TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Although I did not pass one of my last VIs, I have been invited to an AC for Mishcon Summer vs.
I want to thank @Amma Usman and @Ram Sabaratnam for their support. This is a journey where emotions go up and down. Resilience is key!

@Amma Usman and @Ram Sabaratnam can I ask you for some tips regarding how to best prepare for the interview?

How would you suggest strategising my commercial awareness preparation? I have mostly attended interviews at US firms and I feel like Mishcon's international strategy is a bit different and should filter the news accordingly. Additionally, the firm's expertise is great but cases and deals might be a bit different in terms of size.

I also remember that TCLA has a database of questions for AC, I have been looking everywhere but cannot find it, could anyone help me find it?

Once again, thank you guys!

Hiya @AS24

Great news about the Mishcon AC. Congratulations on getting through!

I'm sure @Amma Usman may have more to say here, but wanted to get something to you before the AC. To start, I think this may be what you're referring to, but I'd definitely recommend checking out TCLA's breakdown of potential AC questions here. I think it’s a great resource for familiarising yourself with the types of questions you might face at AC, particularly when interviewing the partner/senior associate.

For the commercial case study, I've just spoken to some people who completed the AC in a previous cycle, and they mentioned that the best way to prepare is to get comfortable analysing opportunities and risks from the perspective of clients seeking to grow their businesses. This can be in either an M&A or business development context. You don't need overly detailed firm-specific knowledge here. Rather, they want to see you can spot commercially relevant factors. Practise thinking through scenarios like why a business might want to expand or acquire another company (e.g. such as gaining new technology, expanding market share, or achieving operational efficiencies). They also mentioned that you might be asked to interpret documents such as financial statements, reports on market positioning, or contracts during the case study. I'd recommend getting comfortable picking out key points quickly, explaining clearly what they tell you about the business’s health, and what they might mean strategically for a client looking to buy, sell, or expand. Overall, the point is to show that you can demonstrate a basic commercial sensibility and think logically.

In terms of understanding Mishcon, I think you're definitely right that the firm has a slightly different international strategy compared to typical US firms. The firm has recently made some interesting moves, investing heavily in litigation and expanding its disputes capabilities through acquisitions like Flex Legal and Somos (a group action business). I think keeping in mind their focus on innovation and their strategic investments in disputes/litigation will help you tailor your answers more closely to the firm. They're also actively investing in expanding their footprint, including integrating Taylor Vinters and launching an office in Saudi Arabia.

Hope this helps and good luck with the AC!

 

[Laylaaa]

Has anyone heard from Womble Bond post-test and applied to their London office?

 

[frightened123]

Hi all first post, any tips for the Gateley AC will be appreciated I've only done one other online AC before and the layout to this one is very different. 9-5pm!! Does anyone know if the interview at the end is with an associate or partner or if its just VI style questions? and if it competency/strengths based questions? I'm struggling to find that much info about it online, thanks in advance!!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello,
I have an interview with CRS coming up and I understand that the firm has a strong presence in private wealth but also in corporate and commercial clients.
@Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu, @Ram Sabaratnam, I would really appreciate any tips on how to show commercial awareness, as that is where I feel I have been let down in previous ACs

Hiya @fxy

Congrats on getting the CRS interview! From my experience during previous cycles, the CRS interview involved a few distinct elements: (1) a very fun group exercise, (2) a case study exercise, and (3) a partner interview.

For the group exercise, we had around half an hour to discuss roughly 6-8 topics. Here, the key is to make sure your contributions have an impact. Your interventions can even be in the form of a question to show that you're able to prompt discussion and further the conversation, building or reflecting on what others have said. As always with these things, I'd say try to be concise, clear, and show you're genuinely listening and building on others' points. In terms of the topics themselves, I'd suggest brushing up on current business trends and events that are affecting the legal profession and the market (e.g. AI, hybrid working, ESG, etc.). Don't worry about being overly technical. It's more about demonstrating common-sense solutions and asking thoughtful questions.

