TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Adammk]

Hey guys! Does anyone have any tips for the Clifford Chance AC? I would really appreciate it!

When is your AC?

 

[EA95]

Also how long does it take to get a response for your VS application? I applied for a couple firms, such as Linklaters and Latham & Watkins etc, and their deadlines have passed.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Also how long does it take to get a response for your VS application? I applied for a couple firms, such as Linklaters and Latham & Watkins etc, and their deadlines have passed.

As they have about 3000 applications it is a case of just waiting I'm afraid

 

[EA95]

Ad they have about 3000 applications it is a case of just waiting I'm afraid

Thank you very much for your response. (This is my first time applying for these firms, and it has been quite an experience so far).

 

[Laylaaa]

Congrats on your AC invite. Best of luck with it I’m sure you will do amazing!! 😀

Can I ask when did you apply and when did you take the SJT test / get confirmation that you had met or passed the benchmark. 🙂

Thank you! I applied for spring on 30 Nov and got the benchmark confirmation on 5 Dec.

 

[helloj]

Has anyone heard back from Mayer Brown for spring AC as of yet?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I don't know if anyone has shared but please could u provide any information about the simmons online test? 🙃🙃

 

[kokoprep]

can someone please share insights on the issues currently faced by firms? @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

can someone please share insights on the issues currently faced by firms? @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

Here are some articles that might give you some guidance on themes you could consider:

Key trends shaping the legal industry in 2025

Louise Donnery from legal software company Clio examines how advancements in technology, shifting client expectations and economic pressures will drive change across the sector.

www.lawsociety.org.uk

Top trends UK law firms can expect in 2025 | LexisNexis Blogs

Stay ahead of the curve. Read our 2025 predictions for medium and large law firms, including technological advancements, enhanced client experience, and...

www.lexisnexis.co.uk

Downloadable report if you give them your contact details: https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/insights/business-of-law/legal-trends-2025-report/

Legal Tech's Predictions for the Business of Law in 2025

A look at how law firm business models, hiring, pricing and culture may shift in the coming months.

www.law.com

Seismic Shifts in Law Firm Business Models for 2025 Seismic Shifts in Law Firm Business Models for 2025 -

The Law Firm Business Outlook 2025 As we stand at the beginning of 2025, the legal industry finds itself at a crossroads, poised for transformation that could redefine the very essence of how law firms operate. Drawing insights from LegalTech's comprehensive analysis, it's clear that the coming...

www.lawfuel.com

 

[wqueens8]

I don't know if anyone has shared but please could u provide any information about the simmons online test? 🙃🙃

it’s been a while, but from what I remember it wasn’t too bad. Basically what it says on the tin (in the email), some SJT, some verbal reasoning, some numerical reasoning with data/graphs. It is untimed, so can take your time to think. Can’t remember exactly what the questions were in the VI but no curveballs.

Cant really prepare too much, I’d take the practice test and go for it tbh.

 

[coolpanda]

Anyone heard back from Cooley yet?

 

[kokoprep]

Anyone got W&C VI recently

 

[m12]

has anyone who applied close to the deadline for bird&bird heard back yet?

 

[GigiB2001]

it’s been a while, but from what I remember it wasn’t too bad. Basically what it says on the tin (in the email), some SJT, some verbal reasoning, some numerical reasoning with data/graphs. It is untimed, so can take your time to think. Can’t remember exactly what the questions were in the VI but no curveballs.

Cant really prepare too much, I’d take the practice test and go for it tbh.

Were the numerical reasoning questions reasonable?

 

[👩🎓]

Hey, anyone heard back from Latham?

And also, with NRF - how long does it take for the Arctic Shores test to arrive? because I submitted mine early morning on Friday, completed the RARE form, but do not have any email from Arctic Shores and for some reason I cannot log in onto the workday portal via the link they sent me in an email cause that prompts me for a microsoft log in on Norton server lol

I've had the same thing with NRF.

 

[dm_corporate]

K&E VI received

 

[jacksollaf]

K&E VI received

For the summer vs?

 

[dm_corporate]

For the summer vs?

I selected 'both' on the application

 

[m12]

K&E VI received

hey congrats! when did you apply and when did you hear back?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi TCLA Team! Welcome back

I got an invite to the Kirkland VI (received it 2/01, applied on 31/12), and wanted to know what I can do to prepare for the motivational aspect of the question. I read through @Andrei Radu's guide for competency interview preparation already!

I understand it is 1 to 1.5 minutes long, and historically, all of my points have taken longer than that to articulate it. Furthermore, I find Kirkland attractive for 2 practice areas and its diversity, but the time limit suggests that 3 points would be difficult to articulate. My general structure is Point-CV Evidence-Analysis of Evidence-Firm specific interest-link. I am not sure if this being too long is the issue, but would love to know what I can do to ensure I get a cohesive answer to Kirkland!

Other than that, articulating and tone wise, is there anything I can do to make my answer better?

Thank you in advance!

Hi @svb risk management intern and first of all congrats for progressing to the VI stage! Considering the time limits, I think the safe choice is to limit your answer to two why the firm reasons - by far the biggest issue that has impacted my own VI performances has been trying to cramp down too much information in too small of a space. Since this is Kirkland, it is highly advisable for one of those to be a Private Equity-based point. For the other one, you should make a judgment call on which reason is more persuasive. You should consider both how unique the USP is to Kirkland and how well you can link it to your motivations and experiences.

The structure you mentioned also looks fine to me. The one way you can try to make the answer more concise is to limit the 'CV point-Analysis' part a bit, as I feel that is largely expected in video interviews. Say you mention an internship you did in a corporate seat as what sparked your interest in PE. Instead of going for a full STAR-structured overview of the work experience, you can state something simpler like 'Having completed an internship at X, I enjoyed assisting lawyers with DD and research tasks on a live deal, which confirmed my interest in learning about business from a variety of industries while working on transformative transactions. Thus, I became interested in joining a PE-focused firm.' While you could go on a much longer analysis of your experience and of what PE work involves generally, I do not think it is necessary. Given the time constraints, you simply need to communicate the essence of your motivations in a clear manner.