General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Bonolaw]

Hi, I know several big US firms (Cleary Gottlieb, Vinson & Elkins, Covington & Burling) and Linklaters and Ashurst sends their trainees to Ulaw. Other MC firms and NRF send their trainees to BPP.

I had an interview with a graduate recruitment manager who when I asked her that question told me that firms don't really have preferred providers for the GDL and LPC, they send their future trainees to the provider who has given them the largest fee discount apparently.

 

[cryingoverTCs]

if a question is asking how a firm differs from its competitors, do I just need to say things about the law firm as a business i.e. practice area specialists or client-facing innovation etc? Or can I say things that would benefit me as a future trainee i.e. quality of training, international presence, trainee intake etc?

 

[LEL]

if a question is asking how a firm differs from its competitors, do I just need to say things about the law firm as a business i.e. practice area specialists or client-facing innovation etc? Or can I say things that would benefit me as a future trainee i.e. quality of training, international presence, trainee intake etc?

It's usually asking how the firm is different from competitors form the point of view of clients i.e. what would make a client seek advice from that firm over others? Their strength in a particular practice area? A particular legal market? The capabilities of their lawyers? Hope that makes sense

 

[cryingoverTCs]

It's usually asking how the firm is different from competitors form the point of view of clients i.e. what would make a client seek advice from that firm over others? Their strength in a particular practice area? A particular legal market? The capabilities of their lawyers? Hope that makes sense

Ah ok yes, that makes sense - thank you! Do you know of any specific examples? the question is asking me to find 3 examples of ways the firm differentiates but I only have 200 words *stress*

 

[LEL]

Ah ok yes, that makes sense - thank you! Do you know of any specific examples? the question is asking me to find 3 examples of ways the firm differentiates but I only have 200 words *stress*

I can't give specific examples as I don't know the firm you're referring to, but I would start by looking at the firm's practice areas - maybe using Legal500 to see the areas in which it really excels, and then go on to explain how this leads clients to prefer this firm over others, as the firm has more experience, expertise etc.

Maybe if it's a firm with a strong presence in the US and UK, say how it places the firm well in dealing with cross-border deals involving the US, while also still being a strong firm in London to deal with UK clients' businesses.

If the firm has exceptional client service (by using a tangible example) that can also make the firm stand out.

If the firm also uses unique technology to streamline its processes, it would reduce the hours and therefore be more cost-efficient for the client, so it would give the firm a competitive advantage over others.

Just a few ideas, but make sure to do your research and tailor it to the firm's practice areas, international presence etc.

 

[IntrepidL]

I had an interview with a graduate recruitment manager who when I asked her that question told me that firms don't really have preferred providers for the GDL and LPC, they send their future trainees to the provider who has given them the largest fee discount apparently.

Yes, agreed. Just answering because the person asked which provider is the LPC provider for which firm.

 

[Bonolaw]

Yes, agreed. Just answering because the person asked which provider is the LPC provider for which firm.

Right. I should have made that answer clearer, she implied that firms do liaise with the course providers on a regular basis to negotiate tuition deals, and it can change from year to year, so the only reliable source would be the graduate recruitment team for the firm in question.

 

[tk166]

Random question, what practice areas do lawyers travel the most in, especially earlier on in their careers?

 

[packhorse]

Random question, what practice areas do lawyers travel the most in, especially earlier on in their careers?

Post-covid is this still going to apply?

 

[Daniel Boden]

Random question, what practice areas do lawyers travel the most in, especially earlier on in their careers?

If I was to guess I'd say international arbitration given the nature of in-person hearings all over the world but obviously post-covid this could be very different...

 

[Jessica Booker]

Random question, what practice areas do lawyers travel the most in, especially earlier on in their careers?

Even pre-covid, travel for junior lawyers was rare in most cases. When you say travel, I am assuming you mean international?

Brexit may also make travel less likely rather than more.

 

[licilaw]

Has anyone heard back from Pennington Manches or Boodle Hatfield yet? For the London vacation scheme?

I applied to PMC months ago and seen quite a few people have already been invited to assessment centres so starting to lose hope now

 

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

Has anyone heard back from Pennington Manches or Boodle Hatfield yet? For the London vacation scheme?

I applied to PMC months ago and seen quite a few people have already been invited to assessment centres so starting to lose hope now

Don't lose hope!

