TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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!

 

[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 -

 

[toad92]

For GD there are already 20 of us so they are probably looking for 2 more people.

so I have to be one of the best 2 on Friday ..... uh oh

 

[legaleagle11]

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

when did they call you out of interest?

 

[legaleagle11]

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

I only applied for summer and did my test just under 2 weeks ago

 

[Babablacksheep]

Hey did anyone apply to the summer legal internship for bbc and heard anything back after the second stage?

A friend of mine had her final AC last week and they’ve all already heard back

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

For GD there are already 20 of us so they are probably looking for 2 more people.

Hey I’ll be on the scheme too, how do you know this?

 

[theruleofno]

Can anyone give any insight into Orrick's AC - its 6.5 hours but only has a written exercise and group presentation?!

It is literally just that. A one hour exercise, you get an hour and a half to prep for the presentation which is wayyyyy too long. The day is very chill tho.

 

[trainee4u]

Elena Jalali - 7252033

Control of non-qualified staff (section 43/99 order)

www.sra.org.uk

Interesting.
LLB (first class) from KCL
A*A*A* from elite London private school

Macfarlanes paralegal. Went to AC for TC in 2023. "repeatedly accessed information that was confidential and which she knew or ought to have known she was not entitled to access, namely documents including a Business Case Study Exercise, model answers and the mark scheme, for a training contract assessment day she attended in August 2023."

I can only assume this was accessible on the intranet/network. Lied about having done this (which is really dumb, because IT knows EVERYTHING).

Subject to a S43 order meaning that she cannot work for any regulated legal business without prior permission from SRA.

 

[Alturistic whale]

Anyone heard anything back from King & Spalding?

I remember reading that the next stage post-app would be in march and April