TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[legaldruid]

Anyone else not received anything from Addleshaw Goddard since taking the critical thinking test? I took it early November

I applied close to the deadline which doesn't help my case either.

 

[legalxp2]

anyone else still waiting for Mishcon post-VI?

 

[studentdelaw786]

anyone still waiting on Davis Polk?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Anyone completed the Simmons VI? Any tips would be appreciated!

Same!!

 

[HLL]

Did people with pfos from Bakers apply late? I applied on the deadline which was probably not wise lol

I applied on the deadline day. No news is probs good news for you

 

[AlegalA]

Does anyone just have general links for mock written exercises? Would really appreciate it!!

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

should I assume Goodwin and K&E PFO, if haven't got VI invite?

i haven't heard back from goodwin either. Not assuming anything, just praying....

 

[lou1707]

has anyone heard back from HFW or Birketts

 

[legaldruid]

Did people with pfos from Bakers apply late? I applied on the deadline which was probably not wise lol

Applying means you have a chance regardless of how close it is to the deadline. Its much better than not applying at all, imo

 

[vstchunter]

Has anyone got any insight into Kirkland assessment centre? Please pm me. Thanks

 

[Crazy_f00]

Does anyone just have general links for mock written exercises? Would really appreciate it!!

Yes me too, this would be really useful and I feel there is a serious lack of widely-available material online!

 

[bjelostan]

hey if anyone has done reed smith VI please message me

 

[yasmars]

hey if anyone has done reed smith VI please message me

Congrats! When did you submit your app?

 

[bjelostan]

Congrats! When did you submit your app?

thank you, applied on the 3rd

 

[Jessica Booker]

For Squire Patton Boggs, the first question says “why you are motivated to pursue a career in a commercial law firm, in particular Squire Patton Boggs” but the second question says “Which of our practice areas are you most interested in, what has influenced your interest in this area” (both 200 words).

One of my reasons for why the firm is their work, but should I steer away from that and use other reasons so that my answers don’t overlap? I’m worried that will make my first answer a little vaguer and not tailored enough to the firm if I only discuss things like their initiatives. Any help is appreciated!

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

From the SPB applications I have seen, it is best to avoid the repetition and just focus on other aspects of the firm's opportunities outside of practice areas. This can include things like sector expertise, the structure of their training contract/trainee supervision, cultural aspects of the firm, or things like their approach to CSR/pro-bono/client relationships etc. I think you can often still find things that are very SPB specific for these and then focus on the practice areas in the other question, especially as you also have to cover "why commercial law" in this question too, which means you don't have a lot of word count to dedicate to these other factors.

 

[theruleofno]

Has anyone got any insight into Kirkland assessment centre? Please pm me. Thanks

Spring or Summer?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, @Andrei Radu, @Amma Usman

I am applying to Paul Weiss and for the first question that asks "As a premier law firm, how do you think Paul, Weiss maintains its competitive advantage?", do you think I should focus just on the work of the London office or would it be good to include some of the work they do internationally and particularly in the US?

I think you can discuss the firm more broadly but I would encourage anyone to tailor it more to the London office where appropriately. For instance, you might identify a theme that is a strategy the firm takes across its network, but then find an example of how they deliver that specifically within London.

 

[Mug Fan]

If anyone has insight into the Reed Smith VI and test, please can you message me.

Happy to share insights in to Goodwin VI, Willkie VI, Weil VI, Baker McKenzie VI and AC, CMS AC, Jones Day AC, Linklater’s AC and NRF AC

I did it, but I can’t remember it that well now! It was hard though. Goodwin’s was definitely more straight forward. Let me rack brains or see if I wrote notes.

 

[kokoprep]

sidley austin replied they will get back to everyone by march end

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman I was wondering if you have any hints and tips for a written exercise that entails writing an article. Thank you!

I would first of all consider who the audience is - this is going to be the most important aspect of knowing how to tailor what your write. Thinking about what they might already know or what they might be concerned about will often allow you to prioritise what you present.

I would also ensure you are putting your analysis into the article rather than just lots of citations of other people's thinking.

You may want to look at how the firm themselves have written business development articles on their website to see how they like to present something. For instance, this example would be good if your exercise was with Norton Rose Fulbright: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com...ations/4548112a/the-esg-advertising-conundrum