TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi all, I am completing a vac scheme application and it asks: What recent developments in the legal industry do you believe could impact our business? What are the potential benefits and challenges associated? I have identified an area that I want to pursue, namely real estate law. I am struggling however to know where to start in researching recent developements that I feel will impact it. Any advice?

Hiya @lawaspirant!

I think it depends on the firm and the types of real estate matters they typically advise on. The work done by real estate-focused law firms can vary significantly depending on whether they primarily advise property owners, occupiers, developers, investors, or others. Your answer may also depend on whether the firm specialises in commercial or residential property.

I’d start by identifying the firm's key strengths and then researching news stories or trends affecting relevant areas/segments of the real estate sector. It’s also worth looking at client-focused publications from major real estate law firms, such as BCLP. If you let me know which firm you're applying to, I can put together a list of real estate headlines and trends that might be useful.

 

[johnnn821]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Winston & Strawn? And did anyone else not get a confirmation email when you applied?

I am in the exact same position

 

[AQ]

Hi TCLA community, i've always been a lurker but decided to put out a post to untangle my thoughts for anyone happy to read it. I've graduated from uni last year and have been unsuccessful in the application cycle again this year - I got to two ACs but unfortunately did not get through with either but I got much further than last year (a win!). Of course, I'm not planning to give up and will be trying again in September but I am just at a loss at this point in time.

Although I still want to be a commercial solicitor, i'm very much interested in the media and entertainment industry and find it difficult to articulate 'why this firm' or 'why me' when a lot of my experiences lean towards hobbies linking to the creative industries and less so towards the main industries that many city firms cater to, like finance, real estate, energy etc and the creative sector is often not a main selling point of the firm (although I have applied to places like Harbottle and Wiggin - i was also unsuccessful or am still waiting). Does anyone have any advice on articulating this interest without the mistake of coming across too focused on only one sector? and any stories of encouragement would be appreciated too or if anyone is up for a general chat navigating this process together

 

[Legal Wizard]

Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Clifford change rescind a couple TCs for those who failed the SQE?

Lots of firms do it. I’m personally aware through people I know that Weil (did not ask for their money back though), HSF, CMS, CC all will withdraw a TC if you fail SQE 1. There are other firms that I’m sure do as well.

 

[Legal Wizard]

Hi, I feel like this has been asked before but I can't find it so any help is appreciated.

A firm has asked for my GCSE and A-Level certificates (understandably) and I don't hold them anymore for a couple reasons (my school lost my GCSE certificates and I think I misplaced my A-Level certificates in one of my house moves since then). I normally would try and get replacement certificates from the exam boards (which would hurt my bank account lol), but the scheme is in two weeks and I believe it takes up to four weeks to get them.

I have also emailed my school + college to see if they can provide some proof, but slightly panicking about what to do if I can't get anything in time. Thanks!

Which firm is this?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Evening all! @Jessica Booker, @Ram Sabaratnam, @Amma Usman please can you provide some insight - I am currently applying to PMC for their direct TC but was rejected this cycle for a VS. How would you recommend changing the application, as I believe my answers to be strong?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Hiya!

I think @Jessica Booker and @Amma Usman would have more to say, but hoping this helps before they come back to you.

I think it's difficult to say exactly how you should change your application without seeing it, but it might help to take a step back and critically assess a few key areas. Ask yourself whether your answers to the application questions were effectively tailored to the firm. If not, I'd recommend having a think about how you can make them more specific. If the questions are motivational, I'd have a think about whether your motivations have been clearly articulated and how well you've aligned your experiences with the firm's major practice areas. Another section you should comb through is your work experience section. Have you clearly highlighted the tasks you handled, any achievements, and the skills you relied on? Sometimes, small tweaks in how you present your experience can help get the application through the initial stage.

Since you have time before the deadline, I'd encourage you to find someone who could possibly offer you a second opinion. Someone from your university’s careers service or even a fellow applicant here at TCLA could provide some insight. There's also TCLA's application review service, if you feel like you need someone to really carefully review what can be done to improve. Given that you feel your answers are strong but aren't sure what to change, I think this sort of external feedback could help you identify areas for improvement (particularly in ways that that aren’t immediately obvious to you). Best of luck with the application!

 

[rapunzel]

I used to travel 45 mins door to door (one way) that was considered to be fine in London. I stayed in Wembley Park and used to travel to Bank😭

My current commute time is around 1 hour 20 minutes so was just wondering if that would be considered above the normal commutable distance range?

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi TCLA community, i've always been a lurker but decided to put out a post to untangle my thoughts for anyone happy to read it. I've graduated from uni last year and have been unsuccessful in the application cycle again this year - I got to two ACs but unfortunately did not get through with either but I got much further than last year (a win!). Of course, I'm not planning to give up and will be trying again in September but I am just at a loss at this point in time.

