Yeah I also went to their Open Day in October, just trying to broaden my answer with some more hard facts
Congrats, did you get this after completing the Law Online Assessment? And if so, can you let me know what that is like?
My main source of research was the Paul, Weiss Dec Open Day. 🙂
Interviewers at Magic Circle firms will be well aware of the fact that the firms in the group have a lot in common and that most of the differences will be marginal. However, I think each of them has certain points of pride which it would perhaps be well to mention in an interview - ie. Slaughter and May arguably has an edge in public M&A and with UK corporates generally; Clifford Chance has an edge in PE and finance; Freshfields is arguably leading the race in establishing an elite New York presence and becoming part of the 'international elite' etc. Nonetheless, these selling points do tend fall within the scope of the elements you mentioned; the main differentiators being a slightly superior reputation in one or two practice area/sector or a difference in global strategy resulting in an edge in certain jurisdictions.
I definitely think you should consider writing about the firm globally and as a whole, as their serious presence in London has just been established and thus there will not be much historical work you can reference. Moreover, I think this question is inviting you to discuss Paul, Weiss' broader strategy as a firm and how the London expansion features into it. Thus, I think it would make for a more insightful analysis if you also mentioned its origins as a white show litigation specialist who has already undergone a revolution post-2008 by heavily investing into becoming a leading player in transactional sphere as well. Since this transformation has been widely recognized as a remarkable success, that could fit well within a broader narrative about Paul, Weiss' entrepreneurial edge. On that point, for a more detailed analysis of the firm's history, strategy, and expansions, take a look at the Paul, Weiss profile I wrote during the summer.
I would just check the firm has historically high retention rates and that this was not an anomaly. You can then reference the retention rates generally rather than one specific intake.
Wish I saw this before submitting my application. 💀😂
