TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[THE GOAT]

Hello, has anyone had experience with the Sidley Austin interview? Have gotten an invite and absolutely terrified O_0

Yes- happy to have a chat in DMs if you would like!

 

[Brandon93]

Yes, I'm applying for the summer vacation scheme. I attended the Legal Cheek Virtual Law Fair yesterday and spoke with graduate recruitment - they said the cover letter should be three-quarters of an A4 page. I know this requirement wasn't stated anywhere, my original draft was a page and a half, lol😭

Thank you very much!

 

[B2025]

DLA WG invite 2 minutes after receiving a rejection from my dream firm.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam,

I trust you are well.

I am currently applying to Reed Smith and I am struggling with one specific question 'Focusing on one of Reed Smith`s sectors, what current issues do you think will impact this sector? What opportunities or challenges could this present Reed Smith or our clients?'

I have identified the industry and two issues, however, I feel that they present many opportunities to Reed Smith and their clients. Do I need to identify a challenge too?

Thank you in advance for your help.

No, I don't think you necessarily have to find a challenge as well, since the question is phrased as "opportunities or challenges". However, if you want to to mention a challenge or two as well for the sake of symmetry of analysis, maybe you can consider the issue of market competition. On any of the growing sectors that you have identified as a potential target for RS, there will be many other leading firms will be looking to capitalize on the opportunity as well. As such, perhaps you can present this as a challenge and then explain why specific features of RS means it is better place than competitors to win market share.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Jessica Booker and @Andrei Radu,

I am currently amending my CMS application, one of the questions asks 'Describe a specific instance where you have utilised artificial intelligence (AI) or other technologies in your work or studies. How have these tools enhanced your personal development?'

I mentioned two work examples, which are fine but I would like to diversify my answer. I work full-time so I do not have any examples from when I studied because it was a while ago. However, in my free time, I am completing corporate finance online classes from Yale and Bocconi, can I write about this or not?

I agree with @Jessica Booker's response here. I'll also add that although the term 'technologies' is ambiguous, because of its association with "AI", I would assume it does not refer to everything and anything digital. Rather, I think it's likely it is referring to some of the newer developed technologies - I would not go further back than 4-5 years. As such, online courses might not qualify.

However, I don't think you should worry too much about this question if you already have two examples. Many other candidates only write about using Grammarly as a review tool, so you should definitely be fine.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

I made a mistake and entered my last name incorrectly on my DLA piper Watson glaser test (I used to use a different last name earlier and entered that). My email is the same as linked to my application.

Please can you advise as I am very worried this will cause problems and my test went well!

Thank you in advance!

I don't think this will be an issue either as emails are normally what the systems use to link results to applications. That said, if you are worried about it, I think it's a good idea to contact the graduate recruitment team and just let them know of the issue. I can also attest that they have been very helpful when I have contacted them in the past.

 

[NJS]

Anyone had experience with the Jones Day first round interview?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Quick question , hope someone can help x . So basically , I applied for a winter vac scheme at a firm and they are pleased to progress me to the next stage . However , the spaces for the winter vac scheme interviews and assessment centers are full as the application process has been rolling , and they offered to push me onto the spring or summer scheme . But I start my graduate job ( not in law) in January and we are advised not to take annual leave in the first 3-6 months ( which would be 10 whole days!) . They gave me 2 options , to either transfer the application to the spring/summer scheme or close my application. I really really like the firm but don't know what to do . Should I beg ( obviously exaggerating lol) for the winter and honestly explain that i cant do summer or spring OR should I still progress to the next stage ( knowing I cant attend) or should I just call it a day . Thanks !! Sorry its kinda long ...

So as @Jessica Booker suggested, you can try doing the summer scheme as your employer might be fine with you taking leave at that point. If for some reason you do not think this will be possible, I would try to get the firm's graduate recruitment team and explain the situation. They may be able to either be flexible and assess you for the winter scheme, or potentially assess you for a TC contract directly. I would advise you not to tell them that you 100% can't make it to the summer scheme, but just that it may be very difficult for you to do so. Should the answer still be no, you should still have a choice to make on whether to attend the TC or not.

