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Hi

Is it worth including something i have done if there is not yet a defined result (ie. no way of measuring the impact of what I have done)? Is there anything else I could include instead that would be appropriate for that section?

Thanks!

Hi, opening my answer up to anyone on the forum for advice - would really appreciate some help with my answer to this Sidley Austin VS question:

My interest in commercial law stems from its unique position at the axis of business and law. Whilst consulting for a startup, I enjoyed providing tailored advice on fundraising strategies after researching the fast-evolving industry of AI-based healthcare. Yet my work lacked the legal aspect of analysing and applying complex laws which I had enjoyed throughout my degree. Seeking a combination of both elements, I completed vacation schemes with commercial departments at large regional law firms. After participating in a buyer’s-side due diligence meeting, I was drawn by the work of a private equity lawyer. I found it exciting to assist transactions occurring at crucial moments of businesses’ development, which create new value and innovation.

Sidley Austin’s stellar reputation in private equity attracts me. Their high-profile work, such as representing Ryan Specialty in its $1.1bn acquisition of US Assure, is distinguished by their ability to incorporate lateral thinking across disciplines and jurisdictions. The firm’s international presence, highly rated departments, and attraction of excellence – such as recent lateral hire Ramy Wahbeh – provide a strong footing to secure the most engaging and complex transactions in this area, as demonstrated by ten years of revenue growth in the London sector.

Alongside the draw of working on complex, high-value deals, is that of a smaller trainee intake, which will accelerate my learning by allowing me to take on responsibility earlier.
Finally, as an enthusiastic volunteer with the Oxford Hub, I was impressed by the breadth of Sidley Austin’s pro bono work, which ranges from obtaining disability benefits to representing death-row prisoners.

I have just graduated with a 2:1 and can’t seem to find any entry-level roles at the moment.

Is self-funding something that I will have to do or is where I am (a small-ish town) holding me back?

Hi there!

I have completed a handful of Forage internships in law but each time I find that the tasks take me 2-3x longer than the time estimate given.

I'm a bit concerned that this suggests I would struggle to do actual trainee tasks effectively and on time. Maybe this is an overreaction - it is an entry-level simulation - but at the same time I'm surprised at how tricky it is.

I'm possibly struggling because I'm not a law student. I notice that I can find legal documents novel and overwhelming to research.

Anyway, I would otherwise have hoped I'm up for the job of commercial law - I do well academically and I pass psychometric tests. Despite this, there's a part of me that worries I'm not built for being a trainee if I'm so challenged by something like an open internship.

Can anyone shed some perspective on the relative difficulty of Forage law internships?

Hello,

I have recently received my first year grades and I’m concerned about applying to vac schemes next year. I got a low 2:2 in Criminal Law, which has dragged my overall grade down to 63%.

I got one 1:1 and two 2:1s in my other modules, but will having a low 2:1 overall and a 2:2 in Criminal Law be an issue when applying to vac schemes at top firms next year?

Has anybody applied to the HMRC Legal apprentice (Graduate) scheme? It seems to be a brand new graduate (and non-graduate) Solicitor apprenticeship. I'm currently practising the Civil Service Verbal and Jugement tests as I haven't applied for a civil service role since leaving university.

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An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: 2nd Dec 2024 - 13th Dec 2024

Apply here by 13th September 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: 2nd Dec '24 - 13th Dec '24

Apply here by 31st October 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: 2nd Dec '24 - 6th Dec '24

Apply here by 16th September February 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: 9th Dec '24 - 13th Dec '24

Apply here by 13th September 2024.

Hi all,

I am a 22-year-old graduate who recently finished working with the UN in London as part of their legal protection team. I have a lot of experience in immigration law, largely as a caseworker (before my role with the UN), and never really considered applying to vac schemes or TCs while at university. Over the last year, my interests changed and my career ambitions shifted, I am now looking to qualify as a solicitor in London, and as such, I am going to start applying to vac schemes and training contracts throughout the year .

I am applying for an open day at Taylor Wessing. I wanted to ask whether this would be the correct approach for answering questions like this. The second question in the application has a word limit of 300 words. The question asks, what questions would you put to our lawyers?

I do not feel I have enough questions to reach the 300-word limit. However, I want to provide context for each question as to why I am asking these questions, and potentially explain why I am interested in understanding more about this sector of the firm, for instance. Would this be a suitable approach?

For a vacation scheme application question entitled "please describe a commercial issue that has interested you" is it a fitting answer to discuss investment trends (such as increased investment in a certain sector) so long as you provide analysis on how this affects clients and law firms?

Further, is it essential to link the answer back to the firm specifically, even if the question does not ask for this?

Hi all,

I am an incoming Politics and IR student and strongly interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor.

