TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

In up to 600 words, please outline up to three significant challenges that you think all law firms will face over the next 5 years. You should draw on your current awareness and commercial awareness to answer this question.
Would breaking this down into subheadings be a good idea?

Hey @cleojwilliams , subheadings may not be necessary, particularly because most application softwares won‘t allow you to put things in bold or underlined. The best approach easily applicable to allhires, vantage, and the likes is to have (1) an introductory paragraph of just a sentence or two stating the three things you‘ll cover. (2) three subsequent paragraphs, with each one covering a point.

 

[patternteddybear]

Just finished my application to the AG placement and completed the online assessment ✅

 

[studentdelaw786]

Davis Polk Insight Day PFO

4 Open Day applications and 4 PFOs in this cycle.

This particular one hurts cos of the time invested and that I had genuine reasons to want to work at the firm.

Does anyone with particular insight to DPW know if I can apply for the VS this cycle after the rejection, or should I look elsewhere?

 

[Amma Usman]

@Amma Usman

Hey Amma, I came across your post on the Forum about the Dentons VS question, ‘Describe how you think the innovative developments taking place in the legal industry will change the role of a commercial lawyer at Dentons. Please outline your research and reference the sources you used to inform your opinion.’ (250 words)


When I was drafting my skeleton, I thought I could make more than one point. Now, as I write down my answer, I can honestly only discuss one development and give two or three good points on how it changes commercial lawyers' roles at Dentons.


I would be grateful for any opinion you have on this.

Hey @dekz28 , good question. Sometimes, less is more. You can cover only a point but those three expansion points are what could take it to the next level and give you a solid response. However, I recommend choosing two points, as opposed to only one. This ensures that you are demonstrating an awareness of how not just one area impacts the role of a lawyer. The question also asks for developments, indicating that more than one area should be included. 250 words doesn’t seem like a lot, but with conciseness, it’s more than enough to write a great answer.

 

[Amjaya]

Just finished my application to the AG placement and completed the online assessment ✅

How did you find the assessment? I have heard its harder than the watson

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Applying for Hogan Lovells direct TC and currently struggling with this one question: tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector (250 words).

It's been 2 years since I've graduated from uni and since I've started working, I've never had the chance to attend any more recent events. The last law firm open day/event i've gone to was in my second year of uni.

What exactly is the firm looking from this question? Meaningful reflection of the events?But what exactly can I write about -- please may I get some pointers?

Also because my attendance at these events were so long ago, are they still considered relevant?

It's looking to assess your motivations for a career in commercial law. These don't have to be in-person insight days, first-year schemes or vacation schemes but what events have you been attending? have they been virtual insight days, have you attended legal cheek events, have you done any workshops etc etc

 

[gazdgazd11]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Andrei Radu @Shahana

Hi team,

I hope you’re well. I’ve reached out to both Shahana and Jessica about upgrading my bronze subscription to gold, but I haven’t yet received an update. I understand you’re likely handling a high volume of requests, but I wanted to confirm a few details before making any additional purchases.

If I purchase the application review pack, will I be able to submit my applications directly for review, or will this also require approval similar to the gold subscription upgrade? I’d like to ensure that I’ll be able to proceed with reviews smoothly, especially as I’m a bit concerned by the delay in processing my subscription upgrade.

Thank you for your help, and I look forward to hearing from you soon

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

If you are scoring 25/40 in waston glaser tests is this okay? or should you practice more?

Hiya @Amjaya

I would keep practicing if possible. Though it’s worth noting that the benchmark for each firm can vary, you want to get closer to about 35/40. Regular practice, reflecting on the answers you get wrong, and an understanding of the type of reasoning demanded by each section will help improve your score over the long run. Best of luck!

 

[Amma Usman]

In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of.
How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer?
How closely intertwined to CC should our answer be? How much of our interest in specific practice areas, legal tech be embedded in our answer? Or is this question mainly focused on your extracurriculars and how this would help you as a trainee?

Hey @stargazed. Your answer doesn’t need to be linked to the firm’s practice areas. It will be beneficial to link it to your skills and competencies instead. You would have already touched about your passion for the firm’s work in other questions, so it may not be necessary here. For example, if you juggled multiple positions of responsibility, you could link it to your ability to juggle client commitments as a lawyer, or something else within that spec. A search via the firm’s website on the key competencies they look for/their values, will help you adequately tailor your answer to the firm.

 

[patternteddybear]

How did you find the assessment? I have heard its harder than the watson

It’s really difficult, but trusted my gut and went with what seemed right. Definitely do the practice questions that they provide access to beforehand

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Applying for Hogan Lovells direct TC and currently struggling with this one question: tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector (250 words).

