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Hey guys!

Does anyone have any tips for what questions to ask during your interview? I'm anticipating a 'do you have any questions for me' towards the end and am trying not to be caught out!!

Thank you

The deadline is tomorrow and for some reason I decided it would be wise to start my application today. In spite of this, I am struggling with the two questions in the application form:

When have you worked towards an ambitious goal?
When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor?

The only thing I can think about is possible school experiences, but even then those are a stretch. The word limit for both questions is 500 words and I don't see how I can write a substantial answer for either.

1. Dechert is frequently retained to work on the most challenging matters and prides itself on its ability to deliver premium legal services and sound business judgment to its clients. In your opinion, other than the above, what are the three key reasons why our clients instruct us? (250 Words)

Clients instruct Dechert because of its multi-practice multi-jurisdictional corporate strategy. This strategy combines highly ranked corporate practice areas with a strong presence across key global financial markets. The firm’s New York office possesses a Band 1 Corporate M&A ranking by Chambers & Partners. It has a Legal 500 Tier 3 Debt Capital Markets ranking in London. Its Hong-Kong office has advised clients such as SK Hynix and MBK Partners. Dechert works together as one global firm to cater to the full spectrum of client needs that span these multiple practice areas and jurisdictions.

Clients instruct Dechert because of its market-leading approach to innovation. The complexity of legal transactions has driven law firms towards innovation. Innovation increases the efficient completion of non-complex tasks and allows lawyers to focus on the most complex parts of legal transactions. Dechert has created an innovation Taskforce which has successfully deployed a range of initiatives. These initiatives have increased efficiency and ensured better client service. Therefore, it is why the firm was recognised as the ‘Most Innovative Law Firm in North America for Legal Expertise’.

Clients instruct Dechert because of its market-leading financial services and investment management practices situated in key global fund domiciles. The firm has Tier 1 & 2 Legal 500 Investment Funds rankings in the Middle-East & Asia respectively. It has IFLR1000 Tier 2 & 3 Structured Finance rankings in the US and UK respectively. This suits client looking to offer their products & funds to a wider range of investors.

Hi all,

I have an AC coming up with CMS and I was wondering if anyone can give me tips/insights? What would be the best way to approach the speed networking session as I understand it's also quite business-related?

Thank you in advance!

I have an upcoming interview with HSF and I am worried my 'why HSF?' answer is not as strong as it could be. I plan to talk about my interest in their employment and patent litigation practice areas, also the complex multi-jurisdictional work and the connections I made while attending events on campus. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Very strangely, I got rejected last month but received a retraction to that rejection and have now been invited to the career valuation.

I got rejected last year post "Career Unlocked" game... which was a fairly irritating part of the process, nonetheless, I've decided to apply again- hopefully I will fair better if I get to the game stage this year.

Does anyone have any tips on the Career Valuation stage? (Or even the game stage... if I get there haha)

I have been invited to complete Simmons and Simmons online tests and video interview in the next week however I have two master's assessment's and two AC's coming up. Can I ask for an extension to the seven days? I don't want to make things difficult for the grad rec team but I am really time constrained

Hi,

Has anyone got any advice/past experience with the K&E video interview? I worked hard on my application and I don't want the video interview to bring my application down. If anyone has advice/experiences to share, it would be sincerely appreciated.

Thank you!

Does anyone happen to know who the cover letter should be addressed to for Kirkland & Ellis?


Many thanks.

Hello and Happy New Year!
I'm currently in my final year doing Economics & Business at UCL. As I recently got my first application rejection I feel slightly demotivated and decided to re-evaluate my current situation.

• As of now, my average is at 59 with a predicted 2:1 upon graduation.
• My module grades so far are as follows: one first, eight 2:1s, three 2:2s and 2 marks in their 40s.
• The only work experience I have is a one-month internship at EY over the last summer in the assurance team.
• Extra-curricular wise I was heavily involved in dance society and took second place as a choreographer for a team competition last year. Choreographing for a big show this year too.

Based on the above, could you please advise me on what would be the most optimal thing to do in my current situation?
Should I continue applying for law firms vac schemes? Or is it not worth it and I'd be better off prioritising my academics, securing 2:1 and applying during GDL instead? If so I'd imagine I will still need to compensate for my poor university academic performance and attain distinction at GDL - is it realistic while also submitting quality applications?
I was also considering doing pro bono in the second term to build up legal work experience. If there's anything else I could do, would so much appreciate your advice.
Thank you.

