TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[MR10]

I did

whats the next stage after application form

 

[lolasparks]

anyone applied to brabners

Yes not heard back yet, I think within the next two weeks probably

 

[Amma Usman]

Similar questions have been asked before but if an interview is not CV-blind, and I am asked to introduce myself at the beginning, what details should I be looking to cover? Normally, I'd talk about my educational background etc but I don't want to just repeat what the interviewers already know.

Very very good question. It always came up for me. At the start of my interview journey, I never really knew what to say. How much info did they want? How professional did I need to be? Could I just say… HELLO MY NAME IS AMMA AND I LIKE RICE! Hahaha definitely not, but the below approach definitely helped me;

The trick is to treat it like a little story about you, who you are, what drives you, and why you’re sitting in that chair. It’s all about hitting the right balance between being personal and professional.

A structure that works really well is splitting it into three parts. Start with the present, where you are now and what you’re doing. This gives them the context they need without diving into too much detail yet.

Then, move into the past, this is where you can talk about what’s shaped you. For me, I always loved charity work and social mobility, so I often mentioned my work in that sphere. It’s a huge part of who I am at my core, and it tied into everything I was doing. I’d say something like, “My passion for social mobility and charity work really influenced my journey, from leading initiatives at university to helping others access opportunities they didn’t think were possible.” This adds a personal touch and shows what drives you beyond just academics or professional ambitions.

Finally, end with the future, tie everything to the role or firm. This is where you can connect the dots between your background and what they’re looking for. You could say, “That’s why I’m so excited about this opportunity, it feels like the perfect way to combine my passion for making an impact with my interest in (X specific area of law or the firm’s ethos).” Finish on a confident, enthusiastic note.

The main thing is to keep it concise, two minutes max, but hit those unique points that make you stand out. For me, charity work was always a must-mention because it’s such a big part of who I am, and I think it’s good to highlight something similar for yourself. Show them what you’re passionate about and how that aligns with the role. If you can do that while keeping it genuine, you’ll smash it.

Hey there,

This is a really good question to be honest. I always wondered what it was they wanted to hear. I wondered what was appropriate and what was unnecessary given time constraints. The key is to keep it short and simple, covering your main background (educational, professional, extracurricular). For someone like me that is really chatty, having a mental framework of what I needed to cover was helpful. Though, I didn’t follow this verbatim, so as to not appear robotic. This applies to any question asked in an interview. You should have carefully prepared beforehand, but also be presently prepared during the interview to go outside the scope of your preparations. Sometimes new ideas and stuff to mention about yourself and experiences actually come up during the interview itself.

Simply, this particular intro question to who you are, should cover…

• Past you.
• Present you.
• Future you.

This is not a must-follow approach/one-size fits all. But, it has personally helped me give a direct and all-rounded intro of myself in professional circumstances. I think the “future you“ aspect is especially important, as it helps you talk about how the firm can play a part in that, given your goal to become a commercial lawyer long-term.

I have quoted a post I made on this exact topic. Hope you find it helpful in structuring your answers.

 

[efm99]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

 

[Wompycapy]

Did Latham just sent out another round of PFOs today?

 

[lilyhayward22]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

I don't have a lot of experience in this area so pls feel free to disregard my comment lol, but I once had an interview with similar timelines as you and in this case I was unsuccessful and one of the reasons they listed was that I didn't develop my answers enough. That being said, if you feel you fully explored the questions they asked you I personally don't think it being shorter is an issue, can mean you were clear and succinct in your answers too.

 

[AlegalA]

Hey guys, I have my first ever VS coming up in two weeks, and I'm not really sure how to go about asking ppl to go for coffees and stuff? I know it's an important part of standing out and making sure ppl get to know you, but I have a one week VS and I don't actually know when I'm gonna have free time/ how the VS is laid out, so not really sure how to go about this?
I don't want to ask someone for a coffee chat and then have to cancel last minute as the firm had something planned at that moment. Should I just wait till the scheme starts? I really like this firm and would really really like to get a TC with them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Similar questions have been asked before but if an interview is not CV-blind, and I am asked to introduce myself at the beginning, what details should I be looking to cover? Normally, I'd talk about my educational background etc but I don't want to just repeat what the interviewers already know.

