

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[Tamilore101]

Hi Tamilore,

Please see other replies on what I enjoy about working at Paul, Weiss. On the qualities that make a successful trainee, I think some of these are:

• Being entrepreneurial: This is a key part of the Paul, Weiss culture and we want trainees to be self-starters who are excited by the chance to join a different type of law firm in London on a high-growth trajectory. Having the ability to take on challenges and learning in a thoughtful manner are key attributes to being a successful trainee at Paul, Weiss.
• Positive attitude to learning: As a trainee there will be lots of things which you don't know which is fine (it's a training contract!) but having a positive attitude and willingness to learn is key. This is the only way you can develop as a junior lawyer. At Paul, Weiss trainees will not be short of opportunities to get involved on transactions so having a positive attitude towards taking ownership is key to succeeding.

Kind regards,
Anthony

Thank you very much !

 

[mineejiroarigi]

Good day,

Thank you to Paul, Weiss and TCLA for this opportunity!

I have a question specifically for Ali Fazeli-Nia from the IP and technology transactions group at Paul, Weiss.

I am keen to understand how Paul, Weiss approaches the fast-evolving landscape of AI technology, especially with the introduction of the EU AI Act 2024. As AI continues to integrate into various business processes which are being challenged in ongoing disputes, could you share insights on the key considerations your team takes into account when advising clients introducing AI technologies into their operations?

Specifically, I am curious about any adjustments to your advisory practices in light of recent regulatory developments, including compliance, IP concerns, and ethical considerations.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your perspective on navigating this dynamic area.

Warm regards,
Miné.

 

[Naomi - Paul Weiss]

Hi All,

Very nice to e-meet you and excited to learn more about Paul, Weiss!

Would you be so kind to answer my following queries?

1. Having only recently opened applications for training contracts and vacation schemes, what can I expect from the training process at this firm? Do you have a structured training programme? And how does it compare to the traditional MC firms known for their established training programmes?

2. How is mentorship structured within the firm? What is the culture around feedback like?

3. What is the SQE resit policy?

4. Which provider is the firm partnering with for the SQE? If I receive an offer, is it possible to study for the SQE part-time? Alternatively, could I study independently and attempt to pass the SQE myself without enrolling in your partnered program, particularly because I am on a sponsored visa and need to ensure continuous employment for five years?

5. How does the firm integrate technology into its legal practice? Is there any example you may have? Are you using AI models such as ChatGPT, similar to Allen & Overy’s use of Harvey and Clifford Chance’s use of CoPilot aimed at enhancing employee experience?

I apologise for the long list of questions. I appreciate you are under time constraints, so I would be grateful for your response. Thank you!

Best wishes,

Thanks very much for your questions - I'll respond to Q2.

In the M&A team we have recently set up "mentoring pods" which consist of 2 partners and around 8 associates at different levels of seniority. The purpose of these is to provide a channel for us to seek guidance / advice and have people we can go to directly within the team.

We are also encouraged to use our mentorship budget to mentor others (up, down and across the firm) through coffees, lunches, theatre trips etc., which is a great way to foster relationships across the firm.

With respect to feedback, it can be helpful to speak to senior associates informally following a deal for their views on how it went / performance etc., but I understand more formal channels are in the works too.

 

[Naomi - Paul Weiss]

Hello,

Does the firm have a sector-focused approach? If so, what are the key sectors in London that the firm focuses on?

Thank you!

Hi! The firm has depth and breadth across multiple sectors - the key ones (in no particular order) are:

• Financial Institutions
• Business Services
• Healthcare
• Software
• Industrials
• Insurance
• Consumer Retail

 

[yasmars]

Hi, thank you for answering all our questions!

Does Paul, Weiss work with clients in the fintech space?

 

[afazeli-nia]

Good morning, I hope you're all well! Why do you enjoy working at Paul, Weiss? What are the main qualities you believe a trainee would need to be successful in the role please?

• What I enjoy. Almost everyone here has come over with a bit of a "dream". Whether that's building your knowledge, growing your client-base or cementing your name in the industry, the fact that everyone here has their own ambitions makes it a great place to work and really motivates you to improve yourself and get really good at your job.
• What makes a good trainee. Before you get through the door, you need to be academically excellent, hard-working, good at writing, very organised and commercial. You also need to have a real interest in the firm and the industry and contribute something to the firm. I always talk to people about being the type of person who adds something to a firm, rather than just taking a paycheck! Once you're in the door, the steps to being a trainee are relatively easy. I think the best trainees take lots of notes, are very organised (and can remember deadlines, manage different workstreams, not forget things) and work very hard.

