New Threads

There are many different kinds of firm mergers/relationships we see lately.
Just to name a few, there's the "best friends network" strategy, the fully financial integration, Swiss Vereins etc...

I was wondering what are the differences and nuances of these mergers (eg: challenges or benefits) and what makes one better than the other? If anyone can share their opinion, that'll be great!

Hey all,

So I've done heaps of research for a law firm and I'm currently writing the cover letter. However, I'm not sure what parts of my research I should use? I have information on their practice areas, work culture, compensation scheme, values, deals, career progression, seat information. Essentially, I think what I'm asking for is a method you have used to whittle down research to two or three main things. I understand it is subjective and that areas that are distinguishable should be mentioned but I've been racking my brain for the past few days deciding what I should include.

Thanks

Hi - hoping people can advise. how can you tell how strict firms will be on a-level grades?? especially with degree and gdl under your belt.

Don’t want to spend time and effort on on app if it will be an automatic rejection without being read.

Hey Jaysen, I have always struggled with situational judgement questions. Not too long ago I was faced with heaps of these questions in the interview and due to my inability, I lost out on a prestigious vac scheme despite all my hard work.

I was wondering how does one apparoach these questions, perhaps you can take me step by step of this particular question

You just started your training contract. Your supervisor has given you a task that needs to be presented to the client in 7 days time, you have been working on this particular task. You know you have gaps in your knowledge on that subject area and now you are extremely busy with other matters.

What would you do?

Hi,

I’ve done some good research on the firms I’m interested in and drafted the answers to some of the application questions I know.

I still have a good weeks before applications open and then interview season; what could I be doing now in preparation for the time ahead.

I know I should keep up with the news, but I just don’t know where to start, which news I should pay a lot of attention too etc. I just wanna be on the right track - how do you reckon we do this please?

Many thanks!

Good afternoon,

I have been interested in what the key differences are between UK and US firms operating in London. Whilst I don't necessarily want to be spoon-fed the answer, could someone possibly point me in the direction of where I may be conduct some meaningful research, aside from merely comparing their clients and practise areas?

If this has been posted elsewhere, I do apologise! The search function didn't identify any results. Likewise, if this is a topic you intend on covering in the future, I look forward to reading the content.

Thanks!

Can any suggest where these can be found for the GDL?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for the ideal suitcase to carry law books.
Any suggestions?

Hello, being an international student myself, I often find problems with law firms which sponsor visas, especially after completing the application. For the sake of convenience, a list of firms that DONT sponsor Tier 2 visas should be listed. Here are a few:

1. Kennedy's
2. Bristows (However, after I approached them, they said they will consider getting a sponsorship if the candidate is exceptional)

Please expand this list and let's help each other out!

Hello, I have gone to a few assessment centres but never got offered a training contract. Every time I receive feedback, it's because "my answers are not in-depth enough". Was wondering if anyone can share your assessment centre experiences and concrete tips on writing tests and presentation exercises. Or even share any group exercise scenarios you have had. Let's help each other out!

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone would very kindly guide me on the following. I have an assessment centre coming up which will include business simulation group exercise. I understand the "group exercise" bit but not sure about the "business simulation" part. What can I expect? How does it differ from typical group exercises?

Also, I'm told I'd have to do a "drafting exercise" but they have not specified whether it'll be a commercial written exercise or some other. Any thoughts?

Many thanks for taking the time out to answer, it is immensely appreciated.

Alistair

A bit of a weird one but I'm sort of new to this so apologies. I'm attending the BSN's Big Conversation event tomorrow at Linklaters in the evening and I'm not sure if I should go formal with a suit, smart casual or casual? I've emailed BSN but not entirely sure I'll get a response before the event. Essentially, it is a talk by several speakers on racial inequality in the legal profession and the law - so not a careers fair/event/presentation.

Any advice is appreciated

Hi guys,

Quick question: has any one applied to Norton Rose's Winter Scheme yet? I recently found out that the application process opened on 1st July 2018? I'm also aware that they tend to interview/recruit on a rolling basis. On this basis, and considering we are now in September, would it still be logical to apply?

Thanks

Hey all,

I know it is encouraged to include legal voluntary work in the work experience section, but could you mention non-legal voluntary work (i.e. helping in a charity or fundraising) or would you advise against it?

Thanks!

hey, jaysen - I have been struggling with answering why you question in interviews? I seem to be all over the place

How do you normally start your answer to why you and what kind of structure did you adopt when answering this.

TL D R- your opening sentence and your structure for why you.

Hi everyone! I am struggling with networking events. I never know what to ask recruiters during networking events, how to stand out etc.

Any tips on questions or conversations I could have to make them remember my name for future applications?

Thanks!

Why are UK firms finding it difficult to crack the US legal market. I’m just curious because the US firms in London are increasingly bolstering their capabilities here - a few of them are now even more ‘elite’ than some UK firms (arguably).


All thoughts welcome!

Many thanks

Hello everyone,

I have been reading different threads here about tailoring your applications to answer questions such as 'why a career as a commercial lawyer' or 'why this firm', and I have seen more than a handful of different approaches to the questions and how not to answer them. However I was wondering is anyone here on this forum who wouldn't mind sharing their past cover letters or their online forms. I understand that everyone comes from a diff background, so everyone's story is going to be different, but I would want to know just how to better picture different experiences, personal qualities to form your story.

