Documenting my path into big law... (Project JLaw)

[Lawlawland]

Hey People!

Welcome to my hall of f(sh)ame!

For both accountability and easy tracking of updates in a space where I can't be found, I am starting this thread to keep track of all my applications for this cycle.

Who am I?
I am an international student, dipping my toes properly in big law applications this time. I am about to graduate in Technology Law.
While I tried applying for a few firms' last cycle (my first year in the UK), I was unsuccessful for the reasons I now know why (I didn't do any research or knew how to make a solid application). So, ideally, this is the FIRST CYCLE in my books!

But I am learning and preparing myself better every passing day. And, this would be a space where I document all my successes and failures, coz I love myself some journaling. I hope to keep this space updated regularly, and I would appreciate it if you could comment for an update and hold me accountable.

(Note: If you read this and would like to have some insights into some of my successful applications, please feel free to reach out! Wishing you the best of luck throughout this cycle, fingers crossed!)

Open Days: (only the ones that involved the application and selection process)​

Successful Outcomes:​

1. Linklaters (An evening with Linklaters)
2. Hogan Lovells (RAEHL Open Day)
3. HSF Kramer (Digital Open Day)
4. Reed Smith (TS Open Day)
5. RPC (Insights Day)
6. Mishcon De Reya (Social Mobility Open Day, Race Equality Open Day)
7. Akin (Ask Akin Virtual Open Day)
8. Norton Rose Fulbright and Freshfields - Targetjobs "Self-made in Law" event

PFO:

1. BCLP - Race for Change
2. Macfarlanes - dinner with partner
3. DLA Piper - Discovery Day
4. Weil - Insight Day
5. Baker McKenzie - Open Day
6. Skadden - Open Day
7. Covington Litigation Workshop
8. Willkie Open Day

(As of October 30, I am awaiting my results for the Latham And Watkins Open Day. I cleared the first round of the test, and got invited to the second test and VI)

Other such events I attended to know the firms, which were not application-based:​

1. Slaughter and May - London Evening
2. Jones Day - Open Evening
3. Travers Smith - London Presentation
4. Clifford Chance - One Firm Global Strategy Event (upcoming)
5. Dentons - UKELA careers meeting (upcoming)
6. Burges Salmon at UKELA event (upcoming)
7. Ropes and Gray - London Presentation (upcoming)
8. Lewis Silkin - Open Evening (upcoming)

Winter Vacation Scheme:​

1. Covington - Results Awaiting
2. Cleary Gottlieb - application in process

Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme:​

1. TBC

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey People!

Welcome to my hall of f(sh)ame!

For both accountability and easy tracking of updates in a space where I can't be found, I am starting this thread to keep track of all my applications for this cycle.

Who am I?
I am an international student, dipping my toes properly in big law applications this time. I am about to graduate in Technology Law.
While I tried applying for a few firms' last cycle (my first year in the UK), I was unsuccessful for the reasons I now know why (I didn't do any research or knew how to make a solid application). So, ideally, this is the FIRST CYCLE in my books!

But I am learning and preparing myself better every passing day. And, this would be a space where I document all my successes and failures, coz I love myself some journaling. I hope to keep this space updated regularly, and I would appreciate it if you could comment for an update and hold me accountable.

(Note: If you read this and would like to have some insights into some of my successful applications, please feel free to reach out! Wishing you the best of luck throughout this cycle, fingers crossed!)

Open Days: (only the ones that involved the application and selection process)​

Successful Outcomes:​

1. Linklaters (An evening with Linklaters)
2. Hogan Lovells (RAEHL Open Day)
3. HSF Kramer (Digital Open Day)
4. Reed Smith (TS Open Day)
5. RPC (Insights Day)
6. Mishcon De Reya (Social Mobility Open Day, Race Equality Open Day)
7. Akin (Ask Akin Virtual Open Day)
8. Norton Rose Fulbright and Freshfields - Targetjobs "Self-made in Law" event

PFO:

1. BCLP - Race for Change
2. Macfarlanes - dinner with partner
3. DLA Piper - Discovery Day
4. Weil - Insight Day
5. Baker McKenzie - Open Day
6. Skadden - Open Day
7. Covington Litigation Workshop
8. Willkie Open Day

(As of October 30, I am awaiting my results for the Latham And Watkins Open Day. I cleared the first round of the test, and got invited to the second test and VI)

Other such events I attended to know the firms, which were not application-based:​

1. Slaughter and May - London Evening
2. Jones Day - Open Evening
3. Travers Smith - London Presentation
4. Clifford Chance - One Firm Global Strategy Event (upcoming)
5. Dentons - UKELA careers meeting (upcoming)
6. Burges Salmon at UKELA event (upcoming)
7. Ropes and Gray - London Presentation (upcoming)
8. Lewis Silkin - Open Evening (upcoming)

Winter Vacation Scheme:​

1. Covington - Results Awaiting
2. Cleary Gottlieb - application in process

Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme:​

1. TBC

Hello!

Loved reading your post - it’s so inspiring to see how self-aware and organised you are being about the process, and it sounds like you have made amazing progress this cycle already!

Massive congratulations on all those open day successes - that’s such a strong list. Best of luck with Covington, Latham and Cleary!

Looking forward to seeing your updates, and maybe I’ll see you at the Reed Smith open day!

