TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[BobThebIlly]

guys I need some help on the education part of Perkins Coie's application. I can only find my university but cannot find my secondary school/sixth form -- where am I supposed to list my grades? Am I supposed to write them out in the GPA box??

 

[lawstudent2]

guys I need some help on the education part of Perkins Coie's application. I can only find my university but cannot find my secondary school/sixth form -- where am I supposed to list my grades? Am I supposed to write them out in the GPA box??

My school isn't on there either but it is on my CV so I am hoping they might see it there? I'm not really sure what else to do atp

 

[Amma Usman]

Thanks for the thoughts - there's no commute per se, as it's online (although realistically I wouldn't feel comfortable doing an interview for a different firm from the firm's office, so I'd need to find a location elsewhere, which would probably add around 15 minutes to my downtime).

As I understand it the 90 minutes is comprised of a 45-minute interview and an assessment: it's not clear whether the assessment can be done separately; I've emailed to ask, but I suspect not - a 45-minute interview seems more doable, but 90 minutes seems excessive.

Ah yes, I believe you are right in suggesting that it may not be within seperate timeframes. As the firm has mentioned 90 minutes, there will likely be a different component included - probably more information to come from the firm on this, though it’s worth clarifying if you have any doubts. In any case, however, I’d still reference my old post in saying that it is still risky and clear communication with all parties is still needed if you do decide to attend the AC with the firm that isn’t your VS firm.

I hope this helps, and please do let us know if you have any more questions at all.

 

[Amma Usman]

What are peoples thoughts on moving from a paralegal role at a low level national firm to a legal secretary/PA role at a large law firm?

There’s a lot of mobility in the legal sector, especially with skilled roles such as these. As an example, any paralegal experience is valuable, such that you could move from a paralegal role at national firms to even other paralegal roles at bigger international firms. I have seen many people succeed in doing so. I also know of people that move between practice areas for paralegal roles, for example. Therefore, there is not only firm-wise mobility, but also sector-related mobility.

 

[chlawstudent]

Hello, I have recently found out my supervisors for my upcoming vac scheme. I have sent requests to connect on LinkedIn and I was just wondering what the best format/structure is to send a message ahead of the scheme to introduce myself? Thanks in advance!

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hello, I have recently found out my supervisors for my upcoming vac scheme. I have sent requests to connect on LinkedIn and I was just wondering what the best format/structure is to send a message ahead of the scheme to introduce myself? Thanks in advance!

Just wait until after the scheme imo

 

[chlawstudent]

Just wait until after the scheme imo

Oh okay, is it just the trainee buddy you should message before then ? And not the supervisors too?

Thanks

 

[trainee4u]

Ah yes, I believe you are right in suggesting that it may not be within seperate timeframes. As the firm has mentioned 90 minutes, there will likely be a different component included - probably more information to come from the firm on this, though it’s worth clarifying if you have any doubts. In any case, however, I’d still reference my old post in saying that it is still risky and clear communication with all parties is still needed if you do decide to attend the AC with the firm that isn’t your VS firm.

I hope this helps, and please do let us know if you have any more questions at all.

They've come back to me today saying that I only need 45 minutes as I can complete the other part the following week - they have offered me 12 or 3pm, neither of which feel exactly ideal - if it was a bit after 12 that would be one thing as it's lunch time, but rushing off at 11:45am would likely raise an eyebrow.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

A mix of bullet points and prose is always recommended. Though, given the word limit constraint, I understand your carefulness around this. I would personally aim for around 2-4 bullet points (depending on how detailed you really want to be) accurately explained. You don’t need to link it to the firm at this point, but it’ll be good to weave in any skills acquired. Though, please don’t stress about it too much for now as the other application questions/cover letters will provide way more scope to go into that in more detail anyway.

Let me give you one example of a bullet point below:

- Interned within the in-house legal team of an investment bank. I was responsible for compiling a detailed list of matters for consideration in the next AI report to be disseminated across global fronts. In addition, typical daily tasks included document review, and recording minute meetings. Feedback from my manager on my ability to manage multiple commitments easily and simultaneously produce high-quality work, fuelled my passion to become a commercial lawyer.

Thanks Amma, that helps!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, I have recently found out my supervisors for my upcoming vac scheme. I have sent requests to connect on LinkedIn and I was just wondering what the best format/structure is to send a message ahead of the scheme to introduce myself? Thanks in advance!

I completely understand the excitement of wanting to chat with your trainee buddy/supervisors prior to the vac scheme. Though, you do not need to stress with connecting/ building those connections already. There will be plenty of time to do that during the VS, and you’ll even be able to engage more properly in person.

 

[chlawstudent]

I completely understand the excitement of wanting to chat with your trainee buddy/supervisors prior to the vac scheme. Though, you do not need to stress with connecting/ building those connections already. There will be plenty of time to do that during the VS, and you’ll even be able to engage more properly in person.

