TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jojo23]

When shoosmiths said they 'aim to get back to us no later than 6pm 28th feb' they were genuinely serious about leaving it to the last minute 💀💀

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I'd love to get your insight on this. It's been one month since my AC. I know some people have received rejections pretty soon after and some have received offers in the past few weeks, should I email to ask for a response or just wait? Thanks!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hey @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu would uou be able to tell me anything about Katten as I can’t find much online)

Katten is a firm I am not that familiar with myself, but having looked around a bit I found the following:

• In the US, while not among the most profitable or largest firms, it is still a prestigious big law firm: it has an average PEP of around $2.2m (which is a bit lower than MC and around/above SC level in the UK) and follows the Cravath scale for associate salaries.
• Having been founded only around 50 years ago, it prides itself on having a very entrepreneurial culture;
• In London, it does not have the usual PE/ and capital markets/finance focus of most US firms. It's specialties are (based on Chambers and Legal 500 rankings) real estate, hospitality and leisure, and the lower mid market of corporate M&A.

 

[Amma Usman]

Random food for thought…

There is a quiet moment before every decision that matters. A breath held between what is and what could be. In that very little space, the mind races… measuring risk, weighing failure, crafting excuses so elegantly they almost sound like logic.

It’s tempting to stay in that moment, to wait until doubt disappears, until certainty arrives wrapped in reassurance. But certainty never comes first. It’s not a prerequisite for action….it’s a product of it.

Every person you admire, every story that moved you, every legacy that lasts, was built by someone who stood at the same crossroads. Someone who felt the same scepticism, but stepped forward regardless.

Not because they were fearless. But because they refused to let fear be the author of their story.

I’ve been having a lot of these quiet moments lately, and out of nowhere…this thought struck me. So I figured I’d come here and share it too.

 

[jacksollaf]

Application journey update:

Last Thursday: 65 applications, 48 rejections, 1 offer, 16 pending.
This Thursday: 65 applications, 55 rejections, 1 offer, 9 pending.

The firms that remain:

1. Howes Spercival
2. Withers (TC)
3. Simmons and Simmons
4. UN Legal Affairs Intern
5. King & Spalding
6. MoFo (probably rejections though, people have been interviewed months ago)
7. Shoosmiths (people got offers so basically PFO)
8. DACB (really low score in critical thinking test)
9. Latham & Watkins (still alive?)

Today's daily chest prize: Greenberg Traurig PFO (post-app) 🥳 🥳 🥳

 

[legallyells]

There is a quiet moment before every decision that matters. A breath held between what is and what could be. In that very little space, the mind races… measuring risk, weighing failure, crafting excuses so elegantly they almost sound like logic.

It’s tempting to stay in that moment, to wait until doubt disappears, until certainty arrives wrapped in reassurance. But certainty never comes first. It’s not a prerequisite for action….it’s a product of it.

Every person you admire, every story that moved you, every legacy that lasts, was built by someone who stood at the same crossroads. Someone who felt the same scepticism, but stepped forward regardless.

Not because they were fearless. But because they refused to let fear be the author of their story.

I’ve been having a lot of these quiet moments lately, and out of nowhere…this thought struck me. So I figured I’d come here and share it too.

loved reading this perspective, thank you for articulating in such a lovely way!

 

[Adithi]

Has anyone heard anything from Winston and Strawn?

Also anyone else who heard back from Dechert after the Written Exercise?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I'd love to get your insight on this. It's been one month since my AC. I know some people have received rejections pretty soon after and some have received offers in the past few weeks, should I email to ask for a response or just wait? Thanks!

Hey @hfbjsdhfbhf ,

Just before @Jessica Booker gets back to you, I believe it may be best to hold off reaching out for now. I reckon firms are quite busy this time of year and are probably still receiving multiple applications/ conducting AC’s still. It could be that your AC was conducted early on in the cycle and feedback is still being collated. I completely get how the wait feels, but please try distracting your mind off it - going on coffee with friends, walks, or anything you enjoy really helps!

 

[jta227]

Do you guys think holding a TC offer would be an advantage on a paralegal application (similar to a stamp of competence) or a disadvantage as they know you will leave soon?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hey @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu would uou be able to tell me anything about Katten as I can’t find much online)

Hiya @Bbhu19

Just wanted to jump in and add to what @Andrei Radu has already said. Completely agree, it's quite difficult to find much information about the firm. I've tried to put some research together based on a quick google search, and hoping the information below is helpful to you.

1. Financials: I just looked through The Lawyer's most recent market report on US firms in the City (unfortunately paywalled), and it mentions that Katten’s London office has seen significant growth in recent years (both financially and in terms of its headcount). In 2023, revenue grew by 16.9%, reaching $23.8 million and thus up from $20.3 million the previous year. The firm’s global performance also looks quite good, as total revenue climbed by 5.2% to $781.6 million.

2. Key Practice Areas: The Lawyer's market report also mentions that a major driver of Katten’s success in London has been its focus on transactional work, particularly advising U.S. financial services clients operating internationally. Transatlantic work has been a key growth area, now making up 37% of the firm’s UK revenue and this apparently went up from just 21% in 2021. You may want to look into the following transactional matters in which the London office was involved, which I've found through looking at their Legal 500 profile and the firm's website:

• Leonardo Hotel’s £65 million acquisition of the Grand Brighton Hotel
• Authentic Brands Group on its takeover of Hunter Boot Limited
• Nordic fund manager Areim AB on a €1.5 billion logistics joint venture across the EU
• They are currently advising the liquidators of Lloyds Pharmacy following its insolvency

3. Talent and Headcount Growth: The firm appears to be growing its London team to align with its U.S. headquarters. It recently made some pretty impressive hires in transactional areas, particularly in its funds practice. You can read about these here, but they include funds partners Ryan Hansen and Thomas Laurer, as well as tax planning partner Daniel Lewin, who all joined from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP.

