Gemma Baker

Graduate Recruitment Manager, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP

Biography

Gemma has worked in legal graduate recruitment for 20 years and has read over 65,000 vacation scheme and training contracts applications.  After nine years working for law firms, Gemma headed up the employability teams at both Kaplan Law School and Aspiring Solicitors.  She returned to the legal profession in 2018 and now works for Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP in London.  Willkie is a US firm with 12 offices internationally.  2020 marks Willkie’s first year of trainee recruitment in London, with the firm recruiting, via the vacation scheme, trainee solicitors for September 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Where and how did you start your career?

I started my career in 2000 as a graduate recruitment assistant at a large silver circle law firm. Not knowing much about graduate recruitment at first, I threw myself into the role and learned as much as I could and was promoted quickly.   In 2009, I moved to the other side of graduate recruitment to set up an employability team at a law school and helped our students to obtain vacation schemes and training contracts. I continued this at Aspiring Solicitors, where I worked from 2015 to 2018. 

How do you maximise your chances of making a successful application to your firm?

We are looking for those who have a genuine interest in Willkie and our clients.  At the application stage, we are looking for evidence of real research into our firm.  

So, how do you do this?  My advice is to meet people at the firm and talk to them to find out more.  This year has seen a huge increase in accessible events, all virtual.  Many firms, including Willkie, are attending more law fairs than ever before as well as holding their own events, such as open days and webinars.  This is set to continue.  Although they can be daunting, attending these events enables you to find out more about the firm than you could from a website or brochure.  Don’t be afraid of switching on your video and chatting away to associates or the graduate recruitment team – we enjoy meeting you!  The information you gather can then be used in your applications – this is what makes applications stand out.  Also, do a little research into the firm before attending a law fair, open day or other event  – so you’re asking good, thoughtful questions, rather than just asking ‘when is  your application deadlines?’ or, ‘what practice areas does the firm have?’.  Remember, you can find out basic information on our webpages (the same goes for all firms).   Rather, use the event to find out more about how the firm works, its culture, its clients, its approach to client relationships etc.

What are the must have’s in a strong vacation scheme or training contract application?

A strong application is one that demonstrates an understanding of our firm and our approach, and why those things are important to you.  We don’t want to see a generic application that has been submitted (with a few changes) to over 20 firms.  You should spend time on your application and make sure that it truly conveys commitment to our firm and tells us why you want to practise law at a firm like ours.  

What should be avoided?

The obvious things are typos, and, less obviously, generic applications and a lack of strategy  My recommendation is to create a shortlist of approximately eight firms, and then make every effort to meet those firms to find out more.  Focus on submitting six to eight applications, rather than making many applications – think quality not quantity.  By doing this, you will have the time to draft stronger, more detailed, better researched applications.