TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys. I have a kinda weird question, but I got invited to Reed Smith Open Day and HSF Open Day, which are on the same day. HSF starts at 10 am but finishes at 3.45 pm, whereas Reed Smith starts at 2 pm. Do you think it will be possible to leave HSF at 1.50 to get to Reed Smith or it would be a very bad thing to do? Would it be better just to choose one? However, which one is more useful you think?

You'd need more than 10 minutes to get between both firms - realistically I would leave 35 minutes as a minimum and even then that is pushing it (unless they are both virtual of course).

I think it would be better to choose one, but you could contact your second choice firm and see if you could either leave early/arrive late and if they say no, then make the choice.

 

[cjwx]

How many different work experiences did people write about for A&O I did 5 but all in a lot of detail.

 

[RonRod13]

Does anyone have any clue on how to answer Dechert's really odd question of "Dechert is frequently retained to work on the most challenging matters, and prides itself on its ability to deliver premium legal services and sound business judgment to its clients. In your opinion, other than the above, what are the three key reasons why our clients instruct us?"

I literally cannot think of any other reason why a business would choose to employ a law firm for any other purpose other than providing legal services, but we cant mention that in our response? Does Dechert sell cookies and cakes to their clients on the side or something? Idk, i'm completely at sea, would appreciate any sort of direction.

 

[SSR27]

HSF Open Day PFO… I thought my application was good as well. If I’m getting rejected at Open Day’s how am I going to get a VS 😳😳😳

omg did you receive an email to say you were unsuccessful? Ive still not received an email and honestly I feel like they have forgotten to reply to my application lol.

 

[saminoriya]

Did you receive an email I have still not received anything I'm assuming I was unsuccessful and they forgot to reply to my application lol

check your junk, because it went to my junk for some reason

 

[SSR27]

check your junk, because it went to my junk for some reason

omg mine did go in the junk never mind I got it but I dont think I can go because its going to be super expensive from manchester? Is anyone else from manchester?

 

[saminoriya]

Omg it will cost me over £250 to get there from train that is diabolical

maybe check flix bus, they are usually very cheap from manchester

 

[SSR27]

maybe check flix bus, they are usually very cheap from manchester

it is cheap, same on national express. I am going to have to leave at 3am oh my. But thank goodness for the cheap tickets thank you !!

 

[bollingdale]

Does anyone have any clue on how to answer Dechert's really odd question of "Dechert is frequently retained to work on the most challenging matters, and prides itself on its ability to deliver premium legal services and sound business judgment to its clients. In your opinion, other than the above, what are the three key reasons why our clients instruct us?"

I literally cannot think of any other reason why a business would choose to employ a law firm for any other purpose other than providing legal services, but we cant mention that in our response? Does Dechert sell cookies and cakes to their clients on the side or something? Idk, i'm completely at sea, would appreciate any sort of direction.

This is an opportunity to research the firm, they are selling themselves to the client, so there must be something obvious on their webpage (designed for clients) that covers this

first cover what we know

• Handling Challenging Matters
• Premium Legal Services
• Sound Business Judgment

ok so we can't mention these things, lets go to their landing page



Ok of these, innovation sticks out to me, the other two are less strong, because I don't think a client would particularly care about the company's diversity or probono work.

Let's see what else




Global stands out to me as a key-word here, so something about their international scope?
Now let's look at their 'about us' sort of page...


Ok so this feeds into the global point


what else...the history is something they flag also, its been around since 1875

So you have a selection
Innovation and global reach seem obvious, then maybe something about its reputation/history...this is technically distinct from its ability in law...so you could talk about this if you frame it correctly.
Might be safer to go with its probono and dei stuff though...yeah on reflection you could talk about this and look for research that clients actually care about it

e.g https://www.troutman.com/insights/what-clients-are-saying-about-dei.html

"Our clients recognize the value in working with and employing diverse individuals. Dan Pulka, Chief Client Care Officer at Troutman Pepper, has seen this firsthand. “Diverse teams have diverse viewpoints, which often lead to better results,” Dan said. “This is one of the many reasons clients are asking for more diverse teams to work on their matters – it makes good business sense.”

"As a starting point, many clients look to see whether their outside counsel are meeting DEI-related benchmarks, including certain DEI rankings issued by third-party organizations"


So i'd go with

global reach
Innovation
and DEI

 

[bollingdale]

omg mine did go in the junk never mind I got it but I dont think I can go because its going to be super expensive from manchester? Is anyone else from manchester?

I am lancashire, not even thinking about getting down there yet 💀

 

[RonRod13]

This is an opportunity to research the firm, they are selling themselves to the client, so there must be something obvious on their webpage (designed for clients) that covers this

first cover what we know

• Handling Challenging Matters
• Premium Legal Services
• Sound Business Judgment

ok so we can't mention these things, lets go to their landing page

View attachment 6245

Ok of these, innovation sticks out to me, the other two are less strong, because I don't think a client would particularly care about the company's diversity or probono work.

