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Hi All,

Just a heads up that I’ll be upgrading our servers tonight (so we can handle the traffic a bit better).

Hopefully that time will cause the least disruption, but please note, you may have difficulties accessing TCLA over the next 24 hours (48 at most). You may also note that any posts made or messages sent in this time may disappear.

Apologies in advance for any inconvenience!

Hello! The Clyde & Co applciation starts with the following question: "Why do you want to pursue a career as a solicitor at Clyde & Co and what are the main challenges for the firm? (300 words max)"

Correct me if I am wrong, but I see three parts in the question: 1) why commercial law 2) why the firm and 3) main challenges for the firm.

Do you think an equal amount of words should be spent for the three parts? Is the "why commercial law" part really there?

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I am completing Dechert's app, and one of the questions is:

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?

I am assuming it's asking why their clients choose them? As in, which three qualities of the firm appeal to clients? Anyone interpreted in another way?

Thanks!!

Hello all,

Does anyone know who you have to address the cover letter to for NRF?

Many thanks!

Hi all,

I recently interviewed with Slaughter and May for a TC, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with how long they usually take to give out an offer/rejection?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

This is just a little something I wrote this week as I have heard firms have started making their decisions on Winter Vac Shemes and Open Day places. I really hope this helps some of you and please stay positive!!

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The application stage is, in my personal opinion, the toughest hurdle to clear. It can be so difficult trying to put your personality across in an application whilst also trying to write in a way that shows your research, commercial awareness and excitement towards a firm. I am writing tips on how to cope with application rejections specifically here in the view to writing more tips about the other application stages, since they each require different skills and capabilities. I hope these tips help and resonate with some of you and, though I sound like a stuck record, it is important to remember it is ‘when’ not ‘if’ and that with a bit of perseverance we can all get there!


1. Allow yourself to be upset. Do not try and force yourself to ‘bounce back’ or keep up appearances for the benefit of other people. If you have been knocked back by a rejection it is totally ok, and I have cancelled plans at the last minute because I haven’t felt up to them in light of rejections. I see a lot of comments online, for which I am guilty too, where we say how ‘dramatic’ it is for us to have felt like crawling back into bed or having a good cry into a cup of tea when faced with a rejection. I think it is good we share these realities but also that we don’t make apologies for them either. There is no shame in getting upset and having down days – it makes us all human. You are entitled to your feelings and it is important for our own mental wellbeing that we allow them to flow freely, even if it is unpleasant. It is all part of the process.

2. Take stock and reflect. It is a shame that firms cannot give feedback on applications, but I am sure I speak for us all when I say that it is entirely understandable that they cannot. This does mean it is left down to us as individuals, but you might be surprised just how handy a bit of time away from an application can be to help you appraise it and to be more critical. When doing your reflection, have you noticed a typo? This can certainly be a problem and might be a reason for the rejection. Have you found yourself thinking ‘why?’ or ‘so what?’ when reading your work? Firms really need you to dig deep and be specific about your motivations and why things are important to you. Have you simply found your writing does not flow or that it is overly complex? Legal writing needs to be clear, well-structured and concise and you cannot underestimate the important of this in your applications.

3. Perhaps upon reflection you have realised that you need to develop your skill set more or that you need some more work experience or extra-curriculars to perhaps cultivate a more diverse range of skills. With firms increasingly leaning towards competency responses, it is important to afford yourself enriching experiences. Do try and take yourself out of your comfort zone sometimes and challenge yourself in new ways. Self-development can be a great way to enhance your applications. However, do not do this at the detriment of your health or wellbeing. Know your limits and if it is all too much, focus on what is most important – you can always gain more experience after university if you have a lot on your plate or when work is not so hectic!

4. Make sure you are making fewer high-quality applications rather than taking a scatter-gun approach. This can be controversial because the amount of applications you make really should depend on your individual circumstances. I know people who can write good applications in a couple of days and they still manage to be successful with the high-volume approach. Knowing the way that I work best, however, means that I only opted to make seven applications last year. It does not matter which camp you fall into, but you need to make sure your applications are focused and of a high quality. It is not best practice to make 28 applications which aren’t sufficiently researched and thought out. Know how you work best (neither way is better than the other, we all work at our own pace and level) and strategise accordingly.

