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

[TCApp2021]

White & Case Vac Scheme AC invite! If anyone has any advice (especially for the written assessment), I would be very grateful!

Would also appreciate any advice please! Thanks!

 

[Arendt0927]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

 

[LawfulRust00]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

Don’t catastrophise it - it’s one mistake. Use it to your advantage - channel the disappointment into energy to show how good you really are and use it as a point of reflection in the final interview (if applicable).

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

Hey, I'm really really sorry you're feeling like this! I know this may not help a lot, but remember that you're always going to be your harshest critic. The people from the firm are going to know you are non-law, and skills like reading a case and knowing how to find the right info don't come easy to anyone. I think being honest, and talking about your struggles is a great strategy, and from what you said I presume the vac scheme is two weeks - try and make the most of the time left, and don't let one not-so-great day influence all the rest. Wishing you all the good luck in the world!!!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Would also appreciate any advice please! Thanks!

For the written exercise, it's essentially an identify, explain and summarise task.

Timed at 75 mins, I was given 4 FT articles, asked to sum up the key points, identify any key issues and then offer some general advice to a fictional client. I think this is less about black letter law, but GR want to see if you can analyse, write concisely, in paragraphs, with good spelling and offer sensible advice. Use an executive summary, subheadings and make sure to write in a simple and clear way. If you have some, not overly complicated, legal knowledge - throw it in.

Hope that helps!

 

[Abii]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

I’ve said it several times on this forum but everyone judges themselves in a much harsher manner than anyone else would. Something I do to bring myself back down when I’m spiralling/over-thinking something I have done is apply what I call the friend test - how would I judge a close friend that had done what I did, what would I tell them, it puts it back into perspective.

I will also add that my day job is GDPR and it is not an easy area of law - especially for someone with a non-law background!

 

[TC fiend]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

As many have said, we’re often our own harshest critic so don’t get too down in the dumps about it! I think a key thing to remember is that the ultimate goal is you want to save the associate time - if they have to redo all your work, you’ve not done a good job. That’s part and parcel of the learning curve though! There are going to be times you mess up and that’s okay. I’ve been in your shoes before and the thing I always kicked myself over after is that I didn’t use my time more productively. Next time you’re in a position like this (and I promise you, there will be a next time), give it a try for yourself for an hour and if you find yourself struggling draft a list of questions and ask them all in one go instead of drip feeding them to your supervisor. Of course you want to give the impression of independence and not needing to have your hand held, but there are times it is better to pester someone with a list of questions instead of wasting time doing things incorrectly. You did a great job asking that fellow trainee how to navigate Lexis Nexus - that kind of initiative is very useful. While being a trainee is partially knowing when to take a crack at it, a good part of it is also knowing when to ask for help . It’s a fine line (but god do I walk it hard!), but you’ll figure it out chin up - next week is another chance!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Terribly disappointed in myself - first week of my first VS, trainee buddy gave me research work on GDPR indemnity etc., I really struggled to understand the context (I'm non-law) and the questions per se (despite that I've asked and reiterated the questions back to my Buddy two times), only after a full day of research did I realise everything I'd done was completely irrelevant, started all over again, didn't know how to use LexisNexis and where to look at in a case so spent more time with another trainee to learn doing that, ended up sending my Buddy a rather poorly written work literally the last minute, wow. I did mess up real hard - honestly frustrated.
Guess the TC is no more; this is a good learning process for me (I now know Article 82 and 83 really well) but just extremely frustrated that I let her down.
I'm planning to work a little longer today just to review and update the note, and next week I'll catch up with her to ask for feedback and talk through my struggles - anyone other suggestions on how I can remedy/maximise learning from this train wreck?

Don't panic! Your work is not expected to be perfect or completely mistake free, nor is it expected to be client or partner ready.

All that is required is a good effort and decent commitment to the work. If you can demonstrate you have put something fairly considered together, and you then you can breathe easy. Also, your TC will not hang on a single piece of work - your team will take a clear, holistic overview of your entire time at the firm!

 

[TCApp2021]

For the written exercise, it's essentially an identify, explain and summarise task.

