TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[RANDOTRON]

To that I will just add that apparently clients (and particularly large corporates/financial institutions) are very conservative when it comes to legal services. A number of lawyers told me some are quite reluctant to allow the use of new legal tech on their matters. Although it would come with a potential discount, as automatization and increased efficiency will mean a lower number of billables, it seems in many cases they are reticent to accept any level of AI-related legal risk. As such, firms can find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to innovate and use AI but also needing to keep clients happy and untroubled by it.

Agreed, and a large part of this is that AI is a relatively "new" thing in law with the potential to disrupt the status quo on how things are typically done, so naturally this attracts a dose of skepticism and conservatism. Many different factors for this with some relating to confidentiality (which is why firms have a procurement process), some to a lack of understanding and some to the immaturity of the product. How receptive a client is to AI also does in large part link with that client's own corporate culture and risk appetite.

 

[RANDOTRON]

What are the different types of written exercises you can get at AC? I've seen letters, memos and reports. Are there any others I should prepare for?

I'd think less than about the types of exercise, and more about the skills that written exercises are designed to test you on - most skills tested are more or less overlapping.

 

[unknownnn7372]

Does anyone know when Skadden interviews finish? Whens was the last date available to book?

i think 3rd of Feb was the last date if i’m not wrong

 

[g.cl.2020344]

does any1 know how to improve your scores for deductive reasoning tests?- the ones where they will ask you to schedule meetings etc

 

[yeezyee]

any tips for the mischon ac? i’m petrified

 

[Cool pigeon]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

100% - Most of my successful applications this year have been firms where I didn't attend their open days.

 

[rapunzel]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Hey, I've applied to many firms without attending in-person events and have been offered ACs. There are many ways to show your interest in a firm like through attending online events, completing forage work experiences or even trying to link your work experience or insight events in a practice they are well known for from another firm!

 

[rapunzel]

What are typical adjustments made to online teams interviews?

 

[Newport@2008]

For anyone who has done the Paul, Weiss test, are the verbal reasoning questions similar to a WGT?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their virtual events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Definitely - you don't always have to attended an open day or careers event with the firm.

 

[Jessica Booker]

What are typical adjustments made to online teams interviews?

This really depends on the condition the individual has and what adjustments they may need - please feel free to PM me about this.

 

[shana]

If you've done the Kirkland insight day/interview, please pm me too! I can provide AC insights for Skadden/Latham/S&M.

Hey! This might be a bit late but my insights into the Kirkland AC -

• There's genuinely nothing to prepare for - just think about how Kirkland differs from its competitors and why you're applying to it/other similar firms.
• You can't really prepare for the written exercise either, but its not complicated or time-pressured so I wouldn't worry about it.
• You're in small groups all day, so it's very heavy on how you'll interact with others. The trickiest part was the balance between making yourself heard and being polite to others. If you're too nice you won't get to speak, but if you're too sharp-elbowed it'll be easy to catch you out.
• I'd say just be fresh and ready to give it your best. It's a pretty short AC, just 3 hours.

 

[shana]

Any insights into Kirkland AC?

Hey! This might be a bit late but my insights into the Kirkland AC -

• There's genuinely nothing to prepare for - just think about how Kirkland differs from its competitors and why you're applying to it/other similar firms.
• You can't really prepare for the written exercise either, but its not complicated or time-pressured so I wouldn't worry about it.
• You're in small groups all day, so it's very heavy on how you'll interact with others. The trickiest part was the balance between making yourself heard and being polite to others. If you're too nice you won't get to speak, but if you're too sharp-elbowed it'll be easy to catch you out.
• I'd say just be fresh and ready to give it your best. It's a pretty short AC, just 3 hours.

Hey - here's my two cents.

 

[lawstudent2]

anyone have any advice for ACs? my first one ever is tomorrow and I am quite nervous that im just gonna blank and forget everything I know or smth like that will go wrong

 

[icebear]

hi has anyone done the vwv vi?

 

[Chris Brown]

What are typical adjustments made to online teams interviews?

I had an interview recently which was going to be held on Microsoft teams in groups of 5. I was offered a 1-1 telephone interview as an adjustment. 🙂🙂

The interviewer asked me the exact same questions as others but with extra thinking time and additional time to deliver my answers. 🙂🙂

 

[Chris Brown]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their virtual events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Yeah 100% it’s definitely worth it. I have now passed the application stage for White & Case and didn’t go to their open day. 🙂🙂

I went to several of their virtual events and completed multiple forage internships. I guess the most important thing is to demonstrate your interest in the firm, which can be done by doing some of these things if you have not had the chance to attend an open day. 🙂🙂

 

[legalxp2]

any tips for mishcon ac would be rlly appreciated !! xxx

Hi how long after completing the VI did you hear back

 

[shana]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their virtual events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

An open day is just a means to an end - the end is a well-researched answer, which you can definitely get in other ways. I think speaking to one of the solicitors is even better, their insights are often much deeper than what you'd get at an event. If you reach out to more trainees or associates on LinkedIn, and make the messages a little personalised and friendly, they might get on a call with you - I've found this much more helpful.

I've skipped applications in the past thinking I didn't have enough events with the firm to show - but I think that's a mistake. All my successful apps this year were without an open day

 

[M123]

Yeah 100% it’s definitely worth it. I have gotten passed the application stage for White & Case and didn’t go to their open days. 🙂🙂

I went to several of their virtual events and completed multiple forage internships. I guess the most important thing is to demonstrate your interest in the firm, which can be done by doing some of these things if you have not had the chance to attend an open day. 🙂🙂

Did you have legal experience too? I think that’s where my application lacked and was therefore rejected