New Threads

Hi everyone, I am completing an application to Debevoise and came across the following question:

What do you hope to get out of a career at a Firm like ours? (250)

I feel like it is quite similar to the questions "why do you want to become a commercial solicitor", could anyone tell me what approach should be used here? Thank you!

Hey everyone!

As the question says, what ways have you demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset/attitude?

I’ve always found it a tricky attribute to highlight as the usual examples are how somebody has launched XYZ company. While that’s fantastic, I unfortunately haven’t ran my own company!

I’m interested to know if others have used more ‘grounded’ examples to demonstrate an entrepreneurial attitude to hopefully inspire me to dig deeper into my experiences and see what I can tease out!

I did my CAPP assessment 5 days ago (on the 10th) so I was preparing to do the WG today, but my application portal is saying I have until the 20th to do it?

Anybody else have this happen to them?

Hey guys,

I know we've been issuing a lot of Amazon gift cards recently...

Alongside our forum upgrade, we are developing a database for (successful) past applications and cover letters available to premium members. This will allow you to search between firms far more easily.

In doing so, we thought we'd expand this significantly, so anyone can submit a successful vacation scheme or training contract application for the database. In return, you will receive a £5 Amazon Gift Card for every successful application you submit. Each person can submit more than one, although we'll be capping the form at 100 total submissions.

Feel free to only share the application questions with your answers and redact any identifiable information.

There are more details within the form. Kindly note, the form asks for proof that you reached the stage you say you did (otherwise unsuccessful applications could be submitted).

You can find the link here: https://forms.gle/Aa5m29sUvHw1KS8z7 (note you may be asked to sign in to your Google account first).

I hope you enjoy the Amazon gift cards!

Best,

Jaysen

I applied for Ashurst direct TC over a year ago and I forgot I even applied. I thought they just ghosted me because other people from my year who applied got their TC offers from them already. I’ll take it I am so grateful, just very surprised. Bit nervous as I’m out of country and left all my research and open day notes in England, and I now have to get myself super up to speed with what the firm has been up to. Also wondering how a virtual AC will go, how it will be different. I also can’t seem to find whether Ashurst takes a lot of people from Direct TC or if they primarily recruit from vacation scheme, I definitely knew at one point but it’s in that notebook in England...
Anyone else have this happen??

I'm so annoyed with myself, I just realised that I made a spelling mistake in a few of my applications that I've already sent off.

The word I wanted to use was "fictitious" because I was talking about negotiating on behalf of fictitious clients, instead I spelt it "fictious". The thing is that Microsoft Word didn't pick the mistake up as "fictious" is actually a word, meaning fictitious but it's archaic version of the word.

I know that law firms really value attention to detail and some chuck applications straight in the bin if they spot any error, but nobody who I've shown my applications to have spotted this error (about 10 different people have read my apps). So I'm hoping that it will go unnoticed?

I'm just really disappointed with myself because I worked so hard on these applications, it will be such a shame to be rejected for something so small. Has anyone else been through something similar?

Hi Guys!

I have a video interview with Simmons & Simmons. Does anyone have any tips or advice on the type of questions and what the written tasks entail.

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,

Further to my previous post about our upcoming forum upgrade (which will be coming very soon - maybe even this week!), we are going to be retiring/replacing our credits system because this is something we never properly implemented. (Note, that our credits system is different to the trophy points you have accrued, which will continue.)

As a thank you to those of you who made valuable contributions before the upgrade, we will be doing two things:

1. The 10 people* who accrued the most credits will be awarded a £35 Amazon Gift Card and an exclusive badge.
2. The 5 highest-voted people* by TCLA members will be awarded a £35 Amazon Gift Card and an exclusive badge.

Regarding point two, we want to recognise members who haven't necessarily been here as long, but whose contributions you have found useful, supportive or valuable. To participate, we'd love for you to comment below nominating up to three people who you feel deserve to win. Nominations end this Friday 18 December 2020.

