TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman I was wondering if you have any hints and tips for a written exercise that entails writing an article. Thank you!

Hey @marisachr ,

I have never actually come across a written exercise that entails writing an article - most I‘ve seen involve writing an email or memo, in response to an article. However, I’ve come up with some general tips to help. These are more structure and formatting related, as they really do make all the difference.

First of all, ask yourself before writing… what is the question asking me to do? What is the broad focus of the article I am about to write? What are any specific elements I need to cover and do I (1) just weave them in because they don’t require much depth in the first place to make a strong point, or (2) do I have to expand in some more detail? This will help you focus on what is really important in the discussion.

Another thing is that articles have different structures to emails, memos, essays, and so on. This makes it very important for you to adhere to the formalities of this unique writing style. I have linked a good source here - https://medium.com/@nathanurmston/h...red-article-a-step-by-step-guide-f903f0a54906. However, feel free to go beyond this source based on the specific type of article you‘ve been asked to cover/info from the firm itself.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Jessica Booker, @Andrei Radu, @Amma Usman

I am applying to Paul Weiss and for the first question that asks "As a premier law firm, how do you think Paul, Weiss maintains its competitive advantage?", do you think I should focus just on the work of the London office or would it be good to include some of the work they do internationally and particularly in the US?

Hey @pleasepleaseplease ,

Yes, you can definitely go beyond the London office, but I still recommend touching on it in detail. This is because I presume the firm would want to know you are drawn to the office you’re applying to specifically.

Before answering questions like this, I usually made a map of the firm’s competitors as this helps narrow things down. In order to know how a firm maintains its competitive advantage, you need to first of all know its main competitors.

In terms of how a firm actually maintains its competitive advantage, I found it useful comparing its stance in the market (practice area-wise, for example) with those of other firms in the same band as it. Then, I subsequently researched those other firms too to see if the firm I was applying to had a unique offering that made it stand out, such as a niche offering within a practice area that other firms in the market may not be particularly engaged in. Just to flag here, there is no need to actually mention the firm’s competitors in answers, as one would run the risk of indirectly negatively touching on other firms. I had made a thread on this once, regarding how to identify a law firm‘s competitors, which I’ve linked here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/guide-to-identifying-a-law-firm’s-competitors.9422/

Hope this helps, and best of luck with the apps!

 

[elsx]

hey if anyone has done reed smith VI please message me

Hi, I did it a few weeks ago so I don't have very strong memories but from what I remember you had to be quite concise because they asked you one question with a few sub questions each time (if I am wrong anyone can correct me).

 

[yeezyee]

baker summer sjt!

 

[tea]

are ac invites usually given with 2 days notice? it would be nice to know a bit in advance!

 

[pepsicola96]

bakers test invite for summer!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

are ac invites usually given with 2 days notice?

I have one tomorrow and uni exams the two days after, it would be nice to know a bit in advance!

Wow that’s crazy which firm was this for! Normally I’ve had about 10 days!

 

[rwm]

RPC AC!

 

[EA95]

Baker Mckenzie PFO and also Discover Linklaters event PFO, all whilst I was attending an open day at another firm 😭

 

[lawyersum]

guys am i cooked if i mentioned one sentence about an international secondment opportunity to a certain office in a 'why this firm' question. I did still manage to mention two other points about the firm and my interaction with the London office.

 

[murm]

Kirkland & Ellis, to be expected from them I guess! Would be fine any other week tbf I just have so much going on already haha

When did you do VI?

 

[Gday33]

RPC AC!

Congrats! 🎉🎉 can I ask when did you submit your app/WG?

 

[tea]

When did you do VI?

10th! I expected to hear back a lot later tbh

 

[MissAnnaliseKeating]

Reed Smith PFO. I kind of saw it coming tbh.

 

[member7830]

anyone know roughly what's needed in artic shores to progress in nrf

 

[kokoprep]

Hi - has anyone done AC or recieved invite for Sidley Spring - Summer? It says they review on rolling

 

[Peppermint tea]

has Baker Mckenzie responded for summer yet?

Yeah. Just got invited to the SJT about 15 mins ago. Applied on the deadline

 

[TC129129]

Has anyone had a PFO from AG post VI?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

anyone know roughly what's needed in artic shores to progress in nrf

Basically you need to promise them your first born child.

 

[MissAnnaliseKeating]

Basically you need to promise them your first born child.

Ugh, my heart sank when I got the NRF email and saw it was an Arctic Shore assessment. They're the bane of my existence.