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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

pleasepleaseplease

Legendary Member
Oct 14, 2024
150
140
Hey @pleasepleaseplease ,

Yes, you can definitely go beyond the London office, but I still recommend touching on it in detail. This is because I presume the firm would want to know you are drawn to the office you’re applying to specifically.

Before answering questions like this, I usually made a map of the firm’s competitors as this helps narrow things down. In order to know how a firm maintains its competitive advantage, you need to first of all know its main competitors.

In terms of how a firm actually maintains its competitive advantage, I found it useful comparing its stance in the market (practice area-wise, for example) with those of other firms in the same band as it. Then, I subsequently researched those other firms too to see if the firm I was applying to had a unique offering that made it stand out, such as a niche offering within a practice area that other firms in the market may not be particularly engaged in. Just to flag here, there is no need to actually mention the firm’s competitors in answers, as one would run the risk of indirectly negatively touching on other firms. I had made a thread on this once, regarding how to identify a law firm‘s competitors, which I’ve linked here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/guide-to-identifying-a-law-firm’s-competitors.9422/

Hope this helps, and best of luck with the apps!
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.
Thank you both, that is very helpful!
 

cjwx

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Jan 31, 2024
146
158
guys am i cooked if i mentioned one sentence about an international secondment opportunity to a certain office in a 'why this firm' question. I did still manage to mention two other points about the firm and my interaction with the London office.
What firm is this and why would this be an issue? I’m genuinely asking? As long as you mentioned why that excites you I’m not sure what the problem would be. I know a lot of firms have international secondments but, many don’t and if you mention other things specific about the firm I’m sure that should be fine.
 
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lawyersum

Legendary Member
Jun 28, 2024
168
300
What firm is this and why would this be an issue? I’m genuinely asking? As long as you mentioned why that excites you I’m not sure what the problem would be. I know a lot of firms have international secondments but, many don’t and if you mention other things specific about the firm I’m sure that should be fine.
sorry just to clear it up - i saw an earlier post on the forum from Jessica mentioning that we should focus on work the London does in our answers, so I just wondered whether that sentence would make my commitment to the London office of this firm seem a bit shaky/unserious - but I’m hoping like you said that the other parts of my answer make up for it.
 

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