 

[afazeli-nia]

Thank you to Paul Gascoyne, the Senior Recruitment Manager, and the associates — Naomi Shode, Anthony Isichei, Ali Wathan and Ali Fazeli-Nia — for taking the time to answer our questions and to Jaysen and TCLA for organising this.

To the Graduate Recruitment Team:

AI and Technology in Applications

1. How does Paul, Weiss perceive the role of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, on the application process? Are there measures in place to identify AI-generated content in applicants’ submissions?
2. In what ways might AI influence the future assessment of applications and candidate selection at the firm? How can applicants adapt to these changes to enhance their applications?
3. Given the rise of AI tools like Harvey, how do you plan to evaluate tech skills in candidates? Are digital literacy and AI knowledge becoming more critical for applicants?

Insights into the Application Process

1. What qualities or experiences truly help an application stand out during the initial screening process?
2. What are the most common pitfalls candidates should avoid when applying to Paul, Weiss?

To the Associates:

1. Naomi and Anthony, what challenges do you face as private equity associates at Paul, Weiss, and how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in such a demanding field?
2. Ali (Litigation), could you share an example of a case or project you’ve worked on that you found particularly rewarding and why?
3. Ali (IP and Technology Transactions), given the rapid pace of technological change, how do you stay ahead in your field, and what skills are critical for success in IP and technology transactions at Paul, Weiss?
4. Ali (IP and Technology Transactions), can you share specific instances where AI tools have improved efficiency in your day-to-day work, particularly in IP matters?

• AI and Technology in Applications. I use AI tools a lot and have great interest in them. While I don't review applications, I have reviewed lots as part of mentoring etc. I'd say with the current state of GenAI, the danger of hallucinations in generated responses and the lack of reasoning ability in GenAI models will make it quite hard for someone to just use GenAI to make a successful application. My personal opinion is that it's probably fair game to rely on GenAI to help with research etc as you would rely on a search engine, but I think getting AI to write your personal statement is doing you more harm than good. Even if it could write a killer application, AI is not magic and will not help someone succeed at interviews and on the job. There are no shortcuts!
• Staying on top of things. I am subscribed to lots of newsletters on the legal industry, news, IP/Tech/Commercial/Data Protection Law, technology and a myriad of other things. I receive probably ~50 emails per day, which get automatically filed to a news folder and every day I go through and read these emails. I do this on top of a full-time job so there is really no excuse for someone not to keep on top of these things if they are at university. Again, there are no shortcuts!
• AI Tools Day-To-Day. Paul, Weiss actually has a very good working relationship with Harvey and we are encouraged to use their product day-to-day. What I have personally found really useful in Harvey is its ability to rephrase certain contract provisions. For example, if I have a provision in mind and want to make it sound "softer", I will ask Harvey to give me a few examples to help get the creative juices flowing. Generally however I tend to find that it is a good starting point but not (yet) doing my job for me!

 

[Tamilore101]

• What I enjoy. Almost everyone here has come over with a bit of a "dream". Whether that's building your knowledge, growing your client-base or cementing your name in the industry, the fact that everyone here has their own ambitions makes it a great place to work and really motivates you to improve yourself and get really good at your job.
• What makes a good trainee. Before you get through the door, you need to be academically excellent, hard-working, good at writing, very organised and commercial. You also need to have a real interest in the firm and the industry and contribute something to the firm. I always talk to people about being the type of person who adds something to a firm, rather than just taking a paycheck! Once you're in the door, the steps to being a trainee are relatively easy. I think the best trainees take lots of notes, are very organised (and can remember deadlines, manage different workstreams, not forget things) and work very hard.

Thank you so much Ali!

 

[afazeli-nia]

Good day,

Thank you to Paul, Weiss and TCLA for this opportunity!

I have a question specifically for Ali Fazeli-Nia from the IP and technology transactions group at Paul, Weiss.

I am keen to understand how Paul, Weiss approaches the fast-evolving landscape of AI technology, especially with the introduction of the EU AI Act 2024. As AI continues to integrate into various business processes which are being challenged in ongoing disputes, could you share insights on the key considerations your team takes into account when advising clients introducing AI technologies into their operations?

Specifically, I am curious about any adjustments to your advisory practices in light of recent regulatory developments, including compliance, IP concerns, and ethical considerations.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your perspective on navigating this dynamic area.

Warm regards,
Miné.

