TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello! I am just completing an assessment now and I have been asked about recent changes in the legal industry which may affect the firms business. As this is my first application round and I am still very new to all this - would talking about the recent Spring Statement be good? I know it is not strictly the legal industry but obviously it will have impacts
Any advice would be amazing!

Hiya @CupOfTea17

I think you're right to question whether the Spring Statement (which is fundamentally a fiscal policy update) would count as a change in the legal industry per se. Most of the content in the Spring Statement (e.g. updates on inflation, tax thresholds, public spending plans) impacts the broader economy rather than the legal industry directly. Unless the question specifically invites you to discuss external developments that might impact the firm’s business, it might not be the strongest fit. If the question asks about changes in the legal industry, then you’ll want to focus on things like:

• Regulatory shifts (e.g. the SRA’s changing stance on hybrid working or tech use)
• Changes in litigation funding and regulation (see here)
• Law firm mergers, new practice areas, or the increasing interest that PE firms have in acquiring law firms

If the question is phrased more broadly (e.g. “changes in the market” or “news affecting firms and their clients”), then you can definitely mention something from the Spring Statement. However, I'd encourage you to focus clearly on aspects that affects a firm’s key clients and business.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any other questions!

 

[M_m]

This may be a weird question, but how likely are you to convert your first VS?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This may be a weird question, but how likely are you to convert your first VS?

Hiya @M_m

Although I try not to get too bogged down with this question, I think it really depends. Some people do convert their very first vacation scheme (I know a few! Not me though, lol), and for others, it takes a second or third go. I've also never seen conversion stats disaggregated to tell you how likely you are to get a TC on your first attempt at a VS. Moreover, if your scheme is at a firm that offer a large number of training contracts, the numbers can be a bit misleading. Even if maybe 60–70% of vac schemers end up getting offers, that figure also includes people who get offers elsewhere and so choose not to accept the offers they might receive at your firm.

Instead of trying to beat the odds by gaming how likely it is you'll convert on the first attempt, I'd say just focus on bringing your best self to the vacation scheme. That is fundamentally all you can do (and often, that’s more than enough). I'm sure @Jessica Booker would have much more wise things to say, so I'll tag her here too.

 

[M_m]

Hiya @M_m

Although I try not to get too bogged down with this question, I think it really depends. Some people do convert their very first vacation scheme (I know a few! Not me though, lol), and for others, it takes a second or third go. I've also never seen conversion stats disaggregated to tell you how likely you are to get a TC on your first attempt at a VS. Moreover, if your scheme is at a firm that offer a large number of training contracts, the numbers can be a bit misleading. Even if maybe 60–70% of vac schemers end up getting offers, that figure also includes people who get offers elsewhere and so choose not to accept the offers they might receive at your firm.

Instead of trying to beat the odds by gaming how likely it is you'll convert on the first attempt, I'd say just focus on bringing your best self to the vacation scheme. That is fundamentally all you can do (and often, that’s more than enough). I'm sure @Jessica Booker would have much more wise things to say, so I'll tag her here too.

That makes sense. I’m just a bit anxious because I only have one VS and don’t think I can go through another cycle 😅

 

[lolololol]

does anyone know what time the baker Mckenzie tc deadline is?

 

[Jessica Booker]

This may be a weird question, but how likely are you to convert your first VS?

I'd stress that firms run vacation schemes to try and recruit trainees, so generally you have a good chance of converting.

However, your chances are going to be dependent on too many variable factors, including your individual performance, which will make it impossible for anyone to determine what any vacation schemer's actual chances of converting are. Once you then factor in the things you cannot control (other vacation scheme students' performances, how many TCs to VS there are, and a whole range of other points) its becomes far too complicated to even try to consider what your chances would be.

 

[lolasparks]

Hey did anyone apply to the summer legal internship for bbc and heard anything back after the second stage?

Just the email saying they will get back to us before the 4th!

 

[HrishikaG]

Has anyone heard from Brabners yet? It has been over a month since the deadline. Do they usually take this long? New to all this- very overwhelmed!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Are we allowed to bring our personal devices (ie laptop for writing notes/instructions) to a VS?
@Jessica Booker

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hi guys,

Should I assume a PFO if I haven’t received a test invitation for SH’s SVS?

