TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[EA95]

Also, I just want to say that I am incredibly happy for Chris Brown, who has been enormously supportive and helpful on this platform! You truly deserve it!

Honestly feels like a proper proud moment for me seeing Chris get this.

 

[SeniorJunior]

Hi! I’m new here, I have been reading the comments for weeks but never actually signed up to comment.
I’ve been invited to a an AC at Addleshaw Goddard, which I’m very surprised about!
I only decided to apply to one this year with a view to then fully go for it next year after I graduate.
Any tips are very welcome please!

 

[Chris Brown]

Also, I just want to say that I am incredibly happy for Chris Brown, who has been enormously supportive and helpful on this platform! You truly deserve it!

Thank you man I really appreciate it! 🙂

I am super nervous though because this is my first proper interview. I’ve only done short VI/TI so far which have 3-4 questions (Willkie and White & Case). I have no idea what to expect for Paul, Weiss. 🥲​

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey Jesscia, thanks for this! Alternatively then, do you think it would make sense to talk about (again, taken from an article on FT) how discussions of 'the UK having less regulators' will impact clients across various sectors?

Also, should I be referencing specific clients?

Rather than starting with an article, I would try to think more broadly - what are general trends or changes that are happening that are impacting businesses generally?

I sense you are starting with an article and trying to get the answer to fit the question, rather than trying to think about what the biggest challenges are and then using sources to back up your thinking.

If you were to use this example, then you would have to start of with why having less regulators is a challenge for law firms. If anything, it could be argued that having more regulation could create more challenges for firms rather than the other way around, so I think you need to frame it upfront around why less regulation would create a challenge. That being said, regulatory lawyers would say it is a challenge as less work would be coming their way, while the transactional and dispute lawyers would probably love less regulation to make their jobs a little easier/bring more work their way!

Also, is the article you are talking about may be in relation to the Business Secretary's comments yesterday that there may be "too many regulators"? If that is the case, you also need to consider how you are using this as it is not anything certain at the moment, it is just that the UK Government is scrutinising current regulatory bodies for not helping the UK's growth strategy, rather than any concrete changes to regulation in the coming months/years.

 

[yasmars]

Thank you man I really appreciate it! 🙂

I am super nervous though because this is my first proper interview. I’ve only done short VI/TI so far which have 3-4 questions (Willkie and White & Case). I have no idea what to expect for Paul, Weiss. 🥲​

My advice would be to really hone in on why you basically want to train at a PE powerhouse. I remember Paul saying at the open day that it’s likely that you’ll become a debt finance lawyer at the end of the training. So just make sure your reasonings are very convincing and fleshed out well.

Then ofc look at some general trends affecting PE and the firms clients. You’re kind of lucky in the sense cos you know the areas of commercial awareness you may be tested on.

 

[Chris Brown]

My advice would be to really hone in on why you basically want to train at a PE powerhouse. I remember Paul saying at the open day that it’s likely that you’ll become a debt finance lawyer at the end of the training. So just make sure your reasonings are very convincing and fleshed out well.

Then ofc look at some general trends affecting PE. You’re kind of lucky in the sense cos you know the areas of commercial awareness you may be tested on.

Yeah most likely I imagine they will ask about PE because that’s their main client base and focus in London. In my application I wrote about my interest in IPT transactions and antitrust as well. I’m not sure if I would become a debt finance lawyer but then again, never say never. I might even end up in tax or something lmao. 🤣​

 

[👩🎓]

I e-mailed RPC today btw asking if more ACs are to be held. whether they will reply - or give a proper answer - is to be seen.

Thank you so much - I'm anticipating a rejection for me.

 

[Legallywhatever]

Rather than starting with an article, I would try to think more broadly - what are general trends or changes that are happening that are impacting businesses generally?

I sense you are starting with an article and trying to get the answer to fit the question, rather than trying to think about what the biggest challenges are and then using sources to back up your thinking.

If you were to use this example, then you would have to start of with why having less regulators is a challenge for law firms. If anything, it could be argued that having more regulation could create more challenges for firms rather than the other way around, so I think you need to frame it upfront around why less regulation would create a challenge. That being said, regulatory lawyers would say it is a challenge as less work would be coming their way, while the transactional and dispute lawyers would probably love less regulation to make their jobs a little easier/bring more work their way!

Also, is the article you are talking about may be in relation to the Business Secretary's comments yesterday that there may be "too many regulators"? If that is the case, you also need to consider how you are using this as it is not anything certain at the moment, it is just that the UK Government is scrutinising current regulatory bodies for not helping the UK's growth strategy, rather than any concrete changes to regulation in the coming months/years.

