[Official] Willkie, Farr & Gallagher Vacation Scheme Thread 2025/26

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi @WillkieGemma,


I hope you're well.

I'm currently completing the application form and wanted to clarify what should be included in two of the sections.

1. “Have you attended any virtual or in-person events with Willkie?”
   • Could you please confirm which types of events count here? For example, should this include only Willkie-hosted events, or also events where Willkie lawyers/traines participated as speakers but the event was hosted by a third party (e.g., TCLA or university panels)?
2. “Please list below all Open-access virtual internships (such as Forage or similar), open days and insight events.”
   • Should third-party events (e.g., TCLA sessions) be included here?
   • And is it acceptable to include events I attended by watching a recorded version rather than attending live?

Thank you very much for your guidance.


Kind regards,
LB

Hi @legallybrunnette

Gemma no longer works at Willkie, but I can answer your questions for you.

1. Your answer to this question should have a focus on Willkie hosted events;

2. Yes, this shoudl include third party events, and you can include events where you watched the recorded version, as we usually have a note of everyone who has watched the recording, which enables us to confirm this for you.

Good luck!

Kirsty

 

[BatmanBeyond]

Hi @BatmanBeyond

You can simply edit and update your previously provided answer if it remains mostly relevant.

Thanks!

Kirsty

Thanks Kirsty!

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi @Kirsty Wilkins, thank you in advance for reviewing our applications.

I'm curious if we should wait with submitting the written application due to the technical error of no GCSE entries on the Vantage form, given that the firm has a rolling deadline closing in 9 days; or we should submit ASAP.

Thank you!

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi @Kirsty Wilkins, thank you in advance for reviewing our applications.

I'm curious if we should wait with submitting the written application due to the technical error of no GCSE entries on the Vantage form, given that the firm has a rolling deadline closing in 9 days; or we should submit ASAP.

Thank you!

Hi @TortillaTC ,

You should go ahead and submit whenever you're happy with your application as there's actually no technical error with the GCSE entries. Although you aren't adding them into your application, they are being pulled through into the submission we receive, so I think this happens automatically via Vantage.

Good luck!

Kirsty

 

[legallybrunnette]

Hi @legallybrunnette

Gemma no longer works at Willkie, but I can answer your questions for you.

1. Your answer to this question should have a focus on Willkie hosted events;

2. Yes, this shoudl include third party events, and you can include events where you watched the recorded version, as we usually have a note of everyone who has watched the recording, which enables us to confirm this for you.

Good luck!

Kirsty

Thanks, Kristy — that’s really helpful.

Just to confirm, when you say I’m allowed to list third-party open-access events, does that also include events hosted by peer firms? I wasn’t sure whether these count as acceptable third-party events or whether they need to be Willkie-exclusive.

Thank you again for your time — I really appreciate it.

Best regards,
LB

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Thanks, Kristy — that’s really helpful.

Just to confirm, when you say I’m allowed to list third-party open-access events, does that also include events hosted by peer firms? I wasn’t sure whether these count as acceptable third-party events or whether they need to be Willkie-exclusive.

Thank you again for your time — I really appreciate it.

Best regards,
LB

Hi @legallybrunnette

Yes, you can include events hosted by peer firms.

Best wishes,

Kirsty

 

[yk1906]

Dear @Kirsty Wilkins !

I was wondering whether we should include mooting and pro bono experience in the WE section or the dedicated question on positions of responsibility? Thank you so much, and sorry if this question has been answered before.

 

[Bread]

Hello @Kirsty Wilkins
Thank you for your replies on the forum so far. I was just wondering what sorts of additional "checks and balances" have been introduced for candidates, and how this will affect the integrity of the recruitment process. Do these new measures apply those who have already progressed in the process?
Gemma was always very transparent about recruitment, which is part of why I applied.
Thanks

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Dear @Kirsty Wilkins !

I was wondering whether we should include mooting and pro bono experience in the WE section or the dedicated question on positions of responsibility? Thank you so much, and sorry if this question has been answered before.

Hi @yk1906

I think it depends on the context in which those activities took place. If the pro bono was (for example) as part of a job you had at the time, I would place it in the work experience section. If the mooting was (for example) as part of a university society's work, I would place it in positions of responsibility.

Hope that helps,

Kirsty

 

[yk1906]

Hi @yk1906

I think it depends on the context in which those activities took place. If the pro bono was (for example) as part of a job you had at the time, I would place it in the work experience section. If the mooting was (for example) as part of a university society's work, I would place it in positions of responsibility.

Hope that helps,

Kirsty

Thank you, that helped a lot

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hello @Kirsty Wilkins
Thank you for your replies on the forum so far. I was just wondering what sorts of additional "checks and balances" have been introduced for candidates, and how this will affect the integrity of the recruitment process. Do these new measures apply those who have already progressed in the process?
Gemma was always very transparent about recruitment, which is part of why I applied.
Thanks

Hi @Bread

No problem at all.

One person screens all initial applications and puts them into three categories ('yes', 'no', 'maybe'), just as used to take place previously. However now, 10% of applications in each of those three categories are then read by an additional person (me, or one of two partners). The same review will also take place for 10% of the video interviews. This applies to this entire application cycle.

Thanks,

Kirsty