New Threads

Hi guys,

Per my post in the 'hearing back from law firms' thread, I thought I would create this so we can bounce ideas off each other and help each other out with any questions to ensure that we can all (hopefully) get those TC offers after this summer!

I'll post my approach today but please fire away with any questions

Just by way of background for those who don't know, I did a scheme at Weil last summer and am doing one this summer with Gibson Dunn.

Dan

Hi All,

In the run up to summer vacation schemes and training contract interviews, I thought it would be nice to have a thread to discuss ongoing commercial news stories.

This thread is open to anyone to discuss anything interesting they found in the news and share articles. This will also serve to complement our weekly commercial awareness newsletter.

Best!

Jaysen

Was a bit stumped when I was asked this at interview a little while back, the question went along the lines of:

'Could you give us an example of where you used commercial awareness in a professional situation'

So having thought about it, my thoughts are as follows, but I am still not sure how to answer it to a satisfactory degree

• An example from a legal internship or work experience, although it might be rarer for commercial awareness to fit in there depending on the job
• How my knowledge from having read about a particular business/industry benefitted my work as I already had a grounding in the area, or noticed something quicker due to having seen something similar before

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to know if there's anyone that did the GDL online. If I were to get a TC this summer, would I be able to do my GDL online or would the firm expect us to attend physical classes?

Thank you!!

Hi all,

I'm a penultimate year, non-law (STEM) student, with a single Vacation Scheme at a Magic Circle firm this summer. I will complete my studies in June 2021, but if I did not have a training contract secured by then would likely carry on for a fourth year and do a MSci rather than BSc (a decision I need to make by March next year).

Under the old GDL/LPC format, I understand that I would be applying for September 2023 training contracts, but just curious if under the new SQE I could apply for direct training contracts for March 2023 in this round of recruitment? That would solve my predicament of not being able to apply to most direct training contracts until after I would have to commit to finishing my degree and only doing a BSc... and then potentially being both out of education with no training contract secured.

Thanks in advance!

Good morning guys! I concluded my application cycle in March with no VS offers. I was disappointed but not surprised as I truly believed that I did not present my best self. However, I have since picked myself up and have decided to apply for firms back in my home country (I am an international student). There are quite a few big-name firms here (eg: Baker McKenzie partner firm and HSF) so I was quite excited. Unfortunately, the majority of these firms have since canceled their internships with no plans of going virtual. This has left me with no internship placement in the summer. I am a bit concerned about how this will impact my application next cycle and I have since, applied to smaller firms/niche firms who have yet to reply. As it is, I am currently organising a flagship event in the summer with collaborations from various top firms such as EY as well as doing a consultation 'mini-internship'. Is there was anything else I could do this summer to boost my application? I do understand these would be viewed as 'extra-curricular' as opposed to work experience. I was also wondering what would be UK firm's perspective of my internship at smaller firms. Thank you so much!

Hey guys,

I wanted to quickly ask a question about the importance of grades in vac scheme applications at MC/SC and US firms. I'm currently a first year non-law student at a RG university, and have averaged a 68 in first year which i'm really happy with.

However I have only achieved 41 in an optional module - this was originally the result of a 20% class test but will now count for 100% of the module grade due to Covid-19 exam cancellations.

Will this prove to be significantly detrimental to my apps next year? For context, I've achieved three firsts and three 2.1s in my other modules.

Thanks so much for your help

Hi guys,

I'm currently in my first year of a joint-honours Law degree, and was wondering when applying for vacation schemes and training contracts at top firms (e.g. Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms) whether a 2.1 or above in all modules is expected/considered mandatory? Or is it really just expected in the Law modules?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all well.

Have any of you done a virtual TC assessment, or have you heard of how these assessments are operating?

I would be really grateful if the TCLA community could provide some insight!

Donzi

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone could explain me the difference between a PE fund purchasing and a PE fund lending.

Moreover, @Jaysen is there any other course about PE?

Thank you very much for your help

Hi all,

I am completing an application and there are two questions (below) which I personally think are asking the same question.