• AI advice. This is an interesting question and I think different IP/Tech teams are approaching it differently across the city. The AI work we see so far is split into advisory/regulatory work focusing on compliance with the EUAIA and working for clients who are buying businesses that use AI. An area some people may not consider however is how much AI forms part of businesses that are not actually AI-focused. For example, a client might not actually be developing an AI tool but may use it extensively in its business (e.g. to help with software development). In terms of considerations, our advice (arguably any legal advice) is principally concerned with risk and this is no different for AI. Obvious risks are ownership of valuable products and compliance with regulations, which I think presents an interesting mix between transactional and regulatory work.
• Adjustments to advisory practices. I think you have caught the main points here, which are actually not that far away from what we might do when advising software companies for example. The newer aspect here in my opinion is the ethical one as, especially in the UK, we are having to think about how our comparably old existing regulations would deal with a new and fast-changing technology. In these cases, you are having to think less in terms of what is in a statute and more in terms of the policy goals behind it, including how judges and law-makers have dealt with similar topics in the past. If you haven't already and are interested, I would suggest reading about the "DABUS" line of cases on AI patents.

 

[afazeli-nia]

Hi, thank you for answering all our questions!

Does Paul, Weiss work with clients in the fintech space?

Yes!

 

[sandralai]

Hi! Thank you so much to all of you for spending time to answer our questions!

This question is probably more for Paul - is the firm open to receiving applications for a newly-qualified (NQ) position?

I am currently an overseas trainee solicitor in another common law jurisdiction with experience in private equity and corporate M&A which I understand to be highly regarded practices of Paul, Weiss. The fast-paced growth of Paul, Weiss in London is certainly exciting! With the newly launched training contract programme, I am just wondering if the firm is interested in candidates who are also in the junior end but have undertaken some prior training experience. Any insights will be helpful. Thank you!

 

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Hi all, thank you for taking the time to speak to us today! I am a final-year student at a non-RG and I have three questions, each with a follow-up.

Firstly, Do you think the firm is good at recruiting associates from different types of backgrounds? What type of affinity groups are you involved in at Paul, Weiss?

Secondly, I am very interested in Private Equity and I wanted to know, Naomi and Anthony, what do you enjoy about it? Could you talk us through a day in Private Equity?

Thirdly, a question everyone wants to know, how do I stand out in an application to Paul, Weiss? Following this, for the work experience section, should I focus on what I did or should I add the skills I developed through that work experience and how it will aid me in a career in Law?

Thank you all!

Hello,

Thanks for your questions. I will take the first and second questions.

I think the firm is very good at hiring associates from a range of backgrounds and is committed to continuing this. From a diversity and inclusion perspective, the London office has hired associates from a range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. As we are developing the London office, we are in the process of establishing affinity groups in London. You may have seen in the news that we have recently hired Robert Powell as our Sustainability & ESG Director. Rob is working with associates and partners to officially establish affinity groups in London. You may have also seen our highly innovative vacation scheme which aims to remove socio-economic barriers to training at an elite law firm. These are just some examples of the firm's commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive elite law firm in London.

I enjoy the commercial and fast-paced nature of PE transactions. As a PE lawyer you work with investment professionals on their most important investments, you also work with company management teams and guide them through the M&A process. This allows you to get a good understanding of a transaction as a whole, not just the legal aspects. Understanding the key drivers in a deal ultimately makes you a better adviser. PE transactions can be quite fast-paced which provides an exciting challenge. Being able to exceed client's expectations and becoming their trusted adviser is also very fulfilling.

There is no one typical day as a PE lawyer! As a junior associate you may be involved with leading the due diligence process on an M&A transaction, preparing the first draft of a key transaction document, managing a signing or closing process on a transaction or leading the preparation and negotiation of ancillary transaction documents. You may even do all of these things in a day! Whilst the work can be challenging, it provides a great opportunity to learn and develop quickly.

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Good morning!

For Paul: Thanks for being here! I'm aware that you can apply for both an open day and vacation scheme under the same application form. Do you recommend we use one application form to apply to both, or do you prefer we send in completely separate forms one after the other?

For Ali and Anthony: Hey! What made you guys decide to jump over to Paul, Weiss after qualifying in different law firms? What drew you to the firm?

For anyone on the panel: What is P,W's strategy or the key metrics it focusses on to ensure it has a competitive edge and stays ahead-of-the-curve?