Okay, I was just a bit confused as I had seen it be recommended to introduce yourself via LinkedIn earlier in this forum so I thought that was common practice. Thank you for clearing that up.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

Hi, does anyone know what resources I should use to find and attend law firm events on certain topics such as m&a or private equity? or just introductions to certain practice areas in general. Is there a bank of recorded webinars somewhere? Thanks!

 

[User5678]

What sort of questions did they ask please-thinking of applying to next year?

all technical (law school module ques, they are quite easy if you’re a law student or have law experience) and competency ques (a very good number of them) - no motivation and commercial ques but it’s good to put what you know about news in the technical ques!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, does anyone know what resources I should use to find and attend law firm events on certain topics such as m&a or private equity? or just introductions to certain practice areas in general. Is there a bank of recorded webinars somewhere? Thanks!

So the transactional law firms have open days that open up in about Sep (though check each firm’s website to be sure). They tend to almost always cover an intro to their core practices (M&A/PE), and some even go through fictitious case studies with candidates to help them better know how these things work. Examples: Latham Kirkland.

As for where to find them, they’re usually located on the firm‘s grad rec site. Sometimes members of their early careers team tend to repost on LinkedIn too.

If you want to know more about these practices, there are loads of sources here on TCLA too. I’ve linked them below to help. The content in TCLA’s premium package also contains loads on these.

Essential Terms For An M&A Interview

Hello TCLA family! I’ve listed below a non-exhaustive list of M&A terms/definitions that should help out with interviews. As this becomes a hotter topic for law firm case studies, we hope you find this useful. Merger: When two companies join to form a single new entity, usually to expand...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Mock M&A Case Study: Analysis

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. We’re entering the season of assessment centres (ACs) at law firms, and a hot topic for many of these ACs is Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)! So, in this thread, I’ll be guiding you through a short fictitious M&A case study and highlighting...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

PRIVATE EQUITY : A BASIC GUIDE

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article PRIVATE EQUITY : A BASIC GUIDE. Please feel free to add to the discussion here.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[BillSikes]

Just received a video interview invite for a PARALEGAL role 🤣 🤣 🤣 . For a firm nobody will have heard of as well💀

 

[thelawstudent]

to prepare for next year's app season, i was thinking of writing responses to this year's and previous year's application questions. does anyone know if A and O, HSF, HFW, Milbank, Clyde and Co, WFW, and DLA keep their q's the same year on year?

 

[ilovegardening1111]

So the transactional law firms have open days that open up in about Sep (though check each firm’s website to be sure). They tend to almost always cover an intro to their core practices (M&A/PE), and some even go through fictitious case studies with candidates to help them better know how these things work. Examples: Latham Kirkland.

As for where to find them, they’re usually located on the firm‘s grad rec site. Sometimes members of their early careers team tend to repost on LinkedIn too.

If you want to know more about these practices, there are loads of sources here on TCLA too. I’ve linked them below to help. The content in TCLA’s premium package also contains loads on these.

Essential Terms For An M&A Interview

Hello TCLA family! I’ve listed below a non-exhaustive list of M&A terms/definitions that should help out with interviews. As this becomes a hotter topic for law firm case studies, we hope you find this useful. Merger: When two companies join to form a single new entity, usually to expand...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Mock M&A Case Study: Analysis

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. We’re entering the season of assessment centres (ACs) at law firms, and a hot topic for many of these ACs is Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)! So, in this thread, I’ll be guiding you through a short fictitious M&A case study and highlighting...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

PRIVATE EQUITY : A BASIC GUIDE

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article PRIVATE EQUITY : A BASIC GUIDE. Please feel free to add to the discussion here.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thanks so much Amma, I really appreciate this

 

[Kakaboo]

Hi, I’m currently doing a vacation scheme and I don’t think it’s going well. For context it’s a week. Yesterday I was quite shy. I spoke to people and tried to ask insightful questions but I was scared shitless. I also had a task which had no due date and only had 2 hours to do it. I stayed late but still didn’t complete it and when I asked when it’s due they said tomorrow is fine. Today I went in early to recap on a tech talk that I missed 10 mins of due to it issues. I feel like I also ask a lot of questions about how to do things to my supervisor and ask for help quite a lot. Yesterday I had some attention to detail issues but I have started to ask less and less. At the end of today I started to get more confident and I have 3 coffee chats booked and had one today with a member of my team which they invited me on. When in meetings and getting tasks I try and show an interest of the wider topic but I’m in a dept I haven’t studied so I’m really struggling. Does anyone have any words of wisdom of what to do? Any tips please!! What should I do to stand out I feel I’ve blended into the background a bit.

 

[EG3]

I've got a VI with Bevan Brittan for their DTC.

If anyone did their VI for the vac scheme and has any tips / insight, it'd be much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Lawgraduate245]

all technical (law school module ques, they are quite easy if you’re a law student or have law experience) and competency ques (a very good number of them) - no motivation and commercial ques but it’s good to put what you know about news in the technical ques!

I see. Thank you. When you mean technical did they ask about Insurance/Construction legislation, cases and concepts eg warranty?