General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Jessica Booker]

That makes sense, but the only event I've been to with the firm I'm applying to was in their US office (since I was studying there at the time), and I'm applying to London. I was thinking of covering all of my US events together in one paragraph since (I'm assuming) they're a bit less relevant than my London events, but maybe that's not the best approach since the firm I'm applying to is in that category?

no - sounds like a good approach - You’ll want to tone down any suggestion that London is plan B after the US

 

[Lauren]

I was wondering how to tackle this question and what White & Case will be looking for me to demonstrate

Details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations. These do not need to be White & Case specific. (350 words max)

For example, is it better to talk about more events but in less detail? Or talk about a few but in greater detail?

Also, in talking about the careers events, is it better to talk more generally about trainee skills, culture etc? Or give a more content driven answer, such as in some of my draft below?

I have also attended open days at Eversheds Sutherland, Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper and Simmons & Simmons. On the Baker McKenzie open day, I learned the significance of establishing new structures and vehicles within financial transactions from a talk given by Jeremy Levy on securitisation. I saw the complexity of cross border negotiations and the necessity of local knowledge from a simulated exercise whereby I represented an international travel agency. At Clifford Chance's open day, I learned about the Finance & Capital Markets practice from David Adams. The stages of an asset finance transaction whereby aircraft was leased was outlined, as well as the broader context of solicitors work in the aviation industry.

 

[AH97]

I was wondering how to tackle this question and what White & Case will be looking for me to demonstrate

Details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations. These do not need to be White & Case specific. (350 words max)

For example, is it better to talk about more events but in less detail? Or talk about a few but in greater detail?

Also, in talking about the careers events, is it better to talk more generally about trainee skills, culture etc? Or give a more content driven answer, such as in some of my draft below?

I have also attended open days at Eversheds Sutherland, Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper and Simmons & Simmons. On the Baker McKenzie open day, I learned the significance of establishing new structures and vehicles within financial transactions from a talk given by Jeremy Levy on securitisation. I saw the complexity of cross border negotiations and the necessity of local knowledge from a simulated exercise whereby I represented an international travel agency. At Clifford Chance's open day, I learned about the Finance & Capital Markets practice from David Adams. The stages of an asset finance transaction whereby aircraft was leased was outlined, as well as the broader context of solicitors work in the aviation industry.

Personally, I just listed all of the events (around 12) in chronological order in the format:

• Firm - Event (Month and Year)

and got past the application stage, but I'm sure there are many ways to approach it

 

[Lauren]

Personally, I just listed all of the events (around 12) in chronological order in the format:

• Firm - Event (Month and Year)

and got past the application stage, but I'm sure there are many ways to approach it

Ah ok, thank you! Did you write much about each event or just a sentence or two?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

no - sounds like a good approach - You’ll want to tone down any suggestion that London is plan B after the US

Yes makes sense, thanks!

 

[Alice G]

Ah ok, thank you! Did you write much about each event or just a sentence or two?

I recommend what @Ashton97 has advised here- don’t be thrown by the word count, just keep it factual. The only thing I’d add if you went to an event with W&C themselves, then you could maybe add a line or two about what you learned from the event -note: not what you did, but what you personally learned and took from it

 

[Lauren]

I recommend what @Ashton97 has advised here- don’t be thrown by the word count, just keep it factual. The only thing I’d add if you went to an event with W&C themselves, then you could maybe add a line or two about what you learned from the event -note: not what you did, but what you personally learned and took from it

Thank you Alice, very helpful! What about things like insight days? Do they deserve a sentence or two too?

I don't think I have been to 12 standalone workshops or presentations.

 

[Alice G]

Thank you Alice, very helpful! What about things like insight days? Do they deserve a sentence or two too?

I don't think I have been to 12 standalone workshops or presentations.

Don’t worry about the quantity and I’d only add a line or two if it’s with W&C, if the insight day was with them then yes I would do

 

[AH97]

Ah ok, thank you! Did you write much about each event or just a sentence or two?

I didn't write anything about each event, but if I had a W&C specific one I'd have gone into a little more detail like @Alice G suggested

 

[AH97]

Thank you Alice, very helpful! What about things like insight days? Do they deserve a sentence or two too?

I don't think I have been to 12 standalone workshops or presentations.

Also, I'm a graduate so my events date back to 2015, and some of them are just webinars I've attended - I realise 12 may sound like a lot! I'd be happy to share exactly what I wrote if you message me

 

[futuretraineecity]

Does anyone know what proportion of places are given to direct TC applicants and VS attendees at White & Case?

 

[Lauren]

Don’t worry about the quantity and I’d only add a line or two if it’s with W&C, if the insight day was with them then yes I would do

Thanks a lot Alice!

 

[Mxkry]

Is it worthwhile applying to firms whose deadline in on the 31st and their schemes are on a rolling basis?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worthwhile applying to firms whose deadline in on the 31st and their schemes are on a rolling basis?

Yes!

 

[Velikilawyer123]

@Jessica Booker If I'm abbreviating a firm's name in question one (e.g. "Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF)"), is it fine to keep referring to the firm as HSF throughout the application, or should I introduce it for the first time in every question as "Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF)"?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker If I'm abbreviating a firm's name in question one (e.g. "Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF)"), is it fine to keep referring to the firm as HSF throughout the application, or should I introduce it for the first time in every question as "Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF)"?

once in the first question/section is fine

 

[Aspiring.lawyer.to.be]

Has anyone received VI invites for White & Case vac scheme? Have they given out responses yet? Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[Jen E C]

Does anyone know what proportion of places are given to direct TC applicants and VS attendees at White & Case?

I believe that of 50 offers, about 10 go to TCs

 

[Velikilawyer123]

once in the first question/section is fine

Got it, thanks!

 

[M1999]

This may be a silly question but..
In the context of US firms, when talking about the work they do, would you focus on the work that the London firm is known for?
For example, if a firm is known for its corporate takeovers in the US but is only band 3/band 4 in London, is it not worth mentioning as I will be joining the London office?
Is it also redundant to talk about deals that the London office did not work on?