TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[WiddyJ]

Anyone have insights regarding reed smith vi?

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

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.

Hi @Amma Usman , just bouncing off this thread- is there a similar thread on TCLA elsewhere that talks about emails and memos? Thank you very much!

 

[shays]

how do they look at it with the arctic shores tho? is there a benchmark? bc it is not like a regular test like SJT or WG, like idk but the personality analysis with arctic shores was buzzfeed quiz level so hopefully they consider it alongside the application?

 

[elsx]

Anyone who has done a Reed Smith AC before?

Congrats!! I have not done any before but was wondering if you could share the date you took your test /VI?

 

[bsh]

Anyone done the Latham AC - if so, how was it?

 

[XXXXX]

Congrats!! I have not done any before but was wondering if you could share the date you took your test /VI?

Thank you! Submitted my app mid December and completed my Blended Assessment yesterday

 

[jojo23]

I got a pfo from dentons in the middle of my reed smith vi .💀💀

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

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!

I think you can discuss the firm more broadly but I would encourage anyone to tailor it more to the London office where appropriately. For instance, you might identify a theme that is a strategy the firm takes across its network, but then find an example of how they deliver that specifically within London.

Thank you both, that is very helpful!

 

[crt1s]

Thank you! Submitted my app mid December and completed my Blended Assessment yesterday

Had you previously done a first year scheme with them?

 

[legaldruid]

Is anyone else getting a system error on BCLP's candidats page?

 

[Sam12]

at the end of the VI for forsters they said we will hear within a. month of the deadline- does this mean a month from the vac scheme app deadline so 6th feb or a month after the VI deadline so 20th feb?

AC’s start on the 17th so I imagine it will be the 6th. How did you find the VI?

 

[zbizzle]

Anyone else not received anything from Addleshaw Goddard since taking the critical thinking test? I took it early November

I took the test in early December and just received VI today

 

[cjwx]

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.

What firm is this and why would this be an issue? I’m genuinely asking? As long as you mentioned why that excites you I’m not sure what the problem would be. I know a lot of firms have international secondments but, many don’t and if you mention other things specific about the firm I’m sure that should be fine.

 

[DesperateForVac]

I got a pfo from dentons in the middle of my reed smith vi .💀💀

Was this after VI?

 

[SamiyaJ]

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

Sorry to hear this is this post application or post blended assessment?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Thank you! Submitted my app mid December and completed my Blended Assessment yesterday

Congrats! You must’ve smashed the test/interview to receive the invite the very next day. Do you mind sharing what your pillars were like? Best of luck!

 

[jojo23]

Was this after VI?

Lmao no, post application...
I wasn't shocked

 

[lawyerletsgo]

anyone who has done the WFW / watson farley vi --> is the commercial question based on legal industry challenges or more open ended like tell us about a news story?

 

[lawyersum]

What firm is this and why would this be an issue? I’m genuinely asking? As long as you mentioned why that excites you I’m not sure what the problem would be. I know a lot of firms have international secondments but, many don’t and if you mention other things specific about the firm I’m sure that should be fine.

sorry just to clear it up - i saw an earlier post on the forum from Jessica mentioning that we should focus on work the London does in our answers, so I just wondered whether that sentence would make my commitment to the London office of this firm seem a bit shaky/unserious - but I’m hoping like you said that the other parts of my answer make up for it.

 

[hawkins19]

Does anyone know any firms that are still open for Vac scheme applications and are not rolling?