I did my undergraduate university education in Canada and I'm very confused about what these "Modules" are and what I should write down for their names. about them, and my grades in my application?

My understanding is that modules are somewhat equivalent to courses in Canada?

How universities worked was we would take 8-10 courses (like Introduction to Financial Accounting) per year, which is divided into 2 terms. We would study for 4 years and in the last 2 years, study 5 courses that would be our major on our degree like accounting or finance for a business degree. So in total we would take about 40 courses. However, some TC applications only have room for 3 "Module" options and I'm not sure what to put down?

Should I write the most relevant course names for what the modules are?

This is for an application for a UK law firm overseas.

Hi,
I have been invited to a Bird & Bird AC in February and I was wondering whether anyone here who has gone through it can provide some insight into relevant/specific preparations. This is my first AC so I am quite nervous and other than deepening commercial awareness surrounding B&B in particular I am a bit lost.

Thank you!

I haven't seen any discussions about SQE here, so I thought it would be good to create a space where we can talk about the incoming changes to qualifying as a solicitor.

We all know that LPC costs are unreasonably high (as much as £17k in London) and act as a deterrent for many people from undertaking it in the absence of training contract offer and/or sponsorship from the firm. The changes brought by SRA intend to, at least in theory, ease a financial burden of qualifying.

Some basic information:

1. The qualifying route through SQE should be available from autumn 2021.
2. It will be still possible to qualify under the "old" route until 2032.
3. SQE estimated costs are between £3,000 - £4,500. This will be spread over the two assessments which are taken at different times. This does not,however, include any additional training.
4. According to BARBRI, one of the accredited training providers, the cost of the training itself is currently estimated to be at around £7,000 mark, therefore bringing the entire cost of qualifying to £10,000 - £11,500 (provided that one passes the two exams on the first attempt).
5. While lowering the costs seemed to be SRA's main intention, it is quite clear that it will not necessarily be the case. (note from self: if the course cannot be combined with postgraduate studies that are available for funding, it may as well even deter more students from qualifying - there is not much information currently whether the preparation training will be combined with postgraduate degree in the same fashion as LPC + LLM is).

Further information can be found under the following links:
https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/policy/sqe/solicitor-persona/
https://www.barbri-international.com/sqe/predictions/



I am one of those graduates who has not done the LPC yet, because I simply cannot afford it. I work as in-house paralegal and, if I fail to obtain a training contract, SQE offers me a promise of qualifying by recognising my up-to-date experience and, possibly, achieving that at a lesser cost. While my goal is firmly set on obtaining a TC with a firm that could sponsor my LPC, I have been wondering lately whether I should consider waiting for the SQE to roll in, should my original plan fail.


What is your take on the SQE? Are you looking into that route of qualifying or are you set on completing the LPC (if you haven't undertaken it yet)?

Hi all, I have a first stage interview with Gibson Dunn coming up, and I was wondering if anyone who has interviewed with them before has any insights/advice? It's an interview with HR and apparently is a general interview based on my application.

Thanks!!

I've had several law firms ask what I think their major opportunities for their law firm are in the next 3-5 years. What are the best ways of identifying where these opportunities are beyond their website, news and industry publications?

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts regarding this? My initial thought was to answer why it in two parts. Say why I want to be a solicitor, and why at Dechert? My only issue is, the first question was "why do clients instruct dechert?"..and I think thats already covered the why do I want to work at dechert part.

I've looked at what practices they're good at and I don't see anything that I can latch onto. Legal 500 seems to suggest they're good at energy and project finance, whereas other sources suggest they have a strong corporate side.

I met an associate from the firm a while ago (thankfully remembered their name and background!), but I didn't really get a concise answer as to what the biggest distinguisher is.

Does anyone have any experience or insight as to what really distinguishes them (I'm looking for something along the lines of a particularly strong practice area like Kirkland, a unique business model like Macfarlanes, Slaughters and Travers Smith, etc.)

Thanks!

Hi!

Has anyone done the Orrick application and know whom to address the cover letter to?

Thanks!

Hey,

Bit of a random one: I’m applying for a firm that uses FSR.CVMail and I can’t seem to add additional employers to the employment history section. Does anyone have any idea/ran into the same issue?

