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

[Lohana]

Has anyone heard back from MoFo after submitting the app form?

 

[sakaesr99]

Have an AC coming up with HFW! If anyone that has done the AC with them could react with a 🤝 so I can inbox them I would be very appreciative

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Have an AC coming up with HFW! If anyone that has done the AC with them could react with a 🤝 so I can inbox them I would be very appreciative

Don’t like being that person - but when did you apply 😅

 

[Crystal86]

Has anyone heard back from HSF for the summer vac scheme?

 

[sakaesr99]

Don’t like being that person - but when did you apply 😅

lol dw, Jan 14th

 

[tc_hopeful]

Hi everyone!
I'm preparing for the Mayer Brown job simulation and trying to note a couple of points on "why Mayer Brown" for the VI.
While I was researching the firm, I was pretty intrigued by the firm's unique strengths within Asian markets. I understand how this might be strategically beneficial for the firm itself, but I'm struggling to explain why this might be attractive/beneficial for a trainee. I think trainees will benefit from the increased exposure to multijurisdictional matters, but that seems like a rather superficial understanding.
Does anyone have any thoughts on why a firm's strengths in a particular geographical area might be of interest to trainees specifically?

Thank you in advance!

 

[JadeWadey01]

Has anyone applied to Cooley?

 

[h1]

Just to keep up with RS - pls react

✅ if you've received an AC for a Spring app

❌ if you've received an AC for a Summer app

🤝 if you've received a post-VI pfo

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Has anyone applied to Cooley?

Am in the process.

 

[PF'noooo!]

Hi, I have received an invite to do a written analytical test for a law firm. The invite explicitly says that the test will be reflective of a typical trainee task. However, the invite states that any external knowledge (whether legal or commercial) is not necessary to do well. The invite has stated that no preparation is needed. This has really confused me as I am not sure exactly how to prepare in advance (even though I have been told no preparation is needed). @Jessica Booker and TCLA, would you have any suggestions on how to perform best or points to look out for?

 

[YUKI1201]

So I am going to just have a word vomit:

So i have an interview tomorrow with Linklaters - and I feel soo inadequate. I honestly don't even know why I am going. I know I am going to get a rejection and there is literally no point. I don't want to embarrass myself or have my hopes up to only have it be destroyed. i know there is the whole 'it is not a PFO till it is a PFO" or "it is amazing that you even got an interview" but regardless .... i feel so %$&£

This is exactly how I felt before my first AC (well it happened about only 5 days ago 🤣 ).
Thing is that last year I applied for 6 first-year schemes, rejected by all, and I thought oh well if I couldn't even get first year offers what's my chance of getting a VS? Probs none. And then AC invite came along, only 3 days to prepare from an utterly empty brain (because I was not expecting to receive ANY AC so didn't even prepare cuz it would feel embarrassing).

I did put all of my time and effort in those 3 days while constantly doubting myself. But then I thought oh well even if I don't make it, what harm does it do to me? NONE. The day before my AC I actually looked in the mirror and say to myself that "if you don't believe in yourself who are you going to convince?" (ik it sounds so cheesy but I did that LMAO); and I presented the most confident myself during the AC - that really was the key because it kept the interviewers engaged and interested. They are humans, not robots giving you scores by processing your answers word-by-word. You want them to see that you are determined to make it and trust me it does convince them.

Best luck!

 

[Palmerme1]

Got a call from DLA Piper offering me an AC in Leeds as London is now full!

 

[LEL]

Guys what happens if a dispute doesn't settle after you've exhausted all forms of alternative dispute resolution?? Do you then go through litigation?

 

[GXA123]

Hogan Lovells AC! Any tips would be really appreciated😊😊

Congratsss! When did u submit the WG?

 

[Jessica Booker]

This might be a stupid question but would law firms ask about the specifics of uni modules during interview? I encountered this question during an interview simulation w/ my university career service in my last cycle. I imagine this question would be quite unfair for non-law candidates but the career counsel said I should revisit my notes in case they ask. I'm doing law and my grades are pretty ok but if they ask this I'm pretty much dead cuz I forgot everything💀

It isn't really about you knowing a legal topic. It's more about how you describe something technical/academic that you should be knowledgeable about.

I would often ask the question "describe one of your modules/dissertation to me as if I have no knowledge of the subject". I was assessing someone's communication skills rather than their knowledge.

 

[GXA123]

Guys what happens if a dispute doesn't settle after you've exhausted all forms of alternative dispute resolution?? Do you then go through litigation?

litigation it is!

 

[lm450]

How can I prepare for a 'tell us about a recent deal' interview question? The firm doesn't have a huge amount of detail on its website.

 

[YUKI1201]

How can I prepare for a 'tell us about a recent deal' interview question? The firm doesn't have a huge amount of detail on its website.

in my AC they asked this and I only roughly mentioned what practice areas were (probably) involved, and then spent more time talking about the impacts of that deal - potential challenges, opportunities and competition in the industry. I also linked the deal to a recent case I read from FT just to say how and where it was situated in the economy. I know many ppl focus on what role the firm plays in the case instead - so this was just my approach!

 

[Rob93]

**Trigger warning - very strong opinion below**

I personally find this really annoying and also somewhat pretentious (sorry those who do this ). I find it a really toxic community culture trait born out of how competitive the market is and people constantly trying to show they are better than the next person. It doesn't serve any purpose but to inflate egos.

Thank you for this, I wanted to comment something along these lines but couldn't conjure a delicate way to put it.

 

[Rob93]

Got a call from DLA Piper offering me an AC in Leeds as London is now full!

Congratulations! A bit poor of them to not let the rest of us off the hook if they know they're maxed out.