I'd like to progress as early as possible towards a career in law, and was hoping to get any pointers as to what schemes I should look out for, any grants, and in general just any tips that could be of use to a first year non-law.

My background is that I am coming from a non-selective state school and low income family.

Thank you in advance!

Hello!

I am wondering if anyone is/ has been in the situation where you are working full-time and then receive a TC offer (where the firm is sponsoring the SQE preparation courses (full-time) and providing a living allowance)? If so, I am wondering if you can share any advice on how you made up the difference between the living allowance and a full-time salary? I am struggling to see how this is manageable with a rent contract/bills/cost of living etc. and would be so grateful for any insights!

To add more detail, the firm have an arrangement where trainees do a full-time course and I already have a master's so I can't apply for student funding.

Hi guys, i have been invited for the white and case VI for direct TC applications. I would greatly appreciate any tips or links to resources.

Personal thoughts.



I am familiar with the LPC assessment and study format. However, is the LPC redundant, as most firms seem to prefer the SQE? If I completed the LPC, is it possible that later on, I would have to take the SQE2 exam?



Personal circumstances.



1) I do not have a training contract.



2) I attended a Russell group uni studying for a non-legal undergrad degree.



3) I attended Ulaw to study GDL.



4) I can self-fund.



Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I am accustomed with the LPC study and assessment format. However, the LPC seems redundant as most firms prefer the SQE.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

A&O Shearman's winter vacation scheme entails an online interactive assessment which is sent to applicants via email. However, it makes no mention of when the online assessment must be completed by; e.g., within 5 days of receiving the link for the test.

A&O Shearman's own website says "You will need to complete your application and interactive assessment ahead of deadline." (https://earlycareersuk.aoshearman.com/faqs)

Does this mean so long as the online assessment is completed before the application closes for winter vacation schemes (and other schemes vice versa), applicants will be fine?

Cheers all.

Hi all, I have just progressed to the W&C video interview invite. I would appreciate any tips or links to resources. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I got my second-year results back and I received a 57% average. I did get some low 2.1s and a first in one of my law modules, however, I did get a 45 in one of my exams and quite a few 2:2s in my other core modules. I do have mitigating circumstances, as the past academic year was quite mentally draining for me and I do have letters from my GP to support me. I am also receiving more help from my university and GP to deal with my mental health issues. Although, I did get a 2.1 in first year, I don't know if I should even bother with this application cycle because of these results, or just wait until I improve my grades even more.

I would also like to ask what firms are lenient with their 2:1/Mitigating circumstances requirements.

As mentioned, I scored at least a 2:1 for all my papers and I do have fairly unique extracurricular achievements with positions at College, Society and Sports domains.

Hi
I am a 21-year-old International Relations and Politics (soon to be) graduate. I barely finished with a 2:1 in my final year and due to my mitigating circumstances, I will be graduating in December (I deferred out of fear that I would graduate with a 2:2 if my claim were not accepted).

University was exceptionally challenging as I dealt with SA in my first year and SA from a previous partner and family bereavement in my second year. Though I should have taken a gap year or studied abroad I was focused on gaining corporate experience and pushed for unsuccessful placement applications. I was burnt out in my final year and hence did not achieve the grades I knew I could have. I have chosen to take a step back from university and focus on work experience before I attempt the PGDL. My university does not teach law and I have no resources or societies to reference within this process easily accessible to me.

I have a week of work experience shadowing paralegals at Freshfields Bruckaus Deringer in 2019; I did an internship at a social housing charity as an administrator and support worker in 2023; In my final year, I managed to become a sustainability ambassador and student ambassador producing and hosting workshops to inspire my community. At present, I am preparing to apply for the next vacation scheme cycle and will be volunteering with citizens' advice from September 2024.

Overall, I feel entirely alone in not just my experiences but also my pursuit of corporate law as nobody I know personally has any connection to this field.

I want some advice on how I might explain to a potential employer my mitigating circumstances and whether my work experiences so far would make me a competitive applicant for Vacation Schemes regardless of my circumstances.

Thanks for reading!

I am an international student studying in the UK. During the past year, I've done five vac schemes in my home country at UK and US firms. However, I failed to convert them into a TC either due to minor slip-ups in a task/exit interview or not being social enough to make a strong impression (most associates and trainees I worked with gave really positive feedback on my work). The current market also means many firms have to cut their trainee intake.

I am planning to apply to vac schemes in the UK this cycle, and I was wondering whether the fact that I failed to covert multiple vac schemes is a major red flag. Should I only disclose two vac schemes (instead of all) to make my application look less alarming? How likely will firms ask why I failed to get a TC (overseas)? Any advice is appreciated.