TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

OMG, W&C WVS offer!!!!

Huge congratulations @LawyerUpPal !

 

[Amma Usman]

Goldman Sachs VI invite - any tips and insights (could be from any investment bank or firm with a focus on finance) would be much appreciated!

Hey @Hana ♥ , congratulations on getting to the next stage. Having spoken to a few of my colleagues in finance, the VI questions usually centre round the specific role itself, why GS, competency/SJT questions, as well as any commercial awareness questions. For example, it could be anything from why you are drawn to working in that department over others, to how the financial crisis impacted banks and their clients. Hope this helps!

 

[Amma Usman]

Asking for a friend: "I am a third-year engineering student seeking vacation schemes in law firms. I have no legal experience, but I have interned at Barclays as a technology analyst. How should I approach the application questions such as why law, why commercial law etc. what firms do you recommend to me as a non-law student." Thank you

Hey @Soprano . I have created two threads on why commercial law and why a specific firm. I have linked these two below:

WHY COMMERCIAL LAW: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....commercial-law-investigating-your-‘why’.9113/

WHY THIS FIRM:

Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications

Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

On another note;

In all honesty, I recommend you applying to any firm out there you are drawn to. Firms generally don’t have a preference for law students over non-law students. In any case, you will still need to do the GDL/PGDL so you will otherwise still get the legal qualification. I believe leveraging your non-law work experience will also be a catalyst to your applications. For example, with your tech experience at Barclays, you could link it to many practice areas within data and technology transactions (if that’s something that still interests you as a wider industry). The key with non-law experience is leveraging your transferrable skills. Even soft skills like mastering digital email communication and interpersonal communication are a plus. The more technical elements, such as demonstrating an awareness of many practice areas from the clients perspective is another great point.

Another thing I recommend is attending a couple of open days, as this will introduce you to the legal/commercial world from a dual standpoint. Attending open days are not a prerequisite for getting a training contract, but they certainly help. Here’s a list of open day deadlines you could apply for: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ay-and-insight-scheme-deadlines-2024-25.9218/

Hope this helps!

 

[msclm]

any post-written exercise Dechert news?

 

[B2025]

Any winter apps still open other than Burges?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Any winter apps still open other than Burges?

Hogan lovells closes 31/10

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Are there application questions

No questions!

 

[sjr22]

Hi all, I have a written exercise coming up as part of an AC this week, and I was wondering if there were any sources and potentially practice/mocks you could recommend. Super nervous about it, so would really appreciate it!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi all, I have a written exercise coming up as part of an AC this week, and I was wondering if there were any sources and potentially practice/mocks you could recommend. Super nervous about it, so would really appreciate it!

Hey @sjr22 , well done on getting the AC. In terms of preparations, I remember fishing out several articles when I had ACs coming up. After reading them, I’d make a summary of the main issues and their impacts on law firms and their clients. The reason this is a good starting point is because any written element will essentially require you to demonstrate an understanding of those two core elements, as well as an ability to summarise information adequately. You may not necessarily be asked about the legal and commercial implications in a written assessment, but this knowledge will serve you well one way or another.

So, practicing using random articles on the FT, for example, would aid your preparations. Hope this helps!

I also understand all the nerves, so take a moment before your assessment to recharge

 

[B2025]

Hogan lovells closes 31/10

Thank you

 

[crt1s]

Does anyone who's been to a Mishcon open day or previously applied know if we can abbreviate/shorten the name? If so, is it MDR, MdR or Mishcon? Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

No questions!

I would then include a cover letter with the application.

 

[VMS]

Does anyone who's been to a Mishcon open day or previously applied know if we can abbreviate/shorten the name? If so, is it MDR, MdR or Mishcon? Thank you

I used Mishcon

 

[sjr22]

Hey @sjr22 , well done on getting the AC. In terms of preparations, I remember fishing out several articles when I had ACs coming up. After reading them, I’d make a summary of the main issues and their impacts on law firms and their clients. The reason this is a good starting point is because any written element will essentially require you to demonstrate an understanding of those two core elements, as well as an ability to summarise information adequately. You may not necessarily be asked about the legal and commercial implications in a written assessment, but this knowledge will serve you well one way or another.

So, practicing using random articles on the FT, for example, would aid your preparations. Hope this helps!

I also understand all the nerves, so take a moment before your assessment to recharge

Hi Amma, this is super useful thank you!

 

[TJM23]

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

I can't see this on the application form for lift off, where would it be?

 

[KBanana]

Has anyone heard of ppl starting their contracts early at any MC firm? e.g. if they applied for a 2026 TC but were able to start in 2025 instead?

 

[B2025]

Am rooting for positive news this week for everyone. It is a new week and lets get this week started positively.

 

[asplawyer100]

Any winter apps still open other than Burges?

A fair few, off the top of my head:

Cleary Gotlieb
Covington
Hogan Lovells

There's probably more

 

[B2025]

A fair few, off the top of my head:

Cleary Gotlieb
Covington
Hogan Lovells

There's probably more

I thought Covington was closed for winter.

 

[asplawyer100]

I thought Covington was closed for winter.

Yeah my bad, Covington did close a few days ago. However, I just remembered that Jones Day is still open. So the 4 that are still open to my knowledge are:

Cleary Gottlieb
Hogan Lovells
Jones Day
Burges Salmon