TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

AI: lots of firms are collaborating with tech companies to create their own AI tools to help clients & the new EU AI law that’s coming out. Data privacy/cybersecurity in the context of AI is also worth reading into.

Expansion: some firms are looking to open new offices across the globe and it may be worth researching where would be best for the firm you’re applying to. You can bring in commercial knowledge here through your research.

D&I: not sure if you’ve seen the discourse on this forum about diversity but firms are talking about it more so it would be worth looking into as well. Particularly their own individual initiatives and having an answer as to why diversity is important in the legal profession.

Would also be worth knowing who that firm’s competitors are, what their client offering is and why the firm you have applied to is “better”.

Other topics: Israel/Hamas, the transition from private equity to private credit, energy/natural resources & ESG, understanding the business cycle, how an M&A transaction works etc.

Everything I’ve mentioned is based on my experience at ACs, interviews and on my applications!

Great points added here @aspiringlawyer47 thanks for sharing, these are really good!

 

[BrunoLevi]

my bro I applied 28th December and they just invited me last Friday I really wouldn't stress

that's humbling I applied on 19th December and still haven't heard back.

 

[Zaidoz10]

So are Simmons ME just not gonna get back to applicants? I was told I would hear back soon in November .

 

[axelbeugre]

Hogan Lovells rejection post-AC😭 I don’t know what’s wrong with me
Despite my best efforts, it seems like I consistently struggle to advance past this particular stage in the recruitment process. Every time, I go in feeling prepared and come out thinking I've done okay, only to be met with disappointment.
I can't help but feel a bit lost as to how I can improve or what it is that I'm missing.

I am so sorry for this @bella98, this is very relatable for a lot of people especially this application cycle and I think it is important to reflect on your experiences and what you have learned from those rejections. Additionally, asking for feedback and try to understand it will be very beneficial to comprehend how you come across. Sometimes our perception of how an interview goes might not be the reality and it is totally fine. I think that where you show growth and perseverance is in trying to work on ameliorating yourself and take in the feedback given.

I am sorry for the situation you are now but as cliché as it sounds, rejections are redirections and I am a firm believer in that and so it might be that your law firm is still out there waiting for you. Keep working really hard and have your goals in your mind and you will see that everything will work out in the end.

Good luck with the process!

 

[axelbeugre]

Gowling Vac Scheme Offer 🥳😭

Congratulations! This is such an amazing news, you should be so proud of yourself!

 

[axelbeugre]

If I withdrew my application from a first-years scheme at a firm, will this be a disadvantage for when I apply to their vac scheme next year?

@Jessica Booker

I personally do not think this will be the case. I would just be very appreciative of the opportunity and express your interest in the firm and that you would like to apply again.

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I am submitting an application to a firm's Dubai office for their placement scheme. On the website it says the firm pays for accommodation for those not resident in Dubai. So I am assuming that they also sponsor the visa (for internship) given they are clearly accepting applications from non-residents? Do you think it's worth still getting in touch and asking. The firm's not been super responsive and the deadline is nearing so I don't know if it's best waiting for a response before starting writing my application. Thank you!

I would email to confirm this because offering to provide accommodation does not mean being able to sponsor visas. For instance, I have done a vacation scheme last year and the firm was providing accommodation for the people outside of London but did not sponsor visas (and I was an international student so I did ask this beforehand). I would email and get confirmation from them.

 

[axelbeugre]

Latham & Watkins Summer VS if anyone wants to connect!

Congratulations! Massive achievement!

 

[axelbeugre]

When talking a firm deal that interests me, must the deal be involved in the practice area that the firm is really strong in? Or is it sufficient that it interested me?

Pick something that you genuinely can talk about for a long time and that you would not mind be asked questions on. Ideally, since you applied to the firm, you should be interested in what they work on but that does not have to be directly linked in any capacity.

 

[axelbeugre]

Offer from Birketts!

I havent been posting here for a while but oh my what a slog the TC and VS processes have been post graduation!

I'm just about to move from a high street paralegal role into a National/City firm and now I'm over the moon with the offer from Birketts.

Congratulations!!

 

[lawgurl90]

Hi! Does anyone know if Macfarlanes sends any material before their AC?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I would email to confirm this because offering to provide accommodation does not mean being able to sponsor visas. For instance, I have done a vacation scheme last year and the firm was providing accommodation for the people outside of London but did not sponsor visas (and I was an international student so I did ask this beforehand). I would email and get confirmation from them.

Can I ask what you did about the visa situation? Thank you, Axel!

 

[Cheeseman123]

Latham & Watkins Summer VS if anyone wants to connect!

When'd u do your AC! I did an AC with Latham too

 

[ellabasing]

Does anyone have any tips on the Stephenson Harwood application question that asks for a summary of an article on the sustainability of yachting? Should it be broken down into different sections with bullet points or just in simple paragraphs?

 

[ThorSK]

Does anyone have any tips on the Stephenson Harwood application question that asks for a summary of an article on the sustainability of yachting? Should it be broken down into different sections with bullet points or just in simple paragraphs?

I had an interview with TLT not too long ago and my interviewer said that when summarizing you need to look at who you client is, and act accordingly.

I.e. a senior director may not have time to hear a massive summary, so sum up the article in a sentence or two, then break down the key points, and then offer them to contact you for further queries. (That is just my opinion, could be the wrong approach).

 

[OliviaPope]

Anything from CRS post VI?

 

[Law134214]

Has anyone heard back from Milbank for their summer vac scheme post-AC?

 

[Lola333]

Does anyone have any insights on Kirkland final interview / 'insight day'? Got mine next week and not sure what to expect

 

[J53]

Does anyone have any tips on the Stephenson Harwood application question that asks for a summary of an article on the sustainability of yachting? Should it be broken down into different sections with bullet points or just in simple paragraphs?

It's quite annoying in that it doesn't specify who exactly the client is, I broke it down into mainly prose and then bullet points for stats.

 

[Maryem1998!]

Has anyone received the shoosmiths feedback report. What was everyone’s strength and weaknesses? I got open connector as my weakness and considering it’s one of their top values, not sure I’ll be getting the good news from them anytime soon