5. Do NOT underestimate open day applications. I was motivated to write this post after hearing brilliant candidates were unsuccessful in gaining open day places. These can be just as competitive to get on to as vacation schemes and they should not be viewed as *just* open days. Applications to workshops, events and open days need to be just as well researched and well written as vacation scheme applications. Open days, in my view, are also a huge stepping-stone towards vacation scheme successes. They are insightful days which teach you more about commercial law which you can then use in all your other application forms and they offer crucial ‘inside’ information into a firm and facilitate interactions between you and them. If you have been rejected after an open day application, ask yourself if you gave the application the attention it really required and if you feel you didn’t, don’t worry. Learn from this and make sure your future open day applications are as well-researched and as well-evidenced as possible.

6. Be proud of yourself. You put yourself forwards and that really does deserve some self-congratulation. It is a daunting thing to make an application and offer yourself up for judgement. Similarly, recruiters really do appreciate the time and effort you put in and nobody wants to reject an application either. So do not lose heart, it just wasn’t meant to be this time but well done for giving it a go and absolutely keep persevering!!

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all well and having a great week!

I just thought I’d start a new thread about which commercial related questions and topics came up last year at interviews and ACs. I think these can be the toughest and most curve-ball questions so it would be good to maybe compile what we all experienced so that we can be as prepared as possible this cycle!!

For me, I had ‘please tell us about a recent news story and why it would impact a law firm like us’. And I was also given an M&A case study and asked to discuss which departments would be involved with the deal. In a VI, I was also asked to talk about a business I admire and why

Interested to hear what you guys had!!

I started working on my Covington App and have a few questions:

1) Should the cover letter be addressed to Hilary Prescott (training partner) according to Chambers and Students or Claire Astbury (the Legal Recruiting and Professional Development Manager) or as it says in the FAQ on the firm's website "Please address the covering letter to ‘The Graduate Recruitment Team."

2) How do I go about the question "If you could experience first-hand one historical event, what would it be and why?" – 250 words.

I am currently struggling with this question "if you were an AG lawyer, recommending the firm to a potential new client-what would you describe as our most unique selling points?

I am planning to focus on AG consulting, AG integrate, client focus..any tips?
How would you structure your answer?

One of the questions that Burges Salmon is asking this year is:

"As an independent UK firm what do you think are the main challenges and opportunities that Burges Salmon could face over the next five years?"

To be honest, I am somewhat struggling with this question - there are some "obvious" traces to follow such as Brexit, cybersecurity and advanced tech, however I have a hard time with relating it back to the firm.
Would really appreciate your thoughts on the above!

For the open day tomorrow, the confirmation email said they are letting people know after the deadline, which was Friday just gone.

Has anyone heard back from them today yet?

Hi all!

I am an aspiring commercial solicitor. As you can imagine, I have not secured a TC yet but I am determined to get an offer for 2022.

First a bit about who I am and my life - I am working as a paralegal in IP litigation at the moment and am also a part-time LPC student in year 1. I am French and did all my school years in Paris, after what I decided to start medical school. Midway through my second year, I had a change of heart and decided to start law school in 2013 at the Catholic University of Lille. After two years, I applied and got an Erasmus grant to come study in England. I completed my third year at CCCU with a few modules I had no idea about. At that stage, I decided I wanted to stick around and see what London had to offer. That's when I started to look more into the route to qualification here and found out I was really, really late to the game. I enrolled to do the GDL and an LL.M both at the same time. It was a great experience but I do not recommend it to anybody who wants to have good grades, because I didn't. I found a job in enforcement and stayed in the company for a year and a half, after which I decided to quit to focus on what I really want: being a commercial solicitor. Few months of search and many tears later, I found my position at Bristows, which I adore. Enrolled in the part-time LPC and here I am.