Also, has anyone heard back from Paul Hastings?

 

[Legalstudies]

Guys does anyone know when I might get a response back from SH I know some people have been rejected already and people have been given offers for VC but I haven't heard back at all from them 😭

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

does anyone know what time the baker Mckenzie tc deadline is?

I'd like to know this too...it was midnight in previous years

 

[sc13]

Hiya @M_m

Although I try not to get too bogged down with this question, I think it really depends. Some people do convert their very first vacation scheme (I know a few! Not me though, lol), and for others, it takes a second or third go. I've also never seen conversion stats disaggregated to tell you how likely you are to get a TC on your first attempt at a VS. Moreover, if your scheme is at a firm that offer a large number of training contracts, the numbers can be a bit misleading. Even if maybe 60–70% of vac schemers end up getting offers, that figure also includes people who get offers elsewhere and so choose not to accept the offers they might receive at your firm.

Instead of trying to beat the odds by gaming how likely it is you'll convert on the first attempt, I'd say just focus on bringing your best self to the vacation scheme. That is fundamentally all you can do (and often, that’s more than enough). I'm sure @Jessica Booker would have much more wise things to say, so I'll tag her here too.

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam

Can I ask what changes did you make in approaching the later VS schemes that you think helped you convert (setting up coffee chats, the work etc) especially since my first scheme is my first preference😓

Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Are we allowed to bring our personal devices (ie laptop for writing notes/instructions) to a VS?
@Jessica Booker

I would check with the firm - they are likely to have policies on what can/can't be stored on electronic devices outside of the firm's equipment. You are likely going to be given a laptop though and so I would generally recommend saving most things on this rather than a personal device.

 

[Jessica Booker]

No chance getting off the CRS reserve list I assume

Reserve lists can be utilised even weeks before the scheme starts, so if this is for a summer scheme, I would say there is still a chance of the firm contacting the reserve list.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Are we allowed to bring our personal devices (ie laptop for writing notes/instructions) to a VS?
@Jessica Booker

I think this will depend on each firm's specific policies, to the extent they have any policies in this regard. I have brought my bag with personal devices to a number of ACs and this was never an issue. I was allowed to use my laptop and notes to revise during break times and I would assume in most cases firms will not explicitly forbid it. However, for the purposes of the actual exercises and assessments, I doubt most firms would allow you to use them. If you have to use a laptop for the task, one will likely be given to you by the firm to ensure you only have access to permitted materials.

 

[Smart water 0403]

@Andrei Radu - You mentioned before the Westlaw and Practical Law practice area guides. Would you please be able to provide a link ?

 

[Andrei Radu]

This may be a weird question, but how likely are you to convert your first VS?

As @Ram Sabaratnam and @Jessica Booker have said, there is no objective way to estimate your chances - they are influenced by way too many variables. That said, from my personal experience, I do not think whether this is your first VS or not impacts your odds too much. While my sample size is admittedly limited, across my 4 vacation schemes I have observed that: (i) the majority to people who converted were indeed doing their first scheme; and (ii) there were substantial numbers of people who had done prior vacation schemes and did not convert.

In truth, during some schemes I was positively surprised to see that most offers did not go to the people who looked more "polished" on paper. In one of them, around half of the cohort had either an Oxbridge undergrad/postgrad; prior vacation schemes; and/or had substantial work experience at finance/consulting jobs in the City. Interestingly enough, however, more than half of the TC offers were made to non-Oxbridge penultimate year students. The conclusion I drew from that was that your CV will only carry you so far - it opens the door to the VS, but, beyond that point, conversion is mostly just down to one's performance.

 

[studentdelaw786]

Anyone heard from Faegre Drinker? Or know when we can expect to hear?

The deadline closed yesterday. Maybe give it 2-3 weeks as people heard back around mid-April last year

 

[legallyells]

Any advice on how to make the most of your trainee buddy during a two-week long VS? Are there any specific questions I should be asking, and how much can I rely on them for support with any work I'm struggling with? Thank you!!