TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have a list of firms with opening dates and deadlines? )

Thread here that we are updating as we find out. A lot of firms haven’t announced their opening dates yet (might not be for a few more weeks).

Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2021/2022 - Law Firm List with Opening and Closing Dates

Hey All, As law firms start to announce their opening and closing dates for the upcoming vacation scheme cycle, we'll keep an updated list on this below. In all cases, we'll post only when it's verified on the firm website with the link. We will also split between Winter/Spring/Summer where the...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[saz a]

Thread here that we are updating as we find out. A lot of firms haven’t announced their opening dates yet (might not be for a few more weeks).

Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2021/2022 - Law Firm List with Opening and Closing Dates

Hey All, As law firms start to announce their opening and closing dates for the upcoming vacation scheme cycle, we'll keep an updated list on this below. In all cases, we'll post only when it's verified on the firm website with the link. We will also split between Winter/Spring/Summer where the...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you!!

 

[djqb]

I don't know who needed to hear this, but you got this, just keep pushing!!! 💥🙌💯

 

[S87]

Did anyone hear back from Aspiring solicitors regarding the HSF disability mentoring scheme?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Realise this is a basic b**ch question lol

For sections on applications taking about “achievements and activities’ what kind of things are people taking about?
I have a few academic things, and I was in the top 2% for one module results last year which I could mention? 🤷🏻‍♀️ but what kind of extra things do you guys include?
I’ve just done half a marathon, is that relevant? 😅

Both of these things are relevant - the first is an achievement , the second is an activity.

You can include anything that requires time or effort (or both) as activities, and achievements can be anything you are proud of achieving or anything you have been recognised for achieving.

Can be sports, arts, volunteering, politics, fundraising, charity work, writing, societies, groups etc

 

[Jooooopp7]

Hi guys - just wondering how useful a letter of recommendation from my internship would be for applications? A lot of my feedback from my supervisor has been really positive and the head of department said himself that he would be happy to help with recommending me to law firms so I was thinking about asking for a letter of recommendation for any future job applications but not sure how I would attach it to any TC/VS apps? I will definitely put them down as a reference from now on but also not sure when in the process they tend to ask for references so not sure how influential it might be?
@Jessica Booker would you be able to give some insight? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys - just wondering how useful a letter of recommendation from my internship would be for applications? A lot of my feedback from my supervisor has been really positive and the head of department said himself that he would be happy to help with recommending me to law firms so I was thinking about asking for a letter of recommendation for any future job applications but not sure how I would attach it to any TC/VS apps? I will definitely put them down as a reference from now on but also not sure when in the process they tend to ask for references so not sure how influential it might be?
@Jessica Booker would you be able to give some insight? Thanks so much for your help!

Not really in all honesty. Firms tend to try and keep to a fairly consistent/standard set of information as a matter of fairness to all candidates.

I have seen enough attached for it to not be an issue should you choose to include one. But I wouldn’t go out of your way to get one for VS or TC applicants for major firms.

 

[Matt_96]

Quite a lot of variables here to say how difficult it is.

There are enough people who do it upon qualification though, either because they want to move away from the firm they trained in or because they aren’t offered a NQ role.

But how likely it is will depend on the firm you train with, the work you have done as a trainee, the seats/secondments you have done, and where you are aiming to work for upon qualification (both in terms of firm and practice area).

It isn’t straight forward and will depend on other factors such as the networks you build/the agencies you register with/how proactive you are in seeking a NQ role too (which can be difficult if you are busy working).

As a related question, how easy is it to transition as a relatively fresh (NQ-2PQE) associate from one practice area to a semi-related other one? E.g. let's say I wanted to move from construction disputes to more general litigation & arbitration or commercial real estate to projects & infrastructure, as examples.

 

[Jessica Booker]

As a related question, how easy is it to transition as a relatively fresh (NQ-2PQE) associate from one practice area to a semi-related other one? E.g. let's say I wanted to move from construction disputes to more general litigation & arbitration or commercial real estate to projects & infrastructure, as examples.

