Ask Willkie Farr & Gallagher Anything!

[KissuMissu]

Hi @WillkieGemma, I had a question regarding the work experience section of law firm applications. I was recently advised by my universities career adviser that law firms may not prefer for you to explicitly link your work experience to how the skills can help in commercial law. This is contradicting to some other advice which I have received. I'd love to get your take on this matter. Thank you!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hi @WillkieGemma, I had a question regarding the work experience section of law firm applications. I was recently advised by my universities career adviser that law firms may not prefer for you to explicitly link your work experience to how the skills can help in commercial law. This is contradicting to some other advice which I have received. I'd love to get your take on this matter. Thank you!

It varies from firm to firm. A&O, for example, want a skills-heavy work experience section. Willkie, however, prefer a more factual work experience section (which in my opinion makes far more sense).

I’d recommend doing your research on each individual firm. But, for Willkie, it’s probably best to not talk about skills.

Again, it depends on firm, but it’s often best to not link your work experience to how it’s relevant for commercial law. Stacking shelves neatly at Tesco is not the same as drafting legal documentation accurately, despite what some may say in their applications…

 

[KissuMissu]

It varies from firm to firm. A&O, for example, want a skills-heavy work experience section. Willkie, however, prefer a more factual work experience section (which in my opinion makes far more sense).

I’d recommend doing your research on each individual firm. But, for Willkie, it’s probably best to not talk about skills.

Again, it depends on firm, but it’s often best to not link your work experience to how it’s relevant for commercial law. Stacking shelves neatly at Tesco is not the same as drafting legal documentation accurately, despite what some may say in their applications…

Hey, thank you for your reply. My only concern is that coming from a non-law background I don't have much legal work experience and so was wondering if there is a way to highlight the transferability of the soft/hard skills. Do you (or anyone) have any advice regarding this?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hey, thank you for your reply. My only concern is that coming from a non-law background I don't have much legal work experience and so was wondering if there is a way to highlight the transferability of the soft/hard skills. Do you (or anyone) have any advice regarding this?

No worries at all!

Not having legal experience is totally fine. Recruiters like Gemma know that it’s very difficult to obtain legal work experience. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to do so at city firms (other than through vacation schemes).

Demonstrating that you’ve attended insight days, webinars, and spoken with people at law firms, is more than enough to highlight your commitment to law.

As long as you can justify your ‘why law’ answer, you will be absolutely fine.

 

[WillkieGemma]

No worries at all!

Not having legal experience is totally fine. Recruiters like Gemma know that it’s very difficult to obtain legal work experience. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to do so at city firms (other than through vacation schemes).

Demonstrating that you’ve attended insight days, webinars, and spoken with people at law firms, is more than enough to highlight your commitment to law.

As long as you can justify your ‘why law’ answer, you will be absolutely fine.

Hi @KissuMissu and @SoonToBeTrainee

Okay - so legal work experience (outside of Forage and equivalents and vac schemes) is largely dependent on who you know. For an employee to place emphasis on this therefore is ridiculous. Therefore, you do NOT have to have legal work experience to be successful. However, as @SoonToBeTrainee says, insight days etc etc are brilliant ways of learning about life as a lawyer and you can include these on your application. I would say though, you can consolidate open days/webinars/etc into one work experience section - don't have 20 different webinar entries on the work experience section.

Skills-wise, focus on explaining what you did in each work experience/employment - your duties, responsibilities and, most importantly, how you added value - what was the impact of being there. Don't say things like "I helped with the organisation of......" - what specifically did you do. If you are explaining each role well enough, the skills leap off the page. However, if you make the whole thing skills based, such as "Working at JD Sports enabled me to develop my team working skills in a high pressure environment", I have literally no idea what your duties/responsibilities are/were.

 

[Charlotte J]

Hi @WillkieGemma

I hope you are well and thank you for taking the time to answer questions.

I was just wondering how strict law firms adhere to minimum grade requirements when assessing training contract applications.

I got ABB at a level and high 2:1 in my undergraduate in law, however only a pass for my LPC, which I self funded and completed in 2022. All of my marks were distinctions or high commendations apart from BLP (my strongest subject) where I failed by 1 mark having gone wrong on the procedure plan out of panic. I retook it and got 71% but this has capped my whole LPC grade at a pass which I am devastated about. I don’t feel that having a very bad day and panic in the exam equals extenuating circumstances but I really don’t believe given my academic history a pass reflects my potential. How can I approach training contract applications to put forward my case in light of this and is there anything you suggest that I say on the application about the above?

Thanks again,

Charlotte

 

[09tata]

Hello @WillkieGemma I hope you're well!

I have a query about the following question 'Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility.'

I would like to know if this section can also be used to further highlight why I am interested in applying to Willkie (although there is already a separate section for this)

For example, I have held a position of responsibility at a law firm which included me being promoted to a trial specialist team. This experience helped me develop an appreciation for this type of work/ability to do this work as not all law firms are trial specialist, and I would like to tie it into my motivation to join Willkie, as I understand all lawyers are trained to be trial lawyers at Willkie.

