TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Apple]

Does anyone know whether Cleary Gottlieb allows you to do their VS if you've already accepted a TC with another firm? As in, is there a term in the contract which says that? (Same questions with Latham and HSF as I've still got ACs left with them)

I'm happy to not be public about accepting the TC and 'hiding' this during the vac scheme, as long as I don't get sued for breach of contract 😅

IDK whether you can do that, but it feels a bit inconsiderate to prospective applicants who are seriously considering a TC there who would now be deprived of a place.

 

[Chris Brown]

IDK whether you can do that, but it feels a bit inconsiderate to prospective applicants who are seriously considering a TC there who would now be deprived of a place.

I think people would want to weigh up their options and by doing multiple VS and having multiple TC offers, they could then make a more informed decision. 🙂

I’m sure Cleary Gottlieb would make offers to everyone who ticks their boxes so I don’t think there would rly be anyone deprived of a place. Then again idk much about Cleary Gottlieb so maybe they have a particular process which is similar to Debevoise & Plimpton. 🫤

I just think people don’t rly know at the beginning of the application cycle where they will end up so it’s not right to say whether they are being inconsiderate. 🥲

 

[jta227]

IDK whether you can do that, but it feels a bit inconsiderate to prospective applicants who are seriously considering a TC there who would now be deprived of a place.

Devil's advocate: sometimes people with signed TCs are still considering the firms they will have VSs at later on but had to sign the earlier TC because there was a 2 week limit - no-one will let an offer just slip by when they're not guaranteed to get one later!

Also an unlikely but possible scenario: someone signs 1 TC, fails the SQE and now they have to start from scratch with no experience whereas if they had done those vac schemes they could probably jump back into direct TC apps easier.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know whether Cleary Gottlieb allows you to do their VS if you've already accepted a TC with another firm? As in, is there a term in the contract which says that? (Same questions with Latham and HSF as I've still got ACs left with them)

I'm happy to not be public about accepting the TC and 'hiding' this during the vac scheme, as long as I don't get sued for breach of contract 😅

Firms are not going to sue you for breach of contract. There is no financial sense in doing so.

 

[Apple]

Devil's advocate: sometimes people with signed TCs are still considering the firms they will have VSs at later on but had to sign the earlier TC because there was a 2 week limit - no-one will let an offer just slip by when they're not guaranteed to get one later!

Also an unlikely but possible scenario: someone signs 1 TC, fails the SQE and now they have to start from scratch with no experience whereas if they had done those vac schemes they could probably jump back into direct TC apps easier.

I think the SQE scenario is a reach, but having multiple TCs to weigh up your options is something that slipped my mind. I interpreted it as them just wanting to do the schemes.

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone have any good questions I can ask at the trainee Q&A which forms part of my AC?

 

[andrewk]

Firms are not going to sue you for breach of contract. There is no financial sense in doing so.

I completely understand this, but I was wondering whether Cleary might report me to the SRA if I breach one of their terms? Or whether they might be a bit annoyed in general.

 

[floral.tcla]

Hi - @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker! Just trying to bump this up, it’s my first time doing a case study type AC and I’d appreciate any advice Thank you very much !!!!

good luck! if you get any advice, please can you let me know too I would share info about other AC but this is my first one

 

[andrewk]

I think the SQE scenario is a reach, but having multiple TCs to weigh up your options is something that slipped my mind. I interpreted it as them just wanting to do the schemes.

Yes for context the TC offer that I have received expires in a month. I do want to keep my options open but I understand Cleary has a 25% conversion rate so it doesn't make sense for me to pass up on the TC offer

 

[theruleofno]

just received a freshfields tc ac

had a miserable day after my skadden rejection this afternoon, so that was a welcome boost!

Congrats! When did you complete your WG?

 

[toad92]

update on the ff situation 🤣

(thank you @Jessica Booker 🫶🏻🫶🏻)

 

[chlawstudent]

Hello, I have an Addleshaw Goddard AC coming up next month if anyone has any advice/insights?

 

[yeezyee]

i wish u got wg reports the same way u do for sit’s, i can never gauge how i’ve done….!

 

[Bread]

update on the ff situation 🤣

(thank you @Jessica Booker 🫶🏻🫶🏻)


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Somebody started bricking it 😂 😂

 

[Bread]

This is quite scary considering they have got SVS offers from HSF and AG! I hope they aren’t like this in real life as well. 😞

Ig there's a reason so many lawyer jokes exist💀

 

[Chris Brown]

Somebody started bricking it 😂 😂

That somebody defo getting fired. 👀

 

[Nine]

good luck! if you get any advice, please can you let me know too I would share info about other AC but this is my first one

Yeah, of course! If I do have anything I’ll send you a PM! And thank you!!! Good luck to you!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I completely understand this, but I was wondering whether Cleary might report me to the SRA if I breach one of their terms? Or whether they might be a bit annoyed in general.

They are not going to report you to the SRA either. Even if they did, the SRA is no longer a signatory to the voluntary code of best practice for the recruitment of trainee solicitors (they left about a decade ago), so I don't think they would even care about this even if it was attempted to be reported. But I can't see firms even reporting it to the SRA - no one did this when the SRA was part of the code!

Graduate Recruitment move on pretty quickly when someone reneges on them. The only time they can get be more concerned is if they have spent money on your training, include being liable for your sponsored GDL/LPC/SQE courses/assessments, even where you have started the onboarding processes for them let alone started them.

The most likely outcome is you just annoy them (assuming they find out) and are unable to proceed with their offer where you are in breach of contract.

 

[far]

I think people would want to weigh up their options and by doing multiple VS and having multiple TC offers, they could then make a more informed decision. 🙂

I’m sure Cleary Gottlieb would make offers to everyone who ticks their boxes so I don’t think there would rly be anyone deprived of a place. Then again idk much about Cleary Gottlieb so maybe they have a particular process which is similar to Debevoise & Plimpton. 🫤

I just think people don’t rly know at the beginning of the application cycle where they will end up so it’s not right to say whether they are being inconsiderate. 🥲

What is the particular process at Debevoise? Just curious

 

[Jessica Booker]

update on the ff situation 🤣

(thank you @Jessica Booker 🫶🏻🫶🏻)


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Amazing - so glad to help get this sorted for you (and others)!