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

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Rob93

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Dec 29, 2020
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@AvniD @George Maxwell @James Carrabino @Jessica Booker

What would you guys say are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the legal industry at the moment. I am talking about general awareness of the current and foreseeable market - so if you were perhaps the managing partner at a city law firm, what would be you top considerations currently. Would love to hear people's opinions.

I'll start - I was thinking: (1) Retaining talent and well being; and (2) for a UK firm, probably US rivals coming in and dominating some areas in London.
I would have lots of anxiety about the macro environment. Inflation is an issue, as potentially are rate rises though law firms tend not to have substantial debt on their balance sheets so won't be bludgeoned by that directly. Concerns though about a general economic downturn, or shifting of winds. Many elite firms note that they do alright in a downturn because of a so-called 'flight to quality' ie. beleaguered corporates will turn to the most prestigious advisors when things get very rough. Obviously this has implications for smaller firms, but also less-established/growth practices of elite firms (you may be MC/US with a decent restructuring department, but will you be a go-to in crisis for the most plum clients?). A lot of more speculative sectors (mostly in tech or adjacent) are due for a harrowing, and I'd wonder if my firm's positioning is going to keep me in with the winners there. If I do a lot of M&A for plcs, I'm going to worry because my clients will be less competitive if stock markets retreat - public Corps love to use their own shares as acquisition currency, but this becomes less attractive if trading is weaker. Conversely if I'm in PE M&A I'm going to be salivating - deep-pocketed PE houses or outfits with a distressed situations focus will have piles of cash to drop on deals in a general downturn. Advisors to certain types of hedge funds with esoteric credit strategies will also make out well on this. If you're already big in these spaces, you'll be worried about other firms wanting to move in on that market and considering how to fend them off.
 

Parsorandini

Esteemed Member
Premium Member
Oct 8, 2021
94
220
Bird & Bird pfo post VI today, gutting after doing a VS with them last summer, BUT Mayer Brown AC!! This process is such an emotional roller coaster!
My process in rollercoaster form:

Scared Scooby Doo GIF by Boomerang Official


(Congrats on your AC) ☺️
 

Rob93

Legendary Member
Dec 29, 2020
627
1,677
I would have lots of anxiety about the macro environment. Inflation is an issue, as potentially are rate rises though law firms tend not to have substantial debt on their balance sheets so won't be bludgeoned by that directly. Concerns though about a general economic downturn, or shifting of winds. Many elite firms note that they do alright in a downturn because of a so-called 'flight to quality' ie. beleaguered corporates will turn to the most prestigious advisors when things get very rough. Obviously this has implications for smaller firms, but also less-established/growth practices of elite firms (you may be MC/US with a decent restructuring department, but will you be a go-to in crisis for the most plum clients?). A lot of more speculative sectors (mostly in tech or adjacent) are due for a harrowing, and I'd wonder if my firm's positioning is going to keep me in with the winners there. If I do a lot of M&A for plcs, I'm going to worry because my clients will be less competitive if stock markets retreat - public Corps love to use their own shares as acquisition currency, but this becomes less attractive if trading is weaker. Conversely if I'm in PE M&A I'm going to be salivating - deep-pocketed PE houses or outfits with a distressed situations focus will have piles of cash to drop on deals in a general downturn. Advisors to certain types of hedge funds with esoteric credit strategies will also make out well on this. If you're already big in these spaces, you'll be worried about other firms wanting to move in on that market and considering how to fend them off.
Query I guess also on this how UK markets fare; EU and Asian markets are under strain, the US is ofc going a bit funny right now but the expert opinion for years now has been the UK publics are chronically undervalued in the wake of Brexit and the uncertainty it created. Fundamentals have stabilised somewhat with valuations still lagging so domestic public market heavyweights (Slaughters an obvious example) might make out well if the relative position of UK plc improves cause of difficulties elsewhere.
 
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thirdtimelucky

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Junior Lawyer
  • Nov 12, 2019
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    With the "where should we open a new office", I just found out that the firm had an office in the country I was going to discuss but closed it in 2019... would it be advised to chose a different place in this case? I feel like I have a strong argument but not sure if it would sit right?
     
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    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
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    With the "where should we open a new office", I just found out that the firm had an office in the country I was going to discuss but closed it in 2019... would it be advised to chose a different place in this case? I feel like I have a strong argument but not sure if it would sit right?
    If it closed that recently I would probably not run the argument unless you can directly address what's more attractive about that market now.
     

    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
    1,677
    With the "where should we open a new office", I just found out that the firm had an office in the country I was going to discuss but closed it in 2019... would it be advised to chose a different place in this case? I feel like I have a strong argument but not sure if it would sit right?
    That said it kind of depends - if the old office was in the same country but you're proposing a different city/region that might be fine. In Germany for example, operating in Frankfurt is very different to operating in Munich.
     

    ellensdaleoriginal

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
    Dec 23, 2020
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    Has anyone heard anything back from Greenberg Traurig??

    Also if anyone has any inside info on their 1st-year trainee/NQ salary I'd be intrigued to know. Seeing as most law firms are so open about salary the fact I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere is making me a bit sceptical.

    Considering their revenue, size, US roots, ranking etc I assume it will be pretty similar to other US firms in the city with around £50k for year 1 and then £120k plus for NQ but would be interested to know.
     
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    djqb

    Legendary Member
    Sep 6, 2020
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    Has anyone heard anything back from Greenberg Traurig??

    Also if anyone has any inside info on their 1st-year trainee/NQ salary I'd be intrigued to know. Seeing as most law firms are so open about salary the fact I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere is making me a bit sceptical.

    Considering their revenue, size, US roots, ranking etc I assume it will be pretty similar to other US firms in the city with around £50k for year 1 and then £120k plus for NQ but would be interested to know.
    Have you checkout out Glassdoor? They usually have all salaries on there
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
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    If my interview is centred around a debate of an article, would it then be okay to ask what their view is of the topic in the part for questions at the end? Don’t want to appear invasive
    You could - but I wouldn’t spend too much time trying to do this. It’s your opportunity to talk about the firm to find out more about it to work out whether it’s right for you, and you could miss out on this opportunity if you only talk about the article. However, I think an initial question about their thoughts on something in the article is fine.
     
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