TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[cjwx]

Does anyone know if the DLA watson header test is automatic

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have completed my LPC, however even-though I passed all my exams, I didn’t pass as well as I hoped for. This was down to several personal mitigating circumstances. I obtained a 1:1 during my undergraduate degree. I know most law firms do not state if they have a threshold for LPC grades but I am assuming if it is anything less than a commendation they might not look favourable on this. Please could someone advise if law firms have threshold and if I should be looking to take the SQE 1 instead.

I don't think it is worthwhile doing SQE1 on top of the LPC. You'd still have to declare your LPC results for most firms.

It will depend on the firm - some firms set an LPC requirement for their sponsored students, and if they do they would apply the same criteria to anyone who self-funded. But there are plenty of firms who don't do this and will not need a commendation or above in the LPC. As you have got a first in your undergraduate degree, this is also a major advantage and one that firms will weigh up carefully alongside your LPC results.

 

[nodustollens]

if anyone has done the DLA VI pls pm me

have you done it yet?

 

[AlegalA]

I have a question- CMS have an insight day for "Non-law undergraduates and graduates studying in England, Wales or NI". I am a non-law graduate, however I have also completed the PGDL. Does this disqualify me from the insight day or could I still apply? (or should I be emailing early careers for clarification). Thanks!

 

[SAlegal]

have you done it yet?

Not yet, probably will do it tomorrow

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does Bristows sponsor international students?

Hiya @Maddy


Having been in your shoes (I once applied to a firm only to realise that I didn't meet their eligibility requirements sigh), I think it’s always a good idea to approach graduate recruitment directly via email to ask, just to be sure. That being said, I did a bit of digging and it seems the firm is listed on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. However, policies around sponsorship can change, and firms may have specific criteria for the roles they sponsor. Getting confirmation from grad rec will give you a clear answer and help you plan your next steps. Best of luck and I hope you can apply!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi there! I'm applying for a host of vac schemes, open days, training contracts etc as a non-law grad starting my conversion in January. I did a small vac scheme for a boutique firm over summer and I don't know whether its better to apply straight for training contracts or to vac schemes? Any advice would be amazing, thanks!!

Howdy @LawLawLawLawLaw

It's fantastic that you already have experience at a boutique firm! That will definitely help in your applications. I’d highly recommend focusing on vacation scheme applications, especially since many firms either only accept applicants through this route or recruit most of their trainees from it. This is particularly common with US-headquartered firms, where the vacation schemes are often seen as the main path to securing a training contract.

I'm also a believer in the view that vacation schemes are a great way to get a real sense of whether a firm’s culture and work align with your own preferences and goals—something that's hard to gauge from the outside or even just by attending an open day. You’ll have the chance to meet people, experience the work, and see if it’s a place you’d truly enjoy building your career. For what it's worth, some of the most important mentors and friends I've since made have come from firms that I did vacation schemes with, even though I won't be joining those firms as a trainee.

That said, if there’s a firm you’re particularly keen on that offers a direct training contract route and you feel prepared, it’s absolutely worth applying that way. If it helps, you can also find a list of where firms typically recruit their trainees from here. Our aim in making that thread was to help applicants develop a better strategy as to how they will be making their applications to firms.

 

[AnonKn635]

Has anyone got any tips for the White & Case VI - can share insights on dechert written exercise, Jones Day AC and first round interview

 

[AS24]

Hi @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam

I trust you are well.

I work full-time, I cannot possibly attend open days and I am struggling to understand the firm's competitive edge.

Firms seem to be very similar when it comes to their practice areas, specifically their transactional expertise.
How do you distinguish the M&A practice of one firm from another? A lot of firms seem to work on similar deals and with similar clients and I am struggling. Is there a specific element that I need to focus on?
Thank you in advance.

 

[nodustollens]

Not yet, probably will do it tomorrow

same, good luck!

 

[l789]

@Jaysen

Hi Jaysen, I hope you are well!

Apologises if you’ve mentioned this elsewhere or previously, but I was wondering if the Paul Weiss virtual event on Monday is going to be recorded.

Thank you

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

I have completed my LPC, however even-though I passed all my exams, I didn’t pass as well as I hoped for. This was down to several personal mitigating circumstances. I obtained a 1:1 during my undergraduate degree. I know most law firms do not state if they have a threshold for LPC grades but I am assuming if it is anything less than a commendation they might not look favourable on this. Please could someone advise if law firms have threshold and if I should be looking to take the SQE 1 instead.

Hiya @Runsim


Just to build off the typically excellent advice of @Jessica Booker, I wanted to reiterate the importance of remembering that not every firm has rigid grade cut-offs. There are also plenty of fantastic firms that value other qualities just as highly as academic performance. As Jess mentioned, your first-class undergraduate will be helpful. But if you're still worried, I'd encourage you to target firms with more flexible requirements. This will also help you spend your time making applications where you're more likely to succeed. If you have mitigating circumstances, make sure to highlight them clearly in your applications.

As someone who has myself experienced academic challenges, another great way to strengthen your applications is by gaining and demonstrating relevant work experience. I should emphasise here that this doesn’t necessarily have to be in the legal sector. Before my first vacation scheme, most of my work experience was outside of the legal profession. Experience in roles that develop transferable skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, problem-solving, or leadership) can demonstrate that you have what it takes to be a strong trainee and future lawyer.

