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  1. Jaysen

    Welcome

    Hi everyone We're going to move the 'trainee advice' page to this section so that the posts are easier to sort through. I'll be updating each one as I add them in so they're worth a look even if you've checked out the page before. The plan is that we'll also add more answers over time. For...
  2. Jaysen

    An introduction to law firms

    Hey, I'll answer these questions over the next few days. Starting with the first - How are law firms structured? Most large commercial law firms operate as a limited liability partnership or "LLP". An LLP, like a company, has a separate legal personality. It can enter into contracts, incur...
  3. Jaysen

    Useful resources

    Some of you have shared some very interesting articles and I thought we'd collate them (and future ones) here. To kick us off, The American Lawyer just released its US law firm rankings for 2018. Here is the chart for revenue...
  4. Jaysen

    Case Study 2: M&A analysis

    Hey all, Please find attached the second case study, you'll note that it's a fair bit chunkier than the last one. This case study mirrors the style of a real written exercise I had during an assessment centre. It's testing, among others, your ability to analyse large quantities of information...
  5. Jaysen

    Case Study 1: Legal Analysis

    Hey all, This is the first in a series of mock case studies, please see attached. The case studies are here to help you prepare for the written exercise at assessment centres. This one focuses on your ability to analyse complex information and form a solution. To simulate a real written...
  6. Jaysen

    Law firms as a business

    Hi everyone I came across this helpful guide about how law firms operate as a business and thought I'd share. It covers things like: how law firms are structured how law firms charge clients and make money how law firms use leverage and working capital how law firms compete the future of law...
  7. Jaysen

    Commercial Awareness Briefing

    Hey all, If you don't mind, I'd like to bounce an idea off you guys. I would say the most common question I get asked from students is 'how do I develop commercial awareness?'. It's a completely fair question to ask; I had the same problem when I was applying, and it's not typically taught at...
  8. Jaysen

    Application Reviews & New Features

    Hey guys, I've really enjoyed reading your applications over the last few months and well done to those of you who've secured interviews. I would like to announce that from the 31 March 2018, we will be introducing new criteria for application reviews. These are based on the points system...
  9. Jaysen

    Post your vacation scheme here

    We find it's often helpful to connect students with others on their vacation scheme. That way you can get an early opportunity to get to know students and discuss the scheme. So feel free to post your scheme, dates (and location, if relevant) below.
  10. Jaysen

    Vacation scheme application tips: Advice after securing seven vacation schemes this year

    Thank you to Varis from The Student Room for providing some excellent vacation scheme application tips. This year, Varis has secured vacation schemes at Clifford Chance, White & Case, Gibson Dunn, HSF, Travers Smith, Sidley Austin and Davis Polk. "I think the application process is very much a...
  11. Jaysen

    The what-we're-doing-right-now page

    Hey everyone, It's an exciting day for us today because it's our two-week anniversary since we launched the website. (I know two weeks isn't something people normally celebrate but it feels like our first milestone!). We also had an idea. Rather than having sneaky updates that no-one knows...
  12. Jaysen

    The impact of tariffs on business and law firms

    The impact of tariffs and/or a trade war on business and law firms - Part 1 What’s going on? On 1 March 2018, Trump proposed a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminium imports. It’s supposed to be aimed at China - for a long time, China has been exporting excess capacity at low...
  13. Jaysen

    Office Hours: Want to chat about your applications?

    Hey all, I just spoke to a student (thanks @Nick) and wanted to extend this offer to the rest of you. I'll be holding office hours each Wednesday from 8-9pm. If you'd like advice on your applications, interviews or vacation schemes, you can schedule a call at 15-minute call at one of the...
  14. Jaysen

    How does a company raise money?

    Hey guys, I'm still finishing up the first of the Law Insights page (I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow). In the meantime, I'll post a few short articles I did on popular commercial-awareness interview questions. This one is about how a company can raise money. I go into more detail in the M&A...
  15. Jaysen

    Law Firm Insights Page

    Hey guys! A quick explanation of what's going on on the law insights section. We were actually going to postpone our website launch until we finished this page, but it turned out to be a much bigger task than we imagined, hence the coming soon cover at the moment. Here's the thought process...
  16. Jaysen

    The impact of interest rates on law firms - part 1

    The impact of interest rates on law firms - Part 1 Hey guys, This is a very popular interview question this year so I’ve decided to do a mini-guide. I know I’ve briefly touched on these areas in other posts, but hopefully, this’ll help you to connect the dots further. I hope to release part 2...
  17. Jaysen

    Introduction to LawTech

    Hey Jonty, Good to see you on here. I'm very interested in this area and your thoughts. The bigger UK firms (and some US firms) appear to be racing to adopt new technologies/AI. Let's take three of the magic circle: A&O Built its own tech incubator, Fuse Made an equity investment in...
  18. Jaysen

    Ask me anything: Latham & Watkins trainee

    Hey all - I'm happy to say we've got a bunch of trainees who've offered their time for this week! Nicole Shroff will be joining shortly to answer your questions. She's a trainee at Latham & Watkins and has just started in her fourth seat (debt capital markets). To kick us off, Nicole - can...
  19. Jaysen

    Ask me anything: Future trainee at Clifford Chance

    Hey all, I've broken the once-a-week rule already as Amy Hillier has kindly offered to answer your questions this week. She's a future trainee at Clifford Chance and is helping me put together a very comprehensive interview guide - we'll be running through about 200 interview questions and how...
  20. Jaysen

    Ask me anything: Trainee at Morrison & Foerster

    Hi all, Each week we run an ask me anything thread featuring a trainee/associate/partner at a City law firm. Today I'd like to welcome Rayhaan Vankalwala, a current trainee at US firm Morrison & Foerster. He has kindly offered to answer any of your questions this week, so feel free to ask him...

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The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

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