TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

As @Jessica Booker said, while a VS is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into what your life at the firm could look like, there is only so much you can experience in a few weeks. It will be very difficult to assess some important elements, such as the level to which you enjoy the work and the high-pressure tight-deadlines environment. As a vacation schemer you can only be trusted with so much, and in most cases no one in the firm will be really relying on your work product or will generally treat you like a real trainee. In truth, when deciding if a firm is right for you/deciding between different firms you are doing a VS with, I think there are two aspects to consider:

1. Differences on paper: how good a firm is in the practices that interest you, their financial position, their strategy, their approach to training etc. These are all points you will have already been aware of and considered at the application stage, so in theory they should be a good fit. While discussing them with practitioners during the scheme might give you further insight, particularly in regards to how the firm compares to its competitors, this is not something is likely to dramatically change your view about how good of a fit it is "on paper".
2. Intangible differences: this is I think the true benefit of a VS - to give you a chance to see whether you feel you are a fit for the place "in practice". This will simply come down to how you feel day to day at the firm. You will have heard endless talk of "firm culture" and seen so many firms describe theirs in almost identical manners and might be tempted to think "cultural fit" should in many cases just be a non-factor. However, from my experience it is true that there are relevant differences between social dynamics at different firms. In some places people tend to be social and outgoing; in others more reserved and focused on work. In some firms partners tend to be very serious, while in others they will take themselves way less seriously and be a lot more willing to joke around with associates and trainees. In some places you will see a higher degree of competitiveness and individualism, while in others people focus on the team more; in some firms, associates will seem to be quite passionate about their work, whereas in others they will be more cynical; in some, people will be more relaxed, in others they will tend to be hyper-ambitious. However, it is difficult to make reliable generalizations. Sometimes, the dynamics can differ more on a department by department basis rather than a firm by firm bases; and in many cases your assessment will also be greatly influenced by your luck regarding the particular people you will get to interact more with. In my opinion, the best you can do is to try to engage with as many people as you can and get a feel for the firm as a whole, and then simply see how comfortable you feel in that space. Fundamentally, and as it happened in my case, I think the question of fit tends to come down to a gut feeling more than anything else.

Hiya @Chris Brown

Just wanted to add to the excellent comments by @Andrei Radu. Loved his point that the vac scheme is particularly useful in helping you feel out the more intangible aspects of a firm. In my case, there were a few key things I paid attention to during my schemes.

One was how receptive people were to me asking for work. I try to be proactive and enjoy chatting with people to see where I can get involved. At some firms, that wasn’t always easy. People were polite but not especially keen to loop me/vac schemers into live matters. At others, I found that even busy associates would find time to get me stuck into something, which I really appreciated. This really highlighted how collaborative people seemed. The more open and team-oriented the culture felt, the more excited I was to picture myself working there.

I also looked at how people gave feedback. When they offered feedback, did it feel like a genuine learning opportunity, or more like a box-ticking exercise for them? Since I knew I was leaning towards firms with strong learning-on-the-job cultures, it mattered to me that people took time to explain what I’d done well or where I could improve. This was particularly important to me, since US firms don't always have such structured learning. Feedback on my work was my way of seeing whether I could effectively teach myself how to complete tasks to a high standard.

And lastly, I’d echo what Andrei said about friendliness/sociability and how this can vary from firms. I still remember getting lost on my first day at one firm and a partner offering me a tour and inviting me to get involved with a PE matter (this interaction really stuck with me). It was important to me that people could be seen chatting near the coffee area, or that I'd see senior associates/partners at social events.

Overall, I'd recommend having a think about what factors really matter to you. You're going to do amazing!

Thank you so much @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for your responses! You guys are both GOATed frfr! 🐐

I will definitely try and evaluate these aspects during my VS’. I imagine it may most likely come down to a gut feeling in the end! 😅​

 

[trainee4u]

The general rule is that applications will be open until 23:59 on the day of the specified deadline. A minority of firms will close applications at 12:00 (at noon) instead, but in my experience this always comes with an express notice. Since for Farrer nothing of the sort is mentioned in the FAQ or the applications page, and since as of this time it seems the applications portal is still open, I think it is very likely the general rule will hold true.

Ime Allhires is always midnight. Candid is often 5pm or some other afternoon time but usually midnight
I also had one that appeared to be set to midnight Hong Kong time, which wasn't disclosed anywhere (London-Asia, so there was a degree of logic)

 

[desparate4tc]

Anyone heard from Faegre Drinker? Or know when we can expect to hear?

