TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

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moxiebobo

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Jan 30, 2020
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Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.
 

lawcurious

Distinguished Member
Nov 23, 2021
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Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.
i usually spend a lot of time reading their blogs and insights and stuff they publish to understand their language and what they put emphasis on. its very hard to go beyond buzzwords that's true but i think just "understanding" the firm usually helps - podcasts help too actually they'll mention a lot of things about the firm and their expertise etc. if you'd like and are interested in say something like private equity or m&a - try and find similar podcasts and posts and insights that all of the firms put up and i think you will slowly start finding a difference in not just their language but the specific things they think they do well and what their specific expertise or USP is. hope this helps :)

EDIT: freshfields also has some virtual work exp programs where they highlight some of their strengths etc too so maybe those could give you some insight into their work and differences with other firms too
 

moxiebobo

Star Member
Premium Member
Jan 30, 2020
31
14
i usually spend a lot of time reading their blogs and insights and stuff they publish to understand their language and what they put emphasis on. its very hard to go beyond buzzwords that's true but i think just "understanding" the firm usually helps - podcasts help too actually they'll mention a lot of things about the firm and their expertise etc. if you'd like and are interested in say something like private equity or m&a - try and find similar podcasts and posts and insights that all of the firms put up and i think you will slowly start finding a difference in not just their language but the specific things they think they do well and what their specific expertise or USP is. hope this helps :)

EDIT: freshfields also has some virtual work exp programs where they highlight some of their strengths etc too so maybe those could give you some insight into their work and differences with other firms too
very helpful - thank you!
 
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lawcurious

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Nov 23, 2021
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where are people doing the NRF WG prepping from? i did the practice test they sent but the feedback report doesn't include a score since its a pilot testing thing which is...not helpful... since I've not done a WG in months and j wanted to check if I'm still doing okay at them
 

Rob93

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Dec 29, 2020
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Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.
One point ofc is the shorter seat cycles at Freshies; you can extrapolate this out to some thoughts about the kind of professional development they value (breadth in the first instance rather than very early hyperspecialisation) - presumably this means something to them in terms of how they provide their services, the kind of thinking they want their lawyers to engage in &c.
 

Asil Ahmad

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  • Mar 29, 2020
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    Do law firms actually check events that you attended. I am asking as I attended this event about insolvency and put the wrong name for the event in my application when discussing my interest in the firm's insolvency work.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    Do law firms actually check events that you attended. I am asking as I attended this event about insolvency and put the wrong name for the event in my application when discussing my interest in the firm's insolvency work.
    Unlikely - it’s just too much hard work/time consuming to do this. The only way it would be really possible is if their events management tool and ATS were combined (and that’s only their events, not other firms’)
     
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    Asil Ahmad

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    Unlikely - it’s just too much hard work/time consuming to do this. The only way it would be really possible is if their events management tool and ATS were combined (and that’s only their events, not other firms’)
    Thank you very much for this it is a relief. As I mentioned the event name but got the event name a bit mixed up in my application question.
     

    Alison C

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    Has anyone got any good SPAG/drafting resources? Got a written SPAG test coming soon!
    Try this thread:


    You can also Google IELTS and TOEFL resources, looking at the most advanced levels. These are aimed at learners whose native language is not English but they are often really comprehensive. There is something similar for 'Business English' - have a root around? Good luck!
     
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    moxiebobo

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    Jan 30, 2020
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    One point ofc is the shorter seat cycles at Freshies; you can extrapolate this out to some thoughts about the kind of professional development they value (breadth in the first instance rather than very early hyperspecialisation) - presumably this means something to them in terms of how they provide their services, the kind of thinking they want their lawyers to engage in &c.
    that's a really helpful point - never thought of it in the development context! thank you
     

    YJ

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    Jan 16, 2021
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    Try this thread:


    You can also Google IELTS and TOEFL resources, looking at the most advanced levels. These are aimed at learners whose native language is not English but they are often really comprehensive. There is something similar for 'Business English' - have a root around? Good luck!
    Thank you so much!
     
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