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From AI to Energy Deals: Inside a Full-Service Law Firm with Osborne Clarke
8 Dec 2025 · 6pm (UK)
Zoom · Registration Required
You want to write a strong Osborne Clarke application — but what really makes the firm different, and how do trainees experience the work day-to-day?
In this session, you’ll hear directly from current trainees and Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan, so you can speak with clarity and specificity in your applications and interviews.
Hi again!
HFW aren’t referred to as Holman, Fenwick and Willan anymore, so only use ‘HFW’ in you written application.
2 key things the firm look for in applications:
1) An understanding of their sector focus and why that makes them stand out against their competitors. Why does the sector...
Highly doubt firms will care about retakes especially if you get A*/As in them. Also, uni grades are far more important. If you are able to get a 1st in your first year at UCL, you'll have a really strong chance of getting a VS/TC. Many people in the forum have gotten TC's at elite firms with...
Definitely still hope I'd say. The rest of your scores are really good and they'll also look at your VI responses as well as grades and work experience. I doubt they'll auto-reject you based off of one tiny data point.
Right, but hopefully you realise that unless you're able to sit and pass both SQE 1 and 2 by March 2027, as per their website, then you should be applying for 2028...
For now, focus on getting your coursework done. If you haven't started yet and it is due next week, then that should be your ONLY priority imo. Once you get that done I think you should hit the reset button. Clearly whatever strategy you have, if you even have one, isn't working. I felt this way...
I always aim for a minimum of 80% of the word count. Usually this is the first impression a firm will have of you so it's key to show you took the time to fully engage with their questions; show them that you care (even if you don't lol). Also, you can always find another sentence or 2 that is...
Application Breakdown so far | Targeting US/MC/SC | c. 10-12 applications still to make
Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅
A&O...
If anyone can provide insight into Weil VI, I'm happy to help with Milbank test 1-2, Freshfields test 1-2, Latham test 1-2, w&c vi, Dechert written, Gibson dunn interview, willkie vi and a few more!
Can anyone clarify what is meant when firms say this (in the context of their online tests): "This assessment is untimed, however, please try to work through it as quickly as possible."
Does this mean the time we take to answer a question impacts the score we get? If not, I don't understand why...
If it’s clarity you’re after, I’m afraid we’re all stepping through the same foggy tide of vacation scheme and training contract applications, where clarity truly is a rare current. Many of us, if not all, have asked ourselves “wtf are firms looking for?” Yet, I hope 2 things should, ironically...
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