TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

can someone please share insights on the issues currently faced by firms? @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

Here are some articles that might give you some guidance on themes you could consider:

Key trends shaping the legal industry in 2025 | The Law Society

Louise Donnery from legal software company Clio examines how advancements in technology, shifting client expectations and economic pressures will drive change across the sector.

www.lawsociety.org.uk

Top trends UK law firms can expect in 2025 | LexisNexis Blogs

Stay ahead of the curve. Read our 2025 predictions for medium and large law firms, including technological advancements, enhanced client experience, and...

www.lexisnexis.co.uk

Downloadable report if you give them your contact details: https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/insights/business-of-law/legal-trends-2025-report/

Legal Tech's Predictions for the Business of Law in 2025

A look at how law firm business models, hiring, pricing and culture may shift in the coming months.

www.law.com

Seismic Shifts in Law Firm Business Models for 2025

As we stand at the beginning of 2025, the legal industry finds itself at a crossroads, poised for transformation that could redefine the very essence of how law

www.lawfuel.com

 

[wqueens8]

I don't know if anyone has shared but please could u provide any information about the simmons online test? 🙃🙃

it’s been a while, but from what I remember it wasn’t too bad. Basically what it says on the tin (in the email), some SJT, some verbal reasoning, some numerical reasoning with data/graphs. It is untimed, so can take your time to think. Can’t remember exactly what the questions were in the VI but no curveballs.

Cant really prepare too much, I’d take the practice test and go for it tbh.

 

[coolpanda]

Anyone heard back from Cooley yet?

 

[kokoprep]

Anyone got W&C VI recently

 

[m12]

has anyone who applied close to the deadline for bird&bird heard back yet?

 

[GigiB2001]

it’s been a while, but from what I remember it wasn’t too bad. Basically what it says on the tin (in the email), some SJT, some verbal reasoning, some numerical reasoning with data/graphs. It is untimed, so can take your time to think. Can’t remember exactly what the questions were in the VI but no curveballs.

Cant really prepare too much, I’d take the practice test and go for it tbh.

Were the numerical reasoning questions reasonable?

 

[👩🎓]

Hey, anyone heard back from Latham?

And also, with NRF - how long does it take for the Arctic Shores test to arrive? because I submitted mine early morning on Friday, completed the RARE form, but do not have any email from Arctic Shores and for some reason I cannot log in onto the workday portal via the link they sent me in an email cause that prompts me for a microsoft log in on Norton server lol

I've had the same thing with NRF.

 

[dm_corporate]

K&E VI received

 

[jacksollaf]

K&E VI received

For the summer vs?

 

[dm_corporate]

For the summer vs?

I selected 'both' on the application

 

[m12]

K&E VI received

hey congrats! when did you apply and when did you hear back?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi TCLA Team! Welcome back

I got an invite to the Kirkland VI (received it 2/01, applied on 31/12), and wanted to know what I can do to prepare for the motivational aspect of the question. I read through @Andrei Radu's guide for competency interview preparation already!

I understand it is 1 to 1.5 minutes long, and historically, all of my points have taken longer than that to articulate it. Furthermore, I find Kirkland attractive for 2 practice areas and its diversity, but the time limit suggests that 3 points would be difficult to articulate. My general structure is Point-CV Evidence-Analysis of Evidence-Firm specific interest-link. I am not sure if this being too long is the issue, but would love to know what I can do to ensure I get a cohesive answer to Kirkland!

Other than that, articulating and tone wise, is there anything I can do to make my answer better?

Thank you in advance!

Hi @svb risk management intern and first of all congrats for progressing to the VI stage! Considering the time limits, I think the safe choice is to limit your answer to two why the firm reasons - by far the biggest issue that has impacted my own VI performances has been trying to cramp down too much information in too small of a space. Since this is Kirkland, it is highly advisable for one of those to be a Private Equity-based point. For the other one, you should make a judgment call on which reason is more persuasive. You should consider both how unique the USP is to Kirkland and how well you can link it to your motivations and experiences.

The structure you mentioned also looks fine to me. The one way you can try to make the answer more concise is to limit the 'CV point-Analysis' part a bit, as I feel that is largely expected in video interviews. Say you mention an internship you did in a corporate seat as what sparked your interest in PE. Instead of going for a full STAR-structured overview of the work experience, you can state something simpler like 'Having completed an internship at X, I enjoyed assisting lawyers with DD and research tasks on a live deal, which confirmed my interest in learning about business from a variety of industries while working on transformative transactions. Thus, I became interested in joining a PE-focused firm.' While you could go on a much longer analysis of your experience and of what PE work involves generally, I do not think it is necessary. Given the time constraints, you simply need to communicate the essence of your motivations in a clear manner.

