2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Jessica Booker]

surprisingly no although i do think all magic circles will have similar criteria in terms of academics

This just isn’t true. They may hold academics in high regard but most of the MC firms will not reject you if you have a 2.2 module.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I completed my Willkie Video Interview today and had to face a bizarre technical glitch, where the 30-second preparation time ran simultaneously with the 90-second answer time on two of the four questions, giving me less than a minute to answer on those questions. Needless to say, I was thrown on the first question where this happened and it was not my most eloquent answer...
Should I e-mail grad rec about this?

Yes - flag it to them just in case it hasn’t recorded properly

 

[frow3n]

I completed my Willkie Video Interview today and had to face a bizarre technical glitch, where the 30-second preparation time ran simultaneously with the 90-second answer time on two of the four questions, giving me less than a minute to answer on those questions. Needless to say, I was thrown on the first question where this happened and it was not my most eloquent answer...
Should I e-mail grad rec about this?

Hey, I had this too - as Jessica said you should email Grad Rec - they'll get it resolved for you // you'll be able to re-record the answers that were affected.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi, I love your energy and enthusiasm, however you are not really meant (and actually prohibited at some firms) to share the VI/test questions online as it gives some applicants an advantage over others.

Though, to help you have an idea, I think @Jacob Miller may know some threads!

Thanks @Celestie!

Hey! I'm a first-year student, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the questions / the type of questions that came up during your interview? I know that it's super early for me to be thinking about this, but as an international student I really haven't got a clue what UK firms ask here...you'd just go in for a face to face interview in my country, and that'd be it. Thank you!

I would recommend my recent articles on different common components of Assessment Centres (interview days) here in the UK. While they're not representative of every person's experience at every firm, they take a broad-brush look at different components that frequently pop up:

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Interviews! *Monday Article Series*

In this week's (slightly delayed - sorry!) Article, we take a look at law firm interviews. Introduction Almost every law firm’s application process involves some form of interview. This style of interview is designed to find out about your motivations, experiences, skills and characteristics...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Assessed Negotiations! *Monday Article Series*

Hi All! Please see below my Guide to Assessed Negotiation Exercises at Assessment Centres and during Vacation Schemes. This guide has been built from my own experiences of assessed and real-world negotiations as well as having consulted with Grad Rec specialists. This is also the first in a...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

You might also want to check out the Intervoew Experiences forum which covers a variety of first-hand experiences at different firms:

Interview Experiences 2019 - 2020 Cycle

See here for vacation scheme and training contract interview experiences from 2020+

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Hope these help!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi!
What is meant by an exercise on a shareholders' agreement? Is it similar to M&A case studies?

A shareholders' agreement is a private contract between the shareholders of a company pertaining to different elements of how the company should be operated as well as individual shareholders' rights and obligations and different share class' rights.

They are voluntary, i.e. not every company has one, and are ancillary to the articles of association. They also outrank Articles of Association where there is a superiority clause. The main advantage to this is that the agreements are private, where a company's articles are made public. This means that shareholders can withhold sensitive information regarding the company's internal running from the public without running into major legal issues.

If you were doing an M&A based case study and there was discussion of a Shareholders' Agreement, it would be imperative to obtain this in the DD process in case it varied any of the information which is freely available as this could change a potential buyer or seller's legal position.

 

[conniekatherine]

Has anyone heard from skadden AC?

Nope! I believe there was a group exercise running yesterday (Friday) and that was the last of the ACs, so I think we'll hear back after the weekend.

 

[conniekatherine]

Ahhh got a spring vac scheme offer from Jones Day !! Exciting times ))

Well done! How long did it take to hear back after your interview?

 

[Rob93]

Got two PFOs today and at this point, I'm just very grateful to have progressed into the test and interview stage especially with it being my first official application cycle! Although disappointing, it really provides me with crucial experience for the next (and hopefully last) application cycle! On that note, I was just wondering what are the plans (or were) for third-year international students who are desperately on that visa time crunch! Would love to hear about your experiences

Look into the new graduate work visa, it gives you two years after you finish your degree to... work. Should be available to anyone graduating summer 2021 onwards. If nothing pans out in terms of TCs this cycle, best bet is to stay in the country and pick up legal work experience and just keep at it.

 

[Kelly_]

I just completed the V&E VI and it was much more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be, I was super anxious but the unlimited prep time and re-recording really made it so much better!

 

[Maculay]

A bit late but HSF Summer Vac offer! Disputes here I come! 😁

 

[Chidiogo Obidike]

its just a WG test

I dont know what a WG test is though, haven't taken 1 before as well

They have a practice one on their grad rec website. It's a Pearson Watson Glaser test.

Oh thanks

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

Hi! I was wondering if I could confirm with anyone else that regarding Reed Smith's initial application form for their summer 2021 vacation scheme, are there only two application questions? One about prizes and one about personal interests? I get that other questions (like motivation to pursue law etc.) may come at a later stage, but I am just a little thrown off as I have never seen such a simple application form 😂

 

[33c]

AC invite from Cleary! so so unexpected!! If anyone has any tips please message me!

 

[packhorse]

AC invite from Cleary! so so unexpected!! If anyone has any tips please message me!

Congrats!! That's amazing! Did it come through today?

 

[Soccerox73]

Has anyone heard from skadden AC?

Nope!

 

[33c]

Does anyone know what Kirkland's Vac Scheme dates are for 2021? Couldn't find info anywhere.

I spoke to grad rec fairly recently and apparently they haven't been finalised. Lauren said they were hoping to hold them in person so probably why the dates aren't clear yet. hope this helps!

 

[33c]

Congrats!! That's amazing! Did it come through today?

yesterday at 5pm but trying to check my emails less in order to preserve my sanity 🤠

 

[ibs97]

Hey all also wanted to say that V&E VI does not require prep at all - it's all competency/personality based (from my experience anyway)

^^^ the timing is only 30 secs so the rerecord button is a godsend

 

[NK]

Took them around 3 days to reply back

Well done! How long did it take to hear back after your interview?

 

[OB]

Hi! I was wondering if I could confirm with anyone else that regarding Reed Smith's initial application form for their summer 2021 vacation scheme, are there only two application questions? One about prizes and one about personal interests? I get that other questions (like motivation to pursue law etc.) may come at a later stage, but I am just a little thrown off as I have never seen such a simple application form 😂

Its just an initial screening before they send you their research questions