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Hey everyone!

I am applying to the vac scheme in sidley and I ran into a bit of a problem. While writing about “why sidley” i mentioned how sidleys handling of an arb case involving IP rights was quite interesting.

Problem is, i am applying to the London office and although the website mentions that they deal with arb, its mostly done by the geneva office.

I can shift my focus and mention some M and A case handled by sidley, but it wont be genuine.

Any advise? Should I go ahead with my approach? Or tweak it a bit.

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well.

As I'm preparing and sending out vacation scheme applications for the upcoming cycle, I wanted to get some thoughts from the community on how competitive I might be for schemes at top firms (US/MC/SC). I'm asking because, while I'm at a strong university for my LLB, I'm in my final year with just 'okay' grades so far—a 63 average (low 2:1), with one outlier third-class grade that brought my average down from a 67 (unfortunately somehow scored in the mid-40s on an elective module, oof).

Here’s a quick overview of my background:

School: Strong RG Uni (UCL/Warwick/Durham)
Year: Final year UG

Degree: Law

Grades: 63 average in the second year (low/mid 2:1), with one poor outlier mark

Experience: 4 x finance internships (IB/PE/HF), all with small/boutique firms
1 x legal internship at a large asset manager

Extracurriculars: Professional athlete, limited other activities due to training commitments

Diversity: Non diversity


I'm mainly concerned about my grades. While they meet the 2:1 requirement for most applications, I'm unsure if having a lower 2:1 and an outlier mark will significantly affect my chances. Additionally, I don’t have extensive legal experience, as I’ve focused more on the finance and investing side during my time at university. My extracurriculars are limited since I’ve dedicated much of my time to professional sports (not at the Olympic level, but still professionally).

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Dear @Jessica Booker,

I had a query with respect to this question on the application form for BCLP:

"What is your understanding of how a business generates and maintains a profit? (Please provide examples)"

What sort of examples are they looking at? Do they expect us to discuss companies that have generally excelled at some aspect of what the question asks?

Thank you so much, cheers!

Hey everyone,

I had a question regarding CV's for paralegal positions because I am very confused at this point. Do you include the skills you've gained in CV's you send in for paralegal roles or should these CV's be purely factual (only including the "job description" of your activities)? I do not have any friends or contacts that I could ask about this so I am a bit lost. Some insight would be super helpful.

Thanks.

Hi- I just wanted to know- can you only apply to either a winter or a summer scheme for the same firm? Or is it only either for the application cycle

Hi guys,

I am currently an SQE LLM student with BPP. The issue is that I found the resources available for reviewing the "black letter" component of the SQE 1 rather lackluster. Therefore, I wanted to ask for recommendations in terms of resources I should use to review that component? I have heard that both the ULAW and Revise SQE books are good, but I am concerned that learning the stuff from the textbook will not be enough in itself.

Thank you for your advice.

Hello all, I would be grateful if anyone has any advice on the interview process and or any insight on the types of questions Trowers ask during the TC interview.

Hi,

I am at a cross-roads in my legal career and I would appreciate people's thoughts on the next logical step!

I am a non-RG graduate with a 1st class degree in law (I ranked 11th in my cohort) who then went to do an LLM at a RG Uni where I gained a Merit (70%). I then accepted a place on a graduate scheme working for a global areospace company as a commercial graduate (which is basically contract management). I have work experience at international organisations and experience as a research assistant.

I have been offered a permanent role following my two year graduate scheme that I am due to start in September. In the meantime, I have been applying for multiple paralegal roles and I have been successful in gaining multiple offers at both city and regional firms. Ultimately, I want to be a trainee solicitor so I do not feel that taking a paralegal role will necessarily get me any closer to the elusive training contract than my current role especially as the work I do now is on high-value commercial contracts. With friends in the profession already, I know my current responsibilities are similar to a lawyer working in procurement, commercial or projects.

I can't decide if it would be better to stay in industry or to take a paralegal role just to be practicing law. I'll also add that I have never applied to any training contracts before as I wasn't certain on the career path until now.

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Does anyone have any insights into Skadden's London office. I'd be grateful if I could speak to someone who has gone through their process or familiar with their firm. I'm trying to get as much insight as possible- just missed their application deadline for the webinar launch as I only recently saw it announced and was volunteering all day so could not get the application in on time.

I would like to build a concrete picture of the firm so any golden nuggets or personal insights are welcome.

Currently, my CV in PDF form is around 1.5 pages with half a page blank at the end. Is it necessary to fill it out to the very end (2 pages) or is it better to have 1.5 pages of good relevant material?

Apologies for this basic question but I've heard varying advice, so would appreciate your thoughts!

Does anyone have any insight into paralegal average working hours in non-MC, city firms? Looking to apply to some roles, but I'm aware the pay is quite low. Wondering whether I'll essentially be doing trainee hours for much less. Thank you

Hello!

Thought I’d ask people to potentially save me from wasting further resources and time pursuing something unrealistic; it would be great to hear your thoughts.

I received BCC in my A-levels and went on to study law at a non-RG university. It also isn’t one of the well-regarded non-RG universities. I achieved a first and went on to do an LLM at a RG university. It was based mainly on criminal and human rights law; at the time, I fancied myself as a criminal barrister. I achieved a distinction on the LLM.

Whilst doing the LLM, I did the C Vis arbitration moot, and really enjoyed (to my surprise) the commercial law aspects and the more practical business considerations in the competition scenario. This made me set on practising commercial law, and my aspirations completely changed.

I graduated from the LLM in 2020, and following Covid had lots of family problems and my career went on hold and I spent three years as a paralegal.

Still wanting to pursue a practice in commercial law after the family issues were over, I applied, and was successful in receiving a place on the BCL at Oxford. I’m due to start this October. I’m planning on picking commercial electives.