The wizlaw and I - As mentioned above, I had a change of heart mid-medical school. That was triggered by a single class on overview of research and development of a new drug. In medical school, we mainly focused on the R&D part - make a commercial decision to research a way to treat a condition, the research stages lead by leading scientists, animal and human clinical trial, final clinical trials. And then the exciting stuff: patenting and enforcing patent rights. Bam, I was sold! Left medical school, started law school. That's what I want to do, mostly law, with that general scientific reading. To be fair, it does help to have a scientific background in my current law firm and that is one of the most exciting parts of the job to me.

Naked me - I think I really need to be realistic about my profile and start with everything I know might not be great about me. Sometimes, I found it easy to get carried on by my excitement, determination and optimism, without having a full picture of my weaknesses and how I can mitigate/change them. First stop, laziness. I think I have never been super lazy, but I was guilty of doing the bare minimum, especially before uni. Fast forward a good few years and many of them spent on uni bench, I think I get that without putting the full efforts, I will not get the full reward. That leads to my second point, my grades. Because I did the bare minimum sometimes, my grades are not the best. I do not have mitigating circumstances and am not making excuses for them, I need to take ownership in order to prove that my LPC grades will be better. I used to want to be better but sit on my couch and watch tv, making excuses, saying tomorrow I will do it. Tomorrow is now and I am proactive today, I am making active changes to increases my chances and be the best candidate I will ever be.

Now what? - I am struggling through the LPC and work, both taking so much of my time. I want to follow my study plans: read, prepare, attend, consolidate, read, revise and do mocks. But all this takes immense time and I find myself going home tired and exhausted after 7 hours of work, 3 hours of studying. I try to take the time to recharge as much as I can during the weekend (which is why I study so hard in the week) but often, still have to study in the mornings. I have just started my TC application round, with a few firms in mind and a schedule ahead of me. I've got all the chances on my side, I just need to make the best of it.

Feel free to tag along and watch me try, fail and, hopefully, succeed!

I find that a lot of the scenarios ask you to evaluate whether you should take the initiative when the opportunity arises or speak to your supervisor/seniors first. I know there can't be a generic answer to this but do you have any thoughts on the appropriate steps to take? Additionally, is your supervisor your first point of contact when a problem emerges in any situation?

Hi everyone,

The TC application for Travers Smith asks for a cover letter, but also these questions:


1.Please give details of your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests. *

2.Please give details of any positions of responsibility and achievements or awards at school, university or elsewhere *

In my cover letter, I have already covered some of my extra-curricular activities and positions of responsibility as reasons for 'why me.' I have two questions about this:

1. Should I be focussing on my extra-curriculars and responsibility in my cover letter? They are woven in - so they're not purely explanatory. However, I don't want to sound like I am repeating myself in the questions that follow.

2. In response to the two questions Travers are asking, should I just simply explain what I did and what I learnt? Should this be as bullet points for each experience?

Thanks!

I just wanted to share this Risk Report from the SRA: https://www.sra.org.uk/globalassets...ctice/risk-outlook-2018-19.pdf?version=4a1abf. I find it incredibly useful as it goes through the problems in a systematic manner and uses a lot of numerical data.

Hi, I’m applying for 2019 Winter Vac at NRF and am a bit stumped on a few points for their app.

1.) They don’t appear to have an Alevel or UCAS requirement anymore, is this the case;
2.) In the form the only Q this year is a 750 word cover letter. As it is within the form should it be addressed “Dear Sirs...” with a typical introduction or should I just jump in their with “why NRF”.
3.) The only other app Q is “[please provide any additional information in support of your application... e.g any mitigating circumstances]” - shall I take it then that it should only be answered with mit circs or shall I include other supporting info in their such as awards or pro bono work.
Any pointers would be appreciated, it is my first time applying to NRF.

Hi everyone,

I am trying to apply for training contracts that requires to submit cover letters. I need advice on what sort of information is needed to go on cover letters and how long should a cover letter be? If anyone could help, that would be great.

Thank you in advance.
Regards
Saffa

Hi, just a quick question. I've finished writing my PS for Freshfields and it looks decent. However, I have gone a bit over the word limit and I was wondering whether I could refer to the firm in the personal statement as "freshfields" and not mention their full name each time, as it is a waste of words. What do you think?