Timed at 75 mins, I was given 4 FT articles, asked to sum up the key points, identify any key issues and then offer some general advice to a fictional client. I think this is less about black letter law, but GR want to see if you can analyse, write concisely, in paragraphs, with good spelling and offer sensible advice. Use an executive summary, subheadings and make sure to write in a simple and clear way. If you have some, not overly complicated, legal knowledge - throw it in.

Hope that helps!

Thank you!

Do you have to identify, explain and summarise each article (treating each article separately); or do you read the articles together and then identify, explain, summarise?

 

[GXA123]

anyone heard anything recently from SH?

 

[neonviennetta]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons with regards to the summer Vacation scheme? I don’t understand why there’s been radio silence since March!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Thank you!

Do you have to identify, explain and summarise each article (treating each article separately); or do you read the articles together and then identify, explain, summarise?

No worries!

In my assessment, the articles were all interlinked. I offered a paragraph each on the combined issues, explanation, summary and final advice.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons with regards to the summer Vacation scheme? I don’t understand why there’s been radio silence since March!

I would not worry about the silence too much. They just ran their Spring scheme and they are super super busy. I am a future trainee and I'm expecting some documents and I've been waiting too, so I wouldn't take it as a bad sign or anything!

 

[TCApp2021]

No worries!

In my assessment, the articles were all interlinked. I offered a paragraph each on the combined issues, explanation, summary and final advice.

Thanks!

 

[neonviennetta]

I would not worry about the silence too much. They just ran their Spring scheme and they are super super busy. I am a future trainee and I'm expecting some documents and I've been waiting too, so I wouldn't take it as a bad sign or anything!

Thank you 🤞🏽

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I know this might not be relevant to the forum sorry for this.

A lot of my friends are applying for Legal Tech and Legal Operations roles at law firms like Slaughter and May, NRF, A&O and etc. I am thinking of going down the legal tech route but wanted to ask if I qualify in the legal tech route can I still in the future convert back to a solicitor or will I have to do the whole TC process again. Also, I am not talking about CC Ignite TC but am talking about legal tech and legal operations programmes.

What are your thoughts on this @Jaysen @Jessica Booker @AvniD @James Carrabino @George Maxwell

 

[naheed_ahmod]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons with regards to the summer Vacation scheme? I don’t understand why there’s been radio silence since March!

Hey, I interviewed with Dentons last summer. It took them a while, few months, to get back to me on all stages. I think its normal and you shouldn't worry at all.

 

[James Carrabino]

Just had my last VI of this cycle. I fully understand the benefits of video interviewing from the recruiter's point of view but I just do not think it is fair or possible to assess whether someone is a suitable candidate based off SIX minutes of them talking into a camera. One faulty answer and you are out of the running, whether you are good enough or not. Interested to know other people's thoughts / experiences of VI?

I never liked video interviews either, although I did come to realise that recruiters are more charitable than you think when watching them! This is to say that everyone finds them awful and it is easy to make mistakes, so it is definitely not the case that you are out of the running with one faulty answer! In fact, there were video interviews where I repeated myself and stuttered through multiple questions and then passed, whilst there were others where I thought I had aced them and did not pass.

I have actually written a post about my experience with what worked and what did not work with video interviews here. I do think that a good video interview is about showing who you are as a person and that your motivations are compelling, and giving a glimpse of your potential in the process. This is far more important than being extremely slick and confident in front of the camera! I hope this is helpful

 

[James Carrabino]

Finally received a White & Case vac scheme video interview invite, I applied on the 4th of January with the spring scheme as my first choice. Was very surprised that I hadn't been rejected yet.

White & Case Vac Scheme AC invite! If anyone has any advice (especially for the written assessment), I would be very grateful!

Congratulations - I guess they made up for the wait on the VI

 

[James Carrabino]

Can’t believe I’m finally saying this.. I just got off the phone with GR and after four cycles, I’ve finally got myself a training contract with a great international firm!

I cannot tell you how many times I have cried and wallowed in how disappointed I have been through all the rejections. I had been rejected at every stage in the process and each time it hurt more than the first. I felt demotivated that some people got 4+ vacation schemes in their first year and I had no such luck. Truly it had nothing to do with my potential, it was a mixture of learning, a whole lot of luck and waiting for the right moment for you.

This is so excellent to hear, congratulations!!!