TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

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In determining what region a firm should choose to open an office in, I would focus on the following aspects:

1. Projected growth: Which regions in the world are projected to see significant growth in their legal markets? Here, there's many that come to mind, such as Singapore, Brussels, Sao Paolo, Boston, and Texas. You can research further research this topic to determine what regions are likely to see the most growth and which regions have the highest potential legal fees.
2. Practice area and sector expertise: In which regions in the world would the firm's most well-known practices have the most demand? If your firm is transactional-focused Singapore might make sense, whereas if the the firm does a lot of competition/competition litigation work, Brussels might be the better choice.
3. Client base and complimenting existing services: In which regions of the world do the firm's existing clients have (or will have) the most extensive operations? This is relevant in that it will be markedly easier for the firm to win mandates in a new jurisdiction from an existing client rather than winning entirely new clients. For instance, many commentators think Paul, Weiss has chosen to expand so aggressively in the City because one the firm would then be able to work on the many London-centered mandates of Apollo, one of its core PE clients.
4. Existing legal market conditions: A relevant factor for consideration is also how difficult it will be for the firm to establish itself as a serious player in a new region. Establishing an elite office in New York might be substantially more difficult than doing so in Sao Paolo, as seen by the struggles the Magic Circle firms have faced there.
5. Firm strategy and current network of offices: Does the firm prioritize growth or retaining profitability? What is its current geographical reach, and what is its general international expansion strategy? A firm like Sullivan & Cromwell will normally focus on the highly-profitable legal markets in developed economies, while a firm such as DLA Piper will have to ensure coverage of developing economies as well.

Thank you so much for your advice, this is very comprehensive and helpful. I will definitely be thinking about these factors whilst working on this question.

 

[thelawstudent2000]

White & Case AC 🥳( tbh it’s just an interview and written excersize but I’ve been hearing people call it an AC) . Any tips would be VERY appreciated. Thanks in advance xx

 

[tcla02]

Does anyone know which law firms fast-track you to AC for vac scheme if you have attended an open day ?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Thank you so much and for all your responses in general- they have been BEYOND helpful!

Thank you for the kind words, it really means a lot to me 😊!!

 

[lilymawe1]

I think they got telephone interview invite post wg. If you don't mind me asking when did you take the wg? thanks.

Ahh thanks for letting me know, just anticipating rejection atp. I only took wg a week ago, so wasn’t sure when to expect a response really.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone know which law firms fast-track you to AC for vac scheme if you have attended an open day ?

The only firm I know that does this is Linklaters, but there may be others - maybe @Jessica Booker can tell you more. I also know that in the last cycle Latham reviewed applications from open day attendees separately from normal VS applications, but they did not guarantee an AC.

 

[lilymawe1]

I would not be too worried about this. The very nature of these tests necessitates there will be one area that is classified as a 'weakness' - that tells you nothing about how close you are to the firm's desired personality profile. If anything, I am tempted to speculate that if there was one area where scoring lower would likely be less relevant, it would be leadership. In the day to day life of a trainee (and even a junior associate), leadership does not comparatively play a big role, as you will normally have tasks assigned by more senior practitioners and have very limited (if any) of your own supervisory responsibilities.

Thank you so much for your insight on this, you have really helped me reframe my thoughts, I appreciate it!

 

[Andrei Radu]

In no more than 850 words, tell us all about who you are. As part of your personal statement you should demonstrate that you have the potential to be a great trainee. We also want to know why you want to work at Freshfields and what excites you about a career in commercial law. You may wish to mention any positions of responsibility held at university, as well as work experience or employment, achievements, interests and personal qualities you think are relevant.

hey does anyone have any tips on how to structure the personal statement for freshfields?

I don't think there is a right and wrong approach to structure as long as you cover everything you are asked for and as long as it is clear and easy to follow. However, the structure I would implement would be this:

1. Why commercial law: in around 250-300 words, I would explain the substantive reasons why I am attracted to both law and business, and would seek to include the experiences that best illustrate them.
2. Why Freshfields: in around 300 words, I would focus on two or three unique selling points of the firm and link those to my motivations and experiences.
3. Why you: in around 250 words, I would focus on two or three experiences/achievements which I would describe using the STAR structure. I would at the end make sure to link the experiences/achievements with skills/attributes that show your potential to be a great trainee.

