TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[rwm]

This might be a long shot, but if anyone has attended an RPC Assessment Centre (I'll also take an Open Day) and has any insights, I'd be very keen to hear them. Love from someone currently sitting SQE1 exams (I literally sat FLK1 yesterday) who does not have a lot of time to prep for her first Assessment Centre but would love to smash it!!!

 

[Amma Usman]

for ACs is it best to schedule as early as possible? have never done one before so would appreciate more time to prepare but does this worsen my chances or do they decide after seeing all applicants?

This depends on the firm and their internal policy. For rolling basis apps, it is likely spaces are offered as ACs are carried out. In any case, I recommend scheduling as soon as you reasonably can, and not too far off within the cycle. A couple of days into the list of options is fine, but anything more than that becomes dicey, in my opinion.

 

[Amma Usman]

@JessicaBooker Hi, I was wondering if you feel pro bono volunteering should be listed in work experience, positions of responsibility or extracurricular - thanks

I have commonly mentioned PB work in my work experience section with the title of the role as “Volunteer” at X clinic or something. Similarly, I also see no harm in referencing it as an extracurricular as well.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Macfarlanes PFO

 

[AlegalA]

Macfarlanes + M&R pfo!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Hey - My cover letter word count was 870 words (not sure if this is bad). I guess as long as you answer why commercial law, why the firm and why you sufficiently then that is good. I believe they do not expect us to use the 1000 word completely, especially since they have 500 words each two other questions.

Thanks for sharing that! How long did you take to write yours if you don't mind me asking? I left it so last minute, I am going to start working on it now and hope I can submit something decent by midnight 🙃 I know what I want to write about, just need to do some research and then edit it all in.

 

[AlegalA]

Has anyone heard anything from DWF post app, Irwin Mitchell post test, Penningtons post app, WBD post app or DAC Beachcroft post VI?

 

[andrecsaa]

Anyone get a Macfarlanes AC who applied at the deadline?

Macfarlanes pfo

Applied at the deadline

 

[lawyersum]

Macfarlanes PFO

Same

 

[kokoprep]

Thanks for sharing that! How long did you take to write yours if you don't mind me asking? I left it so last minute, I am going to start working on it now and hope I can submit something decent by midnight 🙃 I know what I want to write about, just need to do some research and then edit it all in.

Hi Miss Choco - You still got time I believe, so do not stress about it. It took my 4-5 hours to write along with research but I have been following the firm for quite sometime now so had an idea about why the firm for me. I submitted it early today. I'm sure you can draft a good application. All the best!

 

[MissAnnaliseKeating]

Macfarlanes PFO

Me too. Slightly disappointed as I felt I made a very strong application.

 

[Amma Usman]

I have made 23 applications this vac scheme cycle in my 2nd year of uni. should I stop now and focus on the final coursework that's due soon??

Hey @tcla02 ,

If you feel you can work around it and balance your time equally between studying for the coursework, and writing more apps, then this may work. However, 23 apps is also a good and very high number, so if you are sure you have submitted them all to a high quality, then you may find it beneficial to take a step back. At the end of the day, law firms still require a minimum 2:1 so this should be your top priority, in my opinion. Many people have different views on this but it all boils down to your personal preference and capacity at the time.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Hi Miss Choco - You still got time I believe, so do not stress about it. It took my 4-5 hours to write along with research but I have been following the firm for quite sometime now so had an idea about why the firm for me. I submitted it early today. I'm sure you can draft a good application. All the best!

Thanks Koko also i love your pp 😂😂😂

I am so glad there's no online tests for them

 

[Tclarocks123]

Macs early morning PFO. It is sad for me so I cannot pretend to be nonchalant. I went to a NRG but I have lots of experience and put real effort into drafting. I can only assume its the test. But you know what they say about assumptions .... Good luck everyone.

 

[Monopolyman]

Macfarlane's PFO, thought I did well in the online test too so quite disappointed

 

[MissAnnaliseKeating]

Macs early morning PFO. It is sad for me so I cannot pretend to be nonchalant. I went to a NRG but I have lots of experience and put real effort into drafting. I can only assume its the test. But you know what they say about assumptions .... Good luck everyone.

I'm really sorry to hear that it's upsetting you. Even excellent candidates get rejected at this stage because of the sheer amount of people applying.

 

[kokoprep]

Thanks Koko also i love your pp 😂😂😂

I am so glad there's no online tests for them

I love yours too!

 

[legal18]

Macfarlanes PFO

I think I only progress with US firms

 

[Mwtmann]

Macfarlanes PFO, applied well before the deadline and very strong app. As such, to those who applied at the deadline, don't beat yourself up! Best of luck with the rest of your apps!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @futuretcholder, thanks for sending your query through the forum!