As for the commercial case study (assuming it's similar to the one that I completed), you'll want to think about day-to-day operational challenges rather than just high-level strategy. You could think about questions like: how does a company manage its workforce effectively, handle tough employer decisions, or successfully integrate new technologies? We were given a scenario involving a company facing certain problems, and our task was essentially to interview a partner/senior associate who was role playing as a client. Again, it's less about detailed firm knowledge/commercial knowledge and more about showing practical insight and good judgment.

When it comes to the final partner interview and showing commercial awareness, you'll want to particularly think about CRS's strengths in private wealth alongside corporate and commercial sectors. They like seeing that you understand both personal client dynamics and wider business concerns, so try to keep that balance. I'd also have a think more generally about why anyone would be interested in joining a firm with a strong private client/commercial split.

Hope that gives you a steer. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello,

I wanted to ask - in case I don’t meet the 2:1 criteria and have mitigating circumstances to support the same but do well in Capp test and WGT, do I have chance getting shortlisted at firm? How focused are they on grades?

Thanks!

Hiya @Law queries

Wanted to echo some of what @Chris Brown has already astutely pointed out. Totally agree it's a tricky question, but ultimately I'd say don't count yourself out! Loads of applicants with mitigating circumstances and grades slightly below a 2:1 still manage to secure vacation schemes. I've known candidates who've had success at securing vacation schemes with firms as wide ranging as Addleshaw Goddard and Weil despite not quite meeting the grade cut-off. While grades matter, I've always tried to emphasise that they're just one piece of the puzzle. If you do well on the Capp test and Watson Glaser, those are also important data points that firms will consider when deciding to move your application along.

Many firms are also genuinely open to looking at mitigating circumstances. The key is making sure you clearly (and briefly!) explain those circumstances, helping the recruiter put your grades into context. After that, make sure your application really shines in other ways, like clearly highlighting your experiences, interests, and why the firm feels like a strong match. In my experience, many firms appreciate that people's time in university aren't always straightforward. I hope you keep applying!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

any1 think we will hear from OC post AC this week?

 

[User5678]

Browne Jacobson telephone interview for london office

Any insights would be very very appreciated. @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[James Wakefield]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

 

[sibs23]

Has anyone done the Bates Wells AC for the Vac scheme? Has anyone heard back?!

Yes, I did mine last week. We got told we would hear back early this week (Mon/Tues).

 

[James Wakefield]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

They better be serving caviar in every course…

 

[RaniaH062002]

Anybody heard back from Brabners? I've not yet even received an invite for their SJT and it's making me worried that if I haven't been sent one I've possibly received a PFO.

 

[1234578]

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

Thank you!

 

[Chris Brown]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

They better be serving caviar in every course…

I’ve also received a test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner. They’re asking for too much now lmao. A Cappfinity SJT and a telephone interview for a dinner??!! 🥲🥲

Yeah hopefully it’s just an error and we don’t need to do the test. I’m guessing it’s purely to cut down the numbers. I wonder how many people have applied for the dinners previously. It must be at least 500+ for them to need these additional stages. 🥲🥲

Watch them only give something like cheese and beans on toast or tuna sandwiches. They better be serving caviar for every course otherwise what’s with all this nonsense??!! 🥲🥲​

 

[student353]

Has anyone had a PFO post-interview from PW? I’m so tired of waiting 🥲

 

[TC129129]

any1 think we will hear from OC post AC this week?

Apparently they said 3-4 days but I didn't hear this

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Apparently they said 3-4 days but I didn't hear this

Ohh ok so should be early this week then …

 

[James Wakefield]

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

So the Cappfinity was not a mistake!

“Thank you for your email.

The online assessment is part of the application process.”

 

[fidrrygalka]

Has anyone had a PFO post-interview from PW? I’m so tired of waiting 🥲

Even some people’s toxic situationships could learn from PW on ghosting and edging techniques

 

[student353]

Even some people’s toxic situationships could lewej from PW on ghosting and edging techniques

Omg REAL, I feel so needy at this point 😅😂