Let's see what else
View attachment 6246



Global stands out to me as a key-word here, so something about their international scope?
Now let's look at their 'about us' sort of page...


View attachment 6247 Ok so this feeds into the global point


what else...the history is something they flag also, its been around since 1875

So you have a selection
Innovation and global reach seem obvious, then maybe something about its reputation/history...this is technically distinct from its ability in law...so you could talk about this if you frame it correctly.
Might be safer to go with its probono and dei stuff though...yeah on reflection you could talk about this and look for research that clients actually care about it

e.g https://www.troutman.com/insights/what-clients-are-saying-about-dei.html

"Our clients recognize the value in working with and employing diverse individuals. Dan Pulka, Chief Client Care Officer at Troutman Pepper, has seen this firsthand. “Diverse teams have diverse viewpoints, which often lead to better results,” Dan said. “This is one of the many reasons clients are asking for more diverse teams to work on their matters – it makes good business sense.”

"As a starting point, many clients look to see whether their outside counsel are meeting DEI-related benchmarks, including certain DEI rankings issued by third-party organizations"


So i'd go with

global reach
Innovation
and DEI

Thank you so much, really helpful. Great point about the DEI in particular. Had no idea clients care about that!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

omg mine did go in the junk never mind I got it but I dont think I can go because its going to be super expensive from manchester? Is anyone else from manchester?

Think about travelling the day before and seeing if you can find a fairly affordable hotel in zones 3/4 (or even staying with friends if you have any in London) Travelling at peak times is ridiculous price wise, but off peak tends to be more affordable.

 

[bollingdale]

Thank you so much, really helpful. Great point about the DEI in particular. Had no idea clients care about that!!

These people spend a lot of money making sure their websites reflect them, my logic is go see what they want you to notice, act like a client, and dont assume something isn't worth mentioning, if its up there then there is probably a reason for it.

 

[elektrajenkov]

Thank you so much, really helpful. Great point about the DEI in particular. Had no idea clients care about that!!

To add onto the incredible points already made - we had to pitch to a client as a VS assessment and something we were asked about was how the firms DEI, sustainability, etc. aligns with the client's values (and so why the firm was a great fit beyond the legal ability), so definitely something being thought about more now! I also found it interesting that they consider how they pitch to a client sometimes too - all about fitting the client and their values and vibes beyond legal knowledge too

 

[wqueens8]

how much have people written for each work experience for A&O. I know they place a lot of emphasis on it, but the max word count is 600 per experience, with 15 experiences that would be 9000 words which is surely far too much?

 

[Jessica Booker]

how much have people written for each work experience for A&O. I know they place a lot of emphasis on it, but the max word count is 600 per experience, with 15 experiences that would be 9000 words which is surely far too much?

That is far too much. Some experiences may only need a few sentences (eg open days, short placements, basic roles with limited responsibilities), while others may need longer descriptions if they have been significant period of times or varied responsibilities.

I’d aim for a work experience section to be not much more than 3,000 words in total and for many people even less than that will be required.

 

[member7830]

That is far too much. Some experiences may only need a few sentences (eg open days, short placements, basic roles with limited responsibilities), while others may need longer descriptions if they have been significant period of times or varied responsibilities.

I’d aim for a work experience section to be not much more than 3,000 words in total and for many people even less than that will be required.

with this, are we recommended to put all open day type experiences in separately or can they be listed in one experience?

 

[sofffff123]

this may be very obvious but could someone please tell me whether we are supposed to include our extra- curricular activities within the work experience section for A&O WVS application form? For example, if I wrote for my university paper should I include that as a separate work experience?

Also, for forage virtual work experiences, should I include them under the work experience section as separate work experiences?

Thank you!!

 

[Tintin06]

HSF uses a psychometric test snd SJT for a *checks notes* Social Mobility Open Day. That doesn’t seem very socially mobile or open of them. It’s possible to get a VS and TC without passing these tests, and I’ve never got a VS that uses them. I’m ok with firms that don’t outsource their testing of candidates like that. Passed Latham SJT but didn’t get the VS. Am I just a moron?

 

[sofffff123]

this may be very obvious but could someone please tell me whether we are supposed to include our extra- curricular activities within the work experience section for A&O WVS application form? For example, if I wrote for my university paper should I include that as a separate work experience?

Also, for forage virtual work experiences, should I include them under the work experience section as separate work experiences?

Thank you!!

sorry also on this, should we mention any events we have attended that the firm put on in the work experience section to include those that are less formal? So not so much open days but maybe the recruiter insight events, or is that straying too far from ‘work experience’