General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Bakers Junior Lawyer]

I’m so sorry to hear but indeed, we move!!

Could I ask if this is for direct or VS?

Thanks!

Direct, applied 4th September.

 

[Penelope]

Does A&O primarily recruit through the VS? I'm about to start a paralegal job, so I'm not sure whether to apply for VS or direct TC.

 

[S87]

Does A&O primarily recruit through the VS? I'm about to start a paralegal job, so I'm not sure whether to apply for VS or direct TC.

Hi Penelope,

I cannot tell you what to do, but I can tell you what I have learnt. I have been working as a paralegal for a while and I believed that my experiences would make me a super candidate for a direct TC. However, I realised that firms hire mostly from their VS intake and it makes absolute sense.
Offering a TC is a big investment for a firm both in terms of money and time so they want to make the right decision. Moreover, a vs is also a chance for you to get to know the firm. I can tell you that I liked a MC (a lot) but having spent a bit of time with them and personally knowing a couple of people..hell no..I would rather have a dinner with BoJo..and I despise him!

Know your target so you can sell yourself better!!

 

[Jaysen]

Hi would it be a good idea in the cover letter to answer the ‘why commercial law’ with details of experience of virtual internships at investment banks. Specifically about M&A transactions and calculating EV etc. I want to say this gave me an understanding of how an M&A deal works and allowed me to see how solicitors fit into this. Is this a good idea to include this? I don’t want it to seem like I’m not interested in law but interested in investment banking.

If this is the genuine reason that led to your interest in commercial law, the example is fine and fairly unique. I'd be wary of going into too much detail about calculations etc., unless you can clearly show how this is related to your interest in commercial law. You might want to back this up with your interest in what solicitors do in an M&A transaction.

 

[NadineBusty]

Random questions but does anyone know a good place to study in London?
Cannot focus at home and my uni is closed.
Feel free to dm me

 

[Jessica Booker]

Random questions but does anyone know a good place to study in London?
Cannot focus at home and my uni is closed.
Feel free to dm me

PM'd you

 

[Penelope]

Has anyone heard from Dawson Cornwell?

 

[Kablahc]

Rejection from Latham this morning - no feedback

 

[Jessica Booker]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from home until March now.

 

[ibs97]

has anyone heard from a&o

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from him until March now.

Yes it seems u likely for there to be a winter and spring scheme

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Yes it seems u likely for there to be a winter and spring scheme

*unlikely

 

[OB]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from home until March now.

It'll be interesting to see if firms will see less applicants for winter/spring schemes compared to summer schemes in light of COVID and this announcement!

 

[Jessica Booker]

It'll be interesting to see if firms will see less applicants for winter/spring schemes compared to summer schemes in light of COVID and this announcement!

From conversations I have had with firms so far, applications are generally up around 25-35%. It tends to happen as more candidates hedge their bets with more applications though.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

From conversations I have had with firms so far, applications are generally up around 25-35%. It tends to happen as more candidates hedge their bets with more applications though.

Would you still say then that the number of 'viable'/high quality applications remains the same then?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would you still say then that the number of 'viable'/high quality applications remains the same then?

that’s probably more like a 5-10% increase. Generally whenever applications numbers go up it’s because people who haven’t considered law before see it as a safer bet.

Will be interesting to see how international applicant numbers change though as I think this could drop because of Covid and Brexit but could also increase due to post study visas coming in.

 

[cryingoverTCs]

has anyone heard back from links for direct TC? :'(

 

[EMD]

Just got invited to an assessment centre by TLT (Manchester)!!
They’ve actually decided to postpone assessment centres til February and even though I applied via the direct route said that they will offer vac scheme places to those who do well at the assessment centre!! Interesting that they’re trying to avoid virtual ACs by the sounds of it - they said they’re delaying it because they want to give us the best possible experience.

 

[XARA]

does anyone know who to address the NRF cover letter to for the winter vac scheme?

 

[Emily77]

Rejection from Latham this morning - no feedback

Sorry to hear - is this after application or after VI?