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Hi All,

I am trying to prep for an interview and was wondering how would I go about answering the above-mentioned question - "What makes you a good fit for our firm?"

I'm not sure if this is a "why this firm" question or not?

I would really appreciate some help with this!

Thanks

So I am a recent (ish) graduate (2018) who has also done LLM(LPC) and worked as a paralegal. I'm currently on my second cycle applying continuously for VC/TC's. I've had several legal admin/paralegal roles both in-house and in private practice however I'm really not enjoying the admin side of these roles, and have found it to be very boring and full-filling. I feel with all the rejections from VC's ect, it's important for me to have a job in the present that I am somewhat satisfied with and can progress in.

I'm interested in M&A specifically and the transactional side of law/deals. Besides applying to consultancy firms and their graduate schemes does anyone have any suggestions of industries/roles that are entry level-ish, with jobs providing greater responsibility, and of which are commercial/business orientated?

Thank you in advance!

Hi guys!

I understand that due to virtual AC's HSF has changed their assessment structure. Instead of a case study they now have two scenario-based interviews. One is where a partner will give you a scenario from a case they are working on and ask you questions about it. I have heard this one is quite technical and previously they have asked questions on PE and joint ventures. The other is more to do with difficulties you would face as a trainee such as how to get in touch with a client or gather evidence for a case. Since you could get practically any practice area depending on the partner - how would one prepare for this?

Anyone who has attended the HSF schemes and would be willing to share their experiences - I would be grateful! If anyone can recommend resources to learn in-depth about different practise areas as well as brush up on Joint Ventures as opposed to the typical Mna, company law, shareholder rights etc that would be great!

Hi everyone,

I've just been invited to a video interview with Latham. Has anyone completed one with them recently? Any advice on what to revise?

Many thanks in advance!

I ask this, particularly after seeing what Clifford Chance have chosen to do this year but also with regards to my own experiences. Last year, (when I was in penultimate year of my law degree and had no legal experience), I applied to about 5 or 6 firms, some even the day before the deadline and I received responses from all almost immediately inviting me to tests or ACs. I was successful in gaining a VS at one firm and had to decline an AC from another firm. Ultimately I didn't convert the VS into a TC but I thought having the experience would be good for applications come this cycle. Especially considering the reason I wanted to do a VS was for the legal experience as I thought it'd look good when applying to firms in the future.

Now I'm in my final year, I have legal experience under my belt as well as a new extra curricular at uni, I thought this would set me up in a good position for apps this cycle. However, I've been rejected at the app stage despite attending open days and law fairs and networking. It almost seems like all these firms are seeing is that I'm a final year student who failed to convert a VS to a TC so I'm thrown in the bin (despite that the VS was virtual and the only assessment for the TC was the VS AC - but of course, they don't know this seeing just my application). It's making me regret not applying to more firms last year as a penultimate year student with no legal experience since this seems more desirable. Almost feels like I've lost my prime time :/

Hiya folks, thought I'd start a thread for those of us applying to Cooley. Would be useful for whoever gets past the 67% )) into the next round to let us know how it's like (WG or ...?)

Hi all! Apologies in advance for a confusing/long post. I received an offer to study the GDL at the University of Law, both in September 2021 and January 2022 (I can choose), and to do the PGDL at BPP (Jan 2022). I have a few questions. Considering I do want to qualify as a solicitor, and bearing in mind the new SQE route:
- Which programme should I go for? If I do the GDL in January, will I still be able to go down to the LPC, TC route? Or will September 2021 be the last intake for the traditional qualification route?
- Is there any advantage in starting the GDL/PGDL in September rather than in January in terms of TC or LPC?
- Is a PGDL overall more valuable than a GDL because it is at a postgraduate level?
- If I decide to go down the SQE route, will a GDL be valuable, or will I need a PGDL?
- Which university offers more support in terms of applications/ pro-bono?

I am very indecisive. On one side, I don't know whether the traditional qualifying route will still be available, should I start a GDL in 2022. On the other, I struggle to understand the practical difference between PGDL and GDL.

Thank you in advance!

Has anyone had a response from their 20/21 Shoosmiths application yet?

Hi everyone, I am about to apply to SM for a TC and the first question is 'Our ambition at Shakespeare Martineau is to be in the Top 30 Law Firms in the UK by 2025. Please identify two of the areas of law that we practice, and advise on the actions those teams should take to enable them to play their part in achieving our goal. Your answer should give consideration to the markets they operate in, and any current and upcoming issues which may provide both challenges and opportunities in achieving this outcome.'
I am not sure how to specifically address the Top 30 in 4 years part. I have a lot of awareness of what's going on in the real estate and commercial law markets for example but any ideas on how to translate this to becoming a Top 30 law firm through internal action would really help!

@Jaysen I think you are in the best position to answer this!

When do US firms like Weil conduct background checks on you? Is it before a vacation scheme or after a TC offer is accepted?

If it is done before the VS, do they do any further checks once you accept a TC? What is the process like?

Thank you!

Does anybody have any tips for the TV AC? Particularly in terms of interview questions and style?

Hey Guys! I just took down everything that I felt was important. Hope this helps anybody who doesn't have the time to watch the full video.


Info that theyre looking for on the personal statement form:
-why you, why are you applying, what could you bring to the role, what are your interests, what have you achieved, why commercial law, why FBD, if youve interacted with firms in any way, that’d be really good to include.

How to stand out
think of your interests, experiences and try and link it back to the position/ firm you’re applying for- think about the skills that you would need as a trainee.
Variety is interesting.