 

[Andrei Radu]

What questions should one ask themselves to know if they have written a strong application @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu?

In terms of generally applicable questions, a few I would list are:

1. Am I answering every question in such a complete, persuasive and clear manner that I would find no issues with it, even if I reviewed it with a purpose of finding as many inadequacies as possible?
2. Is my style of writing formal enough that it could be published in a Reuters or Financial Times article?
3. Is my structure and writing clear enough that a normal person would get every point I am making on a quick read/skim?
4. Is my use of language so concise that there is no possibility of expressing my ideas with a better word per added value ratio? Am I sure there aren't any phrases and words that I could cut while keeping the essential information there?
5. Am I linking my main motivations with examples of experiences?
6. Am I being very specific when describing the nature of my motivations and the activities in my experiences?
7. Am I using a STAR structure when describing my main experiences?
8. Am I demonstrating the relevance of my experiences and skills by making plausible connections to the role and responsibilities of a trainee at the firm I am applying at?

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Yep even the grad rec website doesnt mention a VI, just an interview

Does anyone have insight (maybe someone attended an open day) on the app process?

Was quite confused when I got the email for the Goodwin VI. Attended their events throughout the milkround applications period and no mention of a VI; just a partner interview. Looks like they changed their process last minute maybe ...

Anyone got any advice whatsoever please?

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Almost immediately, maybe like 20 mins?

Is it just an SJT? Could you please give some insight?

 

[KGNines]

@Jessica Booker (or anyone who can kindly opine) is there a hard and fast rule in respect of how many examples you provide for question? I was previously told that anything below 150 words should be 2 examples and anything above 150 words should be 3. I am currently answering a question on why the firm with a 1500 character word limit (approx 200-250 words), and while I usually aim for 3 examples in line with what I have been previously told, my preference out of my current drafts is for 2 examples. I just wanted to understand from the point of view of someone who is reviewing an application, would only providing 2 examples put me at a disadvantage?

 

[yasmars]

Was quite confused when I got the email for the Goodwin VI. Attended their events throughout the milkround applications period and no mention of a VI; just a partner interview. Looks like they changed their process last minute maybe ...

Anyone got any advice whatsoever please?

I really hate when firms change their processes out of the blue 😭 but I thank God they didn’t implement a WG

 

[sameers1603]

If anyone has done the Kirkland VI please message me. I can give insights on Latham AC and Dechert Written Exercise

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker (or anyone who can kindly opine) is there a hard and fast rule in respect of how many examples you provide for question? I was previously told that anything below 150 words should be 2 examples and anything above 150 words should be 3. I am currently answering a question on why the firm with a 1500 character word limit (approx 200-250 words), and while I usually aim for 3 examples in line with what I have been previously told, my preference out of my current drafts is for 2 examples. I just wanted to understand from the point of view of someone who is reviewing an application, would only providing 2 examples put me at a disadvantage?

No - there is no rule on this and an application is not going to be automatically at an advantage or disadvantage either way.

 

[Amma Usman]

What are some good questions to ask at the end of an interview? I would appreciate any advice!

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam

Hey there @hfbjsdhfbhf ,

This is a really good question. I remember frequently worrying about this area whilst prepping for my interviews. The truth is, the key to the approach is attentively listening and paying attention during the interview. The way I interpreted it, asking questions about a topic discussed during the actual interview itself was more beneficial than over-relying on pre-set questions conjured up by oneself prior to the interview. The reason is because through preparing so heavily on some questions, you run the risk of asking a generic question which could easily be gotten by a deep-dive of the firm on the web. As you can imagine, this would have more negative impacts on the interview, rather than contribute to the impression you had already given.

I had personally found that asking my interviewers questions about, say, a topic of the article/case study we had discussed and their own impressions of it, brought out a really exciting discussion. In any interview, your interviewers will also introduce themselves and their practices at the start. I found it exciting also asking them questions at the end about their work, relating it to any specific market trends I had read up on the news, and how it impacts their day-to-day. Through adopting this approach, I found that whatever the outcome, my knowledge of the City and financial world was always greatly enhanced.

Overall, I see interviews as two way things honestly. It’s an opportunity to present yourself as a candidate yes, but it’s also an opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in the city.