It’s really great that you’ve started thinking about the next steps in the law firm application process! Most firms schedule interviews and assessments (such as the WG) deadlines within a short time frame, so being reasonably prepared beforehand maximises your time and efficiency.

I have included a few tips below:

• Commercial awareness is a non-stop habit candidates and lawyers need to build, so it’s great that you‘re on top of this. In addition to reading the news, I would also recommend brushing up on particular economic and business concepts. This is because commercial awareness encompasses a broad deal of facets. Often times, law firms will ask candidates at an AC stage the difference between a share purchase and asset purchase, the meaning of synergy, the impact of inflation on a private equity firm, and so on. I remember being questioned at an AC on the typical structure of an M&A deal and a commercial lawyers involvement in such transactions. Here, I was able to touch on areas such as due diligence, but the feedback I received made me understand that I needed to do more. I needed to learn more as these are soft skills that are often unspoken about. Further, the experience made me realise that in addition to reading the FT or Finimise every morning, I needed to understand some specifics about their clients‘ operations. Through this, I realised that I was able to connect more dots when I eventually read stories on the FT. It’s also an area that I can say I am always working to build and improve on, as things in the global economy change relatively swiftly. Being able to discuss these changes at an AC will showcase your ability to adequately connect client experience with global considerations - something commercial lawyers do on a daily.

• Practicing assessments regularly is another consideration. For example, if you are drawn to a lot of firms which require one to complete the WG, you would want to work on practicing them as often as you possibly can. I know there are often difficulties with accessing tests from the actual WG provider, but TCLA’s WG crash course personally helped me. Additionally, if you go on multiple firm’s websites, you will find practice tests. Using those practice tests combined, you would have worked on improving your strategy with about 5 or more different tests. Clifford Chance is one firm I remember seeing a practice WG on their website. So set aside some time every week dedicated to focusing on learning the nuances of the test. Another good approach that links to this point is to not ‘time’ yourself for the first few attempts. This allows you to really think about what each section is asking of you, improving your overall efficiency for future assessed attempts.

• With the competency/motivational questions, I would say take some time to understand what draws you to a career in law first, then commercial law specifically, followed by a career in a specific firm. These are the standard motivational questions as interviewers will often want to ensure candidates know enough about the profession to want to specialise in it. I was once asked at an AC why I wanted to be a lawyer, then why a commercial lawyer. This required me to touch base on the differences in the type of practice areas, clients, and work that different lawyers deal with, as well as any past experiences I had because this shows ‘demonstrated’ interest. To be honest, this is not an easy question to answer. For me, it was very overwhelming. I knew why I wanted to become a commercial lawyer, but I found it hard to put this on paper, much less communicate it orally. So, I literally took a week out and solely focused on understanding myself and my CV more. Through this, I built on my ‘WHY’ and could better translate this across rooms during an AC or interview.

So in a nutshell, these are my main tips. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions on this, and I’ll happily follow up!

Best, Amma

Hey @TC Chaser . In my experience, the CA competitions test commercial awareness live. This means you’ll need to keep abreast of upcoming and current industry/global trends. For example, just a few days back, talks on a new employment rights bill have been on the rise.

Listening to the FT daily news briefing, reading Finimise, Watson Daily, etc, are great information builders on the topic of commercial awareness. I will also be posting short daily (excluding weekends) updates on the TCLA forum HERE.

Hope this helps, and feel free to post any more questions

Hey @legal18 . Great question. Answers to questions of this type can typically be of anything and everything you deem to be sufficiently commercial, and will enable you to talk extensively about the sector-agnostic impacts (law firms and their clients alike). Weil is known for its corporate practice. Something like interest rates cuts will impact their PE clients, leading to impacts on debt financing, for example. I had recently made a thread on the widespread effects of the BoE rate cuts to 4.75% which I have linked here.

TIP: You could choose anything that appeals to you, but ensure to choose something which will significantly affect a sector that the firm primarily operates in. This will help convey a strong understanding of Weil’s work. I also don’t recommend choosing a topic that will be a big discussion by many candidates - AI or ESG is one example. At the same time, however, this may not be too much of an issue if you explain it in a unique and a specific manner which demonstrates strong research skills and a good tailoring to the firm’s practices.

Hi @Audric_T , I’m unsure about the specifics on DLA’s assessment process, but I’ll take a stab on your second question.

Commercial awareness is a crucial skill in the law firm application process, and it’s one that requires consistent effort to build and maintain every day. I always say this – it’s not just about skimming through the Financial Times(FT) every morning. It’s about truly understanding the fundamentals, even the smaller details: for instance, knowing the definitions and distinctions between types of loans or bonds, and understanding how fiscal policy differs from monetary policy. It’s about balancing theoretical knowledge with an awareness of current affairs, as both are equally essential.

