TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Zaraa.x]

Hi @Zaraa.x

I think the key factor here is the quality of your application. If you’ve already reviewed it thoroughly and feel confident that it’s polished and ready to go, there’s no reason why you can’t submit it for the Spring deadline. While they do recruit on a rolling basis, submitting a strong application late in the cycle can still be competitive.

That said, if BCLP is one of your top choices, it might be worth considering the Summer deadline instead. This would give you more time to refine your answers. Their application questions are quite detailed, and longer answers can leave room for small errors. Taking a bit of extra time to review or having someone else read through your application could make a difference in ensuring it’s as error-free and compelling as possible.

Best of luck with the application and hope you hear back with good news regardless of when you intend to apply!

Hey @Ram Sabaratnam

Thank you for this perspective! I’ve spent quite a long time on my application and it’s gone through review stages with my mentor, so that’s why I’m a little scared to hand in, what I believe is a strong application, so late in the cycle to just be ‘rejected’ on the basis of being at full capacity! I think I will probably opt for the summer vac to give myself a fair chance.

 

[Amma Usman]

Reminder…

Christian Dior didn’t start Dior until 41

Sam Walton didn’t start Walmart until 44

Adolf Dassler didn’t start Adidas until 48

Colonel Sanders didn’t start KFC until 62

This is your reminder that it’s never too late to begin.

 

[aether]

Hi everyone,
For those invited to DLA Piper's AC, how long after receiving the 'benchmark met' email did you get the invite?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, I am applying to Addleshaw Goddard for the GCO training contract route. There is only one application question which is the same as the one on the traditional TC route. The questions i - "What attracts you to a career with Addleshaw Goddard?" - is it ok to list one of my main points being the GCO role itself and why I am drawn to it? Or am I trying to answer a different question if I do that? The character limit is tight (1500 words). It would feel weird to not talk about the GCO role and why I want do it.

Hiya @sibs23

I think it’s absolutely fine (and even important) to mention the GCO route, as it’s a key feature of the programme you’re applying for. Having taken a quick look at the description, I was particularly struck by the distinctive nature of the seats offered and the specific work carried out by the GCO.

That said, as @Jessica Booker pointed out, the distinctiveness of the GCO role shouldn’t be the sole focus of your answer, since the question is designed to assess your broader motivation for wanting to train at Addleshaw Goddard. I'd have a good think about a few things. For instance, you could start by considering whether there are any particular client mandates, sectors, or practice areas the firm is well-known for that align with your interests, as well as what aspects of the training, support, or working environment at Addleshaw Goddard appeal to you. Additionally, it might be worth thinking about how the GCO role might be connected to these other aspects of the firm. I think by weaving in your interest in the GCO route with these broader aspects, you’ll create a balanced answer that adequately addresses the question and showcases both your knowledge and motivations in relation to the firm.

 

[aether]

For people that done the DLA Piper VI, did you guys receive a confirmation email after submitting the VI ? And if so, how long after submitting the VI did you get a confirmation email ?

I didn’t hear back after completing the Video Interview until I got the email saying I met the benchmark. I did the interview on Friday and received the benchmark success email on Monday. I hope yours went well too!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Reminder…

Christian Dior didn’t start Dior until 41

Sam Walton didn’t start Walmart until 44

Adolf Dassler didn’t start Adidas until 48

Colonel Sanders didn’t start KFC until 62

This is your reminder that it’s never too late to begin.

And Ram Sabaratnam won't start his training contract until he is 35 (but in all seriousness, loved this @Amma Usman!!!!).

 

[Amma Usman]

And Ram Sabaratnam won't start his training contract until he is 35 (but in all seriousness, loved this @Amma Usman)!!!!

View attachment 6451

💪💪💪🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

When an application asks 'Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? 250 words' how do I answer this, is it just why commercial law or does it have to be specific? The next question is why Reed smith in particular, so I thought maybe being specific isn't entirely necessary?

Hiya @jojo23

Completely agree with @Andrei Radu here. There's no need to include your research or motivations for joining Reed Smith in your answer to this particular question. Instead, I would treat this as a standard motivational question about why you’re pursuing a career in commercial law.