Also, framing plays an important role here. Despite a handful of weak grades, I've made sure to discuss everything from my deep involvement in volunteering, improvised comedy, and student societies to demonstrate my skills and commitment. These experiences, combined with your academic background, paint a fuller picture for recruiters. Best of luck with your application!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam

I trust you are well.

I work full-time, I cannot possibly attend open days and I am struggling to understand the firm's competitive edge.

Firms seem to be very similar when it comes to their practice areas, specifically their transactional expertise.
How do you distinguish the M&A practice of one firm from another? A lot of firms seem to work on similar deals and with similar clients and I am struggling. Is there a specific element that I need to focus on?
Thank you in advance.

Hi @AS24

It's completely alright that you're not able to attend open days - during my own applications, I think I only managed to attend one, as I was working full-time. You're also absolutely right that many firms work on similar deals, particularly in M&A. That said, there are still ways to differentiate between them, and below I've shared a few ideas to help you make more granular comparisons.

One thing to consider is the industries or sectors a firm's M&A work focuses on. For example, firms like Cooley and Goodwin are especially known for advising on M&A deals in the tech and life sciences sectors. Other firms, like Willkie, are more "sectorally agnostic," meaning they handle M&A work across a wide variety of industries. Which type of firm might suit you best depends on your own interests. Personally, I was drawn to firms that specialised in sectors I had a genuine passion for, but I’ve met others who preferred variety and, as a result, were more interested in firms that had strengths in a wider range of industries. A firm’s sectoral strengths can give you a good sense of how their M&A practice differs from others.

You could also focus on the different elements of M&A transactions. Some firms are particularly well-regarded for their expertise in areas like financing, advising on regulatory issues, or cross-border deals. For instance, Freshfields is known for its strength in advisory work, particularly on antitrust and tax aspects of M&A, in addition to its corporate M&A work. Other firms stand out for their relationships and skills in structuring the financing side of deals. It really depends on what you’re most interested in, but thinking about these distinctions can help you see how a firm's M&A capabilities varies from those of another.

Finally, you could also consider the types of clients the firm is known for advising in M&A transactions. Taking Cooley again as an example, they have a strong reputation for advising high-growth startups and venture capital clients, which sets them apart from firms that focus more on later-stage companies or multinational corporations. Some firms, meanwhile, work with clients throughout their business lifecycle. Understanding the firm's client base can give you a clearer picture of how their M&A practice stands out. You can often get a sense of this by researching recent deals and looking at Chambers and Legal 500 rankings.

I hope this helps and definitely let us know if you have any other questions!

 

[emma.d]

Hi, I have two questions.

1) I'm applying for the Weil Open Day and the first question is 'Please tell us why you are interested in attending an insight day at Weil. What do you think you will gain from it? How will this help you with your long term career goals?' would it be okay to talk about their M&A practice? Is this big for them?

2) I have an Open Day coming up and part of the day includes an 'Interactive Private Equity Workshop'. Could anyone recommend any resources/how to prepare for this because I really know nothing about private equity.

Thank you

 

[Apple]

Hi, I have two questions.

1) I'm applying for the Weil Open Day and the first question is 'Please tell us why you are interested in attending an insight day at Weil. What do you think you will gain from it? How will this help you with your long term career goals?' would it be okay to talk about their M&A practice? Is this big for them?

2) I have an Open Day coming up and part of the day includes an 'Interactive Private Equity Workshop'. Could anyone recommend any resources/how to prepare for this because I really know nothing about private equity.

Thank you

In short, private equity firms buy distressed companies, make improvements to increase its profitability, then sell (exit) about 5 years later = profit.

 

[Broadwater]

In short, private equity firms buy distressed companies, make improvements to increase its profitability, then sell (exit) about 5 years later = profit.

Broadly you’re right but it is by no means limited to distressed companies. Large-cap PE firms often acquire mature public companies with reliable cashflows. Otherwise the target company wouldn’t be able to service its debt. Distressed investing is just one of many strategies in PE.

For the OP, I think Investopedia is a good starting point

 

[NJS]

Hi, I have two questions.

1) I'm applying for the Weil Open Day and the first question is 'Please tell us why you are interested in attending an insight day at Weil. What do you think you will gain from it? How will this help you with your long term career goals?' would it be okay to talk about their M&A practice? Is this big for them?

2) I have an Open Day coming up and part of the day includes an 'Interactive Private Equity Workshop'. Could anyone recommend any resources/how to prepare for this because I really know nothing about private equity.

Thank you

PE is their bread 🥖 and butter 🧈

 

[NJS]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I did two vac schemes over the summer, took an L on both, but was encouraged to reapply, would it be okay to mention my experience on those schemes in their respective application forms, just to spice up my answers from last year, not much has changed for me since the summer in terms of experience so was wondering if that would be a good way to provide a different answer?

 

[unknownnn7372]

Should I assume a PFO for sidley as I still haven't heard back lol

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Just took the HSF test. That was 😰
My feedback report is showing 4 values/behaviours positively and 2 negatively. Anyone get similar and what was the verdict of the HSF recruitment team?