TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Legalmel_99]

Last year I researched the Gowling games ect and tried to be someone I wasn’t due to that, I didn’t make it to the VI, this year I played the game as myself and my report came out so much better and more positive.
Morale of the story is just try your best to be natural don’t focus on what others say everyone’s experiences of games is different and everyone enjoys/doesn’t like the same things ☺️ good luck everyone x

Haven’t been on here for a while but - made it to gowlings VI

 

[Legalmel_99]

Anyone applied to gateley and then within a couple of hours get an email stating “You will shortly be invited to complete our interactive assessment as part of the next stage of our recruitment process”

this made me think I’ve passed the application stage or is this automated?

 

[GXA123]

Anyone applied to gateley and then within a couple of hours get an email stating “You will shortly be invited to complete our interactive assessment as part of the next stage of our recruitment process”

this made me think I’ve passed the application stage or is this automated?

Automatic

 

[Arche172372]

Has anyone heard from Gibson Dunn or Akin (post w-g)

 

[skmx]

If anyone is doing the CMS AC this week, please drop me a message!

 

[emmashardlow]

I'm trying to research sale and purchase agreements but can't find any good websites that explain things simply (for a non-law student). Does anyone have any advice on where to look?

 

[thirdtimelucky]

I'm trying to research sale and purchase agreements but can't find any good websites that explain things simply (for a non-law student). Does anyone have any advice on where to look?

Would recommend Jake Schoggers commercial law handbook!

 

[gg332dd]

Complete noob here -- im writing my white & case cover letter, and in the 'why W&C' paragraph I mentioned their global reach and training structure (guaranteed overseas secondment + mix of contentious/non-contentious. -- just wondering if this is too generic, or if there's a way to elevate at all?

 

[anon123456789]

I'm trying to research sale and purchase agreements but can't find any good websites that explain things simply (for a non-law student). Does anyone have any advice on where to look?

As a non-law student I am absolutely loving Chris Stoakes' "All You Need to Know About the City"
I haven't finished it yet so I'm not sure if it incudes S&Ps specifically but its the best thing I have found for improving my commercial awareness as it puts the anatomy of the city in seriously understandable laymen's terms.

Commercial awareness is overwhelming for non-law students as there are so many resources out there you don't know where to start. I have just been highlighting this and tabbing it up like I would a textbook and its been really helpful.

 

[Rob93]

Complete noob here -- im writing my white & case cover letter, and in the 'why W&C' paragraph I mentioned their global reach and training structure (guaranteed overseas secondment + mix of contentious/non-contentious. -- just wondering if this is too generic, or if there's a way to elevate at all?

That content is good to cover, it's something they make a big deal of. The way to elevate it is to give a compelling explanation of why those things appeal *to you.*

 

[S87]

As a non-law student I am absolutely loving Chris Stoakes' "All You Need to Know About the City"
I haven't finished it yet so I'm not sure if it incudes S&Ps specifically but its the best thing I have found for improving my commercial awareness as it puts the anatomy of the city in seriously understandable laymen's terms.

Commercial awareness is overwhelming for non-law students as there are so many resources out there you don't know where to start. I have just been highlighting this and tabbing it up like I would a textbook and its been really helpful.

I understand the love, I actually read it when I feel am failing at everything. I feel good knowing I can understand something about the commercial world lol

 

[Rob93]

As a non-law student I am absolutely loving Chris Stoakes' "All You Need to Know About the City"
I haven't finished it yet so I'm not sure if it incudes S&Ps specifically but its the best thing I have found for improving my commercial awareness as it puts the anatomy of the city in seriously understandable laymen's terms.

Commercial awareness is overwhelming for non-law students as there are so many resources out there you don't know where to start. I have just been highlighting this and tabbing it up like I would a textbook and its been really helpful.

If people want to boost commercial awareness and have fun doing it, read Barbarians at the Gate. Essential reading for anyone interested in PE but also touches on M&A more broadly, corporate governance, finance, all kinds.

A slightly more esoteric companion piece I've been enjoying lately is The Predators' Ball, which revolves around the development of the junk bond market which fuelled the 80s takeover boom.

 

[gg332dd]

That content is good to cover, it's something they make a big deal of. The way to elevate it is to give a compelling explanation of why those things appeal *to you.*

Thank you! I was afraid it may be a bit too generic as they're not the only firm to offer these. Would you say 2-3 sentences are enough to justify my motivations? I'm never sure how much detail you're supposed to go in!

 

[Rob93]

Thank you! I was afraid it may be a bit too generic as they're not the only firm to offer these. Would you say ~2 sentences are enough to justify my motivations? I'm never sure how much detail you're supposed to go in!

It depends what your motivations are. I realise this is vague but say as much as you need to, and no more.

Also AFAIK WC are the ONLY firm to guarantee/require an overseas secondment - this is very different from a firm that runs them but maybe only 20% of trainees get to go in any given year. Apart from the fact that going abroad is cool and fun, also think about what it might mean about the firm's values - is WC committed, in a way others aren't, to training truly international lawyers, to building a truly international brand, to running a truly integrated global operation underpinned by strong relationships between offices?

 

[gg332dd]

It depends what your motivations are. I realise this is vague but say as much as you need to, and no more.

Also AFAIK WC are the ONLY firm to guarantee/require an overseas secondment - this is very different from a firm that runs them but maybe only 20% of trainees get to go in any given year. Apart from the fact that going abroad is cool and fun, also think about what it might mean about the firm's values - is WC committed, in a way others aren't, to training truly international lawyers, to building a truly international brand, to running a truly integrated global operation underpinned by strong relationships between offices?

I didn't think of it this way, this helps so much thank you!!

 

[Ks36]

Does anyone know how long it takes Mayer Brown to send the online tests post-application form?

I got mine the next day

 

[anon123456789]

I understand the love, I actually read it when I feel am failing at everything. I feel good knowing I can understand something about the commercial world lol

this is such a mood for me right now 🤣

 

[Imababysolicitor]

Just received a rejection from Dentons. I applied on 03/01

 

[Jessica Booker]

Complete noob here -- im writing my white & case cover letter, and in the 'why W&C' paragraph I mentioned their global reach and training structure (guaranteed overseas secondment + mix of contentious/non-contentious. -- just wondering if this is too generic, or if there's a way to elevate at all?

Dig a level (or two deeper):

Why does the firm offer a guaranteed overseas secondment?
What is the benefit to you of a secondment?
Why is a mix of contentious and non-contentious work important to you?
What is it about the firm's global reach that is different to other firm's that also have a global reach?

 

[vacschemeapss]

I spoke to a future Pinsents trainee from my uni and he said that he only heard back and got invited to take the psychometric test at the end of January, so I wouldn't worry too much about not hearing back yet now. His application was with the Leeds office though so idk if the timeframe is any different for other offices.

I also emailed grad rec to ask a few questions before I submitted my application and they said this:

"Of the 1500+ applications received approximately 200 will be invited to undertake an online psychometric test, with those who pass being invited to an assessment centre where they will have a one to one commercial/behavioural interview with a Partner and a business simulation exercise. The assessment centres are conducted in February, virtually and/or in house".​

Thanks for the info! Any clue on whether this test is the same as WG, or is it tougher/easier??