Additionally, I'd just like to gently suggest that your answer should highlight reasons that really focus on commercial and corporate law. Thus try to avoid generic reasons that could easily to other professional services like consulting or finance. I think really distilling reasons that are particular to commercial law will allow your answer to demonstrate a level of nuance and strong understanding of this area of law and why it appeals to you. Best of luck with your application!

 

[Amma Usman]

When an application asks 'Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? 250 words' how do I answer this, is it just why commercial law or does it have to be specific? The next question is why Reed smith in particular, so I thought maybe being specific isn't entirely necessary?

Hey @jojo23 , the team has already shared great insights on this. I‘ve also quoted below a thread which includes examples of generic/non-generic responses to the why CL question;

Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[nodustollens]

Hi everyone,
For those invited to DLA Piper's AC, how long after receiving the 'benchmark met' email did you get the invite?

about 5 weeks

 

[aether]

about 5 weeks

Thank you so much!

 

[tomsmitg]

Cleary PFO post WG🥲

Hi sorry to hear this , was it for winter or summer ?

 

[Amma Usman]

Overall I have 11 or 12 jobs/voluntary roles I can put in the work experience section. Is it a case of the more the better so put all of them, or should I select only a few to not bore grarec? 😅

Hey @Parsorandini . Yes, I recommend choosing about 4-6 key experiences to include. These will be the ones which demonstrate the most transferrable skills to the role of a trainee solicitor. If you are keen on including the rest, then I advise weaving them into the application questions instead. Additionally, some experiences such as open days and forage experiences can be included under one work experience heading.

 

[Amma Usman]

hi @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

how would you go about answering this in an interview/app question?

"Imagine you have a lot of conflicting deadlines coming up, how would you prioritse and manage your time?"

Hey @Apyw ,

When answering a question like this, the key is to focus on the steps you’d take to organise yourself - I believe that’s what demonstrates your organisational skills. You could start by explaining that you’d assess the situation, listing out all the tasks and deadlines to get a clear picture.

Then, you could talk about how you’d prioritise, mentioning criteria like urgency, importance, or impact. After that, one could describe how they’d create a plan or schedule, making sure to emphasise time management strategies like breaking tasks into smaller steps and setting realistic deadlines.

Finally, I think it’s also important to mention how you’d stay adaptable and communicate proactively if things change or a deadline might be missed.

Another important point to include is knowing when to reach out for help. Employers appreciate candidates who show initiative but also recognise when collaboration or guidance is needed to ensure everything gets done to a high standard. You could mention that you’d seek support from a manager or team if necessary, showing that you’re resourceful and focused on delivering results.

 

[Amma Usman]

this has probably already been asked so please forgive me... i have secured a winter VS (yay!!) and am also applying to a handful of spring/summer schemes before it begins so that i have some security if i am unable to convert this one to a TC. how should i approach including the winter VS in my other applications - list it under work experience and then note in the description that it has not yet been completed? or is it better to leave it off entirely? thanks!

Hey @rvvacscheme , I remember @Jessica Booker advising once to include this in the motivational section, saying that you have been offered a scheme and looking forward to it.

 

[Amma Usman]

@Andrei Radu
Describe how you think the innovative developments taking place in the legal industry will change the role of a commercial lawyer at Dentons. Please outline your research and reference the sources you used to inform your opinion.

This is one of the application questions from the Dentons Application. How would you recommend structuring this answer? How many developments should we talk about and how should we reference the sources?

Hey @a1024 ,

I’ve quoted below a post I once made on this question, but @Andrei Radu will have additional thoughts on this.

Hey @-legal- ,

Thanks for the question!

