TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

Status
Not open for further replies.

RonRod13

Valued Member
  • Nov 18, 2023
    115
    182
    No? W&C are full-service in London and many US firms in London aren't
    okay? That doesn't mean that W&C's competitors are only law firms with a full-service practice in London. Law firms are constantly competing with each other all the time for deals, clients, talent etc.

    The fact that W&C is full-service in London is a way for W&C to DIFFERENTIATE itself from their competitors. Its a way for W&C to innovate and set itself apart from other law firms. It does not mean that W&C will only now face competition from other full-service London firms.

    But of course this is just my view, by all means, I'm welcome to any thoughts and further comments
     

    Ali A

    Legendary Member
  • Feb 28, 2022
    247
    883
    okay? That doesn't mean that W&C's competitors are only law firms with a full-service practice in London. Law firms are constantly competing with each other all the time for deals, clients, talent etc.

    The fact that W&C is full-service in London is a way for W&C to DIFFERENTIATE itself from their competitors. Its a way for W&C to innovate and set itself apart from other law firms. It does not mean that W&C will only now face competition from other full-service London firms.

    But of course this is just my view, by all means, I'm welcome to any thoughts and further comments
    Not all US firms will be competitors just because W&C is a US firm. Its London office equally competes with the Magic Circle for work as it does with the US firms because of its size and areas of expertise.

    I had this same conversation with the managing partner of the W&C London office.
     

    EliteWhovian

    Legendary Member
    Junior Lawyer
  • Dec 8, 2022
    289
    785
    Anyone worried that grades will hinder their future success - the two high-flying partners at Skadden right now (including the managing partner) graduated with 2:2s with one doing his training contract at a high street firm in Hull.

    Keep plugging away!
    Thank you for that. Honestly you are truly a positive light in this forum and I just wanted to let you know that your kindness and supportive comments every now and then really don't go unappreciated!
     

    Percypig12

    Legendary Member
    Oct 19, 2021
    127
    349
    okay? That doesn't mean that W&C's competitors are only law firms with a full-service practice in London. Law firms are constantly competing with each other all the time for deals, clients, talent etc.

    The fact that W&C is full-service in London is a way for W&C to DIFFERENTIATE itself from their competitors. Its a way for W&C to innovate and set itself apart from other law firms. It does not mean that W&C will only now face competition from other full-service London firms.

    But of course this is just my view, by all means, I'm welcome to any thoughts and further comments
    With respect I wasn't suggesting that. All I was saying was that there's a world of difference between the likes of W&C + Latham vs. Orrick, Goodwin for example
     

    RonRod13

    Valued Member
  • Nov 18, 2023
    115
    182
    Not all US firms will be competitors just because W&C is a US firm. Its London office equally competes with the Magic Circle for work as it does with the US firms because of its size and areas of expertise.

    I had this same conversation with the managing partner of the W&C London office.
    Not all US law firms will be a competitor of W&C- a US law firm?

    Please tell me one US commercial law firm which somehow is not competing with W&C.

    Law firms are businesses. And businesses which produce the similar goods or services within the same industry are, by definition, competitors.

    That said, I welcome any counter-example you may be able to provide me with.
     

    Percypig12

    Legendary Member
    Oct 19, 2021
    127
    349
    Not all US law firms will be a competitor of W&C- a US law firm?

    Please tell me one US commercial law firm which somehow is not competing with W&C.

    Law firms are businesses. And businesses which produce the similar goods or services within the same industry are, by definition, competitors.

    That said, I welcome any counter-example you may be able to provide me with.
    Yes, all US law firms provide legal services but not all US law firms target the same practice areas, sectors and clients. For example, on the whole Goodwin (VC, life sciences, tech etc.) is marketing its legal services to a very different section of the market than White & Case (broad client base but includes clients that would never instruct Goodwin e.g. oil companies)
     

    Seven

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    May 15, 2022
    302
    977
    Not all US law firms will be a competitor of W&C- a US law firm?

    Please tell me one US commercial law firm which somehow is not competing with W&C.

    Law firms are businesses. And businesses which produce the similar goods or services within the same industry are, by definition, competitors.

    That said, I welcome any counter-example you may be able to provide me with.
    When a Partner at an interview asks you what their competitors are. They’re speaking of direct competitors. If you want to be literal, then yes, by definition most US firms would be competitors of White & Case by virtue of merely being an international law firm.

    But that’s not what they’re looking for. A firm that has a Band 2 ranking in M&A deals with a specialist focus on energy is not a competitor of a firm that has a Band 1 ranking in M&A deals with a specialist focus on TMT. They’re both of different calibres. In order to deduce a competitor, you have to identify the rankings, specialisms, type of clients and deals. Not every US firm will be a direct competitor of each other, regardless of “full-service offering”.

    By your advice, if X candidate went into an interview and said that one of White & Case’s competitors is Milbank for example who specialises in high-yield bonds and is tier 2 in projects work compared to White & Case with a tier 1 practice. You would technically be wrong based on a direct competitor.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.