TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Vinh An Tran

New Member
Premium Member
Mar 15, 2024
1
3
Hi everyone,

I’m having a hard time finding information about Katten’s assessment centre. Is there any chance someone has any insight into what the day involves and what I should prepare?

Also, does anyone know how many slots are available in the scheme, considering only three training contracts are given out each year?

Thank you, it is my first ever AC!!
 

ohnoselim

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Dec 21, 2023
141
134
Hi, I need help answering the question 'where should we open a new office'. The only answer I have is Saudi Arabia (economic growth etc.) but no clue otherwise, really :/ would anyone be willing to offer their insight please? @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman - thanks!
hi, you need to think of firm strategy/ goals specific to the firm, heres some questions i like to think of when trying to answer questions like this

1. do they have a strong presence in a certain region already like asia-pacific or europe? if so how could they make this stronger?

2. does it link to some international work they already do through another office? (for example theres firms with offices in singapore that do a-lot of cross border work with neighbouring countries but the firms just dont have offices in those countries)

3. if its a new office in a different region you need to understand how it links back to their work eg: key sectors

a lot of firms are opening offices in saudi because saudi has allowed for license applications recently you just need to find specify a link to the firm directly

eg:
- firm strategy/goals
- existing international work
-key sectors
 

xxx

Esteemed Member
  • Oct 26, 2024
    75
    77
    Hiii, to all successful applicants, how would you answer a question where it's asking you to differentiate between a law firm and its competitors? Also what skills do you think is necessary to become a successful solicitor?
    I normally integrate this to why this firm:

    1. Business strategy - internationally and locally (focusing on practice areas is not the best since a lot of competitors are neck and neck).

    What I mean is do they open their own office or do they collaborate with local firms? Why? How does that affect their presence in the region?

    Where are they opening the offices? Why? What business opportunities are there in those locations? Does it show the firm as ‘forward thinking’ - link back to their values


    2. Client retention- do they work with the same clients often (I.e. links is known for their biggest clients being repeat clients and they liked when I mentioned it in the AC)

    3. Here talk about practice areas and the links to one another (but the niche ones): i.e. strong banking and finance department but also band 1 shariah = more Middle Eastern clients/ presence (working with the market trends/ opportunities).


    For skills:

    Honestly, here you can pick any skill but the key thing is to:

    1. Identify the skill

    2. Link it back to how and why a trainee/ solicitor might use it.

    3. Then link it back to something you’ve done and how it showed you the importance of it in practice.
     

    lou1707

    Star Member
    Jan 12, 2025
    34
    48
    Guys I had an interview with Birketts on Friday 7th of February for Norwich office, they said they would let me know "by next week" but I still haven't heard anything. I have sent 2 emails, the second one last Friday never got replied to. Are they actually ghosting me or should I send a follow up email asking for more information? I know one person on this forum who got rejected from that office (grad rec called them last week after they sent an email enquiring) so surely they must know by now who has an offer ?
    I am quite lost atm lol
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,415
    21,515
    Guys I had an interview with Birketts on Friday 7th of February for Norwich office, they said they would let me know "by next week" but I still haven't heard anything. I have sent 2 emails, the second one last Friday never got replied to. Are they actually ghosting me or should I send a follow up email asking for more information? I know one person on this forum who got rejected from that office (grad rec called them last week after they sent an email enquiring) so surely they must know by now who has an offer ?
    I am quite lost atm lol
    As you have emailed twice already, I don’t think there is any value in emailing again especially if the last email was only a few working days ago.

    If you do want to follow up again, I would recommend calling rather than emailing.
     

    helenaskelton

    Well-Known Member
    Feb 18, 2025
    22
    16
    Guys I had an interview with Birketts on Friday 7th of February for Norwich office, they said they would let me know "by next week" but I still haven't heard anything. I have sent 2 emails, the second one last Friday never got replied to. Are they actually ghosting me or should I send a follow up email asking for more information? I know one person on this forum who got rejected from that office (grad rec called them last week after they sent an email enquiring) so surely they must know by now who has an offer ?
    I am quite lost atm lol
    Yeah I’m also being ghosted by withers has anyone heard from them
     

    BillSikes

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Feb 16, 2024
    272
    316
    Hi, I need help answering the question 'where should we open a new office'. The only answer I have is Saudi Arabia (economic growth etc.) but no clue otherwise, really :/ would anyone be willing to offer their insight please? @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman - thanks!
    Milan is supposed be hot for law firms now.
     


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