TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys, for an application to a commercial law firm, if it asks you why do you want to become a solicitor? should you focus on becoming a solicitor in general or should you tailor your answer towards being a commercial solicitor

I think your primary focus should be on why you want to be a solicitor - so make sure to show (i) why do you want to work in the legal field - what interests you about law?; (ii) why do you want to be a legal practitioner, as opposed to, say, an academic?; and (iii) why do you want to be a solicitor rather than a barrister?;

Nonetheless, I think it is desirable to go beyond this and also include the commercial element. You can do this directly, as in a normal why commercial law answer, or indirectly. For instance, if you discuss the client-facing nature of the solicitor's job, you could explain how you are particularly motivated to work with businesses and help them with their growth. However, you should first ensure that the primary "why solicitor" element of your answer is properly addressed, and only then move on to consider how you can make it better by adding the commercial part.

 

[Tintin06]

So so happy for you!!!!

Thank you - hope you’re doing well.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Does anyone have an idea of what the interview at Debevoise is going to be like? It's a commercial article discussion but varied experiences from 2019-2020 TCLA posts.

It’s been very consistent for the last few years.

It’s an FT article (from within the last few years, so chances are, you won’t have read it before). They first ask for a summary. Then, they ask follow up questions about the article. They score you out of 5 on a bunch of metrics like your summary, your clarity etc.

The rest of the day isn’t assessed. But, you’ll speak with a couple of a trainees and meet some associates and partners, who will feedback if you’re rude lol

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

It’s been very consistent for the last few years.

It’s an FT article (from within the last few years, so chances are, you won’t have read it before). They first ask for a summary. Then, they ask follow up questions about the article. They score you out of 5 on a bunch of metrics like your summary, your clarity etc.

The rest of the day isn’t assessed. But, you’ll speak with a couple of a trainees and meet some associates and partners, who will feedback if you’re rude lol

Do they weave in competency/motivational questions during the formal interview or is it purely based on the article?

 

[Andrei Radu]

if one got offered a tc after their spring vac scheme, can they still attend a summer scheme at another firm?

I think normally you can - I have actually been in this situation before, as I received my TC offers from Milbank and Willkie in the spring but went on to do my Davis Polk and Slaughter and May vacations schemes in the summer. You should not have any issues with doing your summer schemes unless you sign the TC offer before the summer vacation scheme and one of the following applies:

1. The firm offering the TC has included a clause to the effect that you are prohibited from doing work experiences with other firms (which is quite uncommon in my experience); or
2. The firm offering you a VS in the summer makes the offer conditional on you not having signed a TC offer before (though sometimes there can also be flexibility on this point).

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Do they weave in competency/motivational questions during the formal interview or is it purely based on the article?

Nah, it’s purely based on the article! The articles are very short too, like 1-1.5 pages of A4 and almost double spaced text.

They’ve been fairly easy topics in previous years too. I think they’re more concerned with how well you can articulate (which I guess makes sense for a more contentious-focused firm)!

 

[opticskibidi]

Morgan Lewis telephone interview 😁😁😁😁

 

[Nine]

Hi! Would anyone have any insight on A&O Shearman’s AC? This is for the ME office so I’m not sure if the AC would be different but there is a case study and a scenario-based interview. Any advice would be appreciated I’ve done an AC at Slaughter and May, VI for W&C, AG, SH ME and I’m happy to share details!

Hi - @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker! Just trying to bump this up, it’s my first time doing a case study type AC and I’d appreciate any advice Thank you very much !!!!

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Nah, it’s purely based on the article! The articles are very short too, like 1-1.5 pages of A4 and almost double spaced text.

They’ve been fairly easy topics in previous years too. I think they’re more concerned with how well you can articulate (which I guess makes sense for a more contentious-focused firm)!

Thank you! I'm not the most articulate person...so that might require a bit of practice lol.

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Rejected post AC for Addleshaw Goddard.

Happy to offer help and advice for anyone with an invite.

I did not even apply to AG but I wish there were more people with good heart like you on this forum. I once messaged someone to help with insights on Macfarlanes AC and all they said was “all information is provided by the firm” lmao. God bless your kind heart and I hope you also find an helper some day.xx

 

[theruleofno]

has anyone heard from WFW post-vi?

ACs are happening this week and next week online

 

[marisachr]

ACs are happening this week and next week online

If you dont mind me asking when did you receive your AC invite?

 

[Hghasvision]

Anyone else book the Skadden vac scheme on the 24th March?

 

[trainee4u]

has anyone heard from WFW post-vi?

Fwiw, I contacted them on Monday, as I realised I had been sent a VI invite but had not received it. They resent in and reset it yesterday, and I completed it the same day.
This would suggest the ACs are not yet finalised.

 

[NJS]

Morgan Lewis SVS telephone interview invite.

All rooting for you mate 👊🏻

 

[camrxc]

has anyone else still not heard from morgan lewis, is it probably a pfo ?

 

[l789]

has anyone successfully passed the macfarlanes application stage and be willing to offer me feedback on my answer to “Why Macfarlanes”

I don’t think I could’ve written a better response.

 

[pepsicola96]

people who've applied to clifford chance, how have you gone about the achievement in the application question.

I've had this problem with previous applications, and I can never tell what firms want. I have no huge achievements to speak of really. I can either go with a) a more abstract achievement being "during these few months, I struggled a lot with xyz problems, and came through it. Or b) a minor achievement, like as president of my society I organised a ball and it was successfull.

I'm leaning towards a, because while I have numerous type b examples, none of them are really that special or impressive, and i feel it comes across a bit weak

 

[Tintin06]

All rooting for you mate 👊🏻

Thank you - rooting for you too.

 

[James Wakefield]

has anyone successfully passed the macfarlanes application stage and be willing to offer me feedback on my answer to “Why Macfarlanes”

I don’t think I could’ve written a better response.

Your response could be extremely good but there’s the SJT to factor in too- I think that’s what let me down with them.