TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawyeringitout]

How long do spring VS firms usually give to accept a tc offer? if I have another vac scheme in the summer, can I still try it and decide or will I have to accept the spring offer immediately ? @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

I've had two VS offers!! (after years of applying and never making it past the application stage). But the schemes clash. The second firm called me up over a week ago to give me the offer but I told them that I couldn't do those dates due to a clash and they said they would see what they could do and they hung up. Is there any hope here? Should I follow up with them?

I would definitely follow up with them to see if there are any alternative options the firm can provide to you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

How long do spring VS firms usually give to accept a tc offer? if I have another vac scheme in the summer, can I still try it and decide or will I have to accept the spring offer immediately ? @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

This can vary massively - some firms might only provide a few weeks, others may allow you to hold the offer until the end of the summer.

It is a very reasonable question to ask the Recruitment team during the scheme so you know how to manage this process.

 

[Amma Usman]

Stupid question but, how do people know what solution would work for a specific commercial challenge? Asking this with regard to commercial case studies.

I know examples could help with this, but

1) real life examples contain intricacies, which upon further examination might show the example as irrelevant.
2) they require a decent level of legal knowledge to be applied correctly

I’m a non law student, I know my legal knowledge is not the focus for commercial case studies, but I can’t help feel I’m lacking skills w/ regards to providing solutions.

Also I’ve recognised general comms news doesn’t help with certain firms we apply to. So my examples can only so far. Say I’m in an AC for a firm focused on SMEs and charities, examples from Apple Inc. can only be so applicable to a case study about a charity/social enterprise offering a product.

Nothing is a stupid question!

In my opinion, commercial acumen matters more in the application process than legal knowledge. Law firms don’t expect candidates applying to have so much legal knowledge because 1) though people taking law degrees all take the same qualifying courses, people subsequently take different courses over the 3 years, such as employment law and law in a digital world. This will mean that (given all things are equal), some people will have more knowledge on employment law matters in case studies, some will have more knowledge on the digital era as it applies to commercial law. Thus, it is commercial acumen that is tested more than legal knowledge. 2) They recognise that not everybody has a law degree, and you will still have the core foundational legal knowledge anyway by doing the PGDL.

Lastly, the way I see it… commerce comes before law. It is arguable that lawyers are business advisors, in addition to legal advisors.

In terms of which solution is best, I think it depends on how you argue it. However, if a scenario surely presents some red flags which can’t be justified, you may want to not go ahead with the deal (say, if it’s a proposed M&A transaction, for example). You could also make a statement like, “if X info is provided, then the deal could go through because Y. However, if it’s not, then perhaps the deal is not so feasible and another company could be acquired which suits more with the acquirer’s needs. Perhaps the money could also be invested into a new project instead, which the industry/company could benefit from!

On your last point, I believe news from companies like Apple can still be relevant, even in a case study focused on a charity or social enterprise offering a product. For example, if Apple is acquiring a subsidiary to expand its product line, this could be analogous to a social enterprise exploring partnerships to enhance or scale its own offering. Similarly, Apple’s approach to launching new products…such as how they assess market demand, set pricing, or build brand awareness…could provide useful insights for a charity looking to introduce a new product. It’s about applying the core commercial lessons in a way that makes sense for the scenario.

The point I am trying to make is to not overwhelm yourself with the amount of knowledge out there, and there are so many things to cover, so far as you back it up with reasoned opinions and established facts.

 

[student110]

Any Paul, Weiss updates? For context, applied summer only and haven't heard anything since SJT

 

[Chris Brown]

Any Paul, Weiss updates? For context, applied summer only and haven't heard anything since SJT

They held all their interviews over the past 2-3 weeks for Spring and Summer VS and made VS offers on Monday/Tuesday this week. 😕🙁​

 

[student353]

Hi, I just wanted some advice. I am waiting to hear back from PW post interview. I have to schedule a surgery and the scheduling would be depend on the result. Should I email them to ask for an update or just wait it out? Any guidance would be really helpful.

Also congrats to everyone whose gotten VS offers!!

 

[sapphireoreos]

I've been placed on the waitlist for a vacation scheme. How likely is it that I'll be offered a spot? Has anyone had any experience with this in the past?

Hey, what firm is this for?

 

[legallyells]

still nothing from wbd???

 

[James Wakefield]

Forsters VS offer! 😁

 

[Chris Brown]

Forsters VS offer! 😁

Damn 3 VS offers?! Huge congrats!! Bro is too GOATed frfr!! 🐐​

 

[James Wakefield]

Damn 3 VS offers?! Huge congrats!! Bro is too GOATed frfr!! 🐐​

Thank you 😅 at such a range of firms as well!

Also well done Chris!! 🥳

 

[johnnysins]

Just curious, has Sidley made any post-AC Summer Vac Scheme offers? Had a Spring/Summer AC and wondering if the firm is sorting out Spring first before giving Summer offers

 

[Starfish31]

Was wondering if anyone has done a Goodwin vac scheme before? Would love insights if anyone's willing to share.

Me too!

 

[BBsharkk]

Hi, I just wanted some advice. I am waiting to hear back from PW post interview. I have to schedule a surgery and the scheduling would be depend on the result. Should I email them to ask for an update or just wait it out? Any guidance would be really helpful.

Also congrats to everyone whose gotten VS offers!!

I think you should email them, especially when you have a legitimate reason in doing so. Emailing them for an update is not going to affect the decision anyway.

 

[TCpleasex]

still nothing from wbd???

I got an email about 10 minutes ago with a telephone interview so I think emails are starting to go out now! Good luck!

 

[bb123]

4 AC's this application cycle. Rejected after every single one. Always feel like I do well yet never get the result I'm looking for. Seems that no amount of prep I do makes any impact. Feedback also seems rather minor. Starting to feel like I just don't have "it". Anyone have any advice???

 

[TCseeker101]

Forsters VS offer! 😁

Congrats!! Please may I ask, is this for Spring or Summer?

 

[CupOfTea17]

Hi!
I have a Browne Jacobson TI coming up and I was just wondering if anyone has any tips? I am a non-law final year student and this is my first interview with a law firm! I am really excited, but any tips would be massively appreciated!
(for context it is a 15 minute interview and they say it's to understand our commitment and motivation as well as assess a number of attributes)

 

[James Wakefield]

Congrats!! Please may I ask, is this for Spring or Summer?

Summer for me.