General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone know a good structure for when writing about a commercial story that interest you on an application. I feel like I tend to waffle too much and ends up being too descriptive. Would I need to link it back to the firm? or any of their competencies and how could I do this? Also one of the questions asks for the implications of the case but I'm not 100% sure of what this means? Any help would be super appreciated!

You only have to link it to the firm if they explictly ask you to in the question posed. Its probably worthwhile seeing the question you are talking about it full to understand the context of "implications".

 

[Lawyered22]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

 

[Staples]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I’m writing a VS application for a firm that asks for a 500 word cover letter about myself and “why this firm”. Normally I’d tackle the “myself” part by focusing on my motivation and my skills - but those are covered by separate 250 word questions (one on “why law” and one on my skills). So I’m not sure what they want me to talk about in the “myself” section of the cover letter!
Would you have any tips? I was thinking I could talk about my previous experiences/background (bringing together motivation and skills), but not sure that’s what they’re looking for, and I’d risk repeating myself anyway?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

@Jaysen - just tagging in you in case you didn't see this post

 

[Jooooopp7]

You only have to link it to the firm if they explictly ask you to in the question posed. Its probably worthwhile seeing the question you are talking about it full to understand the context of "implications".

So the questions is: 'Discuss a legal case that recently caught your attention. Why did this interest you and what were the implications?'
Is there a structure I could follow to answer questions like these similar to the STAR structure when answering competency questions?

 

[Lawyered22]

@Jaysen - just tagging in you in case you didn't see this post

Thanks Jessica!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So the questions is: 'Discuss a legal case that recently caught your attention. Why did this interest you and what were the implications?'
Is there a structure I could follow to answer questions like these similar to the STAR structure when answering competency questions?

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

 

[Jooooopp7]

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

Thank you, this helps so much!

 

[Jaysen]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

Hey there, I did respond to this last time. Please drop me a PM!

Hey - I don't think we have a premium membership associated with the email you signed up to the forum with. Could you drop me a PM with your premium email address? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

Hi Jessica, is it fair to say that in most applications we should focus more on talking about our motivations/why we're invested rather than loading the answer with hard facts?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, is it fair to say that in most applications we should focus more on talking about our motivations/why we're invested rather than loading the answer with hard facts?

No - in the case you need a balance given the final point. You also need to show your analysis (rather than facts) for the final point too.

 

[SamsanTech]

It's Baker McKenzie but I can't find a competency list on his website

Hey, can I ask how long you had to wait until you received the VI invite after the Watson Glaser?

 

[M1999]

What does a letter grade mean when putting your Undergrad results in... shall I leave it blank and just put the percentage? Or is it asking me to say if its an 'I' for a First. A bit confused. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

No - in the case you need a balance given the final point. You also need to show your analysis (rather than facts) for the final point too.

Okay thank you!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hey, can I ask how long you had to wait until you received the VI invite after the Watson Glaser?

I got it around 5 days after I completed the WG- did the WG on Saturday and got the test on Thursday!

 

[TheShoe]

Does anyone know who Stephenson Harwoods competitors are?

Think about SH's core strengths; shipping could be one you consider. Then research which other firms are strong in those areas. HFW/WFW could be a start.

 

[Aspiring.lawyer.to.be]

Do you need legal work experience for the direct TC application at Baker McKenzie?

 

[U98]

Hey, does anyone know whether Hogan Lovells has a specific policy on how long you have to wait to reapply. The website only says you can apply twice - is that per year or in total. It doesn't say anything about the duration in between both applications or whether you can apply to two VC's or if it's one VC and one TC in a year.

 

[Andrew M]

Do you think I would be okay to refer to Mills & Reeve as M&R in the "why this firm" section? The question itself says Mills & Reeve but I have noticed that they often abbreviate it elsewhere.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Do you think I would be okay to refer to Mills & Reeve as M&R in the "why this firm" section? The question itself says Mills & Reeve but I have noticed that they often abbreviate it elsewhere.

If they abbreviate it to that, then it is fine