This is just to help you get started on drafting answers to any application questions. Hope this helps and good luck with the application!

 

[Amma Usman]

This is amazing news, congratulations! I’ve included some tips below;

• Speak with members of the firm, including future trainees, trainees, lawyers, etc, to get to know more about the firm and their experiences.
• Schedule coffee chats with people working in departments you’d like to learn more about.
• Ask thoughtful questions. Growing up, we always heard “there’s no such thing as a silly question”. The truth is, some questions can be answered by oneself through a quick research on the firm’s website/other sources. Ask questions you wouldn’t otherwise get yourself, as you now have the opportunity to be surrounded by the lawyers working on these deals.
• Learn more about the wider industry and how the practice area you’re working in fits within it. Ask any resultant questions that pop up. Similarly, you may also want to know and ask how the work you are doing as an intern fits within it.
• Above all, just be yourself and enjoy the process, because firms want to hire people at the end of the day. They already saw potential in you to get to that stage, so make the most of the learning opportunity, and you’’ll be fine.

Best of luck, I know you’ll do great!

Hi @Andrei Radu, I just secured a VS and was wondering if you have any additional advice on how to maximise the chances of converting my VS into a TC?

I am currently completing the course on ‘How to convert your VS’ on TCLA, but would be very grateful for any additional advice/guidance/points you think I should consider.

Thank you so much!

Hey!

I don’t have much to Andrei‘s great response on this. I’ve quoted a post on the past which I made on this. Best of luck on the VS..!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you guys think holding a TC offer be an advantage on a paralegal application (similar to a stamp of competence) or a disadvantage as they know you will leave soon?

Depends on the role. Some fixed term contract roles will actively look for future trainees, while permanent roles may avoid them because they want someone longer term.

 

[Amma Usman]

Do you guys think holding a TC offer be an advantage on a paralegal application (similar to a stamp of competence) or a disadvantage as they know you will leave soon?

The way I see it, if the paralegal role is a FTC, and the firm is not looking to offer TCs off the bat of it, or some sort of QWE period, then you could mention it. It really just depends on the job specifications and what the firm is looking for, in my opinion.

 

[AlegalA]

Has anyone heard from DACB? they said we'd hear back no later than end of feb but tomorrow is literally the last day...

 

[LB24]

Gateley Manchester AC!!

 

[Starfish31]

Has anyone heard from DACB? they said we'd hear back no later than end of feb but tomorrow is literally the last day...

Same with White & Case - I'm not sure whether I should email

 

[Starfish31]

Still no one heard back from goodwin post partner interview?

At the end of my partner interview I was told that they'd have a meeting to discuss applicants on the 28th so I shouldn't expect to hear anything until early March

 

[Nine]

Application journey update:

Last Thursday: 65 applications, 48 rejections, 1 offer, 16 pending.
This Thursday: 65 applications, 55 rejections, 1 offer, 9 pending.

The firms that remain:

1. Howes Spercival
2. Withers (TC)
3. Simmons and Simmons
4. UN Legal Affairs Intern
5. King & Spalding
6. MoFo (probably rejections though, people have been interviewed months ago)
7. Shoosmiths (people got offers so basically PFO)
8. DACB (really low score in critical thinking test)
9. Latham & Watkins (still alive?)

Today's daily chest prize: Greenberg Traurig PFO (post-app) 🥳 🥳 🥳

shoosmiths gave out offers??? Rue when was this???

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, I need help answering the question 'where should we open a new office'. The only answer I have is Saudi Arabia (economic growth etc.) but no clue otherwise, really :/ would anyone be willing to offer their insight please? @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman - thanks!

Hey! This is a really good question in my opinion, and I think Saudi is a great option to consider in your answers. I remember talking about the expansion in the region during some questions that popped up in my cycle too.

The country is undergoing some major changes to grow its economy and reduce reliance on oil. This is part of Vision 2030, which is basically Saudi Arabia’s plan to bring in more foreign investment, create new industries (beyond oil), and make the country a more business-friendly place. A big part of this vision is attracting top law firms to set up shop in Saudi Arabia.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia made changes to its laws to make it easier for foreign law firms to operate there. For example, they reformed their Code of Law Practice to make things smoother for firms to get a license. But, there are still some conditions to follow, like having two partners based in Saudi Arabia for at least 180 days a year and ensuring that at least 70% of the lawyers in the office are Saudi nationals.

I believe the country is an attraction to law firms as it’s investing trillions into its economy, with $3 trillion in sovereign wealth funds. These funds need legal advice for big international deals. Plus, with the new Investment Law, foreign companies have more incentives to set up in Saudi Arabia, which means more business for law firms. The government is also offering benefits like tax exemptions and special permissions for firms that set up a Regional Headquarter (RHQ) in the country. An RHQ serves as the main hub for the entire Middle East and North Africa region, not just a local office.

And the deal flow is booming! Just look at Saudi Aramco’s IPO in 2019 which I think raised over $25 billion. There are more IPOs and high-value deals happening, which is creating lots of work for corporate lawyers.

 

[Amma Usman]

loved reading this perspective, thank you for articulating in such a lovely way!

I’m glad!