TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[LimitedLiabilityLover]

For Latham open day - do you have to do assessment before the deadline?

Before the deadline they give you in the confirmation email, but if this overruns the application deadline it is fine.

 

[lolasparks]

Hi, for Latham and Watkins open day, is it only one competency based question in the video interview or multiple?

 

[Amma Usman]

Burgess app asks which 3 practice areas you you would be most interested in spending time in the most. Should we link it to the firm's strength or work in these areas or just discuss why we are interested in these practice areas.

Hey @nliro85 , I suggest linking it to the firm’s work in the practices, but ensure you explain both your interest and the firm’s capabilities fully.

 

[wowcha]

Tell us about a challenge you have faced. What are the skills you used to overcome that challenge and how are they transferable to help you with a career as a lawyer

Is this question best answered in reference to a challenge in the pursuit of a career in law or can it be a challenge in another capacity, eg. in another role / in a personal capacity / throughout academic journey?

 

[Audric_T]

I found out I passed 2 days after completing the test. My report was ‘further exploration’ for all areas. Best of luck with applications!!

Thank you so much for your reply I did mine and got one strength the rest further exploration, hopefully they like my application to progress me to the next stage I wish you all the best for the next stages

 

[nliro85]

Hey @nliro85 , I suggest linking it to the firm’s work in the practices, but ensure you explain both your interest and the firm’s capabilities fully.

Thank you for this it is helpful. I was thinking of doing it but wanted to make sure I was answering the question.

 

[airyfairy123]

Before the deadline they give you in the confirmation email, but if this overruns the application deadline it is fine.

Hey, do you know what is asked in the VI?

 

[Izzy1026]

Where can we find the core values of Covington? I know they value collegiality, collaboration and public service. What else should I emphasise on?

 

[JacksonRJC]

Jones Day WVS offer post-AC yesterday 🤩

I have the AC coming up.

Any tips?

 

[Apple]

For writing a memo, if I'm trying to address multiple separate topics is it appropriate to use numbered bullet points in the executive summary to summarise each key topic. Also, when addressing each topic in depth is it appropriate to use numbered points again, or should I be writing in full prose?

Sorry for what is probably a dumb question, but I've looked online and I'm struggling to see a consistent approach that I can be confident in going into my AC.

 

[tdbaby]

Complete guess here, but by mentioning the woodworking, they will be much more likely to remember it. I recently went to an event with Vinson & Elkins, and they kept referring to one of their recent trainees who talked about cheesemaking in his application. Like, they kept referencing it, as it had clearly made an impression, and hey, he got hired.

just wanted to really echo this, been to HSF a couple of times and they have a similar question. And the answers that seemed to make most of an impression on the grad rec were the ones that people were just very clearly passionate about. They mentioned a couple of times that one of their trainees wrote about Taylor Swift.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

I'd take it as identifying what makes you uniquely suitable for the role, where you have showcased their values and things like that, and how you could apply your skills once hired. The two parts of the question really feed into one another imo

Basically, Why you and what attracts you to the firm. These are all variations of the same thing with minor twists that you have to look out for.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Where can we find the core values of Covington? I know they value collegiality, collaboration and public service. What else should I emphasise on?

In the intro to their brochure. Here: https://www.cov.com/-/media/files/corporate/brochures/london-recruiting-brochure.pdf. You should emphasise what resonates with you. Everyone has different life/ professional/educational experiences.

 

[Victor87]

Hey everyone, does anyone know if W&C only has one round of AC invites for the WVS? I fear I may have been PFOd after the VI ...
Otherwise wishing everyone a productive week filled with good news!

 

[Jenn-H]

Sidley offer! First ever application wow- i’m in shock. Thanks everyone and the TCLA team for all the help!

Hi- do you have any tips for how you went about preparing for the interview. What are some key things that you prepared and were there any questions that threw you? Thanks so much

 

[m12]

Does anyone have any insight on Simmons & Simons AC, what it involves, how best to prepare etc

heyy congrats!! how fast did you hear back after doing the VI if u dm me asking? thanks

 

[charlotte1704]

Anyone got any insight as to what the PWC test is? Is it just their firm-wide standard one or more like a WG/SJT?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Anyone got any insight as to what the PWC test is? Is it just their firm-wide standard one or more like a WG/SJT?

Both, there are two parts (numerical etc) & sjt

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Does anyone have any insight into what the Mills and Reeve test is? I.e is it just sjt or is it more? They’ve given no clues I can find

 

[Andrei Radu]

Is anyone else applying to Davis Polk’s Open Day or has attended their Open Day and is able to kindly provide insight, please?

Hi @studentdelaw786, I attended an Open Day at Davis Polk last year, subsequently completed a vacation scheme and then signed a TC with the firm. I would be glad to answer any of your more specific questions about Davis Polk, but just to share some general insights about the firm's unique selling points before that:

• Unrivalled UK, US and Global capital markets practice: one of the very few firms (probably only alongside Latham) with leading capital markets credentials on both the equity and debt side in all the major financial centers.
• Elite M&A London practice: Davis Polk's corporate practice punches significantly above its weight, as it has 3-5 times fewer practitioners than most rivals in recognized in the same Chambers band (White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Weil). This suggests an extremely high quality of practice, which is supported by the fact that in recent years Davis Polk has been ranked 1st or 2nd by The Lawyer when ranking the most efficient corporate teams in the City (and thus, constantly topping Revenue Per Lawyer and Revenue Per Partner metrics).
• Highly profitable white shoe firm entering a period of expansion: Normally focused on retaining high profitability (constantly ranking in the top 3 firms in the City by PEP), Davis Polk has not traditionally pursued an aggressive international expansion strategy. However, there are signs that the firm is entering a period of growth in London, as it has recently signed one of the co-heads of Paul Hastings' finance practice and one of A&O's senior private equity partners.
• Guaranteed international secondment opportunity for all trainees: depending on where they intend to qualify, they cand do a 6-months secondment in either New York or Brussels.

These insights are just some very short explanations based on the much more in-depth analysis I wrote for Davis Polk's firm profile. While law firm profiles are normally accessible only on a premium subscription, Davis Polk's profile can be accessed for free here.