TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

is it too late to apply to HSF's spring vac scheme scheme? should I apply for summer?

@TrainingContract2024 , I know some firms have a silent rule where if you apply two weeks before the deadline if rolling, then that should be fine. However, differs between firms. If you feel unsure about your chances of being allocated to spring due to the proximity of the closing date, then summer is a sensible option to take.

 

[Amma Usman]

This is off topic but has anyone been allocated to CMS via 10,000 black interns or been through the process?

Hey @Zaraa.x , I am unsure about CMS specifically, but I know of people who have been allocated via 10KBI and the processes remain largely similar across firms - application form, Watson glaser, etc.

 

[001hussa]

Did you seek assistance from ChatGPT when completing this application? (Please note that there is not a right or wrong answer to this question, we are focusing on your integrity to this process).

Please provide details on your decision and elaborate on the reasons behind your choice. {Provide answer of 2500 characters}

Does anyone have advice on how to approach this question pls?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey everyone,

I had recently posted a Private Equity case study. I’ve left the floor open for discussions, so feel free to share your thoughts. I’ll be posting my thoughts on it by next Friday. Hope you find it useful…

Private Equity Case Study - OPEN ENGAGEMENT ENCOURAGED ;)

Hey TCLA Community! We’re back again with the mock case studies ;) This time around, I decided to take a different approach. I’ve included the case study below, and will leave the floor open for a couple of days so you can all provide your thoughts and ideas on the commercial and legal issues...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[axele]

Hey @axele , the law firm profile for Goodwin is contained as part of the Law Firm Profiles course - I’ve linked this here; https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/tcla-premium/ . With regards applications, there would also be more information on Goodwin‘s process as part of the premium database.

I have gold but there is no application guide for Goodwin, only the law firm profile

 

[CarolineC]

Hey! Does anyone have any advice for Bird and CMS VIs? Many thanks

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey! Does anyone have any advice for Bird and CMS VIs? Many thanks

Hey @CarolineC ,

For VI’s generally, I’d say it’s worth preparing for the general questions. For example, some firms tend to sway towards the common ‘why us..why you.. why commercial law.. recent commercial issue that’s interested you that’ll affect our work/clients’. So, it’s worth having answers prepped for that. However, avoid memorising things as this could make one tense and may sound too unnatural.

As 2Birds is tech/IP focused and CMS is tax/real estate focused, I also recommend having a dabble on any recent developments in those industries and find a way to weave those in. Also, if the firm has been making any interesting moves in those industries that resonate with you, it‘s definitely worth weaving in too.

In terms of soft preparation, I recommend coming to the VI in a formal suit - just as you would in an in-person interview. This adds to the clientele nature of the role.

Finally, I can‘t go without referencing @Andrei Radu ’s beautiful guide to interviews ; https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

 

[marisachr]

@TrainingContract2024 , I know some firms have a silent rule where if you apply two weeks before the deadline if rolling, then that should be fine. However, differs between firms. If you feel unsure about your chances of being allocated to spring due to the proximity of the closing date, then summer is a sensible option to take.

I thought the HSF vac scheme was non-rolling? Both summer and spring have the same closing date as well.

 

[Amma Usman]

I thought the HSF vac scheme was non-rolling? Both summer and spring have the same closing date as well.

Hey @marisachr , yes it’s non-rolling for HSF. Apologies for not clarifying - this is a strategy I apply to firms that are rolling. As HSF is non-rolling, I see no harm in applying for either spring/summer, since the deadline date is the same.

 

[vstchunter]

Jones Day AC

How long did they take to tell you after the interview?

 

[Tom smith]

Hi, just wondering how long we should be speaking for in an interview when answering just one question e.g. why this firm? or why commercial law?

 

[affidavid]

Do law firms look unfavourably on non-law GRADUATES who apply, as opposed to final year non-law students? I was rejected from Bird and Bird post application questions but before the WG test or VI. I got to the K&E AC last year with less experience but slightly better answers to their commercial awareness/ firm specific qs. I'm quite surprised I was so flat out rejected by BB is this likely down to
- being a graduated non-law student currently doing a mix of random shift work and a full-time but non-law related short course currently?
- slightly worse answers to their questions?
- applying mid november to a rolling recruitment system which began in septmber?
- not having gone to a BB open/insight day (I went to a KE one before applying)

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

How long did they take to tell you after the interview?

One day

 

[elizabethkate]

HSF test benchmark met - surprised as my feedback said I wasn’t great at anything but one area.

how long did it take to hear back from HSF post report? I got the report instantly. is that a bad sign

 

[James Wakefield]

I’ve applied to Eversheds Sutherland and noticed the form asked you to submit evidence of your degree module grades alongside your application. However, there was nowhere to upload a transcript.

Has anyone else encountered this problem, and is it worth an email to their Early Talent Team? Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, just wondering how long we should be speaking for in an interview when answering just one question e.g. why this firm? or why commercial law?

There really isn't an answer to this unfortunately - for some people it may be less than 60 seconds, for somone else it may be over 4 minutes.

If an interview is an hour long, you will actually only be interviewed for about 40 minutes of the hour (need time to settle in, intros, time for you to ask questions at the end etc), and then you have to factor in the time they ask the questions. They will more than likely ask around 10 or more questions and so you can easily see how individual interview questions can be roughly 2-3 minutes long.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Taylor Wessing Written Assessment Invite!!

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

I’ve applied to Eversheds Sutherland and noticed the form asked you to submit evidence of your degree module grades alongside your application. However, there was nowhere to upload a transcript.

Has anyone else encountered this problem, and is it worth an email to their Early Talent Team? Thanks!

Go back into allgradhires after submission and you can add it as additional information

 

[aether]

Anything from DLA yet? I’m assuming they’ll send something out if there’s an AC next week?

 

[James Wakefield]

Go back into allgradhires after submission and you can add it as additional information

Thanks, but the additional information section is just a textbox it seems, and I can’t upload anything to it.