If you choose to attend and they decide to make you a VS offer, this could still lead to a number of positive outcomes for you:

• You might impress the partners at the interview to such an extent that they will tell the graduate recruitment team to either accommodate you on the winter scheme or to arrange a direct TC assessment.
• You could do a good job for your current employer over the next few months and form a good enough relationship that you are able to convince them to give you leave for the summer vacation scheme.
• Even if neither works, the firm could still shortlist you for a direct AC assessment for vacation schemes in the next application cycle.

 

[Izzy1026]

Anyone has insights on the Dechert written exercise?

Happy to share info on White&Case VI, Willkie VI, Cleary AC, Slaughters AC, and Jones Day interview

 

[VMS]

Anyone has insights on the Dechert written exercise?

Happy to share info on White&Case VI, Willkie VI, Cleary AC, Slaughters AC, and Jones Day interview

Congrats! Did you hear back from Dechert today?

 

[Izzy1026]

Congrats! Did you hear back from Dechert today?

Yes! About 3 hrs ago

 

[big hot man]

Hey when did you apply?

Submitted app Aug 30th!

 

[lawyersum]

Does anybody know any good resources/websites to practice legal situational judgment scenarios? A lot of resources I am finding are not in a legal environment...I know you can't really predict the answers to these types of questions as it is dependent on the firm's values, but I am quite useless on SJTs and would like some practice.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Yes! About 3 hrs ago

When did you apply?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

If an application question asks 'Why are you attracted to the firm' should you not mention your interest in commercial law at all? or just jumpy straight to why the firm alone?
@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

 

[KBanana]

Help please! (Not sure what decision to make) @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

My main goal is to secure a TC at a top law firm.

I recently graduated from my LLM, and my plan for this year was to secure a short-term paralegal position whilst applying for VSs/TCs. (I wanted a short term role so that I could attend VSs without any issues).

Today I received an email from a recruiter who read my CV for a paralegal position at a top US law firm (where I am also applying for a VS). They want to discuss the role over a call, and the job description they provided states that I need to be free for at least 12 months to be considered. If I am successful with this paralegal role, I am not sure how I will be able to attend any VSs (if I secure any)... Most of the law firms I am interested in training with recruit trainees exclusively through their VSs. Should I go ahead with this call?

I am also worried that if I do not proceed with the call, the recruitment agency will not consider me for any future opportunities, and that I may not be given an opportunity like this again given that I have 0 paralegal work experience. I am scared I might end up in the worst case scenario: no VS/TC offers and no paralegal position offers.

Additionally, I thought it would be important to add that the job description sent to me by the recruiter states that the paralegal role should not be viewed as a route to a TC at the firm but that the firm is happy to accept candidates actively (and openly) seeking TCs elsewhere and will proactively offer coaching and assistance in application drafting and interview techniques.

I would really appreciate any insight on this - thank you!

 

[Izzy1026]

When did you apply?

I applied on 26 September

 

[Bread]

Perhaps a silly question, but if lawyers are involved in advising a client and the client ends up settling without going to court, is it properly called a "case"? or is "deal" better

 

[Andrei Radu]

if an open day accepted you, but u haven't heard back from a rolling vac scheme app u submitted, what does it mean? esp when people who applied before/after you have received an update.

have they purposely not viewed my applic or

I don't think there's much you can infer from it unfortunately. They might have different timelines and processes for reviewing open days and VS applications and thus have not reviewed it yet. They also could have reviewed it and reached an outcome, but not have communicated it yet - sometimes firms release results in batches.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If an application question asks 'Why are you attracted to the firm' should you not mention your interest in commercial law at all? or just jumpy straight to why the firm alone?
@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

I'd just jump straight to why the firm - it maybe that they don't feel they need to assess why law.