Thank you to @Jessica Booker for helping me to come up with this award system!

*These exclude the TCLA team/moderators.

Best,

Jaysen

Hi!

I'm struggling with feeling like I don't have enough time to make these applications

I started networking all of October, decided what firms I wanted to apply to and initially thought I'd do an application a week starting November, which would stand me in good stead re the number of apps to complete. In previous cycles I always applied to too few firms (literally a handful) and they were all rushed almost on the day of the deadlines. This year I thought I'd start "earlier" (let's face it, November still isn't even early right) but since the beginning of November I've only applied to 2 so far - I have a full-time job and various other things have got in the way in November itself. I just feel so behind seeing that others have applied to a good 10 or more firms all the way since the beginning of September!

Just need some reassurance or practical advice please thank you

Hi everyone,
I've made a few applications this year and have done them primarily for VS because I've heard lots of firms recruit primarily through them. However, I work and have a (probably unrealistic) fear that I could get several options and have to choose one over another. I'm currently applying to Bird & Bird, does anyone know if they recruit more through their VS or is it roughly 50/50? Are there any good places to check these stats more generally?

TIA

Hi all

As the title states.

I'm hoping it's a nice idea for those of us revising for Jan exams during this pandemic which is making revision so very isolating.
We can arrange zoom/skype.

My exam modules are Criminal and EU.
Please make study buddies by stating your modules and your struggles.

All the best

Hi everyone! I'm a Canadian national who has done a BAH and am currently finishing an MA in non-law subjects at Canadian universities.

My dream is to work at a commercial law firm in London.

My original plan was to complete the PGDL/LLM in-person at BPP Birmingham, regardless of whether or not I secure a Training Contract this cycle. I would be funding this almost exclusively using bank loans.

With all costs factored in, including visas, accommodation, travel, etc., this will cost me £25770 (PGDL) or £31148 (LLM).

If I do it online, living with my parents in Canada, it will cost me £11,938 (PGDL) or £16,480 LLM.

I'm worried that the major law firms prefer for us to do the course in-person. Do they really care or is that just in my head?

Should I even enrol in the course before I secure a training contract?

Should I do the SQE online preparation courses instead and go down that route?

What would you guys do in my position?

I'm freaking out lol

Hello!

A common question on application forms always asks something along the lines of "if you had to advise our management on one key area/sector to focus on in the coming years, what would that be and why?".

I understand that you're meant to employ your commercial awareness and core understanding of the firm here, and discuss how you foresee advances in the current market will impact the firm's practice in the future etc.

But for a thorough and specific answer, I'm stuck on discussing how to practically implement my suggested advise. For example, if I advise for the firm to grow its debt and restructuring team given the current covid-19 situation, what are the different ways firms can go about this? (i.e. hire more lawyers within this practice area, or through further marketing etc).
Or do I need to talk about subsequent practical changes at all, and mentioning growing this particular practice area and my reasoning behind it is enough?

Any insight would be great, thank you

Hey everyone,

Now that we've updated the main website, we're working hard on an upgrade and redesign of the TCLA forum.

In addition to a redesign that reflects the new branding we have with the main website, we'll be making the forum easier to navigate, improving the mobile experience, tidying up outdated threads, and introducing several new features (more details to follow).

Thereafter, we'll be able to make further improvements, including a credits system, a database of interview experiences, and more.

I'll be reaching out to a few of our active members to see if you'd like the demo the new forum and provide feedback before we go live. I'll also use this thread to keep you guys updated about the changes that are to come.

Best!

Jaysen

Hi! I am tired of rejection, I just feel like everyone will have a training contract or a vac scheme but not me.. even the firms I want do not want about me.. i am an international student I secured a 2:1 from a non Russell group, I have no awards, no scholarship.. so I am not special at all

I am actually feeling so depressed and need advices

thank you

Hey everyone,

I'm very happy to announce the biggest scholarship programme we've ever run. 85 scholarships are available, valued at £9,000.