Hey Jessica, thank you so much for this, it is really helpful.

I was doing exactly that because I thought it would be a sort of framework for an answer; I've never attempted a question like this before, so was trying to grasp at straws, really!

And yes, it was in reference to that although after reading your points, I'm definitely going to scrap it!

 

[Maddy]

Yeah most likely I imagine they will ask about PE because that’s their main client base and focus in London. In my application I wrote about my interest in IPT transactions and antitrust as well. I’m not sure if I would become a debt finance lawyer but then again, never say never. I might even end up in tax or something lmao. 🤣​

Do you know what dates they are offering for the interviews?

 

[Olivialee15]

Is the Goodwin interview their version of the AC? It says in the email that any further assessment would be on the vacation scheme?

 

[ashwright]

I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now. I am in complete shock. 🥲

Paul, Weiss AC/interview invite. I’m so confused right now idk how this is happening. 😭​

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Super proud of you - you well and truly deserve it so much. Like everyone’s said and shown, you’re recognised on this forum as an immensely kind and intelligent person. You've got all of us TCLAers cheering you on. All the best - you will smash it 🍀🫶

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

I have a feeling that my pfo for PW is inevitable now unfortunately: I didn’t receive an invite… That means that I have no hope left unfortunately, other than applying for TCs. But my sincere congratulations to everyone who did make PW!

I also haven’t heard which feels odd as seems most people have either got PFOs or interviews now - maybe it’s a reserve situation or they’re in batches

 

[Chris Brown]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Super proud of you - you well and truly deserve it so much. Like everyone’s said and shown, you’re recognised on this forum as an immensely kind and intelligent person. You've got all of us TCLAers cheering you on. All the best - you will smash it 🍀🫶​

Thank you so much I really appreciate it. Thank you for your kind words as well. 🙂

I genuinely wouldn’t have made it to this stage without the support from all you guys on the TCLA forum. 🙂

I also want to thank @Andrei Radu for his amazing advice and guidance on tackling one of the Paul, Weiss questions that I was really struggling with.

This is for the second question: ‘please use this space to explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at a city law firm, and your interest in Paul, Weiss LLP.’

I have quoted it below because it really helped me:​

I think most of the answer for 'why a city law firm' will be similar to the usual 'why commercial law', but I would use one or two different sentences to reframe it and address the City element. I would focus on the City's standing as one of the world's leading financial centres and the corollary - that the biggest international commercial clients will look to City firms to advise on their complex transactions and disputes. City law firms will also tend to coordinate and lead numerous other offices and counsel from a variety of jurisdictions to deliver on their clients' mandates. Thus, if you are particularly interested in high-end and cross-border commercial matters, you can justify an interest in working in a City law firm as opposed to any other commercial law firm.

 

[tcfighterrr]

I heard someone say W&C Spring invites have been sent out... I guess it wasn't my turn

 

[HappyHippo]

Hi Everyone nervous first time poster! I have been watching the forum for a while and have seen how supportive you all are. I wanted some advice.

I have secured a vacation scheme at Akin Gump and I have got a Paul, Weiss interview. I applied to the spring scheme for Paul, Weiss and I’m panicking that if I’m successful I’ll have to pick between them.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Hi Everyone nervous first time poster! I have been watching the forum for a while and have seen how supportive you all are. I wanted some advice.

I have secured a vacation scheme at Akin Gump and I have got a Paul, Weiss interview. I applied to the spring scheme for Paul, Weiss and I’m panicking that if I’m successful I’ll have to pick between them.

Paul, Weiss also have a summer scheme so if you’re successful they might let you switch on to that one!

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi Everyone nervous first time poster! I have been watching the forum for a while and have seen how supportive you all are. I wanted some advice.

I have secured a vacation scheme at Akin Gump and I have got a Paul, Weiss interview. I applied to the spring scheme for Paul, Weiss and I’m panicking that if I’m successful I’ll have to pick between them.

Huge congrats on getting a VS from Akin Gump and an interview for Paul, Weiss. 🥳​

 

[BillSikes]

DAC test invite (London). No idea if this is automatic or not?

 

[sibs23]

DAC test invite (London). No idea if this is automatic or not?

not automatic - well done! just got rejected this morning

 

[Chris Brown]

I might be wrong here but there’s another account spamming ‘🤣’ under my posts and i think it’s the same person from last time lmao.

Is @Yourworstnightmareisback the same person as @BreadandButter?​