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Hi guys, started this thread cos i got a lot of messages and post replies about wanting to continue the W&C debate. If you want to present any counterarguments or start a new topic to debate then go ahead because this will be good practice for ACs and partner interviews. You will get grilled and probed no matter what stance you take in a partner or associate interview so being able to fight your corner is an extremely important skill and could be what sets you apart from other candidates.

Case study interviews, discussions, group exercises etc can take any turn and the conversation can go in any direction so this will be good prep for many applicants

Hi, ive been working in accounting for the last 18 months and I've not been enjoying it. I've been offered a job with NHS doing governance work relating to data protection. The end goal is to find a TC so I'm looking for jobs outside of law that would be good for applications. Is moving away from a client facing role in accounting to a public sector role a good idea? Little worried about the skills from governance being less valuable than accounting. Thanks

Hi all,

Is anyone currently doing/have done the LLM (SQE1+SQE2) course at either Ulaw or BPP (in London)?

Looking to start the course this year and would appreciate some advice/insight.

Thank you.

Hey guys!

I was wondering if everyone has started hearing back from firms about their first year schemes / open days? I've applied to firms like Slaughter which have closed applications early in January, but I have not heard back. Some of my friends have begun receiving interview invites/rejections from A&O and Linklaters, but I've heard nothing and it's making me nervous, does this mean I'm rejected too?? I'm starting to think I won't get into any first year schemes at all

Hi, all. My name is Cade and I'm currently finishing up the final year of my BA in History and International Relations at KCL. I've been applying for training contracts and vacation schemes but haven't gotten anything firm yet, so I applied for the PGDL at BPP and ULaw in case I don't get any offers I like and decide to just do my law conversion next year.

I've been accepted to both, but I'm having a hard time deciding which one to pick. The differences between them seem pretty trivial and not TOO significant, though I'm leaning towards BPP because of how active they've been since offering me a place and how good their industry connections supposedly are.

Is there an obvious choice between these two, or will it be a similar experience either way?

Hi guys,

International candidate here applying for TCs.

I wondered if you knew of any firms that hosted virtual ACs or had the option to attend a virtual AC. I know Freshfields had the option for both in-person and virtual ACs for direct training contract applications as of last year.

As an international candidate, it's not feasible to fly in and out of the UK all the time, so the help is appreciated!

Hi
Does any one know what is the difference between these two Practice Areas in simple terms ? Are they overlapping or totally different ?

Hi, I'm a foreign qualified lawyer with 3 years of experience from India, currently residing in London and preparing myself for SQE. I am seeking for a Internships/ Paralegal/ Trainee contract in order for me to be able to pursue a career as a solicitor in the UK. I would be grateful if you could provide me with some guidance, since I don´t know what my real chances are. Thank you in advance.

Hi all!!

In preparation for my vac schemes, I was wondering if anyone has any reading or course recommendations? I am a non-law graduate with an understanding of commercial concepts eg the processes and documents involved in an M&A transaction and the role of different practice areas, but I don't have experience drafting contracts or even undertaking substantive legal research, so I'm not sure where to start. I want to prepare as much as possible to maximise my chances of success!

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!!

Hi, I was just wondering if anybody could advise how to best prepare for the written and group assessments that occur whilst on the VS? Any insight (that you'are allowed to share) would be appreciated!

Hi everybody. I have my Linklaters HR interview coming up and just wanted to ask if anybody had any advice or insight on how to prepare for it? Any insight would be appreciated!

Hi guys,

I have a question on business case studies. I have one coming up on Monday, and I have looked through the sample guides on TCLA and brushed up on my financial terms etc.
I have a question on the structure. So for the AC, I have to give a 15-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A with Partners. I wondered if you had any advice on structuring my thoughts for the AC.

In a previous AC, I had received a bundle of information with some questions at the bottom- I was asked to give a brief presentation. If asked questions at the end of the bundle, would it make sense to structure my presentation as follows:
1. Summary of the issue at hand.
2. Key issues arising from the information. (PROS/CONS/RECOMMENDATIONS)
3. Addressing each question in turn.
4. Conclusion.

OR

would you use each question as a subheading and go through them in turn? AKA
1. Summary of the issue at hand.
2. Addressing question 1 from the bundle.
3. Addressing question 2 from the bundle etc.
4. Other considerations (AKA my personal evaluations).
5. Conclusion.


Also, I have been looking at some consulting videos on YouTube concerning M&A case studies, just because there aren't that many from law firms. Would this structure be useful for M&A scenarios?

1. Summary of the issue and aim.
2. Analysing the industry market.
3. Analysing the target company.
4. Analysing potential synergies/risks.
5. Recommendations.
6. Conclusion.

or should I forget about analysing the industry (it's likely there won't be any information on the competitors or how well the industry is doing anyway), and continue on focusing on just the target company and its opportunities and risks?

thanks for the help!

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Hi
I can't find Skadden's (London) trainee retention rates for the last few years including 2023, in the public domain. Does anyone know or have any pointers?

Thank you.

I was under the impression that the CV section of one's application should be kept succinct, and well, in CV-like form with bullet points. However, a friend who has been successful in securing a TC at a top firm told me she had written out her work experience more elaborately, as an explanatory paragraph. Is one method preferable over the other? Do bullet points look lazy or organised?

V&E invite to interview at London office! Post VI.

Hello everyone, My name is Temi . I am an international law graduate from Nigeria. I am seeking for a Paralegal/ Trainee contract in order for me to be able to pursue a career as a solicitor in the UK.

Happy to connect with you all!

Hii,
I was not sure where to put this post, but I was wondering if anyone happens to have interviewed with the CMA. I was fed up with law firm applications and applied to the CMA's Legal Intern position on a whim and have been invited for an interview?!
If anyone has interviewed with them before or has any tips, I would be eternally grateful. Their process is pretty much the same as law firms; a written assessment, presentation and final panel interview.
Any general tips on the above exercises are also welcome!

Hi @Jessica Booker , @axelbeugre , some firms (SM, FF etc) are part of City Consortium and BPP (their provider) offers a very interesting SQE plus (mini rotation of 2-3 weeks across 4 pratice areas) in addition to SQE1 and SQE2 prep. W&Case also offers a similar program (SQE plus) through not a part of City Consortium. Some firms like Skadden don't say anything on their website about details of their SQE .

Are all SQE courses (sponsored by the firms as a part of TC) broadly the same ? How important a criteria (for a trainee) should the quality of SQE be as well as whether a firm gives details on its website ? Is City Consortium's SQE superior to others ? Is SQE plus something "extra" or do all firms offer it ? Am I overthinking on whether this should be a criteria to decide where to train?

Thanks.

Hi, if in a case study there is a company (seller) that owns multiple businesses, and the client (buyer) is looking to acquire one business, would this be considered an asset and therefore an asset purchase? Thanks for any help.

Hi all
I have been studying the LPC online since Jan and haven’t rlly had the chance to meet many people on the course. I was wondering if there’s anyone else studying who would like to do a study support session.
I have also been trying to apply for direct TC and happy to discuss that too

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Having now gotten past the initial sift five times this application cycle only to be rejected after these bs tests, I'm going to focus my efforts on those that don't rely on corporate astrology to filter applicants for the next cycle.

Please reply with any firms that don't utilise psychometric testing and I'll update the list.

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