It's been 2 years since I've graduated from uni and since I've started working, I've never had the chance to attend any more recent events. The last law firm open day/event i've gone to was in my second year of uni.

What exactly is the firm looking from this question? Meaningful reflection of the events?But what exactly can I write about -- please may I get some pointers?

Also because my attendance at these events were so long ago, are they still considered relevant?

Hi @jobhuntwarrior

Absolutely, you should feel free to mention these events! It might seem like they were a while ago, but that really doesn’t matter. The question doesn’t limit how far back you can go, so it’s perfectly fine to include all the relevant events you’ve attended. There’s also no need to mention specific dates. I would just focus on the experiences themselves. When approaching this question in my own applications, I tried to lend my answer sufficient structure. For instance, I typically separated my paragraphs by discussing:

1. General open days that helped me build a broader understanding of commercial law. These experiences deepened my interest in specific aspects of the field.
2. Sector-specific events, which introduced me to particular industries and gave me insights into what makes them unique and exciting.
3. Diversity-focused insight days, where I gained valuable perspectives on inclusion and representation within firms, which resonated with me.

Again, no need to worry about dates. Just focus on the insights you gained and how they developed your interest in and understanding of the profession. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your application! 😊

 

[Hskajab]

Nothing received yet! I did see two or three people on this thread who said they had received offers last thursday/friday. Obvs not everybody who receives an offer will be on here of course. Idk if there's still hope atp...sigh (buy hey, maybe they did their ACs at the earliest date)

I had my ac on the 4th november and they said they'd get back to us end of last week or this week - so would wait till the end of the week. I know some people on here received wvs offers a while back and then last week so they may just be doing it in batches

 

[Amma Usman]

Who are Travers Smith's competitors? I see they are very well-balanced and traverse (all pun intended) many practice areas, should I be referring to their practice area/sector competitors or overall competitors?

Hey @Izzy1026. An overall-competitor approach may not be the most appropriate as this will be virtually every law firm with a presence in the regional/ international market. Rather, as you suggested, it’ll be great to include competitors within the same practice-area specification. However, even this may be too generic.

Let me give you an example:

Travers has a good private equity specialty. However, so does Latham and Kirkland. Digging deep, you’ll see that TS has a specialty in mid-market PE deals. Thus, in answering the question, you would compare TS with similar firms that work on mid-market PE deals as well. This will ensure that you hit the nail on the market similarities between firms, enabling you to fashion a response that properly conveys an understanding of the sectoral specialties between firms.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Andrei Radu @Shahana

Hi team,

I hope you’re well. I’ve reached out to both Shahana and Jessica about upgrading my bronze subscription to gold, but I haven’t yet received an update. I understand you’re likely handling a high volume of requests, but I wanted to confirm a few details before making any additional purchases.

If I purchase the application review pack, will I be able to submit my applications directly for review, or will this also require approval similar to the gold subscription upgrade? I’d like to ensure that I’ll be able to proceed with reviews smoothly, especially as I’m a bit concerned by the delay in processing my subscription upgrade.

Thank you for your help, and I look forward to hearing from you soon

Hiya @gazdgazd11

Thanks so much for reaching out, and I’m sorry for the delay! Shahana will be handling your upgrade shortly, so you should be all set soon.

For the application review pack, you’ll be able to submit your applications directly for review without needing any extra approval once you’ve purchased it. This should make the process smooth and straightforward for you! Wishing you the best of luck with your applications, and feel free to reach out if you need any more help along the way. 😊

 

[Amma Usman]

Simmons AC for Summer! Any insights will be helpful as contains a lot of exercises. @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @anyone

Hey @Soprano , I have made an earlier post on this, which I’ve linked below. And congratulations on the AC!

Hey @FLOWERYELLOW2002 , thanks for your question. I haven’t had any experience with Simmons in particular, but here are a few tips from the specific points you’ve mentioned:

Inbox Exercise

The inbox exercise simulates a real-life work scenario where you'll be managing multiple tasks and deadlines, often under time pressure. Typically, you'll be reviewing emails and responding appropriately. This could involve prioritizing client queries, drafting responses, and even summarizing complex information into clear, actionable advice.

In some cases, you might also be asked to write an electronic memo summarizing your thoughts and findings based on attached documents or client instructions. It’s important to maintain a professional tone and address client concerns clearly. I would suggest focusing on being concise yet thorough—clients value clarity and precision in legal advice.

In my experience, law firms want to see how well you manage your workload, respond to client needs, and communicate effectively. A good way to prepare is by practicing drafting succinct emails and memos, perhaps even setting a timer to simulate the time pressure you may face on the day.


