New Threads

Very informative article by TCLA writer @Shynee the gig economy.

In this article, you will learn about:

• What is the gig economy?
• What are the differences between gig economy workers and the self-employed?
• What did the courts say in the cases of Pimlico Plumbers, Uber and Deliveroo?

The Gig Economy

Hi everyone, I have been invited to take the Eversheds VI and wanted to know if anyone was aware of what they may ask and how to prepare? I know that it will be strengths focused, but I have not done a VI before and am not really sure what I should be doing for it. Thank you!

Some tricky questions in the application I'm struggling with:

How would you define creativity within the legal sphere? (250 words max)*

We look for the kind of initiative that puts us ahead of the curve, so that we can work with clients at the peak of innovation. What will drive you to succeed at Taylor Wessing? (250 words max)*

Hey,

Was wondering if anyone had heard back from Clifford Chance for a Training Contract (especially for Middle East).

When should I expect to potentially hear back for the assessment center date/interview?

Best,
S

Apologies if these questions were already posted

I am applying to Shearman and I wanted to receive some tips on how to approach the 2 main questions:

As one of only a handful of elite, international law firms, how do you think Shearman & Sterling LLP maintains its competitive advantage? 250 words

Please use this space to explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at a city law firm, and your interest in Shearman & Sterling LLP. 250 words

For the first one, do you think I should compare the firm to its competitors and just mention what makes the firm successful?

For what concerns the second questions, is it basically asking me to write only about shearman or city law firm and shearman?

Thank you very much for your help

Hey all,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using Grammarly premium to assist writing applications? I've been toying with the idea of purchasing a membership but I'm wondering whether it's the worth the £23.

I thought I would share my JD interview experience from today.
It was totally different to any other firm I have had an AC at. No tasks, no negotiation, no tests. It was very much a 'chat' about my application (not academics), my work experience, my current job and my interests. I was quizzed on my language skills and cultural awareness and could see they were delving into the real me. Two partners interviewed me. Anything a bit out of the ordinary on the CV, they wanted to know about. There were a few competency questions as well as what firms I had applied to other then JD and why. No curve ball questions. There was an office tour with a trainee where I was clearly being assessed on behaviour and the questions I asked.
I have come away with no idea what to think. My brain doesn't feel frazzled but I know I could not have done anything differently as I was simply being me which is what they want to see. I will either fit into their culture or I won't.

Hello everyone! I have just been invited to Eversheds Sutherland's video interview and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or can relay any experience with the process? I am quite anxious, as the the application consisted solely of competency-based questions, I wonder if it is the same for the video interview.

Interesting article from Legal Week today: https://www.law.com/legal-week/2019/01/08/us-firms-plummet-down-uk-ma-deal-rankings/

It's behind a paywall, so I'll summarise the main points:

• For the first time in years, the magic circle/UK law firms have dominated the 2018 M&A league tables
• US firms Kirkland & Ellis, Davis Polk and Skadden all fell down the rankings last year.
• The fall contrasts the last three years where at least two US firms have been in the top five rankings.
• Freshfields topped the table for deal value followed by Slaughters, HSF, CC, A&O and Linklaters.
• The suggestion from a Freshfields partner interviewed by Legal Week is that "clients might look at using a different firm for big public deals than they would for private equity deals". Notably, US firms have struggled to break into the UK public M&A market, which is dominated by the magic circle.
• DLA Piper did the most deals in the UK followed by CMS.
• UK M&A deal volume fell in the fourth quarter of 2018.

What would you do if you were given work from a department you don't enjoy? Any ideas welcome.

While preparing for drafting exercises, I came across this resource. It is not exactly the same as the work we would be doing at assessment centres but I have found it useful for practising. Especially drafting the letter and memorandum exercises and it also has model answers.

This is the link if it is easier to access: http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415487153/files/Drafting_exercises.pdf

Best of Luck!

Hi, I have some questions regarding Company Law. I don't know if this is the right thread so admins please notify me or move this thread if I'm wrong.

Q1) If shareholders vote yes to a decision but the directors vote no to a decision, whose decision would/should prevail in the end?

a) I know that directors run the company and make management decisions. So what about the shareholders' views?
b) Can the directors refuse to follow the shareholders' opinion? If yes, what can the shareholders do about it?
c) Do the answers in relation to Q1-2 depend on what decision is to be made and whether shareholders' approval is required for that decision in the first place?

Q2) Why do shareholders go for derivative claims if the damages go to the company in the end? What is in it for the shareholders? (Dividends?) Why not go for an alternative route?

Hopefully someone can help clear my confusion

Online tests aren't for everyone. I've been asked this a few times and thought it would be helpful if we had a list of firms that do and don't require you to complete some form of online test.

I've compiled the list below mostly using Chambers Student, so please let me know if any of the firms are in the wrong place, or if you have any more firms to add to the list (you guys were great when we compiled the rolling basis list).