I will contact recruitment but I just wanted to check there wasn’t a simple reason why I might not be allowed to add more than 4 employers!

Hi all

Had a technical question relating to a private company issuing public debt (i.e. bonds). Can a private company become a public company via a bond issuance instead of an IPO?

I don’t think a private company can issue bonds to the public whilst remaining a private company so I’m just wondering whether they’d need to become public via the stock market first!

Hope that makes sense and thanks in advance!

Hi,
I recently received a TC offer and the firm (A&O) state on their welcome section that they offer £500 to TC holders who achieve a first class degree.
Am I right in assuming that this only applies to those who receive the first after getting the TC contract offer? I graduated before getting the TC and so presume I wouldn’t be eligible.
Thanks

Hello Everyone!

I have just came across TCLA (must have been living under a rock) and was wondering if anyone in the community has any advice for me based on my situation.

By way of context, I am a recent First Class Law Graduate from a Russell Group University. In the Summer of 2018, I undertook a Vacation Scheme at Norton Rose Fulbright but unfortunately did not manage to convert it into a TC. I was also NRF's Campus Ambassador. The feedback I received was positive, but my final TC interview let me down where I persisted with my point of view, as I thought I was trying to be 'caught out', yet later realised I had been mistaken. I was told at the time to re-apply, but during the final year of university, I suffered from difficult family circumstances and so chose to focus on my studies. I have recently got back in contact and asked NRF's HR if I can apply again based on my prior experience and I was advised I could apply for the Spring VC or the TC directly.

My question is which opportunity I should apply for. On one hand I view the VC as a way of showcasing my resilience, how I have worked on my feedback and a way to demonstrate how much my commercial awareness has improved. On the other hand, perhaps I would be more likely to be given a TC interview as 'one last shot', considering I have already experienced the NRF culture and gained experience there.

I feel like I am in an unusual position and don't really know what route to take, yet feel there is nothing to loose by making one last application!

Thank you all in advance for any views you might have.

Hello everyone! I have been following The Corporate Law Academy for a few years whilst applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, and would be ever so grateful for some advice on my (potentially) final year of applications.

I have recently graduated from my law degree and LPC at a non russell group University, with first class honours. I live in the North East and I currently have a great non-legal job at a global company based in London (I work from home in the North but I travel regularly). Whilst this is perfect for the time being, I am still determined to pursue a training contract.

However, I have discovered in this cycle of applications that firms are increasingly recruiting solely from their vacation schemes, which will exclude me from applying to many firms as I will not be able to take the time off work. Which makes me wonder if this will be my last cycle of TC applications, if this is a trend that will continue in the future.

I have a bulky CV: I have completed 5 vacation schemes in the last 3 years, worked part-time for 6 years from the age of 16 a premium supermarket chain and completed a number of volunteering and fundraising projects. I also averaged a mark of 76 in my 4 years at university, my only let down on my application being my A Level grades, being ABC (300 UCAS points).

My applications to northern firms have always fallen at the final hurdle: the final interview. Every piece of feedback I have received has been largely positive, which has been frustrating- I am usually told "everyone who met you [during the VS] thought you were great and spoke highly about you and we would encourage you to apply again next year" and the only clear negative feedback I was given was regarding a lack of confidence and about my commercial awareness: e.g. "the work you did was great but just lacked the ability to communicate information to clients in the way a lawyer would. You completed the work as a law student would and you therefore need some more legal experience".

This year I am re-applying to the northern firms that I was rejected from last year. However, I was also looking to broaden my applications into London firms (having enjoyed working in the London office of my current employer),and other, larger northern firms, but I am conscious that I would be wasting my time applying to firms that would automatically filter out my application due to my ABC A-Level results, and my inability to undertake a VS. (I have never passed the online application stage to firms such as Eversheds and Irwin Mitchell for example).

Does anyone have any positive experience/knowledge of firms that I would not be wasting my time on applying to given my circumstances? (My first choice of location would be Leeds/Newcastle and I would definitely move to London if it paid enough for me to relocate).

I am currently doing an application to Travers Smith. In the work experience section it says Employer (100 characters max) and
Position (100 characters max) but the nature of work section has no word limit on it. Am I right in thinking then that the nature of work bit is not limited to 100 words?