Client Discussion

A client discussion exercise could involve advising a client on the surrounding circumstances of their case, often in the presence of a senior lawyer or partner. This task will test your ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and efficiently. The key here is to ensure you fully understand the client’s objectives—what they want to achieve from the matter—and provide tailored advice that addresses those concerns.

The client may ask questions on the spot, so it’s important to stay calm and think on your feet. They’ll be assessing your commercial awareness and understanding of how legal principles apply to business situations. Therefore, brushing up on recent commercial cases or trends in the sector can be beneficial. Whether you're discussing contract negotiations, regulatory issues, or disputes, having a broad understanding of the legal and business implications will help you shine.

If you’re preparing for a transactional firm, expect more corporate-focused discussions—think mergers, acquisitions, and private equity. For more contentious firms, the discussion may lean towards litigation or dispute resolution. Being aware of both areas is crucial, as even transactional clients will appreciate your awareness of potential disputes, and vice versa.

Case Study

Case studies at law firm assessment centres tend to focus on contemporary issues in the commercial world. You might be given an article on a specific industry, like energy, or a broader topic such as private equity or mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The task will usually involve analyzing the situation and advising on potential legal or business solutions. Firms are testing your ability to digest information, think critically, and apply your legal knowledge to real-world scenarios.

For example, in a case study involving M&A, you may need to advise on due diligence, regulatory concerns, or the structure of the deal. In a case centered around energy, you might need to discuss environmental regulations, contract risks, or the impact of geopolitical events. Be sure to structure your analysis logically: identify the key issues, consider possible solutions, and weigh the pros and cons of each option.

In my experience, transactional firms tend to center their case studies on corporate law issues, while contentious firms will have case studies focused more on litigation or regulatory concerns. However, showcasing knowledge of both will help you come across as a well-rounded candidate. It’s essential to demonstrate that you can consider both corporate and contentious aspects—this will highlight your versatility and make you a more attractive prospect.

General Tips

• Research the firm: Know their major practice areas, recent cases, and key clients. It helps to tailor your responses and demonstrate your commercial awareness.
• Time management: These exercises are often time-pressured, so practice managing your time effectively.
• Attention to detail: Commercial law demands precision, so take care in reviewing documents, drafting emails, and delivering advice.
• Clear communication: Whether in written tasks or discussions, make sure your points are clear, concise, and business-oriented.

Hope this helps!

 

[Arbiter141]

Davis Polk Insight Day PFO

4 Open Day applications and 4 PFOs in this cycle.

This particular one hurts cos of the time invested and that I had genuine reasons to want to work at the firm.

Does anyone with particular insight to DPW know if I can apply for the VS this cycle after the rejection, or should I look elsewhere?

Same just got my PFO right now as well (I only applied yesterday a few hours before the deadline). My email also said they would 'encourage me to apply for their vacation scheme'. Did you also get that since I am assuming they sent a generic email to everyone they rejected.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi guys! a quick question, does anyone know if i can apply to TC and VS for Linklaters in one recruitment cycle or not?

Hi @Tangcy

Yes, you should be able to do so. Although this may need to be updated, I made a short thread on the firms that typically allow you to apply for a direct training contract in the same recruitment cycle as an unsuccessful vacation scheme application. When applying for Linklaters' direct training contract, I'd also suggest thinking carefully about how you can evidence your experience with and interest in a legal career, particularly since their direct training contract application allows you to include work experience entries as well. Best of luck with the application!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Same just got my PFO right now as well (I only applied yesterday a few hours before the deadline). My email also said they would 'encourage me to apply for their vacation scheme'. Did you also get that since I am assuming they sent a generic email to everyone they rejected.

Yeah I applied on the 7th, and I got that email too, so it’s defo generic.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, for the question "Please choose a recent (less than 12 months) development in UK/European news. How are such developments relevant for Skadden’s clients? (max 250)", does it need to focus specifically on a new regulation, or would discussing commercial trends also be appropriate?

Hi @josiemusgra

Just following up on this It doesn’t need to be a regulation specifically. You could also focus on a distinct business, political, or legal event, like a major court decision or a significant business move that’s been economically significant. These types of events often make for clearer, discrete news stories and are typically easier to place within the 12-month window that's mentioned in the question.

If you’re thinking about discussing a trend, just a quick word of caution: trends generally develop over longer periods, so it might be challenging to highlight one that’s specifically emerged within the past 12 months. Hope this helps, and good luck with your application!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu On the vantage platform or the all hires platform that firms use re work experience, should I be putting in bullet points for the details of my role or explaining my responsibilities with more granularity? There’s more to talk about with my full time jobs than I can fit into 250 words if I go into detail so I thought it best to bullet point the major responsibilities and achievements?

Generally, I would recommend prose over bullet points. If you have a lot to talk about, focus on the most complex responsibilities or those that were most challenging.