-Fine to call it Freshfields rather than Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Skills that they’re looking for in a trainee:
Core skills: teamwork, collaboration, communication skills, interpersonal skills, resilience( for eg if u didnt get the marks that you thought ud get, and how did you turn that around?) , writing skills, having an interest the commercial world, interest in technology


Top tips for preparing for the virtual assessment day
be prepared to talk about anything that you put in your personal statement
Double check your internet, mic and camera

Hi guys!

I hope you are all well and keeping safe! I recently realised that if I manage to secure a TC this season, I will have a year between graduating and starting my LPC/SQE. I am not sure if I want to do a masters and I think a lot of deadlines have passed already so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should do during that gap? Also, any opinions on whether doing a masters is worth it?

I am also very worried that if I don't get a TC this year then the date to start my TC is going to continue extending and I will have more time but don't know what I should do with that time. It's the first time I don't have a plan for my future so things just feel really uncertain and out of control.

Hey everyone,

I posted this on the Vacation Schemes group but this strategy has honestly massively decreased the frequency I check my emails! I thought the community could share insights into how to do this too! What strategies do you use??

My strategy is:

Every time you think about checking your email draw a little email logo (like the Gmail one- or this one: ) on a piece of paper. I try to do mine on lined paper.

It is a really good way to actively do something instead and often the impulse is gone after drawing something. It also makes you realise the number of times you have thought about your emails!

It might also be a good way of keeping honest/accountable for "giving in" to impulses (which don't help!)

I submitted my application on January 30th but still not heard anything. Has anybody else?

Thanks to @Daniel Boden for this suggestion.

Within your conversations/private messages, you now have the ability to:

• Add Labels/Folders. This option provides you with the ability to create your own labels and assign them to their conversations for easy referencing. Conversations are searchable by prefix and functions like mail-like folders.
• Multiple Conversations Organisation. All conversations now have a checkbox beside their title, allowing for the selection of multiple conversations to be processed inline all at once. You can also easily copy messages to a new thread (particularly useful if one of the forum team asks if you can create a thread instead!).
• Conversation rules. Forum team - you now have a feature which allows limited mail-box like rules to automatically assign conversations to labels as they are received.
• Auto Respond to conversation starter. With this option, you are able to set an auto response message to new conversations you receive. Each member can set a start date, an end date, and the message that will be automatically posted for them whenever they receive a new conversation/reply. There is also the ability to exclude people you follow from receiving this response.
• Sticky a conversation. Conversations can now be set as Stickies. A Sticky ensures the conversation will always remain at the top of the list.
• Locked conversations display a 'locked' icon as well provide the appropriate status text when viewing the conversation.

Hopefully this is working for everyone now, but do let me know if there are any issues!

Hey everyone,

I just received an interview invite from Sidley Austin for the spring/summer vacation scheme (very surprising considering I don't meet their AAA A-Level requirements in the slightest nor do I have a high 2.1)

Can't really find anything online about the interview structure other than it is a partner interview.
So does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for it, is there a case study, or what they tend to ask?

Cheers,

Mikhail

i have an assesment day with squire patton boggs in march. Does any one know what the AC will include . Does it involve a watson glacier style test , competency interview questions or commercial awareness questions , a case study ? etc

Introducing our M&A Bootcamp 2021!

Led by a corporate associate at a global law firm, our M&A bootcamp will teach you how to perform exceptionally at the hardest law firm interviews.

• You’ll learn how to wow a partner by understanding the complex commercial and legal issues associated with a global M&A transaction.
• You’ll work through case studies based on real work undertaken by trainee solicitors and associates.
• You’ll know how to explain financial concepts and provide practical solutions to a mock client.

Alongside these close-knit, interactive training sessions, we will be running a series on mastering case study interviews. Packed with practical interview advice, these sessions will be designed to teach you how to excel at case studies across a variety of commercial law firms.

Ultimately, this programme is designed to go beyond helping you to secure a training contract. The aim of the bootcamp is to teach you how to become an exceptional trainee solicitor.

Note, this programme is available to Gold members: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/case-study-2/. Recipients of our 1 Year Silver+ Scholarship can also attend this programme for free.

Hi All,

I have been invited to my first ever video interview (finally passed the application stage). I was wondering if anyone has any advice/tips on how to proper for the DWF video interview and what type of questions to expect?

All help is welcome! I have until Sunday to complete this interview (I work during the week).

Thanks in advance!!

Does anyone have any tips for a vacation scheme interview with Boodle Hatfield?

'If you couldn't work in law, what do you think you would do and why?' (300 words) (Russell-Cooke application question)

I'm having a little trouble answering this question, I'm not sure if you should relate the career path to qualities that the firm wants? Or should you just do something completely different and out of the ordinary? I used to want to be an expert in wine tasting (I know, weird), and took courses for it before I wanted to go into law...but is this too random?

Thanks!

Has anyone else thought about qualifying in another country?
The risk of brexit damaging Londons legal sector (hopefully its all fine but still) and nicer weather are making me look at other options.

Has anyone looked into this for any country? What is the process? How competitive are other legal markets for graduates?

I ask more just out of general interest rather than seriously about to move abroad (but maybe) and liked to hear if anyone has done any research into this

Hello if there's an M&A case study and in it an important employee of the target company wants to leave the company etc is it possible for a buyer to add non compete/ non solicit clauses into their employment contract before they leave or are these clauses that must have been included in the initial employment contract?
if it is the latter what would you subsequently advise the buyer?

Hi, I have a video interview for Irwin Mitchell (PLS) coming up. It will be recorded and so not in real time with actual people and there will be four questions to answer. Does anyone have any general advice/tips for recorded interviews?

Thank you