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Willkie Live: How to Write a Successful Vacation Scheme Application

7 Oct 2025 5:30pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)

Learn exactly how to write a successful application to Willkie Farr & Gallagher, with live examples + Q&A with Gemma Baker.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Future Trainee - 2027 confirmed" data-source="post: 215421" data-attributes="member: 38167">I secured my training contract in the last cycle, so I’ll share what worked for me.  I only applied to one firm in the end, after attending an event and speaking with their lawyers, apprentices, and partners. That experience gave me a sense of the culture and helped me decide it was the right fit for me.From my perspective, quality does matter more than quantity. There isn’t much value in sending out 50–60 generic applications if they don’t show genuine motivation. A handful of carefully tailored applications to firms you’d genuinely want to train at will be much stronger. Remember, if you’re successful, you’ll be spending two years there (at a minimum) so it’s really important that the culture, people, and practice areas feel right for you. Otherwise, even if you secure a TC, you might not enjoy the experience.That said, it’s also about finding a balance. You don’t want to spend months perfecting one application and risk missing other opportunities. I’d recommend aiming for a manageable number (say 5 firms) where you can still tailor your answers properly, but also give yourself a fair chance across different options.A few practical tips that helped me:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Research beyond the website: attend events, speak to trainees/associates, and look at recent deals or cases. This gives you much more material for applications.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keep a bank of examples: write down your competencies, achievements, and experiences in advance, so you can adapt them to different firms without starting from scratch each time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Reflect on fit, ask yourself honestly: “Would I be happy working here day in, day out?” That question helps cut through the noise and keeps your applications focused.</li> </ul>So in short, I would aim for quality, but don’t trap yourself into perfectionism. Find that middle ground where you’re submitting applications you’re proud of, but also covering enough firms to maximise your chances.</blockquote>

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