I did an AC with Penningtons on the 27th January and was told it was the first AC. They later sent an email out to us saying that they would get back to us by the end of Feb, so it seems they are doing more AC's before giving offers out.

As for Boodle Hatfield I secured a vacation scheme with them last year. I did not have an interview with them until mid-February. I honestly thought I wouldn't get an interview with them as I remember seeing other people being invited first.

Hopefully you'll hear back soon - best of luck

 

[legalCheek27]

Is there anywhere online I can find an example of a good video interview answer? Currently preparing for my White & Case VI, and I'm struggling to condense my answers into 90 seconds without making my points sound superficial or half-baked.

 

[licilaw]

Don't lose hope!

I did an AC with Penningtons on the 27th January and was told it was the first AC. They later sent an email out to us saying that they would get back to us by the end of Feb, so it seems they are doing more AC's before giving offers out.

As for Boodle Hatfield I secured a vacation scheme with them last year. I did not have an interview with them until mid-February. I honestly thought I wouldn't get an interview with them as I remember seeing other people being invited first.

Hopefully you'll hear back soon - best of luck

Thank you so much... Good luck with everything!

 

[legalCheek27]

I know questions like this are asked all the time, but hoping someone can clarify.

On friday evening (5th Feb), I was sent a White & Case VI interview invite, saying I have 3 days to complete it. However (and this likely because the VI invite was sent just before the weekend), it said:

“The deadline for this interview is 10 Febuary 2021 (GMT+00:00).”

I understand most deadlines include the day of the deadline, however I assumed that ‘00:00’ here meant that I have to complete the VI before the 10th (ie finish it by the end of Tuesday night).

However, I’ve just been sent a reminder email from the firm saying “the deadline for the video interview is on Wednesday”, which confused me.

Do I have to complete the VI by the end of Tuesday night (9th), or by the end of Wednesay (10th)?

 

[Naomi U]

I know questions like this are asked all the time, but hoping someone can clarify.

On friday evening (5th Feb), I was sent a White & Case VI interview invite, saying I have 3 days to complete it. However (and this likely because the VI invite was sent just before the weekend), it said:

“The deadline for this interview is 10 Febuary 2021 (GMT+00:00).”

I understand most deadlines include the day of the deadline, however I assumed that ‘00:00’ here meant that I have to complete the VI before the 10th (ie finish it by the end of Tuesday night).

However, I’ve just been sent a reminder email from the firm saying “the deadline for the video interview is on Wednesday”, which confused me.

Do I have to complete the VI by the end of Tuesday night (9th), or by the end of Wednesay (10th)?

Hiya,

I've always interpreted midnight deadlines like you, that it would need to be finished before the end of Tuesday night. I'm not precisely sure, but that's how I would interpret it as midnight is always the start of the new day. So 00:00 on Wednesday night, is technically Thursday and so past the deadline.

Sorry if I have confused you but hope this helps! I would probably just play it safe anyway and do it before tonight.

Best of luck ☺️

 

[websterl]

Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing well. As I've come to the end of my TC journey, I am now looking to sell quite a few of texts second-hand at very reasonable prices that definitely helped me. These include Christopher Stoakes's series, Numerical Reasoning Tests, Critical Thinking Tests, Guides to Succeeding at Interviews, How to Write Well, etc.

I hope this is okay to post on this forum - I was going to advertise on my former uni group, but thought I'd try here first, as preparation for applications and interviews can be quite pricey and this is the right audience! I am also happy to answer any questions about my interview preparation/application tips. Please message me for a complete list and I'll respond on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thanks!

 

[Jony]

Anyone here day-trade as their main gig as well? I've heard stories on RolllonFriday about lawyers making more from day-trading BTC than their jobs, and I'm keen to amp up my trading to support my finances so I can get further on the journey to owning my first home would be cool to find aspiring solicitors/trainees who want to keep up trading into their career as well!

 

[Lisa Lowe]

Anyone here day-trade as their main gig as well? I've heard stories on RolllonFriday about lawyers making more from day-trading BTC than their jobs, and I'm keen to amp up my trading to support my finances so I can get further on the journey to owning my first home would be cool to find aspiring solicitors/trainees who want to keep up trading into their career as well!

Hey - do you have any advice/pointers for beginners?