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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

James Wakefield

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 7, 2024
277
721
Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.
I’d have a look at BCLP’s retention rate… I believe it’s been very low over the last few years.

They’ve also just announced they are closing their Asian offices too.
 

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Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Aug 21, 2024
56
59
Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.
I’d reach out to relevant people in those firms (trainees, associates…depending on which questions you would want to ask them) on LinkedIn and schedule quick calls to find out more about the things that are less publicised
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
597
1,972
Also 15 minute TI is longer than any of my VIs. No idea what they’ll ask us.

I’ll also have to do the call in my lunch break during my VS next week.
I am in a similar boat. None of my VI this cycle were 15 minutes long, so I am curious about what they could ask us, given this is for a Senior Partner Dinner and not a VS. 😅​
 
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andrecsaa

Valued Member
  • Dec 19, 2022
    115
    93
    Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.
    Try checking out RollOnFriday and Reddit, you’ll find some honest insights there. In terms of career progression, Dentons seems worse than BCLP.

    I know BCLP is great for anyone interested in real estate, planning, and construction. If these are your areas of interest, BCLP would be a great place to consider.
     

    lawstudent2

    Distinguished Member
    Dec 9, 2024
    64
    70
    When a firm has not given any indication of timetlines for hearing back is it ever appropriate to email and ask. I don't want to seem impatient but I have a summer job offer as a paralegal and need to commit to them within the next week or so, if I got accepted on to the vac schemes I'm waiting to hear from I wouldn't have enough holiday to take off for the full 2 weeks. I would chose the vac schemes over the summer job.
    Hi sorry but is the paralegal job just for the summer and how did you go about finding it? Very random ik but I don't have any VS this summer and am looking for opportunities like that and have been struggling to find them. Thanks, sorry ik not helpful to ur question.
     

    gazdgazd11

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Feb 27, 2024
    183
    233
    Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.
    I will be so honest. I have a friend who trained at BCLP. He is a solicitor but wasn’t given the opportunity to stay at the firm. He’s really struggled to secure an NQ role as the market is apparently brutal. I don’t want to induce fear or anything but I’d defo take into account the retention rates :) good luck
     

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