Ask Willkie Farr & Gallagher Anything!

[chirag12]

Hi @WillkieGemma ,

I hope you are doing well,

I've seen the Willkie website and it states that you look for good academics and a 2:1. I just wanted to know what the firm's a-level requirements were and how much weightage they would have on the application process.

Thanks

 

[James12D]

HI Gemma,

I have a question regarding where firms have specific work experience sections with large text boxes (e.g., 250 words). Should these be structured to a CV in terms of a bullet point style, and then talk more in-dept about the experiences in the cover letter, or should we write in full paragraphs reaching the word count for experiences for example a part-time job?

Many thanks

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hello @WillkieGemma i want to ask if having a small business (i began after graduation) can replace the need to have been employed? I am a recent graduate but i have not had my first job yet. However, i was involved in things during university such as writing an article for my Law School blog and also being invited to advisory board meetings by the Dean after being recognized by my course director in my first year during Covid-19.

Thank you & God bless you!

 

[HendyBabyFutureLawyer]

Hello @WillkieGemma, I have a quick question about the upcoming application workshop: are we expected to have our cameras on, and is there a dress code? Thank you very much in advance !

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @HendyBabyFutureLawyer , no you don't need to have yoru cameras on and therefore there is no dress code!

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma ,

I hope you are doing well,

I've seen the Willkie website and it states that you look for good academics and a 2:1. I just wanted to know what the firm's a-level requirements were and how much weightage they would have on the application process.

Thanks

Hi @chirag12 We don't have A Level requirements, which is why they are not included. Thanks!

 

[WillkieGemma]

HI Gemma,

I have a question regarding where firms have specific work experience sections with large text boxes (e.g., 250 words). Should these be structured to a CV in terms of a bullet point style, and then talk more in-dept about the experiences in the cover letter, or should we write in full paragraphs reaching the word count for experiences for example a part-time job?

Many thanks

Hi @James12D My personal preference is for you to talk about them thoroughly in the work experience section. I personally wouldn't use bullets but would talk about each work experience thoroughly. If you just had a one week work experience, there's no need for you to use the full 250 word count. Try and focus on experience and what you did, rather than purely list skills though!

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hello @WillkieGemma i want to ask if having a small business (i began after graduation) can replace the need to have been employed? I am a recent graduate but i have not had my first job yet. However, i was involved in things during university such as writing an article for my Law School blog and also being invited to advisory board meetings by the Dean after being recognized by my course director in my first year during Covid-19.

Thank you & God bless you!

HI @Sunshinepink I don't know of any law firm that has an employment requirement, so don't overthink this. Owning and running a small business, however, would be as relevant and useful as having a job (it is a job!). What great experience you must have gained!

 

[Sunshinepink]

HI @Sunshinepink I don't know of any law firm that has an employment requirement, so don't overthink this. Owning and running a small business, however, would be as relevant and useful as having a job (it is a job!). What great experience you must have gained!

Hello @WillkieGemma thank you so much! Would the same apply for ‘work experience’ sections - where I can discuss my small business as opposed to working for an employer?

 

[chirag12]

Hi @chirag12 We don't have A Level requirements, which is why they are not included. Thanks!

Hi @WillkieGemma, Thank you for your reply. That's good to hear. A lot of firms have no A-Level requirements but still take the grades into consideration in the application process. I was just wondering if this is the same with Wilkie.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hello @WillkieGemma thank you so much! Would the same apply for ‘work experience’ sections - where I can discuss my small business as opposed to working for an employer?

Hi @Sunshinepink - yes, absolutely

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma, Thank you for your reply. That's good to hear. A lot of firms have no A-Level requirements but still take the grades into consideration in the application process. I was just wondering if this is the same with Wilkie.

Hi @chirag12 - Nope, that would be rather contradictory I think.

 

[ADKM]

Hello @WillkieGemma hope you are well. I’m interested in applying for a position on your vacation scheme but I hold a law degree from outside the UK. I have looked at the firm’s FAQs where it mentions ‘applications from all universities’ does this mean all universities within the UK or would the firm accept my application too having studied overseas?

Thank you for your help & have a nice day ahead

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @Aditya Kasiraman, international students are very welcome to apply, as well as UK students who have studied abroad. Our London office has many different nationalities and universities represented!

 

[Tintin06]

How much client contact do trainees get? Is it true that trainees are often given NQ level responsibility?

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi

How much client contact do trainees get? Is it true that trainees are often given NQ level responsibility?

Hi @Tintin06 - you would need to speak to a trainee to get a real idea (we're at the Legal Cheek law fair tomorrow, which would be a good chance to speak to Emilia or Anthony) rather than me, as I'm not a trainee. But, we genuinely work in very small teams, sometimes it is just a partner, an associate and a trainee, which means you will have client contact from the get-go. In terms of NQ responsibility, it depends on the trainee and the work that is coming in. Whilst our trainees get real responsibility and learn at a very quick pace, you can't (and shouldn't!) give first seat trainees NQ level work, as it's important that you have a great foundation in your legal education and it could be rather overwhelming.

 

[ADKM]

Hi @Aditya Kasiraman, international students are very welcome to apply, as well as UK students who have studied abroad. Our London office has many different nationalities and universities represented!

@WillkieGemma thank you for your reply. This is very helpful and great to know about the diversity in Willkie’s London office!

 

[chirag12]

Hi @chirag12 - Nope, that would be rather contradictory I think.

I'm glad that is the case! You would be surprised how many law firms do that. Anyways, I look forward to getting an insight into the firm's work firm's work on Friday.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi

I'm glad that is the case! You would be surprised how many law firms do that. Anyways, I look forward to getting an insight into the firm's work firm's work on Friday.

Hi @chirag12 - the Friday session is devoted to applications only, rather than talking about our practice areas - I'm afraid there isn't the time to go through both. If you wanted to talk to a trainee, please come along to the Legal Cheek law fair tomorrow where there will be three of us (one trainee, one just qualified associate (who trained at Willkie) and me).

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hi @Sunshinepink - yes, absolutely

Hello @WillkieGemma okay, that’s great. Thank you so much for your help and God bless you!