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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Andrei Radu

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Sep 9, 2024
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Hi, im currently working on an application and one of the questions is as follows:
'In a recent survey, our clients scored us higher for collaboration and enterprising solutions than any other law firm they’ve used. To achieve this, our lawyers have needed to demonstrate more than just legal expertise. In your opinion, aside from technical legal knowledge, what else is fundamental to helping our clients achieve their objectives?'

How would you approach it? Especially as they specify aside legal expertise? any ideas would be really helpful, thank you so much. @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker
I think one of your main areas of focus should be commercial understanding, which should exist at a number of levels. First, to enable their clients to reach their objectives, lawyers need to know what those objectives are - and not just at a superficial level. To reach optimal results even when faced with roadblocks, they need to understand the deeper rationale for a client's particular request, for which they also need to understand the inner workings of the client's business. Secondly, to provide the best service lawyers will need not only to know a lot about their clients, but will also need to understand the industry they operate it. This way, not only can they better represent clients in particular matters in which competitors also have a stake in (of which there will be many) but also can aim to become true strategic advisors, who can look ahead for the client's best interest beyond the details of the matter they are currently working on.
 
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pepsicola96

Distinguished Member
Jul 11, 2024
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Congrats, did you get this after completing the Law Online Assessment? And if so, can you let me know what that is like?

did you complete the law online assessment- can you please dm me insights
wait, I've just checked the application process page and I swear that wasn't there before, or am I just blind? 💀

I though Freshfields was just personal statement -> watson glaser -> assessment centre?

edit: nvm I've just realised this is just for direct training contract
 
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Andrei Radu

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Sep 9, 2024
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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!
Hi @marisachr I have recently written a post on the same issue, I hope you find it useful:
I have not had any personal experience with this particular type of written assessment method, but I think it is quite likely the firm is looking to assess the same key competencies: time-management and resilience under pressure, ability to identify and summarize key issues in large bodies of text, use of formal language, commercial awareness and problem solving skills. As such, I do not think your preparation for this type of written assessment format should be very different from your preparation for an exercise with a more common format.

The only things I can think of that you may want to consider as altering in your preparation are the following:
  • Broader scope: An article will normally treat a broader topic and will aim to be more comprehensive than an email relating to a particular task. As such, when preparing I would look for written exercises asking me to summarize/comment on a wider set of issues. However, a corollary of that may be that you are not expected to go into as much depth in any of the particular issues.
  • Length: Because of the broader scope, an article may generally be longer than an email.
  • Impersonal and objective tone: As opposed to an email, which will relate to a particular issue a client cares about, an article is generally supposed to be more objective and impartial. You may therefore have to consider the perspective of stakeholders other than the firm's clients and to avoid the temptation of analysing the issues from a 'client-centric' perspective. However, if you are asked to also make an argument and give your personal view in the article (rather than an impartial commentary), definitely avoid sitting on the fence.
Finally, I would advise you to try to gather more information about the details of the written task at this specific firm. Resources like the TCLA Interview Database may come in very handy.
 
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xxx

Distinguished Member
  • Oct 26, 2024
    73
    51
    Hi everyone!

    I noticed that in some of my applications on vantage they didn’t save the date of my employment correctly (although I changed it for the first firm I applied too) but some firms still have the old date. I don’t know if I should flag it up to any firms or wait to see if I progress first?
     

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