 

[Andrei Radu]

If a firm's open day question asks you what you want to learn from the open day but is just 100 words, is it best to purely focus on things I want to learn about the firm or can I say why briefly why I am interested in a practice area I want to learn about?

I think if you can also explain the reason behind your interest in learning about an aspect of the firm, it should make your answer more persuasive. However, I think you should try to mention at least two aspects that you want to learn about, so I would advise you to keep the explanation as short as possible.

 

[BillSikes]

I got 90% percentile last year and they didn't progress me to AC so they definitely emphasise the Capp more haha

I got 97 and was rejected lol

 

[Tcvspfo]

Anyone know if it is worth doing SAR for NRF and how long does the process take. I reached their AC in previous cycles so was just shocked I did not make their VI at least this cycle.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I have got an open day for HSF and Dechert.

What kind of questions do I ask whilst networking.

I understand this will not be assessed but I assume the way you interact with those at the firm will be observed to an extent.

Should I do my research on the firm prior even though they will give us background when there.

Do they see us as strong candidates as we were selected or do they invite anyone.

@Jessica Booker and @Andrei Radu your wise words would be gratefully appreciated.

Hey @IneedaTCASAP and first of all congratulations on the open day invites! You have been selected after a competitive application process and this does mean that the firm sees you as a strong candidate.

I completely agree with @Jessica Booker's response: focus on what actually interests you - this is what more likely than not you will want to mention in a VS application. Also, as has been suggested before, avoid humble bragging and conversations meant to impress, as it is virtually certain that this will not play any part in increasing your VS progression chances. Recruiters do not take notes to remember candidates that asked a "smart" question, and it is more likely you will actually achieve the opposite of the desired effect.

Just to add some of my own pieces of advice as to what you can ask:

• Ask questions around your 'why the firm' motivations and seek to gain an insight that can further differentiate the firm from competitors. For instance, say you mentioned the firm's strong corporate M&A team as a reason. You could ask further questions about that such as: where does the firm see itself in the M&A market when compared to MC and US competitors? who are the firm's biggest corporate clients? are there any types of deals or sectors that the firm has particularly strong expertise in? how much has the corporate team grown in the last decade? what is the strategic direction for the firm's corporate department in the next few years?
• Ask for personal anecdotes, which include questions such as: could you tell me about a time you have felt particularly well supported by the firm or your colleagues? could you tell me of a highlight of your time at the firm so far? what is the most interesting matter you have worked on? etc. Knowing these stories will be particularly helpful especially if you discuss less tangible aspects (such as culture or training) as part of your why the firm answer.
• Know your audience: you want to tailor your question to the person you are speaking with. Training/culture-related questions are great for trainees and junior associates, while strategy-related questions are great for partners. Moreover, try to take into account the practice areas of the different lawyers, as you want to avoid asking a disputes partner about the firm's M&A client base.

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone knows if Pinsent Masons recruit from VS mostly?

They do as most firms do. I have asked for their % split between hiring from VS/direct TC but received no response unfortunately.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Did anyone attend this event? Discover Addleshaw Goddard (our four part series) - Mastering the application process

If you did, could you please DM me. I'd greatly appreciate it. Happy to discuss other firms I have knowledge of.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Sidley Ethinic Minority Open Day🙏🏽!

 

[l789]

Sidley Ethinic Minority Open Day🙏🏽!

Ooooh congrats!

I heard through SEO London that Sidley are big on firm interaction when it comes to applying for their vac scheme.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Hey @IneedaTCASAP and first of all congratulations on the open day invites! You have been selected after a competitive application process and this does mean that the firm sees you as a strong candidate.

