General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[dosblancos7]

Is the Reed Smith questions automatic? or is it given to people who pass the SST?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Anyone know if the AG application form character limit on answers is with or without spaces (2,000 characters - but trying to work out if it is with or without spaces).

 

[M1999]

Anyone know if the AG application form character limit on answers is with or without spaces (2,000 characters - but trying to work out if it is with or without spaces).

Hi it’s with Im pretty sure, I tested it the other day

 

[M1999]

I applied to Winter Vacation Scheme at Stephenson Harwood and just heard back today from grad rec inviting me to do a written case study exercise. Did anyone else get this invite? I thought the HR interview was the last step for VS.

Congrats, I’m still waiting to hear back post interview. When was your interview?

 

[U98]

Since you can only apply for HL twice in total, I am wondering how I should approach this year's application. I applied last year and I didn't pass the WG test. So, I was thinking of using the exact same application and applying again this year since technically I passed the written application stage. There have been no changes as such aside from my LPC grades. Now I'm second-guessing myself. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Hey! Yeah the WG is automatic so if you didn't meet the threshold, the recruitment team wouldn't have seen your application. If your score is high enough then they'll take take that score into consideration alongside your written application. It's probs a good idea to go through your previous application to see if you can make any changes even if there hasn't been a change work experience wise. E.g. your writing style may have improved since or you could refine your answers to better answer the question.

 

[traineehopeful29]

Congrats, I’m still waiting to hear back post interview. When was your interview?

I had mine on the 19th!

 

[Lawsm21]

Which cities would be good for a law firm to open up a new office in? I am really struggling to think of locations outside of the standard ones that most firms already have an office in. Does anyone have any suggestions and reasons why?

 

[Rene]

Which cities would be good for a law firm to open up a new office in? I am really struggling to think of locations outside of the standard ones that most firms already have an office in. Does anyone have any suggestions and reasons why?

Emerging markets such as BRICS countries?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Which cities would be good for a law firm to open up a new office in? I am really struggling to think of locations outside of the standard ones that most firms already have an office in. Does anyone have any suggestions and reasons why?

think about any growing economies, maybe where the legal market is due to open up, or where there is a high growth industry geographically located. Generally any of these aspect can formulate a good answer. Also it doesn’t matter if other law firms already have offices there, that could be a sign of an opportunity. This is more about your rationale as to why you think there is an opportunity there, rather than the location itself.

 

[M1999]

On a question that says 'any other points you like to raise alongside your application?', is this an appropriate platform to talk about why you want to be commercial law - as this was not prompted by the other questions. Or could you talk about why you'd be a good commercial lawyer? I am a bit confused as to what it is really asking

 

[Jessica Booker]

On a question that says 'any other points you like to raise alongside your application?', is this an appropriate platform to talk about why you want to be commercial law - as this was not prompted by the other questions. Or could you talk about why you'd be a good commercial lawyer? I am a bit confused as to what it is really asking

They are generally there to cover anything that doesn’t naturally fit into other sections. If you think that is why you/why commercial law, then you can include it, but be very critical as to whether this is evidenced elsewhere (even indirectly) through your other sections

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Should I be using STAR in all my interviews? Or is it only for applications

 

[Jessica Booker]

Should I be using STAR in all my interviews? Or is it only for applications

you should only be using it in applications where you are being asked a competency question. But STAR is appropriate for interviews, but again only if you are asked a competency question

 

[Fran]

Does anyone know how long Reed Smith generally take to screen the SST and reject or invite you to the next stage?

 

[Fran]

I emailed them about this and unfortunately it means you can only apply twice in total

Do you know if applying twice includes an application to the HL BaSE Legal Learning Hub?

 

[Phoebe]

Do you know if applying twice includes an application to the HL BaSE Legal Learning Hub?

I'm not sure, sorry! I'd ask GR

 

[cryingoverTCs]

For the Addleshaw Goddard app, there is a 2000 character limit - if one of my answers is around 1850, is that ok?

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the Addleshaw Goddard app, there is a 2000 character limit - if one of my answers is around 1850, is that ok?

yes

 

[Simba281]

Hey, has anyone heard back from Travers Smith for their winter scheme yet?

 

[NK]

Hey, has anyone heard back from Travers Smith for their winter scheme yet?

Nothing from them (