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  1. Andrei Radu

    A Guide to Building a Winning Application Strategy

    Hi there! Essentially this question blends in (i) why commercial law, (ii) why an apprenticeship specifically, rather than the TC route; and (iii) why this firm. Thus, you have the option to do three roughly 100 words paragraphs on each question or to write a longer one or two paragraphs...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Firstly, while some firms may also have strengths in the same practice ares as SPB has, it is unlikely that there will be many firms having strengths in the same exact suite of practice areas like SPB. For instance, Quinn Emmanuel, Slaughter and May, and Debevoise all have strong contentious...
  3. Andrei Radu

    Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*

    I definitely agree with @Jessica Booker's answer. I think it would be best to avoid discussing the same experiences and achievements. I would choose the most relevant experiences for "Why commercial law?", "Why the firm?", "Why me to?" and discuss them in detail in the cover letter. I would not...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    @Jessica Booker will definitely be able to tell you a lot more about this, but just to offer some of my thoughts beforehand: Yes, this can sometimes happen, although not very often in absence of other contributing factors. At all the four firms I did a vacation scheme this year, the firm's...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi there! I've listed some of the headline Covington USPs identified in the recent profile TCLA published for the firm: At the intersection of law and politics Specialist focus in life sciences High-stakes, high-profilepro bono Experts in technology regulation Close-knit community focused on...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi, I've listed bellow some of the USPs identified by TCLA's writers in HL's profile: Formed of a highly successful US-UK merger: here you could discuss this USP in the context of the recent merger of A&O and Sherman Sterling, where it is unclear whether the newly formed A&O Sherman will be...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I doubt you need transcripts if they are not asked for specifically. I did not add any transcripts in my DLA application and was still invited to the AC. I can only think of one application form I completed which asked for transcripts (I think it was V&E's) and even then it was not a mandatory...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey Tom - I think the answer depends on how much emphasis the firm places on early applications and how much emphasis it places on attending events, how much you think attending that event might improve the quality of your application, and level of interest you have in this particular firm. I've...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Unless Dechert makes a clear distinction between an academic referee and a company/organisation referee, I would guess your university counts as an 'organisation'. Every law firm I applied for which asked for references primarily wanted an academic reference. Some also gave the option to put...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would not say it's too late. While Jones Day definitely has a reputation of emphasizing early applications, I would not expect them to reject a great application submitted one month before the deadline just because you didn't send it one or two weeks before that. A friend of mine applied...
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I'm very glad to hear the response was helpful! I agree that you should try to expand on your previous commercial experiences as much as possible. While it will be helpful to show your renewed interest in commercial law by doing some virtual work experiences, I don't think that should be your...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Firstly, regarding your inability to apply for vac schemes this year: there are some firms which will cover travel costs for you, including flights. Two firms I can think of on the spot who are willing to do this are Slaughter and May and Paul, Weiss. As such, supposing there is no conflict with...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I think the general policy is to first call and then follow up with an email - almost everyone I know who got a TC was first called by someone from the firm. However, some firms (especially the ones offering a high number of TCs) can also just email if they are particularly busy.
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi there, it's nice to meet you and have you on our forums :)! I completely understand how anxiety-inducing it is when you are just starting your first applications at commercial law firms - it was the same for me and almost everybody else I know who ended up securing a TC. Just try to keep in...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    While I think it would have been ideal to also provide a short narrative with an explanation as to what you learnt from some of these events, I definitely agree with @Jessica Booker that this is not really an issue, as the firm does not ask for it directly. At most, if you had done a great job...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    This sounds great if you ask me. Your answer finds a nice balance between demonstrating specific knowledge of a market sector (which can set you apart from other applicants) and keeping the subject matter accessible enough for the well-informed reader. I would therefore not worry about it being...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If this question is for an interview or written assessment, I think it is definitely acceptable to go into more technical legal detail, as long as you are not missing out on also at least mentioning the broader commercial impacts. For an application form/video interview, it is more complicated...
  18. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi there! My interview preparation approach, which led to a VS offer 4/4 times I implemented it, was essentially split in four phases: Step 1 - Preparing ideas for answers The first and most difficult step in preparing for interviews is learning how to respond to a wide variety of questions...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If you would be able to attend the open day at least one or two weeks before the application deadline and if this is a firm you are particularly attracted to, I think you should wait. While firms who recruit on a rolling basis place different levels on emphasis on the time at which you submit...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I agree with @NMA's response here - if you can still write a high-quality application, it is worth applying even when very close to the deadline. Last year, a firm which reviewed applications on a rolling basis invited me to an AC even though I submitted mine a few minutes before the deadline...

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