TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[S87]

and Irwin Mitchell

and Links

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

could you please share what the application questions are?

Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer? (max. 300 words)
Why would you choose to train at Latham & Watkins over another law firm? (max. 300 words)
Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (max. 300 words)

 

[honeytea]

If my employment changes or I sit important assessments between now and my vac scheme in the summer, is this information I am expected to share with the grad recruitment team of the firm?

 

[TC fiend]

Can I have your advice on how to show my interest/fascination with the corporate work.

My career has been mainly focused on litigation work but as we know during a tc you may experience different seats.
Over the last few months I have completed free courses and law firms lead workshops on M&A and PE. How do I include these experiences in my application? This is particularly tricky when answering why this firm.

Like you my career has been mainly focused on litigation so far. The way I (tried to) demonstrate interest in corporate was by trying to get a bigger picture understanding. For example, clients I had in litigation may have had issues stemming from their corporate practice. Or the litigation I was doing might influence the way they decide to structure themselves moving forward, or other related decisions they might take. I’d then tie it back by saying something along the lines of “having been briefly exposed to X challenge on the corporate side, I’d be keen to build on and improve my understanding of Y (fill in relevant corporate/transactional activity)”. I hope that makes sense! With your experience also doing workshops I’d use that to draw out specific examples of how that gave you a more holistic appreciation of the other team’s work and your client’s needs.

Hope that helps!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If my employment changes or I sit important assessments between now and my vac scheme in the summer, is this information I am expected to share with the grad recruitment team of the firm?

What do you mean by important assessments?

If you are employed by another organisation during your vacation scheme (e.g. you are taking annual leave to attend the scheme), you will likely need to disclose this to 1) your current employer and 2) the vacation scheme law firm to ensure there aren't any conflicts of interest or to ensure you are still meeting the terms of your employment by both organisations.

If it is interim work that ends by the time you start your vacation scheme, then you can just update them during the scheme (no need to do it beforehand). Many firms will ask you to provide an updated application as part of a TC conversion process anyway.

 

[Lumree]

Anyone had news from Cooley?

 

[JadeWadey01]

Anyone had news from Cooley?

Nothing yet

 

[LBT99]

Stephenson Harwood interview invite!

 

[GXA123]

Stephenson Harwood interview invite!

congrats! when did u do your tests?

 

[LBT99]

congrats! when did u do your tests?

Last Thursday

 

[LS_1998]

not really a vacation scheme, but did anyone do a Legal & General internship? Or did their video interview?

I did the process last year and got to the final 3 candidates if you want any insight?

 

[RP]

DWF AC Manchester office!

 

[vv99]

DWF AC Manchester office!

Got an invite too! Would appreciate any tips as this is my first AC!

 

[Misty Meanor]

Hi guys! I just got the Winston & Strawn interview! Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare/the structure of the interview? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on them online.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Same but not holding my breath

Yes and am not too concerned if I get a rejection from them.

 

[SCN]

Hey everyone, just saw on the forum that a few people have NRF ACs coming up, feel free to drop me a PM as I've recently done their AC!

 

[legalgemma]

hi team, hoping for some advice / a pick me up.

just had a brutal post-VI rejection from my top choice law firm, and have an exam starting in an hour. does anyone have any tips on how to quickly sort my mindset out so i don't screw the exam?

 

[S87]

hi team, hoping for some advice / a pick me up.

just had a brutal post-VI rejection from my top choice law firm, and have an exam starting in an hour. does anyone have any tips on how to quickly sort my mindset out so i don't screw the exam?

Go for a walk and enjoy a flat white. Rejections stink but are not meant to be forever..I was rejected 3 times before landing my current role!
Believe that things will come to you at your best time and can transform them into the most unbelievable experience.

 

[lisa0410]

Has anyone ever seen/heard of associates switching practice areas after they're qualified? Probably more so within the same field e.g. M&A to capital markets, as opposed to a drastic change like M&A to arbitration. Do you qualify as a solicitor generally, or as a solicitor in a specific practice area? I feel like the idea of staying in one area for the rest of my career is daunting, what if I don't like it anymore lol

My sister was a shipping lawyer (4 years PQE) and then became a family lawyer! I also have a colleague who was a family lawyer and switched to employment law when she was 2 years PQE). So it is possible

 

[Adrian_S]

hi team, hoping for some advice / a pick me up.

just had a brutal post-VI rejection from my top choice law firm, and have an exam starting in an hour. does anyone have any tips on how to quickly sort my mindset out so i don't screw the exam?

Music really helps me! There’s also strong evidence that it can calm us and heighten positive emotions

Listen to something that makes you feel like the boss sauce that you are!