Although I still want to be a commercial solicitor, i'm very much interested in the media and entertainment industry and find it difficult to articulate 'why this firm' or 'why me' when a lot of my experiences lean towards hobbies linking to the creative industries and less so towards the main industries that many city firms cater to, like finance, real estate, energy etc and the creative sector is often not a main selling point of the firm (although I have applied to places like Harbottle and Wiggin - i was also unsuccessful or am still waiting). Does anyone have any advice on articulating this interest without the mistake of coming across too focused on only one sector? and any stories of encouragement would be appreciated too or if anyone is up for a general chat navigating this process together

Have you ever considered working in-house for a media or entertainment company? That way, you could practice as a commercial lawyer, but in an organisation that is focused entirely on that sector. I don’t think there are many firms that have a specialist focus in this area of law, apart from the ones you mentioned. 🙂

If you are interested in working for a city law firm, perhaps firms with an IP focus could be a good place (Hogan Lovells or Bird & Bird). They will most likely have clients in the media and entertainment industry that need IP-related advice. I am a fiend for IP lmao. 🤣

It’s worthwhile looking at things like Chambers and Partners or the Legal 500, to see which firms are strongest in the media and entertainment sector. Based on this, you can diversify your applications to include firms that offer advisory services in this sector. I have pasted the links to these below:

Media: Film & TV > London

Market-leading analysis, rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers in Media: Film & TV in London

www.legal500.com

Media & Entertainment: Film & Television, UK-wide, UK | Chambers Rankings

Discover which lawyers and law firms are ranked top for Media & Entertainment: Film & Television in UK-wide. Find out more in the Chambers and Partners UK guide.

chambers.com

 

[Legal Wizard]

Hi all, I am completing a vac scheme application and it asks: What recent developments in the legal industry do you believe could impact our business? What are the potential benefits and challenges associated? I have identified an area that I want to pursue, namely real estate law. I am struggling however to know where to start in researching recent developements that I feel will impact it. Any advice?

Perhaps the biggest thing would be Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill. But there are many things affecting RE law in the UK

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Which firm is this?

Hey, it's Stephenson Harwood.

 

[Legal Wizard]

Hey, it's Stephenson Harwood.

Ofc. Nice! Congrats! I did a scheme last year with them. If u want any advice shoot me a pm.

 

[AQ]

Have you ever considered working in-house for a media or entertainment company? This way, you could practice as a commercial lawyer but in an organisation that is focused entirely on that sector. I don’t think there are many firms that have a specialist focus in this area of law, apart from the ones you mentioned. 🙂

If you are interested in working for a city law firm, perhaps firms with an IP focus could be a good place (Hogan Lovells or Bird & Bird). They will most likely have clients in the media and entertainment industry that need IP-related advice. 🤔

It’s worthwhile looking at things like Chambers and Partners or the Legal 500, to see which firms are strongest in the media and entertainment sector. Based on this, you can diversify your applications to include firms that offer advisory services in this sector. I have pasted the links to these below:

Media: Film & TV > London

Market-leading analysis, rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers in Media: Film & TV in London

www.legal500.com

Media & Entertainment: Film & Television, UK-wide, UK | Chambers Rankings

Discover which lawyers and law firms are ranked top for Media & Entertainment: Film & Television in UK-wide. Find out more in the Chambers and Partners UK guide.

chambers.com

Yes! it's one of the many routes I'm considering but opportunities for in-house media and ent are few and far between at the moment.

But huge thank you for your suggestions, I had applied to a quite a few of those firms listed on Legal 500 but was unsuccessful at various points in the cycle - I will work hard to power through next year! (also big congrats on your successful schemes! whilst lurking for the past few months it was great seeing some of your posts)

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hey everyone, I did an interview for a scheme last Thursday and was told I should hear back the result on Friday. I haven’t heard anything since, should I follow up or just leave it? I’ve been offered another internship and have to give my dates to them soon so it’d be useful to know if I got the vac scheme or not.

sorry this is so unrelated but i love ur pfp

 

[yueyueer]

My current commute time is around 1 hour 20 minutes so was just wondering if that would be considered above the normal commutable distance range?

I don’t think so, unfortunately — my door to door commute tends to range between 1 hour to 1.5 hours depending on where I’m going in London, and I had friends that would commute in from Reading/Essex so I think it really depends on what you’re comfortable with!

 

[XXXXX]

Was wondering whether anyone with a SH summer vac scheme has received their offer in writing following the phone call?

 

[Livelaughlove]

sorry this is so unrelated but i love ur pfp

Thank you🤣 my favourite show and application season makes me feel like her

 

[student353]

Was wondering whether anyone with a SH summer vac scheme has received their offer in writing following the phone call?

I received an offer in regards to their Spring vacation scheme, they emailed over my offer in writing yesterday so you may have to wait . Congrats on your offer!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Was wondering whether anyone with a SH summer vac scheme has received their offer in writing following the phone call?

I thought SH hasn't sent out tests yet for summer, and they had only just sent out spring VS offers

 

[trainee4u]

My current commute time is around 1 hour 20 minutes so was just wondering if that would be considered above the normal commutable distance range?

It's a normal commuting time; distance is possibly a different matter.

E.g., somewhere like Tunbridge Wells is a desirable commuter town, and is 54 minutes from London, which is going to be well over 1 hr 20 minutes door-to-door. A season ticket is £154/week.

OTOH somewhere like Coventry is not a commuter town, while being 58 minutes from London, due to the distance, and cost (£300/week).

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

MoFO PFO -