TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[ren1110]

Have people heard back for linklaters spring VS?

 

[Amjaya]

Just did V&E VI, boy that was interesting 😂😂

How was it like?

 

[a1024]

Has Covington sent out all the ACs?

 

[paralegaltotrainee]

It will be 12 SJT questions, 5 numerical reasoning and 5 verbal reasoning questions.

Paul mentioned this on the Paul, Weiss thread on TCLA a few weeks ago! 🙂

Best of luck for Paul, Weiss!

Does anyone know what the numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning questions typically look like? I'm just curious about the format and type of questions. Also, are there any good resources to practice these kinds of questions?

 

[Tclarocks123]

For 'Describe why you want to be a solicitor at Shoosmiths.' Do I need to say why I want to be a solicitor, or just why Shoosmiths?

sounds like why shoosmiths to me

 

[safari3]

Can anyone who attended a Birds Eye View please PM me!😃

 

[Chris Brown]

Has Covington sent out all the ACs?

I have seen 3-4 people on the forum say they received invites to AC. Some were sent out on Tuesday and some yesterday. I imagine they are sending the AC invites out gradually.

Best of luck for Covington! Hopefully we get good news soon! 🙂

 

[A worried graduate]

Does anyone know what US firms are classified as 'sateleite offices' in London. Thanks

Usually can be guessed by their TC cohort being below 10

 

[murm]

Did the PW test - was pretty hard in some parts. Feedback report gives you full outline of how you did on every area (on a bar chart). Email also outlines next stage is a virtual assessment centre.

I attended the October Open Day it was such a lie - we were promised no SJT and next stage would be in person interview ahah

 

[Chris Brown]

Did the PW test - was pretty hard in some parts. Feedback report gives you full outline of how you did on every area (on a bar chart). Email also outlines next stage is a virtual assessment centre.

I attended the October Open Day it was such a lie - we were promised no SJT and next stage would be in person interview ahah

They probably changed their mind about the approach to the recruitment process once all applications came in. 🥲

They might have added a virtual AC between the online test stage and in person interview (due to getting more applications than they initially expected). 🥲

Can I ask if the test was timed and whether there were any pre-recorded VI questions? 🙂

 

[murm]

They probably changed their mind about the approach to the recruitment process once all applications came in. 🥲

Can I ask if the test was timed and whether there were any pre-recorded VI questions? 🙂

No VI, no camera required

 

[Chris Brown]

No VI, no camera required

Were the numerical reasoning questions super difficult or were they relatively simple?

That’s the part I’m dreading the most lmao. 🤣

 

[delarse]

Has anyone heard back from Withers Spring Vac Scheme post-interview?

 

[KBanana]

Did the PW test - was pretty hard in some parts. Feedback report gives you full outline of how you did on every area (on a bar chart). Email also outlines next stage is a virtual assessment centre.

I attended the October Open Day it was such a lie - we were promised no SJT and next stage would be in person interview ahah

Damn, also disappointed to hear about the SJT... do u mind me asking if the assessment is timed? Thank you

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei, in your first cycle of applications, did you apply to DPW? Or was it only in your second cycle?

 

[RANDOTRON]

250 words

Honestly, I think this is a very weird question. It says AI will be a factor in boosting efficiency and that client relationships are important, and then suggests that these two things are somehow opposites by saying that a balance needs to be struck (without giving you the reason or context as to how they reached that conclusion). Efficiency and relationships are different things but not really opposites. Simplifying it a little here but if you're more efficient, then your clients get better value for money. I might be reading it wrong, who knows 🤷‍♂️

I guess you could talk about the potential danger of over dependence on AI: It can boost efficiency but it is not without its faults, and the last thing you want is to give clients bad advice because you didn't bother to fact-check the AI's answer (also terribly from a repetitional and financial standpoint, especially for your PII policy). One thing it can do is shorten the time it takes for admin work (summarising your emails for you, making to-do lists, image generation, etc) which can boost your workflow, and as above more efficient = happier client. Guess you could also speak on confidentiality.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei, in your first cycle of applications, did you apply to DPW? Or was it only in your second cycle?

Hi @badmintonflyinginsect, I only applied in my second cycle. I had no real applications strategy or schedule in my first cycle so I ended up missing many firms.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Honestly, I think this is a very weird question. It says AI will be a factor in boosting efficiency and that client relationships are important, and then suggests that these two things are somehow opposites by saying that a balance needs to be struck (without giving you the reason or context as to how they reached that conclusion). Efficiency and relationships are different things but not really opposites. Simplifying it a little here but if you're more efficient, then your clients get better value for money. I might be reading it wrong, who knows 🤷‍♂️

I guess you could talk about the potential danger of over dependence on AI: It can boost efficiency but it is not without its faults, and the last thing you want is to give clients bad advice because you didn't bother to fact-check the AI's answer (also terribly from a repetitional and financial standpoint, especially for your PII policy). One thing it can do is shorten the time it takes for admin work (summarising your emails for you, making to-do lists, image generation, etc) which can boost your workflow, and as above more efficient = happier client. Guess you could also speak on confidentiality.

To that I will just add that apparently clients (and particularly large corporates/financial institutions) are very conservative when it comes to legal services. A number of lawyers told me some are quite reluctant to allow the use of new legal tech on their matters. Although it would come with a potential discount, as automatization and increased efficiency will mean a lower number of billables, it seems in many cases they are reticent to accept any level of AI-related legal risk. As such, firms can find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to innovate and use AI but also needing to keep clients happy and untroubled by it.

 

[Mayowa333335655780]

I just emailed Paul and this is one of the few questions I have asked! 🙂

Can you please let us know what he says in regards to the contents

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi @badmintonflyinginsect, I only applied in my second cycle. I had no real applications strategy or schedule in my first cycle so I ended up missing many firms.

Hi @Andrei Radu,

What do you think were the biggest differences in your application strategy between your 1st and 2nd cycles?

How did the changes in application strategy positively impact your success the 2nd time around? 🙂🙂

Also massive congrats on securing a TC with DPW! You will make an excellent trainee! 🐐