I completely agree with @Jessica Booker's response: focus on what actually interests you - this is what more likely than not you will want to mention in a VS application. Also, as has been suggested before, avoid humble bragging and conversations meant to impress, as it is virtually certain that this will not play any part in increasing your VS progression chances. Recruiters do not take notes to remember candidates that asked a "smart" question, and it is more likely you will actually achieve the opposite of the desired effect.

Just to add some of my own pieces of advice as to what you can ask:

• Ask questions around your 'why the firm' motivations and seek to gain an insight that can further differentiate the firm from competitors. For instance, say you mentioned the firm's strong corporate M&A team as a reason. You could ask further questions about that such as: where does the firm see itself in the M&A market when compared to MC and US competitors? who are the firm's biggest corporate clients? are there any types of deals or sectors that the firm has particularly strong expertise in? how much has the corporate team grown in the last decade? what is the strategic direction for the firm's corporate department in the next few years?
• Ask for personal anecdotes, which include questions such as: could you tell me about a time you have felt particularly well supported by the firm or your colleagues? could you tell me of a highlight of your time at the firm so far? what is the most interesting matter you have worked on? etc. Knowing these stories will be particularly helpful especially if you discuss less tangible aspects (such as culture or training) as part of your why the firm answer.
• Know your audience: you want to tailor your question to the person you are speaking with. Training/culture-related questions are great for trainees and junior associates, while strategy-related questions are great for partners. Moreover, try to take into account the practice areas of the different lawyers, as you want to avoid asking a disputes partner about the firm's M&A client base.

Thank you this is very detailed and highly appreciated.

I spoke to a partner as I liked their work and we spoke for about 15 minutes I was being myself and made jokes. I felt soo comfortable at the firm. A trainee came joined our conversation stating they’re a recruitment partner. I felt like an idiot as I didn’t know this and they interview people for TC’s. I asked many questions before this and held intense eye contact. I enjoyed the way they spoke about the firm. However I can’t get over not being more professional when speaking to them. They were drinking a beer but still I could’ve come across more intellectual rather than friendly.

 

[Simi.O]

I made quite a few applications this cycle. Within the first week, I got a PFO from Jones Day and thought, here we go again... But then I said PFO to Jones Day and kept going. Today, I received W&C and HSF AC invites!!! Don't let the rejections get to you; feel it momentarily, but let it light that fire to do more applications. Wish me luck and good luck to all of you!

Could you please share what your video interview questions were like

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Anyone been rejected by W&C post-app (WVS)?

Give this a thumbs please if so.

Feels like they are ghosting me, and I don't believe I am the only one.

@NJS - thumbs down for PFO or yet to hear back?

@SamiyaJ - red cross for PFO or yet to hear back?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Thank you this is very detailed and highly appreciated.

I spoke to a partner as I liked their work and we spoke for about 15 minutes I was being myself and made jokes. I felt soo comfortable at the firm. A trainee came joined our conversation stating they’re a recruitment partner. I felt like an idiot as I didn’t know this and they interview people for TC’s. I asked many questions before this and held intense eye contact. I enjoyed the way they spoke about the firm. However I can’t get over not being more professional when speaking to them. They were drinking a beer but still I could’ve come across more intellectual rather than friendly.

I would not worry about this. To the extent that these interactions will matter at all at the interview stage (which is quite unlikely), I think it will actually be very helpful to have shown that you can establish more informal relations with people at the firm.

At many networking events and especially in my vacation schemes, I think students were generally erring by being too focused on having an exaggerated "professional" attitude. In many of these moments lawyers at the firm were looking to just unwind and relax a bit after long periods of work, so there was a mismatch of attitudes and expectations. Almost invariably, the students who were willing to discuss a mix of work and non-work related subjects, and more importantly, who did so in a relaxed manner, were the ones who left a better impression. As such, the always serious students would generally not fit in and most of them did not convert to a TC. This makes sense, because firms want to build cohesive teams, and for that you need people who can connect with each other beyond a merely formal relationship.

All that is to say, you should definitely not be upset at yourself for not coming across as more 'intellectual'. If anything, attempting to do so could have made people at the firm think you are taking yourself too seriously, which is not a very appreciated trait.