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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Two is probably sufficient - but maybe have 3 or 4 up your sleeve and then ask the two you think are best suited to your interviewers.
I would ask genuine questions that will help you find out more about the firm on topics or matters you are interested in or that are important to you. Find topics important to you and then you can generally find an angle to ask about their experiences or opinions on that topic.
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @AS24
Great news about the Mishcon AC. Congratulations on getting through!
I'm sure @Amma Usman may have more to say here, but wanted to get something to you before the AC. To start, I think this may be what you're referring to, but I'd definitely recommend checking out TCLA's breakdown of potential AC questions here. I think it’s a great resource for familiarising yourself with the types of questions you might face at AC, particularly when interviewing the partner/senior associate.
For the commercial case study, I've just spoken to some people who completed the AC in a previous cycle, and they mentioned that the best way to prepare is to get comfortable analysing opportunities and risks from the perspective of clients seeking to grow their businesses. This can be in either an M&A or business development context. You don't need overly detailed firm-specific knowledge here. Rather, they want to see you can spot commercially relevant factors. Practise thinking through scenarios like why a business might want to expand or acquire another company (e.g. such as gaining new technology, expanding market share, or achieving operational efficiencies). They also mentioned that you might be asked to interpret documents such as financial statements, reports on market positioning, or contracts during the case study. I'd recommend getting comfortable picking out key points quickly, explaining clearly what they tell you about the business’s health, and what they might mean strategically for a client looking to buy, sell, or expand. Overall, the point is to show that you can demonstrate a basic commercial sensibility and think logically.
In terms of understanding Mishcon, I think you're definitely right that the firm has a slightly different international strategy compared to typical US firms. The firm has recently made some interesting moves, investing heavily in litigation and expanding its disputes capabilities through acquisitions like Flex Legal and Somos (a group action business). I think keeping in mind their focus on innovation and their strategic investments in disputes/litigation will help you tailor your answers more closely to the firm. They're also actively investing in expanding their footprint, including integrating Taylor Vinters and launching an office in Saudi Arabia.
Hope this helps and good luck with the AC!
Has anyone heard from Womble Bond post-test and applied to their London office?
Hi all first post, any tips for the Gateley AC will be appreciated I've only done one other online AC before and the layout to this one is very different. 9-5pm!! Does anyone know if the interview at the end is with an associate or partner or if its just VI style questions? and if it competency/strengths based questions? I'm struggling to find that much info about it online, thanks in advance!!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @fxy
Congrats on getting the CRS interview! From my experience during previous cycles, the CRS interview involved a few distinct elements: (1) a very fun group exercise, (2) a case study exercise, and (3) a partner interview.
For the group exercise, we had around half an hour to discuss roughly 6-8 topics. Here, the key is to make sure your contributions have an impact. Your interventions can even be in the form of a question to show that you're able to prompt discussion and further the conversation, building or reflecting on what others have said. As always with these things, I'd say try to be concise, clear, and show you're genuinely listening and building on others' points. In terms of the topics themselves, I'd suggest brushing up on current business trends and events that are affecting the legal profession and the market (e.g. AI, hybrid working, ESG, etc.). Don't worry about being overly technical. It's more about demonstrating common-sense solutions and asking thoughtful questions.
As for the commercial case study (assuming it's similar to the one that I completed), you'll want to think about day-to-day operational challenges rather than just high-level strategy. You could think about questions like: how does a company manage its workforce effectively, handle tough employer decisions, or successfully integrate new technologies? We were given a scenario involving a company facing certain problems, and our task was essentially to interview a partner/senior associate who was role playing as a client. Again, it's less about detailed firm knowledge/commercial knowledge and more about showing practical insight and good judgment.
When it comes to the final partner interview and showing commercial awareness, you'll want to particularly think about CRS's strengths in private wealth alongside corporate and commercial sectors. They like seeing that you understand both personal client dynamics and wider business concerns, so try to keep that balance. I'd also have a think more generally about why anyone would be interested in joining a firm with a strong private client/commercial split.
Hope that gives you a steer. Good luck!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @Law queries
Wanted to echo some of what @Chris Brown has already astutely pointed out. Totally agree it's a tricky question, but ultimately I'd say don't count yourself out! Loads of applicants with mitigating circumstances and grades slightly below a 2:1 still manage to secure vacation schemes. I've known candidates who've had success at securing vacation schemes with firms as wide ranging as Addleshaw Goddard and Weil despite not quite meeting the grade cut-off. While grades matter, I've always tried to emphasise that they're just one piece of the puzzle. If you do well on the Capp test and Watson Glaser, those are also important data points that firms will consider when deciding to move your application along.
Many firms are also genuinely open to looking at mitigating circumstances. The key is making sure you clearly (and briefly!) explain those circumstances, helping the recruiter put your grades into context. After that, make sure your application really shines in other ways, like clearly highlighting your experiences, interests, and why the firm feels like a strong match. In my experience, many firms appreciate that people's time in university aren't always straightforward. I hope you keep applying!
Browne Jacobson telephone interview for london office
Any insights would be very very appreciated. @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman
Any insights would be very very appreciated. @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman
Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….
Is this a mistake? 😅
Is this a mistake? 😅
Yes, I did mine last week. We got told we would hear back early this week (Mon/Tues).
If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.
They better be serving caviar in every course…
Anybody heard back from Brabners? I've not yet even received an invite for their SJT and it's making me worried that if I haven't been sent one I've possibly received a PFO.
I’ve also received a test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner. They’re asking for too much now lmao. A Cappfinity SJT and a telephone interview for a dinner??!! 🥲🥲
Yeah hopefully it’s just an error and we don’t need to do the test. I’m guessing it’s purely to cut down the numbers. I wonder how many people have applied for the dinners previously. It must be at least 500+ for them to need these additional stages. 🥲🥲
Watch them only give something like cheese and beans on toast or tuna sandwiches. They better be serving caviar for every course otherwise what’s with all this nonsense??!! 🥲🥲
Yeah hopefully it’s just an error and we don’t need to do the test. I’m guessing it’s purely to cut down the numbers. I wonder how many people have applied for the dinners previously. It must be at least 500+ for them to need these additional stages. 🥲🥲
Watch them only give something like cheese and beans on toast or tuna sandwiches. They better be serving caviar for every course otherwise what’s with all this nonsense??!! 🥲🥲
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Has anyone had a PFO post-interview from PW? I’m so tired of waiting 🥲
So the Cappfinity was not a mistake!
“Thank you for your email.
The online assessment is part of the application process.”
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