TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[CG_101]

anyone who s done w&c AC, is the interview technical at all? or just motivational/competency

technical, competency, motivational and mad commercial awareness

 

[az1k099]

Found the Willkie WE very hard, especially as a non-law grad.

Feel like I probably missed a lot of content.

Hoping that the vast majority of people progress to an interview!

yeah i feel the same as you

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Has anyone else been invited to Weil AC?

(btw I haven’t)

 

[Andrei Radu]

I want to know this too. I’m not sure if I should wait until the next cycle to really understand the firm because I know that some firms won’t look at candidates who were already rejected from them

Is it worth it to apply for Direct Training Contracts as a penultimate year student? How successful would we be compared to graduates or finalists?

As long as you have some legal work experience and the firm is one that recruits a non-negligible part of its trainee cohort from the direct TC route, I would say yes. Two of my friends got TCs via the direct route in their penultimate year, and they were among the few who were applying for anything but vacation schemes. One of them had no prior VS or paralegal work experience and had only done an internship in a foreign country. As such, I cannot believe the success odds of a penultimate year application to be so low so as not to merit an application.

 

[kuuks_]

Was today the last day of Willkie WE? (just to gauge when they will et back to people)

 

[Anonymous3444543]

Found the Willkie WE very hard, especially as a non-law grad.

Feel like I probably missed a lot of content.

Hoping that the vast majority of people progress to an interview!

I promise you no law grad would’ve had prior knowledge. This content isn’t taught at undergrad

 

[az1k099]

Was today the last day of Willkie WE? (just to gauge when they will et back to people)

email said by 7pm on the 26th February

 

[Monopolyman]

Has anyone not heard back from Freshfields after the SJT?

 

[VacSchemer]

I have a VS offer. Did my AC two weeks ago, I think they had 5 other ACs after mine

I have a feeling they might do second round of ACs but I don’t know at this rate..

 

[shana]

When is the AC and did you apply spring or summer?

They offered different dates through February, and I think I applied for summer!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I promise you no law grad would’ve had prior knowledge. This content isn’t taught at undergrad

I completely agree content-wise. I just wonder if law grads are more easily able to understand/comprehend the (arguably complicated) wording of contracts etc, if they frequently read other/unrelated legislation and contracts. (No idea about the specifics on law degree content, so I could be completely wrong here)

 

[BreadandButter]

Hi what was the timeframe for hearing back from Akin. Recently received a holding email

NA I didn’t get a holding email.

 

[member7830]

anyone who s done w&c AC, is the interview technical at all? or just motivational/competency

mine was quite technical, but it was just extending on things I had said so I do think it really depends on how you steer the conversation if that makes sense

 

[Chris Brown]

I completely agree content-wise. I just wonder if law grads are more easily about to understand/comprehend the (arguably complicated) wording of contracts etc, if they frequently read other/unrelated legislation and contracts. (No idea about the specifics on law degree content, so I could be completely wrong here)

I think the skills that are required to read the documents would be attainable from both law and non-law degrees.

In my degree I never read any actual contracts. It was more case law and legislation. It might depend on which modules people choose to do at undergrad though.​

 

[mariistm]

Hi all. Question for anyone who has done a vac scheme whilst working full time: how did you navigate annual leave and telling your employer that you are doing a vac scheme?
I’m a bit worried because my employer is quite traditional and have no idea how to communicate that I am doing a 2 week paid experience for another company, they might treat me differently afterwards. I don’t work in a legal setting so they don’t understand the importance of vac schemes and getting a training contract.
I would be breaching contract if I don’t let them know i am on another company’s payroll though.
At the same time I can’t afford to quit this job as there is no security i’ll get a training contract after the vac scheme.
@Jessica Booker I wonder if you have any thoughts on this as well ?

 

[Alessio1642]

Weil AC 😇

CONGRATS!

 

[BreadandButter]

Weil AC 😇

Anyone else heard from Weil?

Can you specify the dates on offer?

 

[fitzer401]

Hi all. Question for anyone who has done a vac scheme whilst working full time: how did you navigate annual leave and telling your employer that you are doing a vac scheme?
I’m a bit worried because my employer is quite traditional and have no idea how to communicate that I am doing a 2 week paid experience for another company, they might treat me differently afterwards. I don’t work in a legal setting so they don’t understand the importance of vac schemes and getting a training contract.
I would be breaching contract if I don’t let them know i am on another company’s payroll though.
At the same time I can’t afford to quit this job as there is no security i’ll get a training contract after the vac scheme.
@Jessica Booker I wonder if you have any thoughts on this as well ?

Hi

I think the best thing to do is let them know as early as possible that you are "exploring the option of taking this internship" with an explanation of why you are doing it. Everyone in the legal field will understand a younger team member's desire to move up in the world. Your ambition is likely a reason they employ you in the first place! Either they will be okay with it and let you know that its okay, or they will let you know that you won't be allowed to return. In either case, the sooner you tell them, the better.

1. They say this won't be allowed and you can start job hunting now before the vac scheme and give your notice at the appropriate time.
2. They are okay with this and are grateful you have given them so much notice to cover your absence.

Even if they are reluctant at first, an explanation of the significances for this in your career will likely be a compelling reason and they may be more accommodating than you think. In any case, giving your team members ample time to prepare for any absence and plan their workflow is always the best option in my opinion.

 

[T_03]

Anyone have advice for a final stage interview. I heard that the interview also includes a case study type scenario which is communicated verbally by interviewers. I’m feeling anxious about this and just generally the interview considering this is such a competitive firm 😭

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker I wondered if you would be able to assist with a query I have. How likely are firms to rescind an offer if you try and negotiate a salary? I have been offered a paralegal job somewhere where I really want to work (I have almost 3 years of experience as a paralegal) but it is a substantial pay cut to my current role. They told me at my first interview that I was the most qualified candidate who applied for the position, and it was advertised as a paralegal position for a recent graduate. It is in a niche sector I am really interested in so I chose to apply. Are they likely to rescind the offer and go with someone else if I ask if they can meet my current salary? Thank you in advance

I don’t think they will rescind but they may just stick to the salary they have offered in the expectations that you decline the offer instead.

I would speak to the recruiter and explain what your current salary is and say that you are hoping to achieve that salary again but that you’d be keen to discuss the firm’s expectations. Try to factor in any other benefits you may receive on top of the base salary when factoring your decision. For instance, a reduction in annual leave entitlement is worth nearly £500 even on minimum wage.