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

[Aga123+]

Has anyone heard back from Latham post VI?

Didn't they say they'll get back two weeks after the vi is completed?

 

[TC fiend]

I am not convinced that seniority always pulls rank. Clients ultimately pull rank and therefore if the associate's work is for a client and the partner's is not (which it could easily be), although the partner says it is important, they don't know the importance of other things you are working on.

I agree, and nothing is “always” true. But I think that goes back to communication and delegation skills. If an associate asks you to i.e. draft a memo that needs to go out to the client by a certain time, it’s relatively easy to delegate that back to the associate or another associate on the matter. By comparison, if a partner asks for i.e. an urgent research note ahead of a call, I think in the grand scheme of things it’s a bigger waste of time and firm resources to have the partner do that.

Ultimately there are various factors that go into the decision - just trying to highlight which skills one would have to use (and for the purpose of discussion, give some insight into answers I’ve heard).

 

[NCLaw]

Hi,

Anyone heard back from Gowling post VI? Still waiting for my portal to update (most recent was 21/12/2021), seems like people are receiving scores but I am still yet to get this on my account.

Me too! Wish I didn't look on this forum today now my heart is racing hahaha

 

[ssolicitorz]

Does anyone have tips regarding how to nail competency questions in video interviews? I always just end up waffling and giving long winded answers..... i dont know how to pass the video interview stage lol

 

[Plato]

I just got my Akin Gump WG test report and the percentile and in the report, they stated who my score was assessed against such as managers, legal professionals and etc.

may I ask if you passed it? trying to make some educated guesses about their benchmark

 

[GXA123]

anyone heard with an AC invite for Gowling Birmingham?

 

[emilyrose99]

HSF AC!

congrats !!!! Is this for spring or summer?

 

[thelovelygiraffe]

a firm has offered me a VS and asked me to confirm Scheme Dates 1. What if i get another offer from a firm that runs at the exact same time, would I be able to change to Scheme Dates 2 at the first firm? @Jessica Booker

 

[LoveAspireLAW]

Didn't they say they'll get back two weeks after the vi is completed?

Really? I'm not sure but I thought it would be within two weeks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I agree, and nothing is “always” true. But I think that goes back to communication and delegation skills. If an associate asks you to i.e. draft a memo that needs to go out to the client by a certain time, it’s relatively easy to delegate that back to the associate or another associate on the matter. By comparison, if a partner asks for i.e. an urgent research note ahead of a call, I think in the grand scheme of things it’s a bigger waste of time and firm resources to have the partner do that.

Ultimately there are various factors that go into the decision - just trying to highlight which skills one would have to use (and for the purpose of discussion, give some insight into answers I’ve heard).

Completely agree on the communication point. It’s what this question is all about alongside collaboration and ensuring the best outcome for clients.

It also about understanding the dynamics/culture of the law firm you are applying to - which is often where these questions are not as “level playing field” as many people suggest they are. One firm’s “do the partner’s work” will be the next firm’s “do the associate’s work”.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

a firm has offered me a VS and asked me to confirm Scheme Dates 1. What if i get another offer from a firm that runs at the exact same time, would I be able to change to Scheme Dates 2 at the first firm? @Jessica Booker

You might be able to change but there is no guarantee of that. If firm 1 is giving you a choice of dates, you may want to factor that in to which dates you choose. If there are dates that won’t clash, you might want to go with those dates to play it safer.

 

[MH]

Is it worth applying to Reed Smith this close to the deadline, especially since they're rolling?

Reed Smith deadline was a while back I think?

 

[Rob93]

Completely agree on the communication point. It’s what this question is all about alongside collaboration and ensuring the best outcome for clients.

It also about understanding the dynamics/culture of the law firm you are applying to - which is often where these questions are not as “level playing field” as many people suggest they are. One firm’s “do the partners work” will be the next firm’s “do the associates work”.

This last point is something I find extremely irksome - how are people outside of the profession expected to have a deep understanding of the work processes and division of responsibilities/priorities within a firm?

Leaving the gripe aside, how does one acquire insights into this?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Reed Smith deadline was a while back I think?

Agreed - nothing is currently open on their website.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

This last point is something I find extremely irksome - how are people outside of the profession expected to have a deep understanding of the work processes and division of responsibilities/priorities within a firm?

Leaving the gripe aside, how does one acquire insights into this?

I don’t think you need to have a deep understanding - but I think it’s beneficial to understand some of the basic cultural differences between firms as well as the realities of what life is like in a law firm to really understand these questions.

I think you can get some of this understanding by reading firm’s websites/career pages or by talking to people who have worked for them. The things they value will be there, even if you have to read between the lines a bit. I think you can also delve into things like trainee profiles to sometimes get an insight into how things are done at one firm vs another.

The issue is these differences are often subtle or sometimes hidden between corporate spiel that makes firms sound similar.

 

[John Travoni]

Anyone heard back from Bristows post VI?

 

[Csm1]

Gowling AC invite for London!! Any advice??

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

Anyone heard back from Bristows post VI?

mine still hasn’t been reviewed - they are perhaps waiting to see everyone’s before sending out interview invites?

 

[YUKI1201]

congrats !!!! Is this for spring or summer?

summer!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

may I ask if you passed it? trying to make some educated guesses about their benchmark

I don't know but I find it weird as I did it with Linklaters and got 80 percentile and have improved my score since then.