Within a firm it might be possible especially if those teams work relatively close together on matters. It would probably be more difficult to move across firms and across teams at the same time though.

How difficult/easy it is impossible to say - again there ars foo many variables here do take into account to give you a clear indication.

Probably your best way is finding people who have done that type of move on LinkedIn and seeing how they found the processes of moving.

 

[Hele25]

Hello alllll,
Currently doing Mishcon’s vac scheme app and I’ve written a great answer for
‘What is a current news story you’ve found interesting and what are its implications’
HOWEVER- I’ve now read the question again and the actual question is ‘What is a current legal case that caught your attention and what are its implications?’ 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I originally talked about a hedge fund removing funding from two companies last week - how that would set precedent, the global legal implications and the implications for the firm- do you think I’ll get away with this answer? Yes it’s technically a finance case and not legal but I do talk about the legal implications and how it could effect the firm.
I could change it but I spent so much time on it 😂😂

 

[HorsesForCoursesNeighNeighNeigh]

Hello alllll,
Currently doing Mishcon’s vac scheme app and I’ve written a great answer for
‘What is a current news story you’ve found interesting and what are its implications’
HOWEVER- I’ve now read the question again and the actual question is ‘What is a current legal case that caught your attention and what are its implications?’ 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I originally talked about a hedge fund removing funding from two companies last week - how that would set precedent, the global legal implications and the implications for the firm- do you think I’ll get away with this answer? Yes it’s technically a finance case and not legal but I do talk about the legal implications and how it could effect the firm.
I could change it but I spent so much time on it 😂😂

I would redo but then find another firm--ANY firm!--with the original question to apply to! 🤣

 

[Hele25]

I would redo but then find another firm--ANY firm!--with the original question to apply to! 🤣

Hahaha as soon as I wrote the question I said “you can’t answer the question you want to hear and ignore the one they’ve asked- you dolt” 😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️ That will teach me to read the question twice!
Off to find a firm that I can copy and paste my answer to now! (With significant amendments, it was so catered to Mishcon that it’s basically useless tbh 😭

 

[JayC]

Hahaha as soon as I wrote the question I said “you can’t answer the question you want to hear and ignore the one they’ve asked- you dolt” 😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️ That will teach me to read the question twice!
Off to find a firm that I can copy and paste my answer to now! (With significant amendments, it was so catered to Mishcon that it’s basically useless tbh 😭

I feel like that answer will be useful to a lot of firms’ apps! Also, is there no legal case or potential legal case surrounding the story you talked about? If there isn’t then you shouldn’t use it but if there is sort of then you could get away with it I think

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hey guys, I was just going through some M&A stuff and I came across a sentence that went something like "the lawyers will also help determine the financing- is it going to issue shares or borrow money through debt finance and in both cases, it will need the support of the banking team of a law firm."

Can anyone tell me if this is true or not? I thought Investment bankers decided the above?

Thanks

 

[erose98]

Hey - is anyone doing the PGDL at BPP Waterloo this year / does anyone know if the induction is online or in person?? Induction events have popped up on my calendar but having a nightmare trying to decipher them!

 

[JayC]

Hey - is anyone doing the PGDL at BPP Waterloo this year / does anyone know if the induction is online or in person?? Induction events have popped up on my calendar but having a nightmare trying to decipher them!

I'm wondering the same thing!

 

[djqb]

Hi @Jessica Booker I just submitted an application for a vacation scheme that takes place strictly on a rolling basis, but the application confirmation email says "we will be in contact after the deadline". Is this normal?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker I just submitted an application for a vacation scheme that takes place strictly on a rolling basis, but the application confirmation email says "we will be in contact after the deadline". Is this normal?

Yes - they can still review applications on a rolling basis and reject people, but decide not to contact you until after the deadline, dependent on the strength of other applicants.

 

[erose98]

I'm wondering the same thing!

Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one, hopefully it updates /we get more information soon!

 

[djqb]

Is it ok to reuse a cover letter (for the same firm) from last year's application cycle if you were able to get past the application stage to the Watson Glaser test?