TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[chrisbrown]

Best of luck! Thanks for the advice!!!

Thank you and likewise!! No problem! 🙂🙂

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

I have an AC coming up with a Magic Circle firm, and was wondering how I should go about be able to explain the difference between each firm? I have done research on the various departments they lead in and some other elements such as diversity initiatives, global strategies, etc, but was wondering if there was usually specific elements interviewers want to see?

Interviewers at Magic Circle firms will be well aware of the fact that the firms in the group have a lot in common and that most of the differences will be marginal. However, I think each of them has certain points of pride which it would perhaps be well to mention in an interview - ie. Slaughter and May arguably has an edge in public M&A and with UK corporates generally; Clifford Chance has an edge in PE and finance; Freshfields is arguably leading the race in establishing an elite New York presence and becoming part of the 'international elite' etc. Nonetheless, these selling points do tend fall within the scope of the elements you mentioned; the main differentiators being a slightly superior reputation in one or two practice area/sector or a difference in global strategy resulting in an edge in certain jurisdictions.

 

[vstchunter]

I remember seeing a post about how many ppl Kirkland invite to VI/ACs etc, but cant find it. Can anyone share/link to it? Ty

 

[sameers1603]

It seems like Kirkland have already given out their AC invites from what im seeing on this thread. Such a shame because i attended their open day and did their VI. Oh well....

 

[Andrei Radu]

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?

I definitely think you should consider writing about the firm globally and as a whole, as their serious presence in London has just been established and thus there will not be much historical work you can reference. Moreover, I think this question is inviting you to discuss Paul, Weiss' broader strategy as a firm and how the London expansion features into it. Thus, I think it would make for a more insightful analysis if you also mentioned its origins as a white show litigation specialist who has already undergone a revolution post-2008 by heavily investing into becoming a leading player in transactional sphere as well. Since this transformation has been widely recognized as a remarkable success, that could fit well within a broader narrative about Paul, Weiss' entrepreneurial edge. On that point, for a more detailed analysis of the firm's history, strategy, and expansions, take a look at the Paul, Weiss profile I wrote during the summer.

 

[Jessica Booker]

can i abbreviate squire patton boggs to squire or SPB? the word count is tight so want to save as much space as possible

SPB is okay if you shorten it after the first instance.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worth mentioning a firms 96% retention rate as way to suggest they invest in their trainees and foster an environment where trainees want to stay on board? I’m not sure if that is too generic.

I would just check the firm has historically high retention rates and that this was not an anomaly. You can then reference the retention rates generally rather than one specific intake.

 

[Anonymousxyz]

did you complete the law online assessment- can you please dm me insights

Hi I'm not sure what that is- no I haven't completed it

 

[chrisbrown]

I definitely think you should consider writing about the firm globally and as a whole, as their serious presence in London has just been established and thus there will not be much historical work you can reference. Moreover, I think this question is inviting you to discuss Paul, Weiss' broader strategy as a firm and how the London expansion features into it. Thus, I think it would make for a more insightful analysis if you also mentioned its origins as a white show litigation specialist who has already undergone a revolution post-2008 by heavily investing into becoming a leading player in transactional sphere as well. Since this transformation has been widely recognized as a remarkable success, that could fit well within a broader narrative about Paul, Weiss' entrepreneurial edge. On that point, for a more detailed analysis of the firm's history, strategy, and expansions, take a look at the Paul, Weiss profile I wrote during the summer.

Wish I saw this before submitting my application. 💀😂

Oh well guess I will just have to firm this L. 🥲🥲

 

[dm_corporate]

It seems like Kirkland have already given out their AC invites from what im seeing on this thread. Such a shame because i attended their open day and did their VI. Oh well....

Only one person on this thread has said they have an AC. Don't lose hope.

 

[chrisbrown]

It seems like Kirkland have already given out their AC invites from what im seeing on this thread. Such a shame because i attended their open day and did their VI. Oh well....

Don’t count yourself out that fast!! 🙂

Have some faith in yourself and don’t lose hope just yet!! 🫡

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi, im currently working on an application and one of the questions is as follows:
'In a recent survey, our clients scored us higher for collaboration and enterprising solutions than any other law firm they’ve used. To achieve this, our lawyers have needed to demonstrate more than just legal expertise. In your opinion, aside from technical legal knowledge, what else is fundamental to helping our clients achieve their objectives?'

How would you approach it? Especially as they specify aside legal expertise? any ideas would be really helpful, thank you so much. @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker

I think one of your main areas of focus should be commercial understanding, which should exist at a number of levels. First, to enable their clients to reach their objectives, lawyers need to know what those objectives are - and not just at a superficial level. To reach optimal results even when faced with roadblocks, they need to understand the deeper rationale for a client's particular request, for which they also need to understand the inner workings of the client's business. Secondly, to provide the best service lawyers will need not only to know a lot about their clients, but will also need to understand the industry they operate it. This way, not only can they better represent clients in particular matters in which competitors also have a stake in (of which there will be many) but also can aim to become true strategic advisors, who can look ahead for the client's best interest beyond the details of the matter they are currently working on.

 

[pepsicola96]

Congrats, did you get this after completing the Law Online Assessment? And if so, can you let me know what that is like?

did you complete the law online assessment- can you please dm me insights

wait, I've just checked the application process page and I swear that wasn't there before, or am I just blind? 💀

I though Freshfields was just personal statement -> watson glaser -> assessment centre?

edit: nvm I've just realised this is just for direct training contract

 

[Andrei Radu]

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!

Hi @marisachr I have recently written a post on the same issue, I hope you find it useful:

I have not had any personal experience with this particular type of written assessment method, but I think it is quite likely the firm is looking to assess the same key competencies: time-management and resilience under pressure, ability to identify and summarize key issues in large bodies of text, use of formal language, commercial awareness and problem solving skills. As such, I do not think your preparation for this type of written assessment format should be very different from your preparation for an exercise with a more common format.

The only things I can think of that you may want to consider as altering in your preparation are the following:

• Broader scope: An article will normally treat a broader topic and will aim to be more comprehensive than an email relating to a particular task. As such, when preparing I would look for written exercises asking me to summarize/comment on a wider set of issues. However, a corollary of that may be that you are not expected to go into as much depth in any of the particular issues.
• Length: Because of the broader scope, an article may generally be longer than an email.
• Impersonal and objective tone: As opposed to an email, which will relate to a particular issue a client cares about, an article is generally supposed to be more objective and impartial. You may therefore have to consider the perspective of stakeholders other than the firm's clients and to avoid the temptation of analysing the issues from a 'client-centric' perspective. However, if you are asked to also make an argument and give your personal view in the article (rather than an impartial commentary), definitely avoid sitting on the fence.

Finally, I would advise you to try to gather more information about the details of the written task at this specific firm. Resources like the TCLA Interview Database may come in very handy.

 

[l789]

Clyde& Co report- weakness collaboration…. I think I’m well and truly doomed

 

[thelawnet]

Milbank handing out ACs on weekends. Speaks volumes about work-life balance there!

Just received a further email from them at 00:59 about my upcoming AC.

 

[Reem2024]

Hi everyone!

I noticed that in some of my applications on vantage they didn’t save the date of my employment correctly (although I changed it for the first firm I applied too) but some firms still have the old date. I don’t know if I should flag it up to any firms or wait to see if I progress first?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

good scores in the NRF test was a much-needed nice start to my weekend haha

Can I ask if all 7 games of arctic shores were included?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Can someone who attended the Paul, Weiss Open Day please reach out to me so I can ask a few questions perhaps?

 

[suhana]

freshfields WG 🥳

Hi! when did you apply if you dont mind me asking