TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[LawJ]

I applied for PMC and haven’t heard anything back either

Same

 

[vschemer]

Currently facing a dilemma and would really appreciate any insight.

Between Cleary, Weil, Davis Polk, and Sullivan & Cromwell where would it be best to accept a training contract. Thinking in terms of quality of work, ability to lateral in the future if need be, and calibre of training.

Thank you in advance!

 

[MilkMaid]

@Jessica Booker do the same rules apply for accepting a VS offer then reneging on it at a later date in the Scottish system? I've got an offer I'd like to accept but also waiting to hear back from some other firms before making a final decision, so just wanted to ask before I sign anything!

@Jessica Booker sorry to tag you again on this but looking for some advice before I have to respond to the offer I have! Do you happen to know the answer to the above?

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

This is actually incredible! I was thinking about how I could structure and articulate an answer to questions like ‘who are Paul, Weiss’ competitors and how does Paul, Weiss compare to them’ or ‘what are Paul, Weiss’ USPs when compared to its competitors’ and then I see this post, which discussed quite similar things. Once again, the GOAT @Andrei Radu has come in clutch! You are an actual superstar! 🐐

I do have a question though. Since Paul, Weiss is relatively new in London, if I were to be asked about Paul, Weiss’ position in the City of London specifically, how could I navigate my approach to this kind of question? Would firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Skadden, Davis Polk, etc. be considered its close competitors in the UK as well, since Paul, Weiss’ clients in London are mainly PE firms? Or would it be more likely that Paul, Weiss wants to target other US law firms in the city? I guess this part of the question is asking about Paul, Weiss’ strategy and future plans in London.​

"Since Paul, Weiss is relatively new in London"

They have been in London over 20 years...
They have been working as a satellite office

 

[icebear]

Quick question: I accept that I did not secure a vacation scheme, but I still want to give this recruitment cycle my utmost effort. Therefore, my question is: which firms should I apply to, considering the following?

• Ultimately, I do not mind which firm I join; my primary goal is to secure a training contract. I want to focus on firms that offer a realistic chance of obtaining a TC, rather than those where securing one is virtually impossible.
• I am from mainland Europe, so I would require visa sponsorship. Therefore, I need to target firms that offer sponsorship, unlike, for example, Shoosmiths.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

pretty sure shoosmiths offers (or atleast could offer) visa sponsorship:

 

[Chris Brown]

Since Paul, Weiss is relatively new in London

They have been in London over 20 years...
They have been working as a satellite office

Since late 2023 - early 2024 they have been rapidly expanding and now they have over 200 lawyers, 40-50 of which are partners. I think it’s relatively new in London because it opened its London office in 2003 but has only really began focusing on growing its London presence since 2023. Some US firms have been in London for over 50 years, like White & Case (1971).​

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Since 2023 they have been rapidly expanding and now they have over 200 lawyers, 40-50 of which are partners. I think it’s relatively new in London because it opened its London office in 2003 but has only really began focusing on growing its London presence since 2023. Some US firms have been in London for over 50 years, like White & Case (1971).​

I've been to abut 3 events with Paul, Weiss...and they quite clearly state they are not 'new'...
I think your use of the word 'new' is incorrect... Perhaps, expanding their UK operations or something or other would be better... but, each to their own...

 

[Chris Brown]

I've been to abut 3 events with Paul, Weiss...and they quite clearly state they are not 'new'...
I think your use of the word 'new' is incorrect... Perhaps, expanding their UK operations or something or other would be better... but, each to their own...

Fair enough perhaps the word new isn’t the best to use, although I did put relatively as it isn’t literally brand new in London. Neel Sachdev has emphasised how they are building something from scratch in London. 🙂

To be fair though, I did refer to Paul, Weiss as “relatively new in London” in my application and I still got invited to the interview stage so I don’t think it’s ‘incorrect’… but, each to their own I guess…​

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker sorry to tag you again on this but looking for some advice before I have to respond to the offer I have! Do you happen to know the answer to the above?

Yes - there is no different in the systems. You can renege a job offer. Employers are not going to seek any breach of employment contract for an internship.

 

[londonlawyer]

I will list resources here for some of the principal trainee tasks in PE:

• Legal Due Diligence: see this Practical Law Note on the due diligence process.
• Process Management: I did not find any specific guide on this, but take a look at this Practical Law overview of PE buyouts in the UK - it should give you a good understanding on how everything fits together in a deal, which will help with process management.
• Drafting of ancillary documents: see this Lexis Nexis Guide.

Thank you Andrei

 

[theruleofno]

Currently facing a dilemma and would really appreciate any insight.

Between Cleary, Weil, Davis Polk, and Sullivan & Cromwell where would it be best to accept a training contract. Thinking in terms of quality of work, ability to lateral in the future if need be, and calibre of training.

Thank you in advance!

Wow! This is a good position to be in. Of the four I would choose Weil, the hours will be long but the training, calibre and variety of work is amongst the best in the city. The other firms are far smaller and I have heard S&C is entirely a satellite office.

 

[a1024]

hi! what are the advantages of a firm following a sector based approach?
@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[applebunny]

What's the best way to prepare for a FT article interview? @Andrei Radu

 

[eirake]

Hey guys,

Wondering if anyone who selected only the PW summer VS (not both) has received an invitation for the AC?

I haven’t gotten a PFO yet so I’m wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?

I selected only summer and no PFO yet

 

[fta2024]

Still waiting to hear back from HL post WG for a potential AC invite, no actual rejection email. am i being delusional thinking there might be a chance?

 

[tomsmitg]

Hi, if anyone has ever done a second-stage mofo interview Id really appreciate some insight

 

[A worried graduate]

Wow! This is a good position to be in. Of the four I would choose Weil, the hours will be long but the training, calibre and variety of work is amongst the best in the city. The other firms are far smaller and I have heard S&C is entirely a satellite office.

What is the exact meaning of a satellite office in this context?

 

[A worried graduate]

pretty sure shoosmiths offers (or atleast could offer) visa sponsorship:

View attachment 6920

I think those types of firms only sponsor in London.

Same with Addleshaws I think too

 

[xMontmorency]

Wow! This is a good position to be in. Of the four I would choose Weil, the hours will be long but the training, calibre and variety of work is amongst the best in the city. The other firms are far smaller and I have heard S&C is entirely a satellite office.

Weil is a good choice. If you have nothing but a general interest in commercial law Weil/Cleary have the broadest practices and most solid training programmes. Cleary heavier on competition, litigation and public M&A, Weil on finance, restructuring and PE. Weil arguably a bit more prestigious in London but has been a bit lacklustre recently tbh: Michael Francies is retiring, it lost its Band 1 PE ranking, no notable recent mandates, partner losses in the US etc.

If you want to do top-shelf high-end complex M&A and finance Davis Polk is very good. Its US practice is popping off, and despite being tiny in London it packs a punch. Lateral opportunities arguably better than Weil/Cleary.

S&C is a bit crap in London (respectfully).

 

[addy2004]

Hey everyone - how should I answer the interview question 'Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?'

I'm unsure what law firms are looking for in this question, and if it should only revolve around a career in commercial law or involve some personal goals too?