Around a month. I applied to Dechert in early/mid November
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
'If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why?' (Covington)
Should I stick to being corporate/legalistic in this answer, or can I say an event that does not really have anything to do with commercial law? I think it would be so cliche to say a famous merger or the formation of a conglomerate LMAO. My idea is still linked to the law but not commercial or financial related at all
Should I stick to being corporate/legalistic in this answer, or can I say an event that does not really have anything to do with commercial law? I think it would be so cliche to say a famous merger or the formation of a conglomerate LMAO. My idea is still linked to the law but not commercial or financial related at all
Hi!
You can absolutely go with something outside corporate or commercial law! For this type of question, the key isn't necessarily to pick a "law-related" event (and it can usually work to your advantage to pick something outside of law) - I would aim to show thoughtfulness and reflection in your answer. A historical, scientific, or cultural moment can work just as well, particularly if you tie it back to why it matters to you personally or why you find it interesting.
Even if you don't choose a commercial event, you can still make a subtle connection to law (or values you admire in legal work) without it feeling forced. For example, you could potentially choose a landmark civil rights case or a famous trial that you found interesting. You can even go fully outside law but highlight certain skills or traits that would be beneficial in law - e.g. analytical thinking, ethics, problem-solving, etc.
I would say that the main thing to avoid is a cliche "big corporate deal" answer unless you have a genuinely unique angle or a past experience that demonstrates why it particularly resonated with you - your idea of linking it to law but not commercial law sounds like it can work well!
Ultimately, I would answer the question truthfully, even if this is outside of law. This is likely to be the most genuine and reflective answer, and will read a lot better than trying to force an overly commercial angle
Thank you so much for your help Abbie, especially at this late hour! You're a star⭐Hi!
You can absolutely go with something outside corporate or commercial law! For this type of question, the key isn't necessarily to pick a "law-related" event (and it can usually work to your advantage to pick something outside of law) - I would aim to show thoughtfulness and reflection in your answer. A historical, scientific, or cultural moment can work just as well, particularly if you tie it back to why it matters to you personally or why you find it interesting.
Even if you don't choose a commercial event, you can still make a subtle connection to law (or values you admire in legal work) without it feeling forced. For example, you could potentially choose a landmark civil rights case or a famous trial that you found interesting. You can even go fully outside law but highlight certain skills or traits that would be beneficial in law - e.g. analytical thinking, ethics, problem-solving, etc.
I would say that the main thing to avoid is a cliche "big corporate deal" answer unless you have a genuinely unique angle or a past experience that demonstrates why it particularly resonated with you - your idea of linking it to law but not commercial law sounds like it can work well!
Ultimately, I would answer the question truthfully, even if this is outside of law. This is likely to be the most genuine and reflective answer, and will read a lot better than trying to force an overly commercial angle
I'm pretty sure traditionally Times New Roman was always used for cover letters, so no, I don't think it'll be an issue. I personally use it still since it's just more formal imo.
Depends on the firm! I saw some ask to write in Times New Roman only like Cleary, but Slaughter, TW, etc don't explicitly say it as long as the font is readable and appropriate for cover letter like Arial and Calibri. Don't use Old English or Comic sans fonts of course.
HI sorry, did PC say their CL should be 1 page : O there's no way I can fit it in that haha. Would 1.5 pages be a bad idea? Thank you!!
Have ppl alr started getting bakers summer assessments and VIs?
So at the webinar they said 1 page ideally, 2 pages max. So in theory they did say that it should be fine. But others have told me to try to keep it to a page - and I’m super paranoid so. If I’m unable to cut it down I will just send it off how it is, mine is currently 1.5 too!
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I've completed a few VI's recently where when asked questions similar to the application I have used similar examples in both. For example used the same commercial topic, or used the same reasons for wanting to join the firm. Given that I havent heard back from them yet, I'm starting to think that this may not have been the best idea - is this a non-issue or should I be avoiding this going forward? Any advice would be appreciated!
Hey @zara elles personally, I don’t see this as being an issue.
The reason being that:
1. You’re being asked about skills you’ve most likely already mentioned in your application form, so repetition is guaranteed
2. You’re VI is a chance to hear from you and not an application form, it’s a chance to go into more detail about those experiences you mentioned in the application form (this time using STAR).
3. The VI is most likely assessed externally (aside from your application form) and both aren’t marked side by side - so whoever is assessing your videos isn’t cross referencing to your application form to mark you down everytime you repeat something.
I appreciate that you may think otherwise, but maybe the issue is that you’re not going into enough detail in your VI answers, or highlighting specifically how that experience meets that skillset. Other than that, there’s the nuances of tone and delivery that need to be considered as well.
It’s definitely a difficult part of the process to pin down, but my first suggestion would be to reflect on how you’re explaining it as opposed to what it is you’re saying.
For Forsters’ work experience question (Please describe up to three roles, such as paid employment, voluntary work, or positions of responsibility, that you believe are relevant to your application for a training contract. For each, outline your responsibilities, what you learned, and how the experience has helped you develop skills or insights that are applicable to a legal career. Be sure to include the dates for each role. (Approx. 100 words per item) 300 words max), should we answer in prose or in more of a list format? Like should there be a title before each paragraph with the job title and dates as you would have on an allhires/candid work experience entry? there is nowhere else on the form to add work experiences or a cv
@Bread I think there’s no set approach here. It could be approached either way. Personally, I prefer prose, as it allowed you to detail the role, outline your responsibilities and takeaways and link it back to a legal career coherently. Whereas, this may be tricky to achieve in list format - it would just feel forced.
Try writing it out in prose, and if you feel like you’re wasting too much words this way (as 100 for each isn’t a lot) then revert back to list format.
Like I said, I don’t think there’s a set approach here - you just need to figure out which way best works for you.
Thank you. I guess what I mean by "list format" is having a title before each entry saying the job title and dates, then have the description in prose. Would this be preferable, or should the answer read as more of an essay?
@Bread I think for the purpose of the dates, it would be useful to include a heading of the position and dates before each paragraph.
It’s a working day but one many people book-off as leave.
I’d suspect some grad rec will be working, but not all.
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