Law firms which use an online test:

• Allen & Overy (situational judgement test)
• Baker McKenzie (Watson Glaser Test)
• BCLP (online verbal aptitude test - for firm's purposes only/no weight on application for vac schemes)
• Bird & Bird (Watson Glaser Test)
• Browne Jacobson
• Burges Salmon (at the Assessment Centre)
• Clifford Chance (Watson Glaser Test)
• CMS (critical reasoning test)
• Cooley (critical thinking appraisal)
• Dentons (Watson Glaser Test)
• DLA Piper (verbal reasoning test)
• Freshfields (Watson Glaser Test)
• Gowling WLG (Skyrise City game (includes logical/abstract reasoning test)
• Hogan Lovells (Watson Glaser Test)
  HSF (Short verbal reasoning test)
• K&L Gates (online verbal reasoning test)
• Kennedys (critical thinking test)
• Linklaters (Watson Glaser)
• Mayer Brown (online verbal reasoning and situational judgement test)
• Mishcon de Reya (critical thinking and situational strengths)
  
• Osborne Clarke (verbal reasoning test)
• Pinsent Masons (at interview)
• Reed Smith (online situational strengths test)
• Simmons & Simmons (situational judgement test, then online logical and verbal reasoning test)
• Taylor Wessing (game-based psychometric test)
• Weil Gotshal & Manges (Watson Glaser Test)
• Withers (numerical and verbal reasoning test)

Law firms which do not use an online test:

• Ashurst
• Bristows
• Clear Gottlieb
• Clyde & Co
• Davis Polk
• Debevoise
• Dechert
• DWF
• Eversheds
• Gibson Dunn
• Jones Day
• Kirkland & Ellis
• Latham & Watkins
• Macfarlanes
• MoFo
• Norton Rose Fulbright
• O’Melveny
• Shearman & Sterling
• Sidley Austin
• Skadden
• Slaughter and May
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Travers Smith
• Watson Farley & Williams
• White & Case

Hi All,

A quick announcement:

In the past we kept the vacation scheme discussion forum private, first for students with a proven vacation scheme, and then for members of TCLA Premium.

We have now decided to open this forum for everyone. You can access the forum here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/forums/vacation-scheme-discussion.13/.

Let me know if there are any problems.

Best,

Jaysen

Hi All,

In the past we kept this forum private, first for students with a proven vacation scheme, and then for members of TCLA Premium.

We have now decided to open this forum for everyone. Please post here for anything related to vacation schemes. If you're stuck with something while on a vacation scheme, we can also help you in this thread.

Best,

Jaysen

Hi everyone,

I am applying to a law firm for a Training contract which asks the following two separate questions:

1.
Please provide your personal statement in the space below. Please outline why have you chosen to become a commercial solicitor and what relevant skills and experience you possess that you feel make you a suitable candidate. (550 words maximum)

2.
Please give details of your extra-curricular activities and interests including any positions of responsibility.

(250 words)


I was slightly concerned that the content for both may overlap? Does anyone have any tips on what to say in each box- especially the first question?


Many thanks!

Hi, I have been invited to a video interview with Addleshaw Goddard. Anyone have advice on how to prepare or the type of questions asked?
Any help is appreciated! : )

Hi everyone ! any tips where I could practice for HSF’s online test please? Thank you !

Hi, all
For the last part of this question: "tell us about your experience of teamwork and the impact you have had on these teams, whether from your work, studies or other roles and responsibilities. Include how you have balanced your various commitments"

"include how you have balanced your various commitments" - does that mean how you have balanced your various commitments within that team, or outside the team (as in, general time management)?

Greatly appreciate any advice

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback for a cover letter I have drafted for an open day at Slaughters. This is the first personal statement type thing I've done (apart from UCAS) so bare with me if the structure is off!

'

Hi, just received the news that I have been invited for CMS Academy Video Interview. Was wondering if anyone had any insight into video interviews in general?

• What type of questions should I expect?
• How do you act in a video interview?
• Any other tips for preparation?

If you have CMS-specific knowledge ever better!!

Thank you

Dear TCLA readers

Provisio: I know lots of people on here are grinding away at getting their TC and I am sorry in advance if this post is irritating (if it's any help it took me two years and self funding to get to this point so I know the grind).

I start my TC very soon at a Magic Circle firm but I am slightly worried now as people have been lining up to tell me how hard I will work and how dreadful the hours will be when I tell them where I am going. Included in this list are: a former MC associate (first time meeting him) who gave me this lecture over CHRISTMAS eve drinks, most partners and current trainees at the small sized London law firm where I currently paralegal, and other sorts.

Of course I know what the hours will be! I try to tell them - I am a bit older, I always care deeply about my work (often staying late or getting too obsessive about something), I have had a previous career, one of my positive character traits are endurance and generally a determined attitude, and I can laugh when things get ridiculous, I worked in a restaurant 10am - 2am/3am for a LONG period of my life.

The long and the short is that I am aware of the challenge ahead and I did believe I was up for it, I don't know if this is just a cultural thing because the firm I currently paralegal at are - I would say in my humble opinion - not overly hardworking. Surely, I won't despise it?! I am thinking of nurses, doctors, truck drivers, parents who come home to more work to look after children... it cannot be THAT bad!?

Sorry for the rant but I would really really appreciate anyones thoughts...

Hi everyone just wanted to know what you think the best way to prepare for a case study is.
I am under the impression that it generally involves reading a scenario beforehand and explaining it to the interviewer.

thanks!

Hi All,

As we have now reached the start of 2019, we thought this thread would be ideal to discuss new year goals and resolutions. This year, I want to (try) and continue being fit and heathy, travel a lot more and learn to take breaks consistently.

What are your goals this year?