1. Please detail any extra-curricular activities such as societies, clubs or charity work and hobbies (150 words)

2. Briefly tell us what you do when not working and/or studying (150 words)

Can someone please advise?

Many thanks!

Hi all, I have a quick question. If a company was acquiring another foreign company what are some of the considerations a lawyer would need to think of or instruct local counsel to do?

Im wondering whether anyone has any experience doing the online LPC with the University of Law?

I am considering this as a potential option as it is much cheaper than the full time in person LPC, and I might need to self-fund my LPC as the firms I want to apply to generally can’t sponsor.

I’ve heard that the LPC mainly consists of two hour workshops, so I was wondering whether the lack of real life interaction has an impact at all?

I’m also interested in the experiences of those doing the LPC and had to move online because of the pandemic - has the provider done anything to make the course worth more than the simple online version? As it is possible all courses will have to stay remote in September 2020 anyway, would it be best to stick with the online LPC?

Hi Guys,

I am currently applying to SA and I would like to have your opinion about this question "Why does a career in a city law firm interest you? "

I was thinking to focus on a few aspects: 1) City lawyers are required to be commercially aware, 2) Focus on technology. I was thinking to analyse the firm's legal tech apps (still researching this aspect) and my experience with legal tech, 3) Focus on diversity and how important is this for me as a black person and my volunteering to promote LGBTQ awareness.

What do you think?

Hi all

Completing my first application and I was wondering what others do with the "details" section of a work history online form. Straight-to-the-point bullet-points of roles and responsibilities? A freer discussion of the skills the role has given you? Somewhere in between?

Hi all,

I couldn't seem to find an existing discussion to post my question so created a new thread. Apologies if it should be diverted elsewhere.

For context, I am currently working as a paralegal and have done so for the past 3 months. I have, however, been on furlough over the last few weeks. During my time on furlough, I have been making TC applications.

My immediate supervisor is a Partner and we get along well. We regularly WhatsApp to keep each other up to date on general matters and to check in etc. Tomorrow we have an informal Zoom chat scheduled. I was wondering how best to approach the conversation of applying for TCs or, alternatively, whether it is appropriate to broach the subject at all.

The reason I feel so torn is because I don't want to come across dishonest about how I have been spending my free time by not mentioning it if it is 'so obvious' that I am applying for TCs. That being said, I am also acutely aware that this could potentially make me an easy option for redundancy as he may view it as a reason to withdraw from 'investing' in me if I am, in the long term, looking elsewhere.

To add to complications, I am also looking to apply for a TC with the firm itself but feel that this is highly unlikely given my furloughed status and limited time there.

Perhaps I am overthinking but I would be grateful if anyone had any thoughts.

Many thanks in advance!

Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.

February 2020

Please specify what the interview was for.

Vacation Scheme 2020

Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.

Interview (45 minutes), written exercise (1 hour)

Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.

When you arrive there you will have a competency based interview. The interview itself is very relaxed and friendly. It starts off with why law and what your experiences have been so far. They may ask you to speak about yourself so be prepared to say what makes you special and mention a few experiences/awards you've got. The questions I got were - why law - give us an example of a time you worked in a team - tell us about a deal that stood out to you and why - give us a time you had to work under pressure - give us an example of a time you had to work to a tight deadline - give us an example of a time you showed initiative - give us an example of a time you received negative feedback.

The interview is about 30 mins and I actually really enjoyed it! Then you get taken to a meeting room where you get a laptop and have to complete a written exercise. You get instructions that a client has read some newspaper articles and is concerned and is coming into the office tomorrow to discuss it with your team. A partner emails you to ask you to look into the newspaper articles and to write a memo in light of the meeting. You basically have to cover 3 things - 1. what the main issues are for your client. 2. how to affects your client. 3. thing you may have to consider going forward.

The articles are based on the recent insolvencies of companies like BHS, Newlook etc! The client buys properties and lets them out to these companies. Just make sure you're familiar with writing a memo and don't worry too much about this. The main thing is not to bring any outside knowledge - it's just about having the ability to write professionally and be able to summary vast amounts of information into a one page document.

