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

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, for a question asking, "apart from law, what are you passionate about and why?", is this a section for me to talk about hobbies and interests or is it looking for something more intellectual, like issues/topics that I find important?

I’d be honest and talk about your passions - that doesn’t have to be intellectual. It just has to be the things you love dedicating time and/or effort to.

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

Hi @rose888,

Thanks for the question. This is a tricky one.

Firm choice can be (and arguably always is) very personal. I would argue so long as your reason for applying to each firm is independently strong, it should not be an issue that you have applied to a contrasting 'type' of firm.

The focus should be on your justification for applying.

For example, take a candidate that applied to two firms.

This candidate interacted with W firm in their first year at university, really liked their GR team and the trainees they spoke to inspired them. These are strong (initial) reasons for applying. Similarly, this person also applied to X firm because X are strong in disputes, having represented Y client who appealed to them because of Z, this would be a good reason to apply to this firm too.

If W had 50 overseas offices, yet X only had two in the UK, it is likely these firms are very different. Yet the candidate had strong reasons to apply to both as detailed above.

Firms can also appear very different in some ways, but actually be substantively similar in others. W and X might despite their contrasting international strategy, have particular strengths in disputes, or have a very small trainee cohort in London, or both offer eight seats to trainees during their training contract.

So long as you can give adequate justification and are able to demonstrate that you have thought your choices through thoroughly, you should be fine.

I also discussed this question on the Premium Forum here which might be helpful!

@George Maxwell So I have this question specifically for HSF also and I am just wondering whether you believe my reasons below are ok? So I essentially know that HSF are a full-service firm with strengths across numerous practice areas (corporate and disputes) but my specific reasons for my interest revolve around their strength in IP, allowing you to specialise in particular sectors in TC (specifically interested here in corporate strengths at firm and how I can specifically do life sciences/tech work here as interested in these industries), and their focus on innovation.

So in line with these reasons, I have also applied to firms like TW, Bird & Bird (which are actually quite different to HSF as not as well-rounded as they specialise more in these areas I am interested in). With this in mind, when speaking about other firms I have applied to and why and my motivation for HSF – would you say this reasoning isn’t strong enough/doesn’t apply to HSF enough or is fine because of their full-service nature and its natural to take a specific interest in certain things?

I hope what I am asking makes sense!

 

[azj1707]

Anyone heard anything at all from MDR?

 

[AspiringTrainee]

I didn't get an email! What did it say?

Basically, outcomes of the video interview next week.

 

[eleven14og]

Ashurst AC invite!!!! This is my first one ever🤩any advice on this

 

[APPLE619]

Ashurst AC invite!!!! This is my first one ever🤩any advice on this

Congrats!! Can I ask what the date options were for the AC?

 

[Imababysolicitor]

Ashurst AC invite!!!! This is my first one ever🤩any advice on this

Congratulations! Can I ask when you applied?

 

[eleven14og]

Congrats!! Can I ask what the date options were for the AC?

Thank you!! My portal only shows next Wednesday morning so I'm not quite sure abt other options

 

[Lumree]

Anyone heard anything at all from MDR?

I just received a holding email saying they will get back to everyone by 11 March! But having heard some have progressed I’m not sure it’s great news

 

[eleven14og]

Congratulations! Can I ask when you applied?

Thank you! I applied on January 5th

 

[Commerciallaw]

Hi everyone!!! I have two questions i was hoping to get help for. I have a few ideas but i do now know if they are the main ones or even accurate.

1) why do law firms keep track of non-billable hours.

- is it because law firms want to be efficient i.e. if they see that a lawyer is doing a lot of non-billables they can reallocate the work. Also, to check if the non-billable work is actually non-billable (.e. mistakes in categorising)​

- Maybe to consider increasing fees - so higher hourly rates?​

- So lawyers can assess the time it takes them to do non-billable work​

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2) What are the adv/disadv of thought leadership?

- Adv (demonstrates client responsiveness, awareness of clients opportunities and threats, expertise, build and attract client relationships, building reputation)​

- disadv (other firms can use that information? costs to develop it?) - i really don't know what else could be a disadvantage​

(edit) I want to also include accuracy - like if they are inaccurate in analysis (especially because mostly lower levels do the research etc..) then that could damage the reputation of the firm. But I do not know if this is accurate or even a good thing to say because the interviewer might feel personally attacked if I say they may not be accurate 😂​

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[zak98]

Just got DLA and Kennedys PFO both at once… that hurt.. 💔

At what stage was this? If you don't mind me asking

 

[ellwilsen]

I just received a holding email saying they will get back to everyone by 11 March! But having heard some have progressed I’m not sure it’s great news

I haven’t received this… anyone else in the same boat? Getting concerned now :/

 

[JoeyTr]

I haven’t received this… anyone else in the same boat? Getting concerned now :/

same... havent received it

 

[Imababysolicitor]

Thank you! I applied on January 5th

Nice, and can I ask what your scores were on the tests? (Only if you feel comfortable saying)

 

[thelovelygiraffe]

@milbank ac attendees, in case you haven’t seen it yet, milbank sent an email saying WG required before AC and deadline is this Sunday midday😭

 

[ssolicitorz]

Just got the MDR email about applications being reviewed

 

[hhh]

Will I get an automatic PFO if I apply to the same firm that rejected me at interview stage last year/the previous cycle?

 

[YJ]

I haven’t received this… anyone else in the same boat? Getting concerned now :/

I havent either

 

[BM99]

Is anyone still waiting for a response from Linklaters in terms of the spring vac scheme?