TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

oh i thought it's okay since it's one hour of just speaking? i took 4-5 sips of water (not bcs of nervousness/to take a break, i just needed it to continue talking lol) in my interview!

Yep, that’s totally normal and fine! I would not worry about it too much.

 

[Chris Brown]

Hey,

This is a really good question. I just wrapped up a module on it last semester which was really interesting.

When applying to law firms, competition law often comes up in case studies. One of the key issues is whether a deal can go through without violating competition rules. If a company is too dominant in the market or if an agreement between businesses reduces competition, regulators might step in to stop the deal.

Competition law in the UK and the EU is designed to make sure businesses compete fairly so that consumers get better prices, more choices, and high-quality products. Without these rules, big companies could take over entire markets, push smaller businesses out, and charge higher prices without any real competition.

There are two main areas where companies can break competition law. The first is anticompetitive agreements. This is when businesses make deals that reduce competition, like fixing prices or agreeing not to compete with each other. In the UK, this is covered by Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998, and in the EU, it falls under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The second is abuse of a dominant position. A company that is much stronger than its competitors has to be careful not to use that power unfairly. For example, it cannot force customers to buy only from them or sell at a loss just to drive competitors out of business. This is covered by Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 in the UK and Article 102 of the TFEU in the EU.

When companies try to merge, regulators (like the CMA or EC) check whether the new business would become too powerful and reduce competition. If that happens, they might block the deal or ask the companies to change it to protect consumers. This is why competition law is a big part of M&A case studies in law firm applications.

This is really useful @Amma Usman! 🐐

Competition law is acc proper interesting. I’m a fiend for it at this point. I really liked it as a undergrad module. In almost all of my applications I have yapped about each firm’s competition practice for at least one of my ‘why this firm’ reasons. Even for Paul, Weiss which is mainly a PE/Debt Finance focused firm. 😂​

 

[legallycece]

Has anyone not heard back post ac for fieldfisher yet? (das)

I haven’t heard back for direct TC :/

 

[helenaskelton]

Does anyone have any insight into Mischon VI? I can share tips and insights into most ACs if that helps.

yeah want to know this too tbh. Is it definitely timed interview? Or one of those ones where you can take whatever time you need to answer question?

 

[missTCLA]

This is really useful @Amma Usman! 🐐

Competition law is acc proper interesting I’m a fiend for it at this point. I really liked it as a undergrad module. In almost all of my applications I have yapped about each firm’s competition practice for at least one of my ‘why this firm’ reasons. Even for Paul, Weiss which is mainly a PE/Debt Finance focused firm. 😂​

I agree! Amma did a good job in explaining this and its so interesting... might be a silly question but isn't IP law the opposite of this? i feel like working in IP law/competition or even both would make an interesting career

 

[TonyStark]

Hi @TonyStark I think you can think of competitors in two main ways. Firstly, at the level of the firms as a whole, we would essentially look for the firms that share the most important features of Skadden for the purposes of defining market position. While the exact features that are most important for outlining market position are debatable, I would describe Skadden in London in the following way: a large office of an elite US firm with a diverse offering of practice areas but a focus on high end transactional work. The two other firms that best fit this description are Latham & Watkins and White & Case.

The second way to think about competitors is at a practice area level, where two questions are relevant - (i) which are the firms with the strongest teams in that practice, and (ii) which other firms would Skadden most often find itself pitching against when trying to win a mandate? For firms like Skadden, which excel in most of their practice area, there is a substantial deal of overlap between the two. Now, looking at Skadden's most important practice areas, we get the following:

• Corporate M&A (which is Skadden's most important practice area by far): the Magic Circle firms (as they are still the undisputed leaders of the UK corporate market) and Latham & Watkins, Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk and Sullivan & Cromwell (firms Skadden would most often come up against when fighting for transatlantic deals or deals originating from US clients).
• Banking & Finance: Borrowers: Once again the MC firms have leading positions in this area, and on the US side we have Cleary Gottlieb, White & Case, and Ropes & Gary
• International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration: Kings & Spalding, Gibson Dunn, Latham, Quinn Emmanuel, Debevoise, and White & Case.

Hi @TonyStark I think you can think of competitors in two main ways. Firstly, at the level of the firms as a whole, we would essentially look for the firms that share the most important features of Skadden for the purposes of defining market position. While the exact features that are most important for outlining market position are debatable, I would describe Skadden in London in the following way: a large office of an elite US firm with a diverse offering of practice areas but a focus on high end transactional work. The two other firms that best fit this description are Latham & Watkins and White & Case.

The second way to think about competitors is at a practice area level, where two questions are relevant - (i) which are the firms with the strongest teams in that practice, and (ii) which other firms would Skadden most often find itself pitching against when trying to win a mandate? For firms like Skadden, which excel in most of their practice area, there is a substantial deal of overlap between the two. Now, looking at Skadden's most important practice areas, we get the following:

• Corporate M&A (which is Skadden's most important practice area by far): the Magic Circle firms (as they are still the undisputed leaders of the UK corporate market) and Latham & Watkins, Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk and Sullivan & Cromwell (firms Skadden would most often come up against when fighting for transatlantic deals or deals originating from US clients).
• Banking & Finance: Borrowers: Once again the MC firms have leading positions in this area, and on the US side we have Cleary Gottlieb, White & Case, and Ropes & Gary
• International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration: Kings & Spalding, Gibson Dunn, Latham, Quinn Emmanuel, Debevoise, and White & Case.