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note from me:

Spending hours and hours on applications, interviews and vacation schemes, only to receive a rejection, is mentally very tough. If you're struggling, feeling demotivated, wondering if you'll every make it through this process, that's nothing to be ashamed of.

You are talented and someone WILL see your value. Just give it time. Equally, you are not defined by the offers and rejections you receive. If others around you are receiving offers, that doesn't mean you're an inferior person - it just wasn't your time.

You don't have to be happy all the time. You don't need to pretend like everything is OK when it isn't. When you're surrounded by perfect lives on Instagram and LinkedIn, it can feel like you're alone. We promise you that you are not.

If you have any private/sensitive questions that can’t be answered on the graduate recruiter thread, feel free to drop me or @Jessica Booker a private message. @Alice G is also a great person to go to for motivational advice.

Happy World Mental Health Day!

I’m a little unsure how to do this in an application form.

Should I use bullet points or flowing paragraphs? How much detail should I go into where there is no word limit? Explain the role in depth or keep the actual job description to a minimum but accompany it with a few key achievements?

Thanks in advance

Giovanni

Hello Guys,

I am a recent First Class LLB Business Law & LPC graduate from De Montfort University.

I’m looking to create a blog which focuses on the journey of law graduates who have attended a university which isn’t considered as a red brick or Russell group university. I’m specifically looking for grads who have good A-levels and 2:1 or higher.
Please add your first name or initials, degree classification, university, grad year.

I’d like to know your experience including:

- do you feel like your career team at university helped your enough: importance of vacation schemes, applying for TC, limits you may encounter due to your current uni or even encouraged you to transfer unis.

- what were your A-level grades like? Would you have resit exams knowing what you know now?

- Reasons for attending your uni or transferring.

- did you attempt to apply for VS or gain experience at good law firms or didn’t bother - why not?

- after grad, did you get a paralegal job or TC straight away?

- did top Law agencies e.g. ‘Law support’ consider your applications?

Stories
- any regrets or proudness of undertaking a law degree?

- are you using your degree in other sectors? E.g finance, recruitment.

- any good/bad interviews based on your academic results.

- any success stories of individuals receiving a TC at a reputable firm despite your uni.

- any other contributing factors? E.g. Family, race, class

This blog aims to focus on individuals like myself who are considered as ‘Potentially Excellent’ as they have the necessary requirements to become a lawyer yet the competitive market doesn’t offer a fair chance.

Bringing some awareness could help the next generation of law students or even change the view of employers.

Thank you in advance!

Dear Community,

Have submitted my app for the TC right when the application window was opened, but haven't heard anything from them yet. Mind sharing some details if you're aware of any? Many thanks

I am wondering whether many finalists are applying for winter vac schemes even if they clash with the last few weeks of the autumn university term. My term finishes on the 13th December and a lot of the vac schemes begin on the 9th Oct, and during that week I have a lot of tutorials and seminars (not just lectures).

I'm not sure whether to apply for these winter vac schemes anyway and miss these commitments? Is that a position that many finalists are forced to take?

Also, re Spring vac schemes, are people not concerned that these are very time consuming when we have exams and coursework to prepare?

Hi - just been asked to do Ashurst's various tests, of which there are three different ones. Just wondering if anyone has done these and has any tips/advice? Thanks in advance.

Hiya, I am currently applying for SPB's winter vac scheme. It only requires a CV and cover letter and was wondering if anyone could advise how to best structure my cover letter. I've always usually applied to firms with set questions.

This is the structure I have in mind:
1. Why Law and Commercial Law
2. Why SPB and why I want to do a vac scheme there
3. Demonstrate competencies that I have that would make me a good trainee.

Does this sound like I am on the right track? I was also wondering how long a cover letter for vac schemes usually is - I am planning to write a page to keep it concise. My current CV is also 2 pages long but I have heard a few firms prefer a one page CV for vac schemes and training contracts. Do I submit my 2 page CV with my application?

Thanks a lot in advance