Initially, I assumed “innovative developments” would mean focusing solely on technology, particularly AI. But as with any law firm application question, it’s essential to unpack the wording carefully. Here, “innovative developments” could encompass everything from the impacts of AI to the evolution of legal services and shifting client needs. Off the top of my head, here are a few innovative developments shaping commercial law at firms like Dentons:


1. AI and Automation: This is a major development that’s reshaping the way lawyers work. While many candidates might mention AI, it’s important not to over-focus on it but to recognize its broader impact. AI tools streamline routine tasks, particularly in contract review, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value work. Dentons’ recent release of an AI-powered contract review bot is a perfect example of this innovation in action. Tools like ThoughtRiver and Kira are also widely used across firms to quickly sift through volumes of contracts and flag risks, which is an area Dentons has invested in heavily. Such advancements let commercial lawyers dedicate more time to client-facing, strategic work, ultimately contributing to long-term revenue growth. See the [full article on Dentons’ AI bot](https://www.dentons.com/en/about-de...s-launches-ai-powered-contract-automation-bot) for more on this.


2. Sector-Specific Client Expansion: An interesting development is the shift in client focus, especially with private equity houses investing in sectors like retail and healthcare. This has significant implications for commercial lawyers, as it requires them to gain in-depth knowledge of these specific industries, adapting to a range of new challenges and regulatory frameworks. For instance, advising on compliance or intellectual property in the healthcare sector demands specialized expertise that wasn’t as central for commercial lawyers before. As firms like Dentons expand their client base across these sectors, commercial lawyers are expected to develop an increasingly broad set of skills and become well-versed in emerging industries.


3. Alternative Legal Services and Flexible Delivery Models: Another innovative trend in the legal industry is the shift toward alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) and flexible delivery models. Dentons’ own Nextlaw Labs, an innovation hub, exemplifies this shift, as it allows Dentons to explore new service models and leverage technology to provide more efficient, cost-effective solutions. This means that rather than handling high-volume, low-complexity work directly, commercial lawyers at Dentons might collaborate with ALSPs or tech-driven platforms to provide faster, more scalable solutions. This model is gaining traction as clients seek more agile and affordable options, transforming the lawyer’s role from direct service provider to strategic overseer of tech-enabled solutions.


4. Data Analytics and Predictive Insights: The use of data analytics is becoming another critical tool in the commercial lawyer’s toolkit. AI-driven platforms such as Luminance and Kira use machine learning to perform tasks like due diligence, risk assessment, and document review with incredible speed and accuracy. By using these tools, commercial lawyers can draw predictive insights from past data to assess contract risks or likely litigation outcomes, for instance. Dentons could see this technology enhancing decision-making, allowing lawyers to provide clients with data-backed strategies and solutions more quickly and with greater precision than ever before.


So its clear that each of these developments are redefining the role of commercial lawyers at Dentons. It’s no longer just about delivering legal advice; it’s about adapting to a rapidly evolving landscape of client demands, leveraging new technologies, and providing industry-specific insights across diverse sectors.


In terms of structure, adopting a paragraph for each point and hitting the nail on the head, addressing each of the points the question asks, will be a great starting points. Also ensure to reference any sources as the question also wants to dig out your research skills.


Hope you found this useful!

 

[Amma Usman]

For the Farrer & Co application question where its asking about our legal work exposure, should we list all of the experiences that apply or pick a few to discuss in detail?

Hey @nlntc , for questions like this, I believe less is more. Focus on a few key experiences and expand on them in depth. This will enable you to take your answer to level two or three, by linking past legal exposure to..say.. the firm’s practices or key sectors of business that you’re drawn to exploring from a legal standpoint.

 

[Amma Usman]

I accidentally said the same thing twice when describing one of my work experiences in an application.. am I screwed?

Hey @far, it has actually happened to me twice and I was able to get to the next stage! Mistakes like this happen but nothing too much to worry about I guess. Although, it’s also worth noting that this differs between firms.

 

[legallybrunette8]

Does anyone know if Hill Dickinson sponsors international students?

This is from the application form- "Please be aware that we are unable to employ you unless you have the right to work in the UK or the location to which you are applying at the date the role commences and for the duration of the contract".

@Jessica Booker

hey! im an international student who had an AC with them this summer and have asked this several times to clarify and each time ive been told that they sponsor visas, but not for training contracts. so even though you might still be able to apply to the firm, theyll be unable to sponsor TCs but probably yes for other PQE roles

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey @rvvacscheme , I remember @Jessica Booker advising once to include this in the motivational section, saying that you have been offered a scheme and looking forward to it.

The alternative is also to include it in an "additional information" section if there is one.