Situations where I take on large amounts of responsibility quickly appeal to me, and am generally happier when I'm working extremely hard. US firms therefore appeal to me because of this and my interest in commercial law and working on big deals.

I'm worried, however, that the hours I'll spend on research and writing applications might be wasted if the bad A-levels, subpar undergrad and so long having passed since my undergrad degree will amount to a hard barrier to entry.

Given this profile, and considering I’m now 26, is there still a possibility of a job in the City?

Any advice would be very welcome!

Hello,

I'm looking for some success in vacation scheme applications this cycle. I graduated in 2019, so am unsure whether I'll have any success, but am determined to try anyway!

Look forward to seeing you all on the forums.

I have heard good things about both but Revise SQE seems to have more reviews and Revision Killers appears much smaller (saw it being prompted by legal influencers). Anyone have any insights on which is best?

hello everyone,

what practice area is sidley austin known for?

and please don't say "just google".on their websites, almost all firms depict that they practice in all sectors and industries, but the market knows what the market knows. i have interned at a law firm in my non-UK country..they were really good, but it was not until i interned there that i realized that oil and gas practice was their strong suit. they usually got matters in that sector, clients knew them for it. the point i'm trying to make is that law firms usually have practice areas that they are really deep in. for sidley austin (particularly,the london office) , what practice area would that be? what are they known for? who are the leading lawyers?

i need this info as i research and draft my answers for their VS.

thank you so much.

Hi everyone,

I recently completed my LLB with a 2:1 from a Russell Group university and am now preparing to self-fund my SQE journey. As an international student on a graduate visa, I've been accepted into the University of Law's LLM (SQE 1 & 2) Online programme, starting this September.

However, I'm torn between pursuing the LLM or opting for the University of Law's in-person SQE 1 & 2 Preparation course.

Given that I’m not currently working, do you think the online format might be a disadvantage for me? Would enrolling in the LLM program offer significant benefits in terms of knowledge and employability, or would the standalone preparation course be more practical?

I understand that the LLM is often chosen by those who seek student loan funding, but since I'm not eligible for that, it’s not a relevant factor for me.

I would really appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you have on which option might be more advantageous in the long term.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I recently graduated LLB with a 2:1 from a Russell Group university and am now preparing to self-fund my SQE preparation. I’m an international student on a graduate visa and have been accepted into the University of Law's LLM (SQE 1 & 2) Online programme, which starts this September.

However, I'm currently debating whether to pursue the LLM or opt for the University of Law's SQE 1 & 2 Preparation course offered in-person. Or should just for the BARBRI Online courses as it's cheaper

Given that I’m not currently working and the pass rate for the SQE is quite low, do you think the online format would be a disadvantage for me? Would enrolling in the LLM program offer significant benefits in terms of knowledge and employability, or would the preparation course be more practical?

I would appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you have on which path might be more beneficial in the long term. Thank you!

Has anyone received any response after the WG? I gave mine in July and it's almost September now with no respose.

Hi there. I am a foreign qualified solicitor (did my LLB overseas) looking to do the SQE 1 in January. Which course would you recommend based on those who have passed SQE1?
For example ULaw, BPP or Barbri.
Thanks so much! Any tips are also welcome!

Hi all,

I'm in need of some advice after having a dilemma at the stage in my life where I have accepted a training contract and the firm is funding the SQE.

For London, the salary isn't great at all, in second year as usual salary rises but that will be year three (after one year of the SQE). I am due to start the study year imminently.

The TC is within the public sector with a public law emphasis. I have unfortunately, already has doubts about this and the potential or likelihood of being able to practice in a different area. I have met lawyers in private practice firms within public teams and researched the likelihood of switching into private after but haven't found concrete evidence of this.
After discussing with friends, peers, colleagues I know, the salaries as we all know in tech/sales/recruitment is so much more than in law. Being in my mid 20s I want to feel like I am making the right decision and focusing long term on my future but I can't help feeling like I'm about to fall behind/see friends earning a substantial amount without the stress of the SQE and I fear of going into a profession that isn't well paid in the future.

Any advice from trainees/qualified solicitors/those in other sectors would be much appreciated.

Does anybody know if Milbank has gotten back regarding their decisions for University Campus Ambassadors 2024/2025?

The selection process was run with The Lawyer Portal and the deadline for applications was 9 August but there seems to be no announcements made thus far.

Thank you so much for any responses!

Hi @Jessica Booker, do you know how far in advance firms tend to recruit paralegals/legal assistants and what is the best way to go about this, as I am applying for vac schemes/TCs but would like to secure something for when I graduate in May. Thank you!

Hi all,

Has anyone studied the PGDL part-time at Birkbeck?

I’ll be working full time alongside it but am wondering what the teaching and experience is like? Will it be any better/worse than BPP or the University of Law?

Likewise, I’d be interested to hear of any experiences working alongside studying the gdl part-time.

I work for government as an economist and plan to stay in this job throughout.

Thanks!

Hi, I could do with some advice...

I achieved BCC (mitigating circumstances - parental death) in my A levels and attend a lower-middle ranked university. I averaged a first class in 2nd year and believe I will graduate with a first. My degree has an integrated placement year & I'm doing an internship with a large national firm in which I was selected out of a competitive 200 applicants. I also have law clinic volunteering experience.

However, being honest, am I likely to struggle when getting a training contract due to my mediocre A levels and university's rank? I'm aiming for firms like DLA Piper, Gowling etc. I suffered parental loss (via traumatic circumstances) & poor mental health as a result during my A levels - and I will add this as mitigating circumstances to my application, however are they really likely to consider me regardless of this?

Thank you for reading & I look forward to your input.