It’s a start, you’re in a better position than most applying for those firms. You inherently have an advantage. Play on it and I’m sure you’ll get the Vacation Scheme.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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- Sep 7, 2024
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Hi there, is there a thread on TCLA for tips in order to convert vac schemes into offers? I have tried searching but can't find anything. Thank you
@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam
Hey @Chelsea101 , just before @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker jump in, I’ve included a few pointers below:
1. Be Proactive from the Start: Law firms value self-starters who can anticipate needs and take initiative without waiting to be asked. On your first day, introduce yourself to your team, ask how you can assist, and familiarise yourself with the work. Offer to help with smaller tasks, such as proofreading, researching, or preparing documents, even if they are not explicitly assigned to you. If you find yourself with downtime, politely ask your supervisor if there’s anything additional you can assist with.
2. Understand the Work Beforehand: Familiarity with the firm’s work areas shows preparation and allows you to contribute meaningfully. Research the firm's key practice areas, landmark deals, and recent cases before starting. Pay attention to client industries, market trends, and legal developments. If you know your practice area placements in advance, review introductory resources, articles, or deals related to those areas. If not, be prepared to adapt by understanding the firm’s general focus areas.
3. Schedule coffee chats with lawyers from practice areas you’re genuinely interested in. During a VS, you’ll be surrounded by a plethora of legal talent - make the most of the learning opportunity!
4. Show a Genuine Interest in Learning: Firms look for trainees who are curious and eager to grow professionally. Approach tasks with an open mind and ask intelligent questions to deepen your understanding of the legal and commercial context. For example, instead of just editing a document, ask how it fits into the broader transaction or case.
5. Exceed Expectations in Your Work: Exceptional work leaves a lasting impression and demonstrates your potential as a trainee. Take your time to ensure accuracy and quality in your work. Proofread carefully, double-check details, and ask for clarification if unsure. Submit your work on time or, ideally, ahead of deadlines. If feedback is provided, take it constructively and implement it immediately—this shows you can learn and adapt quickly.
6. Show Commercial Awareness: Commercial lawyers are not just legal experts—they are also business experts. Keep up with current events and consider how they impact the firm’s clients. During tasks, think beyond the legal issue and consider the broader business or strategic implications.
7. Maintain professionalism at all times.
8. Gather feedback and reflect.
Final Advice: Beyond technical ability, demonstrate qualities like adaptability, resilience, and teamwork. These are essential skills for a trainee.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll position yourself as a standout candidate for a training contract. Good luck—you’ve got this!
Has anyone heard back today from W&C WVS post-ac?
Today / tomorrow I think, but honestly I have no clue at this point
Hi @elsx
This is a great question, and I understand why the wording might be a little confusing.
The question asks you to showcase an example where you’ve taken responsibility for others. As @Ram Sabaratnam explained, this is really about demonstrating your leadership skills, accountability, and the impact you had in managing, guiding, or supporting a group. It’s also a chance to show how you respond under pressure or in challenging situations.
To address this, I highly recommend structuring your answer using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This ensures your response is clear, organised, and impactful.
I’ve provided a short snippet as an example below:
1. Situation
- Start by describing the context.
- What was happening? What was the environment like? Who was involved, and why did you need to step up?
- Keep this section concise but detailed enough for the reader to understand the importance of the situation.
- For example: During my role as the team lead for a university project, our group of six faced significant challenges when two members unexpectedly dropped out, leaving us behind schedule.
2. Task
- Clarify your specific responsibility in this situation.
- What goal or problem were you addressing?
- This is where you highlight the responsibility you took on for others.
- For example: My task was to reorganise the remaining team, ensure we met our deadlines, and deliver a comprehensive report despite the reduced manpower.
3. Action
- This is the most important part—focus on your contribution.
- Be specific about what you did to manage the situation. What actions did you take to lead, support, or ensure the group succeeded?
- Think about how you delegated, communicated, or solved problems.
- For example: I scheduled a team meeting to reassess our workload, reallocated tasks to balance the increased responsibilities, and stepped in to cover some of the more technical aspects of the project. To keep morale high, I held regular check-ins and created a shared document to track our progress transparently.
4. Result
- Highlight the positive outcome and tie it back to your leadership.
- Focus on measurable achievements where possible.
- For example: As a result, we completed the project on time and also received the highest grade in the class. Additionally, two team members personally thanked me for my support and leadership, which motivated them to stay committed to the project despite the challenges.
Additional Tips:
- Emphasise leadership skills: Focus on attributes like initiative, empathy, adaptability, and effective communication.
- Keep it concise: While detailed, your answer should remain focused on the key points. Avoid tangents.
- Choose a strong example: If possible, select an example that demonstrates leadership in a professional or academic setting, as these are most relevant to Arnold & Porter’s context.
Goodluck with the apps!!!
@Amma Usman Thank you very much !
Jessica Booker
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There is a thread here on this topic: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....to-a-training-contract-top-tips-in-2021.3454/
Hi there, is there a thread on TCLA for tips in order to convert vac schemes into offers? I have tried searching but can't find anything. Thank you
@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam
Probably the wrong place for this but if anyone could shed any light I’d be so grateful.
I missed the deadline submission for my LPC PLR module but emailed the assessment office/turn it in submissions as soon as practical after.
I also phoned the assessment office immediately after to discuss. I was obviously in quite a panic and can’t recall if my understanding of what they said is correct.
It sounded like the assessment office said as long as turn it in’s software picks up that the last modification was before 12:00pm it will be submitted on my behalf.
Does anyone know if this is how it works / this has happened to someone else??
A very worried student)))
I missed the deadline submission for my LPC PLR module but emailed the assessment office/turn it in submissions as soon as practical after.
I also phoned the assessment office immediately after to discuss. I was obviously in quite a panic and can’t recall if my understanding of what they said is correct.
It sounded like the assessment office said as long as turn it in’s software picks up that the last modification was before 12:00pm it will be submitted on my behalf.
Does anyone know if this is how it works / this has happened to someone else??
A very worried student
)))
They don't auto-reject based on academics.
I'm not sure why people are so hard on themselves with age. I met a trainee at HL last month who was 38. He was an aerospace engineer and decided to become a commercial lawyer. I did a VS last Spring at SH, and there was a 40-year-old guy on the scheme. We all went to him for advice; he was bright, friendly and kind. I've met people who have been trying to get a TC for 8 years! The beauty of living in countries like the UK and the US is that we can do anything at any age, whether going to Uni for the first time or becoming a trainee solicitor.
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