TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Any help/insight into the Goodwin interview would be greatly appreciated!

Hiya @SteinsGate

If the interview is still similar to previous years, it will likely be with two senior fee earners and cover a mix of commercial, motivational, and competency-based questions. When preparing, I think it’s worth thinking about the key sectors that Goodwin’s London office is particularly well known for (i.e. private equity, real estate, life sciences, tech, and finance). If you can, I'd encourage you to reflect on the intersections between these areas, such as prop tech and fintech, which are also where the firm has developed strong capabilities. In my interview, I was pressed on Goodwin’s place in the broader London legal market, so it’s worth thinking about that as well.

Towards the end of the interview there was also a short case study. This didn’t require much legal knowledge, but still it’s useful to have a basic grasp of the kind of contractual issues and commercial factors that can affect business transactions. The exercise itself was quite straightforward, even though I initially overthought some of the questions (it took me a few prompts to get to one of the answers). My advice would be to approach it methodically and not to second-guess yourself too much. It’s more about demonstrating a logical, commercial approach rather than coming up with a technically perfect response.

Overall, I'd recommend getting comfortable discussing Goodwin’s sector strengths, considering how they fit into the London legal market and speak to your motivations. As always, if you approach it with a clear structure and a focus on practical reasoning, you should be in a good position. Hope that helps, and best of luck with the interview!

 

[marisachr]

Lol okay I was wrong no AC slot confirmation from Taylor Wessing it seems 😂

Same for me! Probably will give them out Monday

 

[AS24]

Bristows invited me to complete a written case assessment but I have no idea how to approach it.
The deadline is on Tuesday but I have only one opportunity to complete the test, so I have to finish it in one go. I was wondering if you guys know how long they give you and if they consider the time you spend. I am honestly anxious!

 

[AS24]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu

I trust you are well.

I am working on my upcoming VI and was wondering how you would answer the question 'Why should we hire you'?
Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[tosin4774]

I was thinking of applying to SH but I didn’t know they used amberjack…

Paul, Weiss test has traumatised me. I’m trying to avoid this amberjack test at all costs now. 😂

Looks like I won’t be applying to SH at all. 🥲

Is the amberjack test for Paul, Weiss not the 12 situation judgement questions, 5 Applied Verbal Reasoning questions
5 Applied Numerical Reasoning questions?

 

[Chris Brown]

Is the amberjack test for Paul, Weiss not the 12 situation judgement questions, 5 Applied Verbal Reasoning questions
5 Applied Numerical Reasoning questions?

Yeah the Paul, Weiss test was 12 SJT, 5 verbal and 5 numerical reasoning questions. 🙂​

 

[SteinsGate]

Hiya @SteinsGate

If the interview is still similar to previous years, it will likely be with two senior fee earners and cover a mix of commercial, motivational, and competency-based questions. When preparing, I think it’s worth thinking about the key sectors that Goodwin’s London office is particularly well known for (i.e. private equity, real estate, life sciences, tech, and finance). If you can, I'd encourage you to reflect on the intersections between these areas, such as prop tech and fintech, which are also where the firm has developed strong capabilities. In my interview, I was also pressed on Goodwin’s place in the broader London legal market, so it’s worth thinking about that as well.

There was also a short case study, though it didn’t require much legal knowledge. Still, it’s useful to have a basic grasp of the kind of contractual issues and commercial factors that can affect business transactions. The exercise itself was quite straightforward, but I initially overthought some of the questions, and it took me a few prompts to get to one of the answers. My advice would be to approach it methodically and not to second-guess yourself too much. It’s more about demonstrating a logical, commercial approach rather than coming up with a technically perfect response.

Overall, I'd recommend getting comfortable discussing Goodwin’s sector strengths, considering how they fit into the London legal market and speak to your motivations. As always, if you approach it with a clear structure and a focus on practical reasoning, you should be in a good position. Hope that helps, and best of luck with the interview!

Thank you so much, that is incredibly helpful!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know whether the Paul Hastings PHirst Steps Into Law work experience programme leads to a TC offer, or whether everyone who wants a TC with the firm needs to submit a direct TC application? I want to apply but I don’t know which one to apply to (or if I can apply for both in the same application cycle).

If someone does apply for PHirst, are they then ineligible to apply for the DTC? Also, does Paul Hastings recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis? Any insight would be appreciated. 🙂​

Hiya @Chris Brown

Based on discussions with Paul Hastings future trainees, last year was the first time they ran the work experience scheme. I'm told they interviewed a lot of direct TC applicants as well. It seems like they may allow people to reapply for the direct TC if they weren’t successful via the vac scheme, since the work experience scheme was more geared towards candidates with less legal work experience. It's also possible they could like you but decide to interview you straight for the TC instead.

Historically, they've reviewed applications on a non-rolling basis. However, this might have changed and I’d recommend contacting the graduate recruitment team for confirmation.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Does anyone know if Simmons have sent out ACs for Bristol?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anyone have any insights into the Burges Salmon AC? Any help would be much appreciated

 

[laurenn42]

Does anybody have any insight on the research task for OC's virtual AC? Is the topic they give us more broad or narrow? And do they give pointers to present on or is it completely up to us how we present our research on the topic?

 

[Chris Brown]

Hiya @Chris Brown

Based on discussions with Paul Hastings future trainees, last year was the first time they ran the work experience scheme. I'm told they interviewed a lot of direct TC applicants as well. It seems like they may allow people to reapply for the direct TC if they weren’t successful via the vac scheme, since the work experience scheme was more geared towards candidates with less legal work experience. So, it’s possible they could like you but decide to interview you straight for the TC instead.

Historically, they've reviewed applications on a non-rolling basis. However, this might have changed and I’d recommend contacting the graduate recruitment team for confirmation.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

Thank you so much @Ram Sabaratnam this was super helpful! 🙂🙂​

 

[hel]

Hello, does anyone know what to expect from the Kennedys AC? Like I can't seem to find much information. Is there a group exercise? A written task? Any insights would be greatly appreciated

 

[Emmakate18]

Hi! I also applied for the spring vacation scheme at HSF, if I haven't heard anything from them is it safe to assume that it's a rejection? I know they've held a fair few AC's already.

I think they are still doing AC's im not sure? I had my invite 31st Dec but I wouldn't assume rejection as someone else on this forum got an invite 3 days before their HSF AC!

ok thank you, that's good to know. I'm currently studying abroad and will have to book a flight so I'm hoping for more than three days notice aha

 

[avocadob]

has anyone heard back from Harbottle & Lewis?

 

[tosin4774]

Is anyone planning to apply for the open day at Kirkland and Ellis?

 

[jacksollaf]

Has anyone heard back from Howes Percival?? I applied in November, they're on rolling basis, in Cambridge, smaller firm, haven't seen anyone on the forum even mention them; has anyone else heard back?

 

[jojo23]

I dont suppose anyone has tips or advice they can share about the CRS VI. The reed smith vi gave me ptsd💀

 

[plshireme]

Has anyone had VI invites from Addleshaw Manchester office? Should I assume it's a PFO at this point?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Is HL still sending out SVS invites?