TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AS24]

Hiya @AS24


When tackling this, I’d focus on showing a clear understanding of Stephenson Harwood’s (SH) strategic positioning, sector strengths, and I think quite unique approach to professional development. I think a strong response will not only highlight what makes the firm unique from competitors but also explain why you think these differences matter, e.g. for clients or for your own development as a trainee.

1. Balanced Practice Areas and Market Positioning
Given the firm's expertise in shipping and litigation, SH is usually compared to firms such as HFW and WFW. It might be worth thinking about how SH really stands apart from such competitors, especially in light of how much more well-developed SH's corporate and finance practices are in London, particularly in the lower mid-market (£10m-£100m transactions) compared to HFW. You could also mention the unique combination of contentious and transactional work, particularly in sector specialist areas, coupled with strong individual representation in areas like fraud litigation and personal insolvencies. This is also one reason why the firm seems to have done impressively well from a revenue standpoint in the last few years (this article from The Lawyer explicitly draws this connection in relation to the firm's revenue and balanced practice areas).

2. Strategic Growth and International Expansion
As you mentioned, you can also discuss their targeted approach to growth and expansion. They've generally appeared to avoid growing by way of mergers. While it has a strong presence in APAC, the Middle East, and key shipping hubs like Piraeus, it has also been doubling down on its Dubai office in response to increasing Gulf investment. Another way the firm has committed to growing is through expanding its sectoral expertise. The firm’s recently announced five-year strategy is another major differentiator, focusing on decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. This sector-focused approach ensures the firm stays ahead of market trends while maintaining its core strengths when compared again to firms such as HFW and WFW.

3. Innovative approach to talent and professional development
For trainees and junior lawyers, I think one of the things that I've found most compelling about SH is their quite unique approach to professional development. In 2022, they launched their ‘fast track to equity’ programme, which accelerates junior partners into equity positions by developing their management and business development skills. This article from The Lawyer also highlights quite bold steps they've taken in relation to the place of associates at the firm. It mentions that SH has announced plans to get ride of the role of ‘senior associate’ in favour of new ‘managing associate’ title. The managing associate role will be aimed at individuals who have partnership potential and aims to develop the skills they will need at that level. Again, all of this is quite unusual/innovative and demonstrates real investment in talent that goes beyond what is traditionally found at most firms, including its competitors.

These are all just some prompts to get you started on drafting an answer. You definitely don't need to use any of these. Overall, though, I think by structuring your answer around discrete issues, you’ll demonstrate that you understand the firm's positioning from several different angles. Hope that helps. Good luck with your application!

Thank you @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[fxy]

anyone heard from CRS post VI

 

[EA95]

Has anyone heard anything after Stephenson Harwood application?

You won’t know anything until after the deadline, thats what the grad recruitment team said during the open day.

 

[EA95]

TLT VAC SCHEME OFFER! 😍

Not bad for a international student on a graduate visa with average grades from a non-RG / average home country uni!

Happy to share advice where possible.

Congrats 🎉🎉

 

[EA95]

Anyone know when we will hear back from PW post-interview?

Congrats on the interview. Just a quick q, is this a separate stage to the AC? And how was the interview like?

 

[EA95]

Anymore news from Paul, Weiss, seems strange to PFO a few and give interviews but not get back to others?

Only reason I can think of is that PW are trying to finalise their spring scheme before addressing the summer applicants (unless of course you applied for the spring scheme, which in that case ignore my point haha).

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Haven't heard from Simmons since the online test -- is it safe to assume I am on the PFO list? I don't know if anyone knows when their ACs are and stuff.

 

[MT1]

Haven't heard from Simmons since the online test -- is it safe to assume I am on the PFO list? I don't know if anyone knows when their ACs are and stuff.

Same here. Applied back in early dec

 

[bsh]

Congrats on the interview. Just a quick q, is this a separate stage to the AC? And how was the interview like?

I think this is the final stage before the VS. Interview was okay thank you!

 

[lawstudent0708]

Does anyone have any insights for the Squire Patton Boggs AC? Thank you !!

 

[JessicaTC27]

Willkie Final Partner Interview Invite!!!

When is the interview if you don’t mind me asking and did they offer you multiple dates? Am I right to say the partner interview the final stage after passing the written exercise?

 

[JessicaTC27]

Just finished my Willkie interview. Ngl was the hardest I have done to date.

When was the interview if you don’t mind me asking and did they offer you multiple dates? Am I right to say the partner interview the final stage after passing the written exercise?

 

[loe]

What can I expect for Russell-Cooke senior associate interview?

 

[Legallylaw]

I normally integrate this to why this firm:

1. Business strategy - internationally and locally (focusing on practice areas is not the best since a lot of competitors are neck and neck).

What I mean is do they open their own office or do they collaborate with local firms? Why? How does that affect their presence in the region?

Where are they opening the offices? Why? What business opportunities are there in those locations? Does it show the firm as ‘forward thinking’ - link back to their values


2. Client retention- do they work with the same clients often (I.e. links is known for their biggest clients being repeat clients and they liked when I mentioned it in the AC)

3. Here talk about practice areas and the links to one another (but the niche ones): i.e. strong banking and finance department but also band 1 shariah = more Middle Eastern clients/ presence (working with the market trends/ opportunities).


For skills:

Honestly, here you can pick any skill but the key thing is to:

1. Identify the skill

2. Link it back to how and why a trainee/ solicitor might use it.

3. Then link it back to something you’ve done and how it showed you the importance of it in practice.

With the skills question, in the intro- do you think it's better to outline the skills you posses and how the firm uses?

 

[JessicaTC27]

Willkie Partner interview!!! I can't believe it😭 Congrats to everyone who progressed as well

If you don’t mind me asking when is the interview/did they offer multiple dates? (If so what)

 

[JessicaTC27]

Still no one heard back from goodwin post partner interview?

Congrats on the interview! Out of curiosity what is the application stages process e.g application, written exercise, virtual interview (if so was this a live interview over teams or like one of those pre-recorded ones), partner interview?

 

[Dogsoooo]

For anyone that got a Weil PFO post AC - have you gotten feedback yet?

 

[Chris Brown]

When was the interview if you don’t mind me asking and did they offer you multiple dates? Am I right to say the partner interview the final stage after passing the written exercise?

Yeah there’s four stages: (1) written application, (2) pre-recorded VI, (3) written exercise and (4) partner interview. I think partner interviews are running until the end of next week (2-3 week time frame). 🙂​

 

[ACivilLawyer]

Hi @Andrei Radu, I just secured a VS and was wondering if you have any additional advice on how to maximise the chances of converting my VS into a TC?

I am currently completing the course on ‘How to convert your VS’ on TCLA, but would be very grateful for any additional advice/guidance/points you think I should consider.

Thank you so much!

 

[trainee4u]

received Freshfields London-Asia PFO