TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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axelbeugre

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Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I don’t know the approach to take on these questions, but when you’re focusing on who a firm’s competitors are, is there a “right answer”?

For example, if I’m looking at White & Case’s competitors, would Norton Rose Fulbright be one due to its strength in projects and energy like W&C? Or would it better to just go with Latham, Clifford Chance etc with the capital market focus?

I don’t want to try and be “too clever” for my own good if that makes sense and end up tripping myself up!
I think it is all about perspective. It depends on how you look at it as lawyers would say. If you are focusing on capital markets, you would mention certain firms, if you are focusing on energy, ESG work, you would focus on other firms as competitors. The same goes for litigation or international arbitration, competitors of W&C in these sectors might be different than their capital markets one.

I personally do not think that there is a specific right answer to be honest, it depends on how you construct your argument. Depending on what you say and how you say it, every answer can be a really good answer as long as it makes sense. There are many firms in the industry so mentioning different varieties will not affect you negatively in my opinion!
 
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axelbeugre

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I would describe a typical memorandum as a brief *internal* communication from one person/party to another. It should be a concise summary of key points that can easily be understood.
As a very general suggestion…you can often structure something like this with an executive summary, a few clear paragraphs discussing each point in more detail, and a conclusion. There should be plenty of examples of this (including headings, formalities etc.) available online.

(I assume in the context of a written exercise that this is the sort of memo which you are referring to. It has a second meaning in contract law but I doubt that would come up in a written exercise.)
This is a very good answer and I was about to say the same exact thing! @Givemeatcplease
 

axelbeugre

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Givemeatcplease

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I would describe a typical memorandum as a brief *internal* communication from one person/party to another. It should be a concise summary of key points that can easily be understood.
As a very general suggestion…you can often structure something like this with an executive summary, a few clear paragraphs discussing each point in more detail, and a conclusion. There should be plenty of examples of this (including headings, formalities etc.) available online.

(I assume in the context of a written exercise that this is the sort of memo which you are referring to. It has a second meaning in contract law but I doubt that would come up in a written exercise.)
Thank you so much, thats very helpful!

With the executive summary, is that generally done in bullet point format?
 

laby201

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This is quite a pedantic question, but in written exercises, is it preferable to use “I” or “we” when giving advice to a client?

In my paralegal job, I’m always told to use “we” to represent the firm (e.g. “we would advise”) but I don’t know if this was more firm specific and it would be odd if I was referring to myself in the plural.

It’s probably not something that makes a difference but any thoughts @Jessica Booker?
 

AlexJ

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    This is quite a pedantic question, but in written exercises, is it preferable to use “I” or “we” when giving advice to a client?

    In my paralegal job, I’m always told to use “we” to represent the firm (e.g. “we would advise”) but I don’t know if this was more firm specific and it would be odd if I was referring to myself in the plural.

    It’s probably not something that makes a difference but any thoughts @Jessica Booker?
    This tends to depend on whether the letter is signed from an individual or on behalf of the firm
     
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