TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[andrecsaa]

I just got the call that I made it to the the A&O Shearman Summer Vac!!!!!🤯

Congratulations!! Me too, got the call at 15:23 and it still feels surreal 🥹 Looking forward to meeting you!

Wonderful news, congrats!

 

[MR218]

Does anyone know of any of Willkie's London office's precedent-setting litigation cases? Or where to find information on these? I have found one but it is from 2016.

I think fairly recently they did a big competition dispute where they acted for like 45 million consumers in a collective action against Mastercard

 

[KBanana]

Hey @KBanana I think your approach is good but potentially not always optimal. As I see it, it works well as long as the firm you are currently applying to excels in the three practice areas you have identified to a greater or at least equal extent as all the other firms you end up mentioning. If there is any other firm that seems to do better in those areas, this will raise the question like 'why should you not prefer them over us?'.

As such, I used a slightly more tailored approach. I would essentially repeat the underlying two or three motivations for why I was applying to this firm, and would then treat the two three points as firm selection criteria. Then, I would list 2-3 firm that also scored well in every criterion. Since from the beginning these 2-3 criteria would have been selected to best apply to the firm in question, there would be no doubt in the recruiter's mind as to which is the ideal firm for me when they read my 'What other firms have you applied to' answer.

I have analysed this topic in a lot more depth in a recent post about this same question (although in the context of an interview). I have quoted it bellow, as exploring the deeper rationales may be useful to you:

Thank you, this is some really useful advice - greatly appreciated! @Andrei Radu 😊

As a follow-up question, would it be a big 'no no' to state that one of my key criteria is having PE at the core of the firm's focus and then listing firms that operate in different segments of the PE market (e.g. listing firms in middle-market PE alongside those handling deals valued at $500 million and above)?

@Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[cjwx]

I'm doing the Eversheds Sutherland application and there is a work experience section and a separate position of responsibility/extra curricular section. I do not have that many extra curricular activities, because I worked 32 hours a week throughout all of university. Would it be worth mentioning running a business for a short period (selling an e-guide with tutorials on making traditional dresses), even thought it was 3 years ago? I am also using this example for the "quality" question just in a lot more detail about the process. I am going to mention organising charity events but other than that I do not have much. Do you think this would put me at a disadvantage.

 

[James Wakefield]

I applied on 28/11 and have not heard back. Has anyone who applied post 28th heard back with WG Invite?

Looking back it took my 10 days last year before I got the WG.

I think they do screen beforehand, but maybe the different speeds are to do with the offices people are applying for?

 

[deeja]

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with the NBC Universal final round interviews for their legal internships. What should I expect, and do you have any tips?

Also, has anyone gone through the HireVue process for the BBC Solicitor Apprenticeship or Training Contract? Any insights on the questions or format would be super helpful!

Thank you!☺️

Hey which nbc universal internship did you apply to and when did you hear back from the VI?

 

[Rus]

Hey, do we have to submit VI & SJT for Latham & Watkins before the deadline?

Fr though does anyone know?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Has anyone heard back for HL Lift Off??

 

[BobThebIlly]

Has anyone heard back for the HL Lift Off Programme

 

[Jaysen]

You need to add UK firms. Most if not all the firms you have left all take under 20 applicants on for a TC with most of them taking under 10. You need to apply to different firms then move laterally or you’ll be here for another cycle.

I don't agree with this. I'm not sure why you're telling someone they need to apply somewhere else and move laterally nor why your tone is so hostile.

@Tintin06, this is a really good number of applications and very helpful to see your progress. Plenty of people get training contracts without adding in UK firms, so don't feel like you need to do this unless you are actually interested in those UK firms.

It's fair to say that you can 'diversify' by applying to a few 'less competitive' firms, but it doesn't mean you have to do this, and I would find some of the more mid-sized firms that you are interested in (whether US/UK/global) if that's what you wanted to do.

 

[Jaysen]

I just got the call that I made it to the the A&O Shearman Summer Vac!!!!!🤯

Congratulations!! Me too, got the call at 15:23 and it still feels surreal 🥹 Looking forward to meeting you!

Well done both of you!

 

[plshireme]

I did not and still progressed to the AC stage, as did a number of other people I know who progressed past the application stage. If you particularly like DLA and have the time to invest into writing a high-quality cover letter, it will definitely not hurt your chances. However, if there are many other firms that you are currently applying or intending to apply to, and if you think you might struggle to complete them by the relevant deadlines, I would simply focus on writing high-quality responses to the mandatory questions.

Thanks! I sent it off without as I still have a fair few applications to do

 

[gimmeavacschemepls]

Hey which nbc universal internship did you apply to and when did you hear back from the VI?

It was for the immigration intern, I got the call yesterday.

 

[AI212121]

Hi, I've been invited for a second stage interview with Gibson Dunn in January. This is the time i've progressed to something other than a video interview and am quite nervous on what to expect. Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare/expect?

 

[doglover123]

CMS PFO

Sorry to hear! Was this post app, test or VI?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hi, I've been invited for a second stage interview with Gibson Dunn in January. This is the time i've progressed to something other than a video interview and am quite nervous on what to expect. Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare/expect?

Huge congrats! Is this for the vac scheme?

I would say prepare to be pushed in directions you maybe didn’t expect- so be prepared but also make sure you are comfortable with questions you haven’t even thought of!

 

[AI212121]

Huge congrats! Is this for the vac scheme?

I would say prepare to be pushed in directions you maybe didn’t expect- so be prepared but also make sure you are comfortable with questions you haven’t even thought of!

Yeah, GD only recruits through vac schemes. I'm just really nervous tbh, i know they test more commercial awareness and general abilities but then also some of the questions on glassdoor are stressing me out. Someone said they got asked "what makes GD different to Cleary and Linklaters?" Is this likely to be cos that applicant said they also applied to those firms, or just randomly? Because I could answer that compared to other firms i applied to but definitely not with random ones. Does anyone have advice?

 

[Tintin06]

Is the Paul Hastings work experience assessed? It doesn't sound like your standard VS. Is it worth applying for that or the direct TC? Any know where they mostly hire from?

 

[allwillbewell]

if anyone has the done the Dechert written exercise and is able to provide any tips, please PM me! Applied 4/11

 

[svb risk management intern]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman!

I was hoping to understand what might be the most optimal discussion point for why you choose this firm's levfin practice area. This is for the Latham app, which I am unsure of what I should talk about.

Trawling through the forums, I know to talk about (a) client focus, (b) industry focus, or (c) market focus, but Latham's levfin team is quite similar to other firms in all three of these markets. For example, they are similar to K&E, P,W, and Weil for their large-cap deals, but similar to DLA, HL, Macs for their mid-market work as well. They are similar in their market focus to Weil and CC as they target IBs, private credit, and PE sponsors, so that also makes them similar, and finally, all of these firms' London office works on multi-jurisdictional deals specifically in the EMEA region.

So it seems to be difficult to answer "why train at Latham over its competitors?" if the firm is similar to others. I understand it is asking specifically why I would train at the firm, but it seems very difficult to clearly explain why Latham does different work to its competitors when the levfin market seems to be highly commoditised.

Appreciate the help!