TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[bangarangbass39]

Kind of a meaningless question here. For guys, Is it bad to not wear a tie to an interview?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

im trying to write about tariffs in an app commercial question - how do I structure my answer? The topic is so broad. I know how to speak about its effect on law firms but I’m not sure how to structure it cause it’s just so incredibly broad.

@Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam could
You please help me? Thank you!

Hiya @gazdgazd11

Tariffs can definitely have broad implications, so I think the best way to structure your answer will depend on how the question is framed. Are you able to share the exact wording of the question? That way, I can suggest an approach that ensures you're addressing it as effectively as possible. Also, are you focusing on a particular industry or region, or is it more of a general discussion on how tariffs impact commercial law and law firms? Happy to help once I have a bit more detail

 

[Filosof]

Mixed bag for my WBD score: high for both verbal and numerical, but 3 and 4 for grit and applied intellect 7 and 9 for the other two. No idea if that’s anywhere close to getting an AC but we’ll all find out together soon I guess

 

[Chris Brown]

Kind of a meaningless question here. For guys, Is it bad to not wear a tie to an interview?

This is definitely not a meaningless question at all. I also need to figure out what is appropriate for an interview. Does anyone have any thoughts? Please help. 🥲🥲​

 

[tarty23]

This is definitely not a meaningless question at all. I also need to figure out what is appropriate for an interview. Does anyone have any thoughts? Please help. 🥲🥲​

Surely you can’t go wrong with a suit and tie?

 

[Tintin06]

ML TI PFO (

Sorry to hear that - tough break. Was this after the telephone interview? Did they give you any feedback? Happy to help with other firms.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Who's still waiting for NRF post-VI?

When did you do your VI?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Who's still waiting for NRF post-VI?

When did you do your VI?

 

[bobby]

for those who have heard back from W&C AC regarding spring scheme - when did you do your intv?

 

[marisachr]

Just finished the WBD amberjack score, 4/9 grit, 6/9 (applied intellect), 9/9 (creative force), 7/9 (digital mindset), high verbal but medium for numerical... Will these scores possibly help me meet the benchmark? 😭 😭

 

[Chris Brown]

Cry away oh humble one!!! Congratulations 🫶🏾 you’re clearly doing something right so don’t underestimate yourself! Best of luck to you and everyone else who progressed 🤞🏽

Thank you I really appreciate it! I guess so man but idek what that is at all lmao. 😂

Maybe I need to be have some more self-confidence because that’s lacking atm. 🥲

Best of luck to everyone who received an invite for the partner interview! 🙂​

 

[0livia.pope]

I am actually yet to receive a PFO from W&C when I applied in September…

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone have any insights for Arnold & Porter? I have an interview coming up but there's not that much online to research because it's such a small firm. Thanks!

Hiya @elena11

This is a good question. Their London office has a strong regulatory and disputes focus, with particular expertise in the life sciences and tech sectors. If you check their Chambers Student profile, you’ll see that they are ranked highly in areas such as public international law, financial crime, and product liability in life sciences. These strengths also indicate that, in terms of competitors, Arnold & Porter is often compared to firms like Cooley and Covington & Burling. If you’re preparing for your interview, it could be useful to consider how the firm differentiates itself from these other firms, especially in terms of practice areas or the types of clients they attract.

In terms of experience, the London office has been involved in some notable client matters in the UK and more internationally. They advised on the restructuring of Cineworld, which closed in July, with partners Jeremy Willcocks and Emilia Morris leading on corporate and restructuring issues, including those related to Cineworld’s London Stock Exchange listing. Their competition team is also representing (sorry the link is paywalled) major companies in ongoing claims related to the European Commission’s decision on the European trucks cartel. Their clients in this matter include Heineken, Diageo PLC, and AB InBev.

I've been trying to do some research for you about their financial performance, but this is slightly harder to assess. This is because the firm's London office hasn’t disclosed key financial data to publications like The Lawyer (which often tracks growth and revenue trends). That said, there are some indicators of their progress. In 2024, The Lawyer noted that the firm's headcount saw a small increase, going from 46.5 full-time equivalent lawyers in 2022 to 46.7 in 2023. Firm-wide, though, revenue grew from $1bn in 2022 to $1.1bn in 2023 (with an estimated 3.9% of that revenue coming from the UK office).

For your interview, I think it could be useful to highlight the firm’s regulatory expertise and high-profile work, particularly in life sciences, tech, and competition. Given the firm’s size in London, you might also want to consider how that affects trainee experience - the usual point that smaller teams can mean greater exposure to complex work early on. If you haven't already, it’s worth looking at their Chambers UK and Legal 500 rankings to get a sense of where they stand in different practice areas and how that fits into your own interests/motivations for joining the firm. I hope this helps and best of luck with the interview!

 

[theruleofno]

This is definitely not a meaningless question at all. I also need to figure out what is appropriate for an interview. Does anyone have any thoughts? Please help. 🥲🥲​

Wear a tie, if you don’t have one pop to any charity shop and find something sensible. Tie is far more formal than just a shirt and might help just incase a partner is slightly more traditional.

 

[legallycurly]

Quick question guys- did anyone actually get a feedback report from DACB post test? I can't seem to find one in my email?

It's on the portal where you did the test, under the third section called result I think.

 

[bobby]

also - if anyone has heard back from links having interviewed last week would appreciate it if you could lmk how long the wait was!

 

[onedayj]

Willkie Partner interview!!! I can't believe it😭 Congrats to everyone who progressed as well

 

[Jessica Booker]

do spots not fill up though? especially in london

No - the courses are always undersold. Look at the unfilled places in this table to see how extensive it is.

 

[Chris Brown]

Willkie Partner interview!!! I can't believe it😭 Congrats to everyone who progressed as well

Congrats and best of luck. 🤞

 

[jacksollaf]

Just received one minute ago a nice little evening PFO from NRF post-vi (5th of Feb was the day of my VI)