For case studies, commercial awareness can encompass a range of knowledge. Take an M&A case study, for example. It’s important to understand practical concepts like the differences between drag along and tag along rights, the role of due diligence, or how a change of control clause could impact the deal. On a broader level, having knowledge of landmark M&A deals – such as the proposed merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard – shows not only that you are up to date, but also that you understand how such deals shape the legal and business landscape.

In terms of building commercial awareness, I recommend starting with accessible resources like Finimize, LittleLaw, or ZipLaw. These are great tools for breaking down complex commercial concepts into digestible pieces. From there, podcasts like the FT News Briefing or The Economist Podcasts can keep you updated on global business and economic trends in a conversational format. You can also reinforce this knowledge by subscribing to the FirstFT newsletter, which summarises the main developments of the day. Highlighting a couple of key stories daily and delving deeper into how they affect businesses and their legal teams will help solidify your understanding.

When it comes to incorporating commercial awareness into law firm presentations, it’s essential to weave it in naturally rather than forcing it. Demonstrate how you view commercial trends through a legal lens, aligning them with the firm’s values and the role of a trainee solicitor. For group exercises, the collective knowledge of your team can be a real asset. Everyone brings their own perspective, so it’s important to contribute your insights while being open to learning from others. Together, you can craft a well-rounded, commercially aware presentation that showcases collaboration and critical thinking.

As you prepare for your assessment centre and beyond, adopting this structured approach will help you develop commercial awareness as a habit rather than a chore. Personally, these resources and strategies have been invaluable to me, and I’m confident they’ll help you as well.

I’m sure @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu will have more thoughts on this.

Hey all! I hope you’re all having a fantastic mid-week! I’ve included below 10 sources to help solidify that commercial awareness! Let’s keep going and building up on that skill everyday…!!!

Pro-tip: Take building commercial awareness as a lego exercise - building little blocks everyday before cementing it into a full blown toy machine! It shouldn’t feel like a chore, rather it should feel like an exciting opportunity to learn more about the financial/legal worlds. It’s a habit that certainly takes time to build, so please be patient with your commercial awareness journey!

10 Sources:

1. Financial Times (FT)

2. The Economist

3. Bloomberg

4.The Lawyer

5. Investopedia

6. The Wall Street Journal

7. The Daily Upside

8. LittleLaw

9. Finimize

10. Forbes

Do people have advice for commercial awareness? I've been trying to stay updated with podcasts recently, and have been trying to read some articles but I'm just feeling SO overwhelmed with the amount of information. I don't know how to remember information well, like I'm writing some of it down but I'm scared it's just gonna poof out my brain in an interview. I also have no idea what to prioritise, and that's the main thing I'm struggling with now, as I have some ACs coming up next week. I was absolutely not consistent with it last year, and feel like I'm just playing catch up but there's too much to catch up and I'm stressed 😂. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hi @AlegalA ,

This is a very valid question. Largely because there is so much information out there… current affairs are always changing, new stuff are always being introduced within multiple industries, there are so many possible connections to draw to showcase your understanding in interviews, and so on. There is no denying this, and virtually everyone who has an offer now will tell you that there is no point trying to digest every possible thing out there, or reading all the buzzing news articles. First of all, it’s impossible. Secondly, it’s not an efficient way to work. I certainly tried to do the opposite at first, and saw sooner than later that it was highly impractical. In fact, it was more of a disservice than a service to my journey. I found that by trying to do all that, I lost building on that key foundational knowledge. Early on, I saw that I was reading so many articles, but not really understanding what was going on and not grasping so many key terms. Commercial awareness encompasses so many things, such as even understanding those key terms. You can link so many things to a single news headline and that ability to draw those connections to businesses and law firms as businesses, is what will help you demonstrate that commercial awareness - not the volume of articles you consume. It’s the connection to the financial world that distinguishes candidates that merely understand commercial awareness, with those that can actually apply it in practice. As you can imagine, the latter is more beneficial to law firms. This is because new developments and changes will happen and someone will need to be able to apply it to businesses in the context of commercial law firm’s clients. That ‘someone’, is what law firms want to see in you in applications and interviews.

I have quoted a few posts I have made on this in the past to help. Best of luck - you’ll be fine. You already have so much commercial awareness within you, and the posts I have quoted below will help you see that.

The Weekly Brief: Commercial Awareness Updates

Hey everyone! Welcome to this thread, where I'll be sharing regular commercial awareness updates to keep you in the loop on the latest trends and news—perfect for staying sharp ahead of those crucial law firm interviews and assessment centres. My goal is to post a new update every day from...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Commercial Awareness Recommended Reading - Start Here!

Commercial Awareness Recommended Reading When you're trying to develop your commercial awareness, it can be hard to know where to start. Please find below a compilation of our best articles, guides and forum posts to help structure your reading. Topic Guides What is private equity? How do...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com