Hi guys, I was unfortunately rejected from
Willkie at the first stage
I thought I wrote a pretty solid app, could anyone critique it and see what might have been the issue? Thank you.
Q1 - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law.
Max 250 words
I am motivated by intellectually demanding environments where issues are complex and stakes are high. As a national-level debater, I thrived on analysing dense material under time pressure, anticipating counterarguments, and adapting strategy in real time. Alongside this, founding a small (redacted) business sparked a strong interest in commerce and how relationships shape business outcomes. Commercial law therefore appeals to me because it combines these interests, requiring lawyers to strategically analyse legal risks in achieving their clients’ commercial objectives.
My commitment to this career path has been consistent and long-standing. Before university, I interned in the corporate practice of (law firm), a leading (non-UK) full-service law firm. Despite having to relocate to another state, I seized this opportunity to gain practical experience and developed rapport with a partner by producing high-quality due diligence reports, ultimately securing a letter of recommendation. At university, a first-year scheme with (large US firm)–particularly a panel on cross-border project finance–highlighted how commercial judgement and contractual protections are essential to managing regulatory and investment risk. I later saw this in practice as a summer analyst at (Boutique PE fund), where reviewing investment covenants highlighted the importance of lawyers’ role in preserving investor confidence through the structuring of legal risk.
These experiences confirmed my interest in this field and motivate me to pursue a career at a leading global firm like
Willkie, where I would be challenged to think creatively, navigate complex and interesting commercial contexts, and develop the judgment required of an effective commercial lawyer.
Q2 - Please explain why you are applying to
Willkie.
Max 250 words
Firstly, I am drawn to
Willkie’s dual strengths in transactional and contentious work, reflected in Chambers rankings for PE buyouts and investment funds, alongside Band-1 recognition in competition litigation and growing strength in arbitration and commercial disputes. Having topped my year in (finance module), I am attracted to
Willkie’s integrated PE, finance and capital markets practices, which regularly work on innovative and impactful transactional mandates like Belfius Bank’s recent €500m sustainability-linked green notes issuance. Simultaneously, placing in the Top 8 of 120+ teams at the (University) Negotiation Competition–where success depended on distilling complex arguments and advocating persuasively under pressure–highlighted the appeal of contentious work. At
Willkie, I could experience the top end of both areas, developing a holistic understanding of how lawyers structure, negotiate and contest deals and disputes.
Secondly, I am attracted to
Willkie’s rapid growth and entrepreneurial culture. The London office has expanded at exceptional speed, doubling its lawyer headcount between 2017 and 2025 while delivering double-digit revenue growth year-on-year. As Hiral Jain noted at an Open Evening, this scale of expansion necessitates lean, high-leverage teams and an emphasis on junior responsibility. This environment suits how I work: at (Non MBB Consulting Firm), taking initiative and actively seeking feedback led to strong relationships and being entrusted to support a Director on a Third-Party Risk Management project. This reinforced the value of a self-starter mindset early in a career, and I am confident my proactive approach would allow me to thrive at
Willkie.
My stats are: graduate, 2.1 from a target university (2.2 in first year, but mitigating circumstances related to physical health), various open days/1 first year scheme.
Also got rejected from
Skadden at the first stage and HSFK at the app review stage
Would be really thankful on points to improve/change; am I missing anything?
