TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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? 😭

 

[Paul Jules Steullet]

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!

 

[Zaraa.x]

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.

This is amazing thank you ✨

 

[adrian_nlh]

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!

I remember AG sending me a PFO three months after I applied last cycle. The AC invites had already been distributed about a month after, so I knew, but three months was a bit insane to get a PFO on a random afternoon after I had forgotten about my application.

 

[BillSikes]

I remember AG sending me a PFO three months after I applied last cycle. The AC invites had already been distributed about a month after, so I knew, but three months was a bit insane to get a PFO on a random afternoon after I had forgotten about my application.

Stephenson Harwood was 6 months

 

[lala_17]

i'm worried that doing an ac later will hurt my chances but am very busy next week. ik lots of vac spots for this firm have already gone - what would you reccommend? does when you do your ac make a difference to your chance of an offer?

 

[Chris Brown]

i'm worried that doing an ac later will hurt my chances but am very busy next week. ik lots of vac spots for this firm have already gone - what would you reccommend? does when you do your ac make a difference to your chance of an offer?

I don’t think the firm would have offered you an AC if they didn’t have any VS slots available. It won’t make a difference when you do your AC. The only thing that could happen is that if you applied for a Spring VS, they might offer you a Summer VS instead. Don’t worry too much about the date of your AC. I’m sure everything will be fine. Best of luck! 🙂​

 

[jojo23]

I never realised how easily a video interview can make you hate the sound of your voice

Crs and reed smith, you've broken me🤣

 

[lawyer195]

Anyone know if PW started giving out offers?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Withers pfo

Sorry to hear that. Is for the spring or summer VS?