 

[FCL25]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

 

[Mayooshi]

Has anyone heard back from Blake Morgan post call with HR?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

Hiya @FCL25

Given that the word limit for the Shoosmiths application questions is 300, I think it's worth discussing more than one skill. While the prompt says to focus on one experience, I don’t think that restricts you to just one skill. I think @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would have more to say here, but I think you should fine if you could distill 2-3 specific and concrete skills that you’ve developed through a single meaningful experience.

I'd also encourage you to avoid generic phrases like "analytical" or "research" skills. Break down what you actually did that showed those skills in action. For example, if you’re highlighting adaptability, show what the challenge was, how you responded to the challenge, and what you learned. Then briefly connect it back to life as a solicitor at Shoosmiths. When making the connection, draw out how those skills will help you navigate client work, take initiative, or thrive in the firm's environment. That final link helps show that you’re not just reflecting on the past experience, but applying it to the sort of environment alluded to in the question prompt. If you’re unsure which experience to choose, I’d suggest picking one where you were clearly out of your comfort zone but rose to the occasion by drawing on 2-3 specific skills that are transferrable.

Good luck with the application!

 

[a3736y]

Hi there. Does anyone have any advice on how to deliver a 5-minute presentation during an AC? The topic is "tell me an interesting news story" on my initial app. I am struggling in terms of structure as I need to add new developments and nuanced analysis on top of the written answer I've provided. Many thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

I would go with 2-3 skills or characteristics developed from one experience.

It will be important to explain how that skill(s) will support you as a lawyer too.

 

[fbtrainee]

Anyone have any advice insights on the bclp ac? I have one coming up soon, the ac will have a case study presentation, mark up exercise and a strength based interview. You get 90 minutes to prep for a 15 minute presentation based on the case study, within that time you're also expected to complete a mark up exercise. I'd really appreciate any tips on this!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Jessica Booker Hi jessica! Just wanted to ask a Q about the VS accelerator programme - how long is it?

Edit: Also whether the VS exercises have been uploaded. If not, then by what date can we expect to have this content available? Just asking so I can be strategic about purchasing the Gold subscription!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is Shoosmiths deadline tmr a midnight deadline?

 

[BillSikes]

Laughing just seen my Browne Jacobson scores.

I got 4,3,6 last year - and Middle for both verbal/numercial intellect and got invited to TI so don't worry.

 

[BillSikes]

Is Shoosmiths deadline tmr a midnight deadline?

yeahhhh

 

[brbgp]

4 minutes, twenty questions, 12 seconds each, I suggest making sure you have a good PC, internet connection, and a mouse (laptop trackpad/pointer slows you down).

Did anyone else find some of the questions insanely difficult? or am I just stupid lol

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Would love to hear examples of what people who were successful for the VS wrote about for the client issue question for the Bakers application

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Lol GD PFO when I applied 2nd sept and they ghosted me until now! I did their first year insight day two years ago lol...

 

[Legal Wizard]

Skadden emailed our practice areas. I’m super happy! Got my 2 first choices and hope everyone is happy with theirs. I got Lit/Arbitration and M&A

 

[Miss Chocolate]

yeahhhh

thank u xx

 

[Mayooshi]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from Bevan Brittan

I still haven't gotten a reply from them

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi there. Does anyone have any advice on how to deliver a 5-minute presentation during an AC? The topic is "tell me an interesting news story" on my initial app. I am struggling in terms of structure as I need to add new developments and nuanced analysis on top of the written answer I've provided. Many thanks!

Hi @a3736y I think with most presentation task you just want to ensure you (i) have a very clear structure; (ii) deliver it in a composed and articulate manner; and (iii) focus on the interesting points of analysis and discussion. For (i) the details of the exact structure you employ will differ significantly based on the topic and the amount of information you want to convey. For example, it could look something like this:

1. First 15-30 seconds: you state the the topic and lay out the structure of your presentation
2. Next 1-1.5 minute: explain in a concise format the essential facts about the news story
3. From minute 2 to minute 3: note down new developments
4. From minute 3 to 4.30: analyze any controversial points and different views about the issues, providing some outline of an argument for your view
5. Final 30 seconds: summarize the points you have discussed and open the floor for questions

However, I think you would probably benefit the most by trying to fit your presentation into different formats and see what works best in practice. For (ii), again i think practice will be essential. You should record and assess your performance yourself, or, even better, have a friend do it for you. Then, repeat the presentation again and again until you are happy with your delivery. Finally, for (iii) I think you should try to read widely in the press about the chosen topic so that you can discuss the main arguments backing up the different viewpoints.