 

[shreyachopra1]

It varies from firm to firm. A&O, for example, want a skills-heavy work experience section. Willkie, however, prefer a more factual work experience section (which in my opinion makes far more sense).

I’d recommend doing your research on each individual firm. But, for Willkie, it’s probably best to not talk about skills.

Again, it depends on firm, but it’s often best to not link your work experience to how it’s relevant for commercial law. Stacking shelves neatly at Tesco is not the same as drafting legal documentation accurately, despite what some may say in their applications…

what would be the difference between both? could you give like an example

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma

I hope you are well and thank you for taking the time to answer questions.

I was just wondering how strict law firms adhere to minimum grade requirements when assessing training contract applications.

I got ABB at a level and high 2:1 in my undergraduate in law, however only a pass for my LPC, which I self funded and completed in 2022. All of my marks were distinctions or high commendations apart from BLP (my strongest subject) where I failed by 1 mark having gone wrong on the procedure plan out of panic. I retook it and got 71% but this has capped my whole LPC grade at a pass which I am devastated about. I don’t feel that having a very bad day and panic in the exam equals extenuating circumstances but I really don’t believe given my academic history a pass reflects my potential. How can I approach training contract applications to put forward my case in light of this and is there anything you suggest that I say on the application about the above?

Thanks again,

Charlotte

Hi Charlotte

I think that most firms will ask for a module breakdown and so they will see that you have got largely commendations and distinctions. You can also put the explanation on the additional education section too.

If I were reviewing this, I don't think it would impact my decision making!
Gemma

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hello @WillkieGemma I hope you're well!

I have a query about the following question 'Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility.'

I would like to know if this section can also be used to further highlight why I am interested in applying to Willkie (although there is already a separate section for this)

For example, I have held a position of responsibility at a law firm which included me being promoted to a trial specialist team. This experience helped me develop an appreciation for this type of work/ability to do this work as not all law firms are trial specialist, and I would like to tie it into my motivation to join Willkie, as I understand all lawyers are trained to be trial lawyers at Willkie.

Hi @09tata I would include this in your work experience/employment section. I would leave the positions of responsibility etc for extra curriculars etc. For me, you do not need to tie your extra curriculars or work experience into Willkie.

 

[WillkieGemma]

what would be the difference between both? could you give like an example

Hi, please see my response above.

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Hello Gemma.

If someone where to do bad in their 1st and 2nd year but excel in their 3rd year on track for a 1st would this still be okay or would you question their performance prior.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hello Gemma.

If someone where to do bad in their 1st and 2nd year but excel in their 3rd year on track for a 1st would this still be okay or would you question their performance prior.

Hi there, I would look at everything as a whole and, of course, take into account any mitigating circumstances. I think this is when it's vital to really ensure that the remainder of your application is absolutely excellent, commercial and very well researched.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma,

I would really appreciate if you could advise if you accept international students for the vacation scheme and if successful would the firm assist with visa sponsorship?

Hi @kokoprep We are able to issue certificates of sponsorship for vac schemers and trainees, but the final decision as to the visa is made by the Home Office.

 

[Pia Hindocha]

Hi @WillkieGemma,

I had a question about obtaining a training contract with magic or silver circle law firms. Is it likely to be seriously considered if you apply very close to the deadline? Say a day before or the day of? I ask because there are certain firms I only considered very late in the application cycle and I don't want the time that I apply to hold be back from be considered on par with other candidates who may have applied earlier. Thanks!

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma,

I had a question about obtaining a training contract with magic or silver circle law firms. Is it likely to be seriously considered if you apply very close to the deadline? Say a day before or the day of? I ask because there are certain firms I only considered very late in the application cycle and I don't want the time that I apply to hold be back from be considered on par with other candidates who may have applied earlier. Thanks!

Hi @Pia Hindocha the date on which you apply won't factor into decision making. It would make a mockery of the application process if you discounted someone bc of the date of their application.

HOWEVER, I find that the vast majority of apps submitted within five days of the deadline tend to have more errors and are more poorly researched/written because of the time pressure at deadline time, as candidates tend to submit many applications in a short time frame.

 

[andrecsaa]

Hi @WillkieGemma, I loved the presentation and answers during the Legal Cheek. The most relaxed and fun stage, for sure. 😄

Two questions came up after the event. If Willkie has 20 places for spring and summer schemes, how many trainees do you usually invite for the AC? How many are retained for the training contract?

Don't know if these numbers tend to vary from year to year.

Thank you for you attention.

 

[EmenH]

Hi Gemma!

Apologies if this has already been asked, but what is the firm's position on SQE resits? Does the firm retract TC offers from applicants who do not pass the SQE on first attempt, or does the Willkie like other firms, have a one resit policy?

Thank you in advance!