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

[nae_omi]

I received a video interview invite yesterday and they said in the 'interest of everyone receiving a break over the holidays they won't be sending anything else until the 4th of January', I assume this will be the same for the initial application stage.

So I wouldn't assume anything at this stage.

Ohh okay, and congratulations on your video Interview!! that's amazing

 

[nae_omi]

I did not apply to Wilkie but I think that most of the GR teams are on the Christmas break, so we will hear back in the new year!

That's true, will keep an eye out! thank you

 

[AvniD]

Thank you @AvniD !! What are your top tips for making sure we apply commercial awareness to the case study questions. I need to make sure I answer in enough detail and I need to be able to think on my feet a bit more, so do you have any advice for this? Thanks!

Hey @OO28! My best tip would be to think about the implications of the case study for your client and how you can implement legal/commercial solutions to deal with them. For example, if the case study raises an issue about a client's employees leaving to join their competitors and the resulting loss of trade secrets, then the next logical step is to discuss using non-compete/non-solicitation clauses to help tackle this issue.

The more you read business news, the more you will be able to develop this skill. Every time you read business news, try to think of how a law firm would be engaged in a deal- would they be bringing in their litigation, M&A, property, competition etc. expertise? Which offices would be involved? What would be some challenges and opportunities for the firm?

My recommendations for business news sources that can help develop this skill efficiently are Financial Times, Watsons Daily and the TCLA Newsletter. I hope this helps! 😇

 

[AvniD]

For Baker McKenzie application one of the questions is to Select three key skills that you believe are critical to the role of a commercial lawyer. How have you developed these skills?

Those who were successful and got the Watson Glaser test invite did you talk about skills related to their values or did you just talk about skills in general relevant to a commercial solicitor. Thank you in advance for any advice.

Hi @Asil Ahmad! I'd approach this more generally, while keeping the firm's core competencies in mind to see if they align in any way. So what that would look like for me is to state the key skill ➡️ how do you know that this is a key skill for a commercial lawyer (event, research, conversation, webinar etc. that may have helped you learn this) ➡️ how have you developed this (a volunteering role, job, competition etc- whatever works to demonstrate this! I hope this helps?

 

[AvniD]

🎁🎅🎆Happy holidays everyone! ❄️☃️🎄

I hope you take this time to allow yourselves to have fun, reflect, be kind to yourselves for working so hard and relax- you absolutely deserve it.

I will be working through the holidays so please don't hesitate to tag me in your posts here on the forum if I can help you with your application journey in any way.
As always- you've got this! 💪

✨Take care and stay safe y'all! ✨​

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi @Asil Ahmad! I'd approach this more generally, while keeping the firm's core competencies in mind to see if they align in any way. So what that would look like for me is to state the key skill ➡️ how do you know that this is a key skill for a commercial lawyer (event, research, conversation, webinar etc. that may have helped you learn this) ➡️ how have you developed this (a volunteering role, job, competition etc- whatever works to demonstrate this! I hope this helps?

Thank you very much for this. This is really helpful and insightful really this.

 

[kmax301]

Hi, has anyone heard from Fieldfisher post the online test? 7 days have passed but I've received nothing.

Also, Merry Christmas!!!

 

[zthelawstudent]

Does anyone have any tips on the Weil AC and the CMS AC?
Also, has anyone done the first stage interview with Gibson Dunn/have any tips?

 

[GXA123]

Is Charles Russell Speechlys rolling?

 

[BM99]

Has anyone completed Mayer Brown's job simulation?

May I ask you sth about the job simulation? @OB I can't privately message you haha

 

[21wajsz]

Happy Holidays Everyone! The Davis Polk website states that "We will be accepting applications for our summer 2022 vacation scheme from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates". Does that mean that as a final year law undergraduate that I can't apply for it?

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Happy Holidays Everyone! The Davis Polk website states that "We will be accepting applications for our summer 2022 vacation scheme from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates". Does that mean that as a final year law undergraduate that I can't apply for it?

Not likely, many firms class final years as penultimate for some reason when referring to vacation schemes. Although, Davis Polk is a ‘white shoe’ firm and probably hires the majority of their candidates from Oxbridge so it could well be the case that only second year or postgrads may apply.

 

[Rob93]

Not likely, many firms class final years as penultimate for some reason when referring to vacation schemes. Although, Davis Polk is a ‘white shoe’ firm and probably hires the majority of their candidates from Oxbridge so it could well be the case that only second year or postgrads may apply.

I applied for Davis Polk whiledoing the GDL - didn't get anywhere with them, but I recall them not minding academic stage provided that you can start training in 2 years' time.

True that they do hire disproportionately from oxbridge, though I'd take that with a grain of salt given their intake is tiny so statistics end up being fairly extreme.

Also, as Paul Gascoyne has repeatedly mentioned regarding Shearman, which is also one of the classic white shoes, oxbridge candidates are disproportionately represented in the applicant pool as many self-select out of the process for some of the extremely elite US firms. You're not in it unless you're in it l, and I wouldn't get too hung up on past intake origin unis.

 

[AAA_a]

Applied to A&O in Sep, they could send PFO anytime in the past three months but so kindly they choose to send it on Christmas Day…😂

 

[Tcapplicant]

Applied to A&O in Sep, they could send PFO anytime in the past three months but so kindly they choose to send it on Christmas Day…😂

Just got mine! What kind of firm sends rejections on Christmas Day, absolutely savage. Surely Grad Rec aren’t working today 💀
Merry Christmas all. Hope you have a lovely day. ❤️

 

[James Carrabino]

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Take care of yourselves and put the successes and failures of the past few weeks out of your mind for a short time - relax with family and friends and make sure that you eat too much!

You all form such a wonderful community and it is our honour at TCLA to be able to help you where we can

 

[James Carrabino]

Applied to A&O in Sep, they could send PFO anytime in the past three months but so kindly they choose to send it on Christmas Day…😂

Just got mine! What kind of firm sends rejections on Christmas Day, absolutely savage. Surely Grad Rec aren’t working today 💀
Merry Christmas all. Hope you have a lovely day. ❤️

I am honestly so sorry to hear about this; that's really not appropriate on their part. It's not worth your time getting too disappointed over though, so make sure you both take time and enjoy a festive day!

We will be celebrating both of your successes in no time, I am sure

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Applied to A&O in Sep, they could send PFO anytime in the past three months but so kindly they choose to send it on Christmas Day…😂

They done this last year also.

 

[atrumregina1]

Merry Christmas to everyone who is going through this app cycle (first time or tenth time). 🎄🎄🎄 May all of us end up with a training contract by the end of this - and this is my wish for this year 😂

 

[John Doe]

SST invite from Fieldfisher! Does anyone know if it’s automatic?

Hi, sorry if you have been asked before. Is this for direct TC application?