Ask Willkie Farr & Gallagher Anything!

[WillkieGemma]

Hi Gemma,

In the work experience section, would it be ok for me to focus on certain situations where I made an impact rather than just listing the skills.

Thank You !

Hi @sunshine101 - in my applications workshops, I really do emphasise the importance of talking about your duties and responsibilities and achievements in each role, rather than talking about skills. It is vital that anyone reviewing the application understands what you did and the value you added to each role. When candidates just list skills, there is often no context and it is very difficult to understand each person's achievement.

 

[sunshine101]

Hi @sunshine101 - in my applications workshops, I really do emphasise the importance of talking about your duties and responsibilities and achievements in each role, rather than talking about skills. It is vital that anyone reviewing the application understands what you did and the value you added to each role. When candidates just list skills, there is often no context and it is very difficult to understand each person's achievement.

Thank You Gemma !

 

[Vitamin]

Hi gemma. How many are invited to the stage after the video interview. I have just received my invite for the video invite.

 

[legal18]

Hi Gemma, do you have any tips for the VI?

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi gemma. How many are invited to the stage after the video interview. I have just received my invite for the video invite.

Hi @Vitamin - we don't have a quota or a limit but it has worked out as roughly between 23 and 26% of applicants each year we have run the scheme.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi Gemma, do you have any tips for the VI?

Hi @legal18 please do see the session we had with Jaysen on Tuesday evening: https://directory.thecorporatelawacademy.com/profile/willkie-farr-gallagher.8

 

[Tclarocks123]

Hi, I notice that VI invites have gone out but I am still drafting. Should I be worried?

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi, I notice that VI invites have gone out but I am still drafting. Should I be worried?

Hi @Tclarocks123 - no. As I've said many times before in the forum, and on our website, I review apps and video interviews on a rolling basis. The final two stages of the application process (written exercise and partner interview) take place after the application deadline so we cannot make any vs offers until those two stages are complete. It would make a mockery of the whole application process if I didn't consider each and every application that is submitted within the relevant timeline.

 

[Tclarocks123]

Hi @Tclarocks123 - no. As I've said many times before in the forum, and on our website, I review apps and video interviews on a rolling basis. The final two stages of the application process (written exercise and partner interview) take place after the application deadline so we cannot make any vs offers until those two stages are complete. It would make a mockery of the whole application process if I didn't consider each and every application that is submitted within the relevant timeline.

THANK YOU so much

 

[User5678]

Hi Gemma,

Hope you are well! I was writing my application for the spring vac scheme and cannot find an area which is dedicated to writing mitigating circumstances. There is a section for rare recruitment which asks us for further info. Will that be sufficient?

@WillkieGemma

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi Gemma,

Hope you are well! I was writing my application for the spring vac scheme and cannot find an area which is dedicated to writing mitigating circumstances. There is a section for rare recruitment which asks us for further info. Will that be sufficient?

@WillkieGemma

Hi @User5678 there is a dedicated section to mitigating circumstances. This is contained under the contextual recruitment information.

 

[emma.d]

With the VI do you want us to relate every question back to Willkie and commercial law in some way?

 

[WillkieGemma]

With the VI do you want us to relate every question back to Willkie and commercial law in some way?

Hi @emma.d - all the questions are motivational/commercial - we don't ask any competency questions

 

[axele]

Hi @WillkieGemma, I have a few questions!

- Can I confirm that in the work experience section and the 500 word achievements and positions of responsibility question, there is no need to link what I am saying to Willkie?
- For position of responsibility, are you looking mainly for positions of responsibility in a university setting? Or will something in secondary be okay to talk about?
- Is 1 achievement and 1 position of responsibility sufficient?
- Is it okay to submit my application on the 18th?

Thank you so much!

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @WillkieGemma, I have a few questions!

- Can I confirm that in the work experience section and the 500 word achievements and positions of responsibility question, there is no need to link what I am saying to Willkie?
- For position of responsibility, are you looking mainly for positions of responsibility in a university setting? Or will something in secondary be okay to talk about?
- Is 1 achievement and 1 position of responsibility sufficient?
- Is it okay to submit my application on the 18th?

Thank you so much!

Hi @axele

Please see below:

1. that is correct
2. anything from the age of 15/16 that you would like us to know about
3. I wouldn't limit yourself - I would include everything that you've done that you want to tell us about
4. Yes, I have replied to this question many many times. It is the same with all firms - we're not going to discount applications because of when they are submitted. It makes a mockery of having an application timeline.

thanks
Gemma

 

[tanja12]

Hi,

I hope you’re well. I’m reaching out for some guidance as I prepare to start my LLM + SQE1 at BPP in January. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be ready to take the SQE1 in January 2026.

I've been applying for several training contracts through City Firms, but I’m currently facing a series of rejections, which has been quite challenging. I’m curious about what firms are looking for in candidates. Am I applying too early, or should I consider waiting until I’ve completed my LLM? Also, how important are open days and virtual internships in this process?

I have completed three online courses and hold a first-class BCom degree in Human Resources from South Africa. I'm also in the midst of completing my PGDL conversion. Despite my efforts, I continue to receive rejections, and I feel like there’s something I might be missing.

Any advice on what I should focus on would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi @tanja12

No, you shouldn't be waiting until completion of the LLM, most firms recruit two years in advance for their TCs, so some trainees are recruited as early as their penultimate undergrad year (of Law). I would highly recommend attending virtual insight events/webinars etc as it gives you a better perspective of each firm and you can then use that information in your applications.

The primary reason for most rejections is generic applications - applications that have clearly been sent to 20 or 30 other firms that therefore do not demonstrate a real interest in, and understanding of, that particular firm and why it is interesting to you.

Many thanks
Gemma

 

[legal18]

Hi Gemma,

When you're deciding whether applicants progress to the written exercise are you looking solely at the video interview or the video interview along with the written application? For example, if I had a slightly weaker video interview but stronger written application would this be ok?

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi Gemma,

When you're deciding whether applicants progress to the written exercise are you looking solely at the video interview or the video interview along with the written application? For example, if I had a slightly weaker video interview but stronger written application would this be ok?

Hi @legal18 - I'd rather be completely transparent and direct...so...what you need to remember is that everyone who has reached the video interview submitted a very strong application, otherwise they would not have got through. This will be the same with the vast majority of firms. So, in effect, at the start of each stage, everyone is in the same starting position again. Therefore, yes you do need to submit a strong video interview.

 

[legal18]

Hi @legal18 - I'd rather be completely transparent and direct...so...what you need to remember is that everyone who has reached the video interview submitted a very strong application, otherwise they would not have got through. This will be the same with the vast majority of firms. So, in effect, at the start of each stage, everyone is in the same starting position again. Therefore, yes you do need to submit a strong video interview.

Thank you for your transparency!