Please list any interview questions you were asked.

See above

What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.

Learn how to write a memo and follow STAR in the interview. My feedback was that I did not provide enough analysis.

Were you successful?

No

Hi Everyone,

Jaysen and I have been hosting our technical article interviews for premium members and we felt it would be a good idea for us to create a thread to bank all the things we have noted since doing them. We will be posting in this thread the things which we think make candidates stand out and also the things to watch out for/to be mindful of. We host the sessions on a Wednesday and Thursday night so we will post our updates shortly after the sessions.

We really hope this will help you all to prep for virtual interviews, group simulation tasks, as well as technical interviews as we test all of these things in these sessions!

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet (so sorry if it has!)
I was wondering if my examples for application questions were too old.
For example, I was trying to show teamwork and I thought about using DofE, but I did this back in 2016.
I did think of an example involving some teamwork for my criminal law module in my first year of uni, but I was told by someone that it doesn't set me apart and was too old.

I am quite stuck on an example for this and now I am worried that my other examples may be too old too!
Does anyone have any examples, as maybe I am missing something?

Greetings!

I hope you are well. I just wanted to ask your help with my recent applications to training contracts and my overall perceived attractiveness to law firms. Do I stand a reasonable chance at a TC? My goal is to work at a firm such as Pinsent Masons.

I have average high school results due to personal illness. AAB-ABB (depending on the scale used to weigh the equivalence (went to a french high school)).

I have a 1:1 (74 overall grade) from Cardiff Met in BA (Hons) Business Studies & Management with Finance. With a 75 in my dissertation which involved heavy research.

I have a Merit from The University of Glasgow in MSc International Banking & Finance. My dissertation topic is on the evolution of due diligence in private equity due to new financial innovations. I'm also doing a research paper on a new valuation model for companies. Finishing in July. A slight chance at finishing with a distinction.

I have completed a summer internship at a well-known bank (at my home country) and recently did a 3-month legal internship/shadowing at a local law firm.

I am currently accepted at the Cardiff School of Law and Politics to undergo my GDL in September.

Greetings!

I hope you are well. I just wanted to ask your help with my recent applications to training contracts and my overall perceived attractiveness to law firms. Do I stand a reasonable chance at a TC? My goal is to work at a firm such as Pinsent Masons.

I have average high school results due to personal illness.

I have a 1:1 (74 overall grade) from Cardiff Met in BA (Hons) Business Studies & Management with Finance. With a 75 in my dissertation which involved heavy research.

I have a Merit from The University of Glasgow in MSc International Banking & Finance. My dissertation topic is on the evolution of due diligence in private equity due to new financial innovations. I'm also doing a research paper on a new valuation model for companies. Finishing in July. A slight chance at finishing with a distinction.

I have completed a summer internship at a well-known bank (at my home country) and recently did a 3-month legal internship/shadowing at a local law firm.

I am currently accepted at the Cardiff School of Law and Politics to undergo my GDL in September.

Hi

Has anyone due to start their LPC in July at Ulaw had any updates on whether it’s likely to be online or in person?

Is it likely that we will be able to attend uni as normal in July?

Thanks

Hi, a quick question:

is it generally recommended reaching the limit of 4000 characters (including spaces) in all four of the questions that PM asks? I.e. would 2000 characters in the 'greatest achievement' question be considered short?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I know there has been quite a incredibly useful advice from @Alice G about video interviews (thank you so much!), but I thought that it would be good to create a dedicated thread to remote interview experiences, given how many of us will be doing their vac scheme / TC interviews remotely now.

I know many people have already done their interviews online, others are preparing. Can you share your experience, tips, tricks, things you wish you had known before your interview?

Good luck to you all and thank you!

Hello everyone!
I hope you all stay safe.

I am having an interview with Arnold & Porter.
Has anyone been interviewed by the same firm?
If yes, could you provide me with any insights?

Many thanks in advance!