TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[EA95]

I’m at a point where I can’t wait for a response from Linklaters re spring vacation scheme, as it is holding me back from applying for SH’s spring vacation scheme.

 

[rapunzel]

anyone know if nrf sends AC invites in one batch or is it staggered?

I've seen staggered in past forums

 

[plshireme]

Has anyone done the VI for Addleshaw Goddard? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to PM me about it if you’d prefer! Thank you!

Can I ask if they recently sent you a VI invite?? I haven't heard a peep from them since the test and I'm feeling like its a pfo at this point

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

Hi hope you’re well, is 4 weeks post AC with no outcome excessive?

Normally I don’t think about it and get on with other things but I’ve had another VS offer which would clash with this firms VS dates if I were to be successful.

I have called and emailed and the firm has ignored every form of communication. I had a deadline of acceptance for the other firm any they were unable to accommodate an extension as other applicants were waiting to hear back.

(They’re known to give rejections if you chase for an update)

The firm stated if we had another offer to make them aware but they’ve ghosted me. 👻😂​

Yes, I think this is excessive unless the firm explained that decisions wouldn’t be made until the end of the recruitment process.

I think if you have contacted them various times already, I would make the assumption that you either won’t hear back or that if you do you will be unsuccessful.

I would just go ahead and accept the other firm’s scheme. If the other firm does come back to you, you could always renege on the firm you currently have an offer with.

But honestly, four weeks and a lack of communication from the firm, I would just move of from them.

 

[xxx]

I’m at a point where I can’t wait for a response from Linklaters re spring vacation scheme, as it is holding me back from applying for SH’s spring vacation scheme.

I think they already replied to anyone who was successful. My friend got an AC (Summer), she wasn't fast tracked and apparently ACs are next week.

 

[LawJourney101]

I think they already replied to anyone who was successful. My friend got an AC (Summer), she wasn't fast tracked and apparently ACs are next week.

I doubt that considering the number of people in this group who applied and haven't heard back. Unless they sift through the group lmao.

 

[FCL25]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from AG (vac scheme)? Did my VI a while ago and was aware some people heard back pretty quickly about AC invites so not sure what to think at this point but I'd rather they just get it over with and send me my PFO!

 

[Katy12345]

I was invited to an assessment center next week for a firm I am really excited about, but they had emailed me on monday to send a headshot no later than 5pm today to indentify us. I've had a terrible stomach bug this week, two other interviews, and uni assignments, (excuses excuses I know) and I just realised that I missed the deadline by two hours. I quickly sent it over apologising. Do you think they might still allow me to come to the AC? I know you can't be missing deadlines in the job but hopefully graduate recruitment is a bit more forgiving generally? 😭

Is this for AG? On the day they didn’t even use the headshot photos probably just sent to the interviewers beforehand so hopefully will be fine

 

[Laylaaa]

Frankly, I don’t think they’d rescind an AC invite over not sending a headshot in time, but I guess with firms you’re really never sure. I personally wouldn’t worry too much about it though, and just try not to miss any other deadlines pre-TC😭

I was invited to an assessment center next week for a firm I am really excited about, but they had emailed me on monday to send a headshot no later than 5pm today to indentify us. I've had a terrible stomach bug this week, two other interviews, and uni assignments, (excuses excuses I know) and I just realised that I missed the deadline by two hours. I quickly sent it over apologising. Do you think they might still allow me to come to the AC? I know you can't be missing deadlines in the job but hopefully graduate recruitment is a bit more forgiving generally? 😭

 

[Legal Wizard]

Yup, Debevoise PFO right this second; sad news 😕

Same bro 👊 Sorry to hear that!

 

[Jessica Booker]

man i wish tcla had a mental health provider partnership, truly becoming a one-stop-shop for all application season needs

We have some resources related to mental health here that an organisation called Leading Minds supported us with: https://classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com/courses/enrolled/1252375.

This includes some free resources including a free workbook that includes some very useful information and further resources and a session on anxiety and depression that is accessible to anyone (no need to sign up).

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

Hiya @Zaraa.x

I highly recommend the LittleLaw piece as a high-level overview of the recent executive orders on DEI. While I generally avoid DEI and ESG topics in interviews, I've had mentees who've mentioned that this issue has indeed come up during their assessment centre interviews, especially for those interviewing at US firms. During one vacation scheme, I was actually asked about similar issues by a partner, so it’s worth brushing up on the topic just in case.