I would really appreciate if anyone could share their cover letter

Hi all,

We are currently discussing a class with an executive partner of an elite US law firm. I was going to ask him to talk about the business of law firms, his experience running a law firm, and the challenges of growing a US law firm in London and competing with the magic circle. I may also ask for his advice to future lawyers about succeeding in the legal profession.

If anyone has feedback on the topics above, or suggestions for what they would like the partner to talk about, please let me know. The class is for you guys so I'm very open to comments!

Are you studying at Ulaw?

Let me know below!

Hey,

I hope this is in the right place.

Just wanted to know if there are any solicitor-advocates here?

Hi All,

Thought it might be helpful to keep a list of applications that are open in this thread.

I found these posted from TSR (I still need to verify them):

Vacation Schemes
Linklaters (Winter VS)
Ashurst (Winter VS)
Jones Day (Winter & Summer VS)
Kennedys (Winter VS)
Shearman & Sterling (Winter, Spring and Summer VS)
BCLP (Summer VS)
DLA Piper (Summer VS) - closing 31 December
Hogan Lovells (all schemes)
Herbert Smith (Winter VS)

Training Contracts
Clifford Chance
Herbert Smith Freehills (UAE & Hong Kong)
Shearman and Sterling
BCLP
Hogan Lovells

Later Opening Dates
Allen & Overy 1 October 2018 VS / TC
Blake Morgan: 2 November 2018 VS / TC
Burges Salmon: 1 October 2018 VS / TC
Davis Polk 1 December VS 2018 (TC's recruited from VS)
Hill Dickinson 1 November 2018
K&L Gates 1 November 2018 VS / TC
Osborne Clarke 1 November 2018 VS / TC

Does anyone know of more? I can update the list as more firms open.

When was your Travers Smith interview?

February 2018

What was it for?

Vacation Scheme

Please describe the interview process at Travers Smith.

I really enjoyed my interview. I think my experience was a little bit different to what I’ve seen around. On that day, I walked into the room and the 1st question the partner asked me (whilst I was still trying to sit down) was if I’ve been to other interviews. I said I’ve had several video interviews and we both lamented on how we hate the idea of basically talking to a computer screen during a video interview (small act of putting me at ease there).

Anyways, fast forward to some few minutes later and we’re basically having a conversation. I had prepared for commercial awareness questions, and the typical moral questions, but he barely asked me any of those (I literally had zero commercial awareness questions). I got asked what legislation I would implement, why law, why travers – typical questions. He also asked me one moral question which involved my client lying to the other party about the terms of a transaction (ie would you support your client even if you knew he was lying, and the other party didn’t know about this. When I said I wouldn’t, he went on to say that I was going to lose the client if I didn’t support him. I then said it was better to lose one client than to potentially lose many others if the situation came to light, and the firm’s reputation crumbled (I threw in Bell Pottinger there and he smiled). Morale of the story – lawyers always act with integrity no matter what!

I wish I could give you more, but the interview was only 30 minutes. One thing I would emphasise is that it was very much a conversation, an enjoyable one for that matter. When I gave an answer to a question, he asked follow-up questions. This means you can pretty much lead the interview. I also asked him a lot of questions during the interview – I asked him what he would do in the above scenario.


What advice would you give to future applicants for the Travers Smith interview?

I would say the best skill to have (which I believe applies to any interview) is empathy/emotional intelligence. When I got accepted to the scheme the day after my interview, I started to feel that the interview was ‘too easy’ – i.e how could I have gained a place on a vac scheme when I had no commercial awareness question and only one moral question. But I heard from people who had been interviewed too, and had a complete different experience. From my perspective, I think this was because I connected with the partner from the outset. Therefore, I would say relax, have FAITH in yourself, and believe that the job is already yours. Get a sense of the energy your interviewer is exuding and try to match that.

I would also advise people to prepare for everything – prepare for the unexpected, for commercial awareness questions, for moral questions, everything. I did prepare for everything, but I guess I was fortunate that day.

Next, do your research on the firm - know the little details. I remember I mentioned their new app for clients (in the employment department) and he seemed impressed, almost like he didn’t think I would know. He even said he was going back to tell his colleague that someone mentioned the app!

Finally, this is a little cheeky but if you’re being interviewed at your uni, try your best to pick one of the earliest slots. I was the first person he interviewed at my uni, and when I accidentally saw the list of people he had to interview, I put on my best show to set the bars high (imo). Also, people get tired during the day so try to get them at their best time.

To reiterate: you don’t have to be the loudest in the room, don’t try to be someone else, have the confidence to be yourself!

I will be attending a firm's open day in November, before sending my application for a vac scheme.

The open day app asked why I want to attend - I gave 3 reasons for why I was interested in the firm. Now the vac scheme app obviously asks why I'm applying to the firm. I'm aiming to use the first paragraph to mention my experience at the open day, and then copy and paste the other two reasons from my open day application form.

My question is will it be okay for me to copy and paste these 2 paragraphs? - My reasons for applying to the firm has still not changed.

Thanks

I hate to be direct, but how do I get more trophy points on TCLA - I would really love for my application to be reviewed.

Many thanks