Thanks Andrei! This is really helpful.

 

[Tclarocks123]

If you have not received an AC this cycle ... how are you staying motivated?

 

[Chris Brown]

I agree! Amma did a good job in explaining this and its so interesting... might be a silly question but isn't IP law the opposite of this? i feel like working in IP law/competition or even both would make an interesting career

There is some crossover between both IP Law and Competition Law, especially in the area of patents, but they are quite different areas at the same time. 🥲

I want to explore both during a training contract (I did both as final year optional modules and really liked them). It would definitely lead to an interesting career, especially if it was on the contentious side (I am also a fiend for dispute resolution). 🥲​

 

[ashwright]

hogan lovells rejection

 

[RVD23]

Does anyone know how long it typically takes to find out from HFW post-AC? (For the VS). Thanks!

I've been waiting since the 28th but I know about people who heard back after two days so it varies

 

[x_lauren112]

anyone still on hold from Akin? :/

 

[SamiyaJ]

If you have not received an AC this cycle ... how are you staying motivated?

Very good question and honestly, it depends on my mood. Some days I feel super optimistic and other days I feel a bit down and question my abilities.

I think the key thing for me is celebrating the little wins. This is my 2nd cycle and for a few applications I managed to progress to the next stage as opposed to 100% rejections post app from my first cycle. I can see I am improving and that is giving me the motivation to keep going and I will get better and eventually land a VS/TC.. although I’d like it sooner rather than later.. like everyone else!

Also being part of this forum has helped me a lot as I don’t know anyone in “real life” going through the same process as me so it’s lovely to be part of a community on the same journey and helping each other out.

On a practical level, I set myself weekly targets as in “I’ll do 2 applications this week after I finish work and complete the reading for uni” and that’s kept me on track with the applications. I really need to do some more though as there’s only a couple of firms I’m waiting to hear back from so need to get back into it. Thinking about everything at once is so overwhelming, and I’m a massive overthinker so I try to keep it as simple as I can (mentally) for myself!

There’s a reason why we’re doing this, and we should not stop until we achieve our dreams! I’ve seen so many people on this forum receiving their dream offers after years of trying and that keeps me going.. if they can do it then so can we!

 

[ashwright]

Quick question for @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam and anyone else:

Which firms do not use at least one of the following in their screening:
- Watson Glaser
- SJT/Arctic Shores/other behavioural test
- Video Interview

I vaguely recall that Slaughters(?) doesn't use any of the above, instead just relying on CVs for invites to ACs. Are there any other similarly streamlined application processes? I'm guessing the corollary of not having the above is a stricter focus on grades and/or written 'why X' questions.

Thank you!

 

[Ash4202]

Anyone know how long W&C takes post AC? Also how many people do they tend to interview per spot? Had a shocking one yesterday. Went in thinking it is meant to be one of the more straightforward AC's.

Hi grad rec told me we should hear back by the end of the month. I find ACs tend to go better than you think so don’t lose hope just yet!

 

[VMS]

Does anyone know how long it typically takes to find out from HFW post-AC? (For the VS). Thanks!

From what I've seen, it can be anywhere between 2 days to 2 weeks, haha. So, don't lose hope if it's been a while!

 

[Ash4202]

goodwin pfo post-VI
knew it was coming but still hurt
I just wish i’d known they were introducing VIs this year bc then I wouldn’t have even applied

 

[g.cl.2020344]

should I assume PFO post OC virtual AC- did it two weeks ago today? thought it went quite well but haven't heard since and ik the next round is an in person AC. Based off the forum around this time last year people got progressed

 

[Chris Brown]

Quick question for @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam and anyone else:

Which firms do not use at least one of the following in their screening:
- Watson Glaser
- SJT/Arctic Shores/other behavioural test
- Video Interview

I vaguely recall that Slaughters(?) doesn't use any of the above, instead just relying on CVs for invites to ACs. Are there any other similarly streamlined application processes? I'm guessing the corollary of not having the above is a stricter focus on grades and/or written 'why X' questions.

Thank you!

By video interview (VI), do you mean like a pre-recorded style VI, or any kind of VI? I think Travers Smith have a similar process to Slaughter and May, except the partner interviews are conducted virtually. People who pass that interview get the VS offer, and do the AC during the VS. I think I read somewhere once that Sidley Austin have a similar process but idk if it’s changed for this cycle.​

 

[VacSchemer]

Are there any firms other than NRF that use Arctic Shores?

 

[APGCA]

should I assume PFO post OC virtual AC- did it two weeks ago today? thought it went quite well but haven't heard since and ik the next round is an in person AC. Based off the forum around this time last year people got progressed

The last day of the virtual ACs was friday so give it some time