If the topic comes up, you might also be asked about strategies for clients navigating these changes. This is something that the LittleLaw article touches on. However, it doesn’t explicitly set out some of the measures that law firms are now recommending that clients consider. Having read a few law firm publications on this, you may want to mention the following:

• Conducting audits of their DEI programs to identify and remove practices that might violate the executive orders.
• Strengthening compliance documentation to prepare for potential investigations (The executive orders explicitly directs the DOJ to identify major companies, nonprofits, and universities for enforcement action).
• Monitoring for whistleblower risks, especially as agencies like the GSA are encouraging employees to report "disguised" DEI programs.
• Preparing for the possibility of shareholder lawsuits where companies remove DEI policies, as well as shareholder actions against companies who keep certain DEI programmes in place (and violate the executive orders).

Again, this is just to provide some ideas on what you might discuss after you've (1) briefly outlined the executive orders and (2) discussed their potential impact on both clients and law firms.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I was invited to an assessment center next week for a firm I am really excited about, but they had emailed me on monday to send a headshot no later than 5pm today to indentify us. I've had a terrible stomach bug this week, two other interviews, and uni assignments, (excuses excuses I know) and I just realised that I missed the deadline by two hours. I quickly sent it over apologising. Do you think they might still allow me to come to the AC? I know you can't be missing deadlines in the job but hopefully graduate recruitment is a bit more forgiving generally? 😭

I don't think this is going to be an issue. I suspect they won't process the photos until tomorrow morning anyway.

If by any chance they definitely needed it by 5.00pm for another deadline, you just won't have a headshot on your documents shared with assessors.

A firm is highly unlikely to withdraw the invite to an AC just because you sent a headshot a couple of hours late.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Thanks for the informative reply!

Out of curiosity what is the turnaround time post VI?

Hiya @sc13

I received my offer in early March after completing my video interview, but I know that some applicants received theirs later in March as well. It seems like the firm takes the time to review all video interview submissions before making vacation scheme offers. Best of luck with your video interview and I hope you hear back soon!

 

[Misty Meanor]

Does anyone who has done the Weil AC this year know if they still do the in-tray exercise? They didn't say anything about it in the pre-AC call.

 

[Defnefresko]

Hiya @Zaraa.x

I highly recommend the LittleLaw piece as a high-level overview of the recent executive orders on DEI. While I generally avoid DEI and ESG topics in interviews, I've had mentees who've mentioned that this issue has indeed come up during their assessment centre interviews, especially for those interviewing at US firms. During one vacation scheme, I was actually asked about similar issues by a partner, so it’s worth brushing up on the topic just in case.

If the topic comes up, you might also be asked about strategies for clients navigating these changes. This is something that the LittleLaw article touches on. However, it doesn’t explicitly set out some of the measures that law firms are now recommending that clients consider. Having read a few law firm publications on this, you may want to mention the following:

• Conducting audits of their DEI programs to identify and remove practices that might violate the executive orders.
• Strengthening compliance documentation to prepare for potential investigations (The executive orders explicitly directs the DOJ to identify major companies, nonprofits, and universities for enforcement action).
• Monitoring for whistleblower risks, especially as agencies like the GSA are encouraging reports of "disguised" DEI programs.
• Preparing for the possibility of shareholder lawsuits where companies remove DEI policies, as well as shareholder actions against companies who keep certain DEI programmes in place (and violate the executive orders).

Again, this is just to provide some ideas on what you might discuss after you've (1) briefly outlined the executive orders and (2) discussed their potential impact on both clients and law firms.

can you elaborate on why you avoid ESG topics in interviews?

 

[yeezyee]

anymore cleary ac’s 🫣

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

can you elaborate on why you avoid ESG topics in interviews?

Hiya @Defnefresko

This isn't a hard-and-fast rule, but I generally avoid ESG topics in interviews because they tend to be widely discussed by applicants. I also try my best to find commercial stories or trends that are as closely/directly tied to a firm’s key practice areas, doing enough research to hopefully allow such answers to stand out. Additionally, I try to choose topics where I feel most confident in engaging in a nuanced discussion. Given how broad ESG is - spanning regulatory, transactional, and litigation aspects - I’ve found it more challenging to discuss it in a confident way. That being said, ESG considerations are increasingly relevant across many practice areas. If a particular development closely aligns with a firm’s work, I think it's good to ensure that you can engage with the topic at the right level of depth.

 

[4275purplerainbow]

I completed the Dechert WE way back in Dec but haven't heard anything. Does this mean that I've been rejected??!?!? I'm so confused

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

I completed the Dechert WE way back in Dec but haven't heard anything. Does this mean that I've been rejected??!?!? I'm so confused

Hiya @4275purplerainbow

It might be a good idea to send a quick email to graduate recruitment to check on your application status. It’s possible they’re still working through interviews with candidates who completed the written exercise before you, so I wouldn’t take the silence as a rejection just yet. Several cycles ago, when I did a written exercise in early November, I didn’t hear back until late January. Given the volume of applications a firm might be reviewing, the process of moving an applicant to AC can take some time. Again, I think it would be completely alright to reach out for an update. Hoping you hear some good news soon!