 

[Lawlawland]

Thank you for the kind words, Abbie! I am looking forward to seeing you at the open day!

I have come with a few updates!

Firstly, I got invited to the second stage of the Cleary Application process! I can't believe it, this is my first success for a scheme, and I had less hope, as they were rolling and I submitted only 20 minutes before the deadline last Friday! Now I am really nervous and hoping to do the WGT by tomorrow morning (They have given me only 2 days of deadline).

Apart from this, last week, I have made the following applications:
1. Paul, Weiss Open Day (the TCLA forum was really helpful for this, thank you!)
2. White and Case Open Day
3. King and Spalding Open Day
4. Kirkland and Ellis Open Day

I also got selected for the Clyde and Co virtual insights day.

This Week, I am aiming to submit my applications for:

1. Slaughter and May (Direct TC)
2. Travers Smith (Direct TC)
3. Simmons and Simmons (AI Internship)

If you are reading this, I would appreciate some insights into how to draft an ideal CV for S&M and TS. Thank you1

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Woud love an update when you have 5 mins! 😀

 

[Lawlawland]

Heya!
Thanks for reminding me.
I much appreciate it!.


After the last update,
I attended Kirkland's PE workshop, which was really inspiring and for the first time, I actually am considering applying there.

I've also submitted applications for:
1. Travers DTC
2. Simmons AI intership
3. Jones Day SVS
4. Clifford chance DTC
5. Weil SVS
6. Freshfields DTC
7. Hogan Lovells SVS

In 2 days, I'm gonna submit my applications for:
1. Slaughter and May (DTC) (85% done)
2. Dentons (DTC) (fully done)
3. Mishcon (SVS) (70% done)
4. Linklaters (SVS) (yet to start but a small application form)
5. Taylor Wessing (SVS) (50% done)

By the end of November/December first, I have to submit:
1. HSF Kramer
2. Reed Smith
3. Kirkland and Ellis
4. Sullivan and Cromwell

While I have done a good list of applications, some applications I planned to do but did not/will not complete before the deadline are:
1. Eversheds
2. DLA Piper
3. Gowling
4. Davis Polk

It's gonna intense 2 weeks and I'M HERE FOR IT!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Heya!
Thanks for reminding me.
I much appreciate it!.


After the last update,
I attended Kirkland's PE workshop, which was really inspiring and for the first time, I actually am considering applying there.

I've also submitted applications for:
1. Travers DTC
2. Simmons AI intership
3. Jones Day SVS
4. Clifford chance DTC
5. Weil SVS
6. Freshfields DTC
7. Hogan Lovells SVS

In 2 days, I'm gonna submit my applications for:
1. Slaughter and May (DTC) (85% done)
2. Dentons (DTC) (fully done)
3. Mishcon (SVS) (70% done)
4. Linklaters (SVS) (yet to start but a small application form)
5. Taylor Wessing (SVS) (50% done)

By the end of November/December first, I have to submit:
1. HSF Kramer
2. Reed Smith
3. Kirkland and Ellis
4. Sullivan and Cromwell

While I have done a good list of applications, some applications I planned to do but did not/will not complete before the deadline are:
1. Eversheds
2. DLA Piper
3. Gowling
4. Davis Polk

It's gonna intense 2 weeks and I'M HERE FOR IT!

Amazing progress - well done, you should be super proud for keeping at it!

You've already achieved a huge amount by submitting that many applications, and the Kirkland workshop sounds like a great boost. Even if you aren't able to get round to some firms, your current applications are strong and focused and cover plenty of ground.

You've got a big two weeks ahead, but I believe in you - you've got this!! 💪 😊

 

[Lawlawland]

Thank you so much for this motivation Abbie! Means a lot. I'm trying and hoping to get out of my first cycle successful.

Today...
I submitted my:
1. Slaughter and May
2. Mishcon De Reya

This Slaughter and May application is labour of love. It took me 20+ days to perfect it. And I'm happy with my output. I hope it pays off. If not, I'm glad I learnt a lot in the process of drafting this application, that shall stay with me for a real long time.

I have finished all the admin work for the Taylor Wessing. All I have to do is to finish my CV and long answers and add them and submit. Hopefully in 2 days. So is Links.

I have an important Interview tomorrow so I shall pause the applications for a while. And resume the day after, with priority on Taylor Wessing (28th is the deadline).

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you so much for this motivation Abbie! Means a lot. I'm trying and hoping to get out of my first cycle successful.

Today...
I submitted my:
1. Slaughter and May
2. Mishcon De Reya

This Slaughter and May application is labour of love. It took me 20+ days to perfect it. And I'm happy with my output. I hope it pays off. If not, I'm glad I learnt a lot in the process of drafting this application, that shall stay with me for a real long time.

I have finished all the admin work for the Taylor Wessing. All I have to do is to finish my CV and long answers and add them and submit. Hopefully in 2 days. So is Links.

I have an important Interview tomorrow so I shall pause the applications for a while. And resume the day after, with priority on Taylor Wessing (28th is the deadline).

It sounds like you’re really hitting your stride, which is really great to hear! Submitting Slaughters and Mishcon is a massive effort, and it’s great to hear you’re proud of the work you put into them!

Wishing you all the best for your interview!! Once that’s done, you’ll smash through Taylor Wessing and Links - you’ve got this!!