Think of it like an elevator pitch - its around 60 second for you to present who you are. You want to focus on no more than three themes and to ensure what you connect to those themes are the most interesting/memorable aspects of you.

Try not to describe your whole journey or everything you do - focus on the most interesting aspects that fewer people would say. For instance rather than saying "I am a law student" you can reference law but be more unique/specific "I have really enjoyed my tort module in my law degree"

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, I have my first ever VS coming up in two weeks, and I'm not really sure how to go about asking ppl to go for coffees and stuff? I know it's an important part of standing out and making sure ppl get to know you, but I have a one week VS and I don't actually know when I'm gonna have free time/ how the VS is laid out, so not really sure how to go about this?
I don't want to ask someone for a coffee chat and then have to cancel last minute as the firm had something planned at that moment. Should I just wait till the scheme starts? I really like this firm and would really really like to get a TC with them.

Definitely wait until the scheme starts and you know what your schedule is.

I’d also stress that coffee chats are not that important, especially in a week long scheme. They are a good way to utilise time and network at the start/end of the day/lunch time but should not be done when you could be doing work instead.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

No - not necessarily.

Firms tend to put the maximum time in because it’s much easier to get time back than it is to reschedule because you ran out of time.

 

[Wompycapy]

Following my previous post (thank you to those who replied btw), is there anyone in the same boat as me that's still waiting for an update? I swear Latham is just edging us at this point 💀

 

[James Wakefield]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

I did a VS last year and my AC interview was 30 minutes, and was scheduled for 50. I thought I definitely hadn’t got it but then I did! Think the partner was relieved to actually have a break. So you can’t read into this too much.

 

[AlegalA]

Definitely wait until the scheme starts and you know what your schedule is.

I’d also stress that coffee chats are not that important, especially in a week long scheme. They are a good way to utilise time and network at the start/end of the day/lunch time but should not be done when you could be doing work instead.

Thank you so much for your answer. I've also read that successful TC offer holders often go out of their way to knock on people's doors/ go up to people to speak to them (not during lunch but during working hours) to make themselves known. Is this actually typical and recommended? Or should I just get on with work and focus on socialising during lunch/break or events?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Can any1 suggest good questions to ask at an AC in the interview, ive got some in mind relating to the firm itself but are there any good ones which are bit more general or specific to the interviewers I can ask?

 

[rapunzel]

I don't have a lot of experience in this area so pls feel free to disregard my comment lol, but I once had an interview with similar timelines as you and in this case I was unsuccessful and one of the reasons they listed was that I didn't develop my answers enough. That being said, if you feel you fully explored the questions they asked you I personally don't think it being shorter is an issue, can mean you were clear and succinct in your answers too.

Definitely agree with this, I've had interviews where it's gone over the time and I've been unsuccessful because I wasn't concise in my answers.

 

[j.a55293]

Has anyone heard from Browne Jacobson post SJT?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you so much for your answer. I've also read that successful TC offer holders often go out of their way to knock on people's doors/ go up to people to speak to them (not during lunch but during working hours) to make themselves known. Is this actually typical and recommended? Or should I just get on with work and focus on socialising during lunch/break or events?

You should make an effort to introduce yourself to people - but that won’t take any time. That only needs to be in your department or when you naturally interact with people from other teams.

Knocking on doors is usually the process when you need work and are quiet so need to find something to do. In those instances, waking your department’s floor and asking people if there is anything you can do to help, is a good approach. Always check in with your supervisor before doing this though as it maybe that your supervisor has plans for you later in the day and you will need to manage everyone’s expectations (including your own) accordingly.

 

[AlegalA]

You should make an effort to introduce yourself to people - but that won’t take any time. That only needs to be in your department or when you naturally interact with people from other teams.

Knocking on doors is usually the process when you need work and are quiet so need to find something to do. In those instances, waking your department’s floor and asking people if there is anything you can do to help, is a good approach. Always check in with your supervisor before doing this though as it maybe that your supervisor has plans for you later in the day and you will need to manage everyone’s expectations (including your own) accordingly.

Amazing thank you so much for all this advice!!