We don’t want your financial situation or your circumstances to be a barrier to accessing our best resources. We thought deeply about how we could implement that desire. How could we run a programme that had a real impact?

TCLA's 2021 Scholarship Programme includes:

• 50 one-month Bronze subscriptions
• 25 six-month Bronze subscriptions
• 10 1-year Silver+ subscriptions

Each Silver+ scholar will receive:

• Access to all of TCLA Premium’s content for one year, including nine courses on everything from M&A to legal technology
• Access to seven one-hour webinars
• 12 application reviews (one every month) and access to 75+ successful applications and cover letters
• A hard copy of our commercial booklets
• Access to TCLA’s Video Interview Simulator, with hired actors designed to simulate a real VI
• A one-hour mock interview
• A £100 grant towards expenses related to a career in commercial law

…and much more!

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of any of the following:

• Financial circumstances
• Being from an underrepresented group
• Where a scholarship will make a substantial difference to a candidate's journey

Apply by 31 December 2020.

You can read more and apply here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/scholarship/.

Best!
Jaysen

[ ]

I am a penultimate year student with a training contract from an MC first year programme. Is it desirable to disclose the training contract on my application work sections? If I have already submitted an application for a firm, should I notify them or only disclose when asked in an interview?

Hi everyone! Im having an interview with a firm that focuses mainly on cap markets and funds. And Im wondering should I just talk about issues that could easily relate, like brexit, trade war (chinese Us) or Covid 19? And should I put my focus on those issues on that particular firm? E.g. Trade war lead to xxxxx thats why your firm will be xxxxx affected? Or should I just be more general? Thanks for everyone's insights.

Hi, I'm having a hard time with the Bird & Bird application questions.

I have posted them below, any advice would be greatly appreciated


Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? (150 words)


Recent changes to China’s financial regulations present an opportunity for Bird & Bird’s Fintech department. The Chinese government recently enacted several rules which are designed to speed up the process through which international investors apply for access to Chinese markets. For example, Bird & Bird client, Mastercard, after several unsuccessful attempts, recently won approval from the People’s Bank of China to set up a bank card clearing institution.

This is particularly important to fintech as these new rules are in combination with China’s recent anti-trust regulations which have broken up the dominant fintech monopolies in China, therefore creating a level regulatory playing field.

Bird & Bird is already established in China through its cooperation agreement with Allbright Law Offices, and Lawjay Partners. Because of this, the firm is able to offer inbound and outbound investors leading advice on the regulations governing fintech in China.



What will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why? (150 words)


5G is estimated to add $6tn to the global economy by 2030. This is particularly relevant to the intellectual property market because as of November 2019 there were 87,752 5G patent declarations

This opens up opportunity for Bird & Bird, as long-standing clients Nokia and Ericsson make up 26.5% of all 5G patents. The latter recently announcing they will ‘do whatever it takes to win 5G’. This expansion of 5G will inevitably lead to the processing of patents and potential disputes. I am basing this view on the level of 4G litigation, for example Nokia v Daimler. Bird & Bird has a track record of excellence when representing telecommunication clients. For example, recently the firm successfully represented Nokia in a patents dispute against Lenovo. As such, I am certain that the firm will be retained by clients as they continue to invest in 5G technology.

Hi all

Would anyone have detailed notes on the CMS assessment process? I am trying to help a friend with interview prep etc. but don't have much info on the firm.

If helpful, I'm in my final seat at a MC firm with experience applying to MC / US firms. Happy to proof read applications or help with interview prep in exchange for this so please drop me a message if interested.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm currently preparing for my CMS video interview and was wondering whether anyone had any tips for it as it is my first video interview ever. Any help would be appreciated!

Hello,

I have a vacation scheme coming up and will be sitting in the Real Estate department - how can I read up on this? I want to gain a base understanding at least of the practice area before doing the VS.

Thanks