Hello,

On your second question, please see one of my replies earlier:

"The once in a career opportunity to build a law firm almost from the ground up was a major attraction for me. Paul, Weiss in US is a very established elite law firm and the chance to build a platform of the same quality in Europe was a very exciting challenge I wanted to take on. Additionally, as a PE lawyer the chance to work in a law firm focused on working on the most complex and high profile PE and M&A transactions was an exciting opportunity. I also liked the entrepreneurial ethos at the firm as this provides associates with plenty of opportunities to learn and develop."

On your third question, I am not sure there is any "strategy" other than we have to continue to work hard to deliver excellent legal service to our clients. We are fortunate enough to have a great platform in the US and partners and associates with great existing client relationships in Europe. We have to ensure we leverage these existing relationships in a thoughtful way and maintain an entrepreneurial culture which ensures we can build new relationships with clients.

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[Anthony - Paul Weiss]

Hi all! Thank you for taking some time out of your days to answer our Qs!

My question relates to the link between the US and UK parts of the firm. Is there a sense of connectivity, and that the US partners understand and appreciate the different structure of the UK market (for example, the requirement for training contracts as opposed to a law degree being a post-grad offering)? Either from a recruitment/strategy perspective, or from an associate perspective!

Secondly, as Paul, Weiss is traditionally a litigation focused firm, how is the litigation department supported as part of the firm’s global network?

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your questions.

There is definitely a sense of connectivity between the US and European parts of the firm. The US partners are very invested in the development and progress of the European expansion. Several senior US partners visit the London office every week specifically because of this. From an associate perspective, there are annual associate conferences held in New York where all associates in the PW network are invited to attend their respective class year's conference. Many London associates have already been to New York to attend their conferences and I will be going next year! These conferences provide a great opportunity to meet and network with our colleagues across the globe, ensuring the firm is connected globally.

I am not sure what you mean by your second question? Grateful if you could provide some more details.

Kind regards,
Anthony

 

[DanielRG]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your questions.

There is definitely a sense of connectivity between the US and European parts of the firm. The US partners are very invested in the development and progress of the European expansion. Several senior US partners visit the London office every week specifically because of this. From an associate perspective, there are annual associate conferences held in New York where all associates in the PW network are invited to attend their respective class year's conference. Many London associates have already been to New York to attend their conferences and I will be going next year! These conferences provide a great opportunity to meet and network with our colleagues across the globe, ensuring the firm is connected globally.

I am not sure what you mean by your second question? Grateful if you could provide some more details.

Kind regards,
Anthony

Hi Anthony, thank you for your response to my first question!

As to the second question, it is my understanding that Paul, Weiss was focused on litigation far before it expanded into transactional work, and was/is a premier US litigation firm. The UK office, meanwhile, seems to lean into transactional work. How integrated is the UK litigation team in the deep bench of litigation experts of the US office?

 

[Paul @ Paul Weiss]

Hi All,

Very nice to e-meet you and excited to learn more about Paul, Weiss!

Would you be so kind to answer my following queries?

1. Having only recently opened applications for training contracts and vacation schemes, what can I expect from the training process at this firm? Do you have a structured training programme? And how does it compare to the traditional MC firms known for their established training programmes?

2. How is mentorship structured within the firm? What is the culture around feedback like?

3. What is the SQE resit policy?

4. Which provider is the firm partnering with for the SQE? If I receive an offer, is it possible to study for the SQE part-time? Alternatively, could I study independently and attempt to pass the SQE myself without enrolling in your partnered program, particularly because I am on a sponsored visa and need to ensure continuous employment for five years?

5. How does the firm integrate technology into its legal practice? Is there any example you may have? Are you using AI models such as ChatGPT, similar to Allen & Overy’s use of Harvey and Clifford Chance’s use of CoPilot aimed at enhancing employee experience?

I apologise for the long list of questions. I appreciate you are under time constraints, so I would be grateful for your response. Thank you!

Best wishes,

Hi @snoopgoku14

Thank you so much for the questions. As Naomi has answered Q2, I will answers Q1, 3 & 4.

Q1. The firm is very keen on "authentic training". As a trainee will have a robust curriculum of substantive legal training, professional skills workshops, individual coaching etc. Our teams are leanly staffed, which means you'll have ample opportunities for hands-on experience and mentorship in real time.

Q3. TBD at the moment.

Q4. We haven't partnered with a Law School yet. Updates on this will come later in the year.

 

[Paul @ Paul Weiss]

Hello all,

Is Paul Weiss running any virtual Open Days or recruitment events in this application cycle?

Hi @qwop881 - yes we are! In fact, we are running a few recruitment webinars with TCLA.