 

[floral.tcla]

Any general advice for preparing for an AC? It'll be my first one ever. Also, is it acceptable to reach out to current trainees on LinkedIn for tips?

firstly, good luck and well done to reaching this stage! yes of course -reach out to as many as you can because they may not all reply in time for the ac.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Please can some1 explain the differences between uk and American firm, I have a few ACs coming up and am worried they may ask this

Hiya @g.cl.2020344

I'm sure the other community assistants would have much more to add here @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman, but generally I've found that candidates who discuss this question typically draw attention to some of the following points. I've tried to set them out below with some research and I hope this is helpful to you.

1. Market Growth and Client Base: Not too long ago, US firms in London were mostly there to support US-based clients expanding into Europe. But over the last 10-15 years, their strategy has shifted completely. Instead of just following their US clients, they’re now competing head-on with UK firms for the most profitable, high-end legal work. The impact on UK firms is undeniable. Some, such as A&O Shearman, have responded with mergers, allowing them to better compete with the US powerhouses. Others are increasing salaries or trying to retain talent with alternative benefits. It's likely this trend of US firms increasing their market share will continue, particularly as private equity and private capital-driven deals drive further growth.

2. Revenue and Profitability: These are the metrics that are very often mentioned when comparing US and UK firms. Many US firms operate on a higher profit-per-equity-partner (PEP) model, frequently exceeding £2 million per partner, whereas UK firms tend to distribute profits more evenly across a larger partnership. This profitability edge comes from their leaner team structures, premium billing rates, and focus on higher value transactions and disputes.

The Lawyer has also done some work mapping US firms' revenue growth over the last decade, and I think it's worth noting this here. They mentioned that, since 2014, Kirkland & Ellis has increased its UK revenue by 366%, from £175m to £815m in 2023, and even that a more specialist litigation focussed firm such as Quinn Emanuel have seen its UK revenue soar by 467.5%, from £43.1m to £244.6m. Here are some other firms whose significant revenue growth they also covered:

• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: 389%
• Simpson Thacher & Bartlett: 323%
• Morgan Lewis & Bockius: 266%
• Paul Hastings: 242.5%
• Gibson Dunn & Crutcher: 193%
• Ropes & Gray: 191%
• Latham & Watkins: 176%

This level of revenue expansion is more difficult to come across among UK firms, which, despite their dominance in market share, have struggled to match the profitability per lawyer that US firms achieve.

3. Global Footprints: Another large but often overlooked difference is that UK firms tend to have a much larger global presence than most US firms. The Magic Circle (Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Freshfields, etc.) and other top UK firms have extensive international networks across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, reflecting their long-standing client bases in those regions. By contrast, many US firms are more concentrated in key financial centres like New York, London, and Hong Kong. Their model is less about global coverage and more about cementing their presence in high-value markets.

4. Practice Area Focus: Another one of the most defining differences is practice area focus. UK firms tend to offer full-service legal support, covering areas such as corporate law, public law, employment, and real estate. US firms, by contrast, are often highly specialist, focusing almost exclusively on private equity, leveraged finance, capital markets, restructuring, high-end disputes, and regulatory enforcement. This is partly what has allowed many US firms to maximise profitability per matter rather than spreading resources across a broad range of mid-market work. As a result, they have overtaken UK firms in legal rankings in premium transactional and contentious practice areas, displacing traditional UK firms that led rankings in these areas.

5. Pay and Work Culture: Another consequence of US firms’ rise in London has been the escalation of associate salaries, which has had a cascading effect on the entire legal profession in the UK. Lateral hires from UK firms to US firms have surged, with US firms poaching top talent by offering significantly higher salaries and a faster route to partnership. You've also likely heard that US firms tend to have smaller teams, which means more responsibility early on but also longer hours and higher expectations. Many UK firms, by contrast, often have larger teams, and for this reason there's a tendency to assume that they have more structured, predictable work environment.

6. Training and Career Progression: UK firms typically invest in structured training programmes, offering extensive formal training, secondments, and a lockstep career progression model. In contrast, many US firms have a more hands on and practical approach to training, where trainees and junior associates are expected to learn through direct involvement in high-value matters rather than classroom training. This means that while associates at US firms may receive less formal training, they often gain more hands-on experience at an earlier stage, particularly in complex transactions and disputes.

These are just a few points to bear in mind and I think there's much more that can be said of each, but I hope this is helpful to you.