General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! Considering the situation, do you think it's wiser to apply for the 2022 app, or 2023? A&O only make you apply for a vacancy for TC once per 12 months, so it'll be super key to pick the more safer option(unless both are equally competitive?)

Thanks for explaining the vacancies thing!

I’d go with whatever is most suitable for you in terms of start date. The same standard will be applied to applications - I don’t think how many applications will really impact whether you got through for one but not the other.

 

[Jessica Booker]

As this is the most active thread, I’d be grateful if everyone could have a quick look at the following thread and add their thoughts to it!

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/your-thoughts-required-again.2546/

 

[Andrewp]

Do you think you could go from a small boutique commercial firm that specializes in M&A and PE to a bigger US firm in the future?

 

[Miki3999]

Do you think you could go from a small boutique commercial firm that specializes in M&A and PE to a bigger US firm in the future?

Yes, definitely.

 

[EA]

Earlier vacancies can happen all the time - it’s just less common for them to actively advertise it, but they may just be doing that to cover their backs, particularly with a new visa process coming in.

It doesn’t take much for earlier vacancies to happen. People failing then GDL/LPC (might be more relevant this year), people reneging offers (again might be more relevant if people are wondering if the U.K./London is really somewhere they want to be now), some people asking to defer for personal reasons (given Covid, again I would expect this), some people being brought forward from 2022 to 2021 because vacancies have happened to pop up in 2021 for the same reasons. All is it takes is one person to renege, one person to fail, another to be brought forward, and another to defer and nearly 10% of your intake is now spare and will need filling (for instance if they were all the March intake).

Please what is the new visa process coming in?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you think you could go from a small boutique commercial firm that specializes in M&A and PE to a bigger US firm in the future?

If they are working with similar clients, yes. If they are not then less so

 

[Andrewp]

If they are working with similar clients, yes. If they are not then less so[/QUOT

Working with a real mixed bag of clients, smaller SMEs but also PE firms. I guess could go to a larger UK/International firm and then US. My worry is if there is a potential issue about working/training at a boutique (which is international) and then not being able to move to a bigger international firm...

 

[Jessica Booker]

Please what is the new visa process coming in?

With the transition to Brexit coming in on 1 January 2021, the process for Tier 2 is changing. Ultimately it will become easier to get a visa for most law firms, but given it is a new system, law firms are potentially covering their back just in case any curve balls come in.

As of July 2021 there will also be a post-study visa for those studying in the U.K. - although most firms won’t be able to apply this to training contracts though as it doesn’t quite cover the necessary period (given they only last two years, from the point your course ends, not when your job starts).

 

[Jessica Booker]

If you are not working with larger, international and complex businesses - this can be an issue. Working with SMEs will be exceptionally different to a FTSE 100 company. Working with PE houses that are only investing into smaller businesses will be very different to those who are investing into large established businesses.

It’s not necessarily very difficult - but your experience during a TC and as a NQ will define this much more than the firm. Sometimes people in niche firms get involved in matters that are in growing markets or fast moving sectors - this can then be attractive to larger firms who start to work on these matters as larger parties enter the market.

 

[EA]

With the transition to Brexit coming in on 1 January 2021, the process for Tier 2 is changing. Ultimately it will become easier to get a visa for most law firms, but given it is a new system, law firms are potentially covering their back just in case any curve balls come in.

As of July 2021 there will also be a post-study visa for those studying in the U.K. - although most firms won’t be able to apply this to training contracts though as it doesn’t quite cover the necessary period (given they only last two years, from the point your course ends, not when your job starts).

Thank you very much Jessica for the explanation.

 

[NadineBusty]

I wonder whether anybody has received K&L Gates test invite for direct TC?

 

[tractor12]

Rejection from Dentons!

 

[LegalNim]

Rejection from Dentons!

I'm sorry to hear this. Do you mind me asking which office this was for, whether it was post-app for direct TC and when you applied? I still haven't heard back.

 

[S87]

Rejection from Dentons!

Me too. Join me for a virtual rejection party

 

[jan28]

Anyone heard back from Goodwin? Or seen anyone get offers on Linkedin (been trying to avoid going on there)

 

[tractor12]

I'm sorry to hear this. Do you mind me asking which office this was for, whether it was post-app for direct TC and when you applied? I still haven't heard back.

London Direct TC post app, applied on the deadline. Good luck!

 

[LegalNim]

London Direct TC post app, applied on the deadline. Good luck!

Thanks. Not sure if this is good news for me or if they've just forgotten about me. I applied well before the deadline. Who knows. Sorry about your rejection - there will be others!

 

[tractor12]

Thanks. Not sure if this is good news for me or if they've just forgotten about me. I applied well before the deadline. Who knows. Sorry about your rejection - there will be others!

Well I only just found out and havent seen anyone else finding out before today so news news may be good news!

I've been rejected from every direct TC app I've made - definitely think the July window is harder than earlier in the year!

 

[LegalNim]

Well I only just found out and havent seen anyone else finding out before today so news news may be good news!

I've been rejected from every direct TC app I've made - definitely think the July window is harder than earlier in the year!

I definitely agree. I had much more luck applying in the Autumn/Winter but then Covid took away my Vacation Schemes. I'm the same candidate now but getting rejection after rejection so I think timing is important. Good luck though - if this cycle doesn't work out then next cycle will be our time!

 

[Samar]

V&E just emailed to say all their offers have now been accepted