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  1. R

    Do international applicants skip assessment day?

    Hi Sumi-na I've fixed my profile so hopefully it works now. I never once mentioned my international background from a visa standpoint, but did leverage the fact that I had experiences outside of the UK, albeit it was a minor point. My online applications primarily focused on factors that I...
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    Do international applicants skip assessment day?

    Happy to answer - I went through the process as an international student.
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    Do international applicants skip assessment day?

    You will either need to attend in person, or if they are able to make it virtual, online. Sometimes they can use a local office in your country to hold the assessment. I usually avoid absolutes, but I could not imagine a scenario where any international applicant would be offered a vacation...
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    UCL LLM vs. King's MSc: urgent help needed!

    I don't think there will be much of a meaningful distinction between the two just based on what you actually learn or the branding. The Kings MSc would give you a longer run way if you're using this to have a more favourable visa transition (from Student to Work or equivalent) (but also push...
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    TCLA General Discussion Thread 2022-23

    To add, it's probably also because sponsored trainees during the LPC had a lot more precedent answers, model responses and a network of people that have taken the exam (and who may be willing to share resources), given the course is relatively tailored and unchanging.
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    TCLA General Discussion Thread 2022-23

    1. In simple terms, the public M&A trainee will be intimate with the takeover code and interfacing with regulators (more so than their private M&A counterparts). However, you will likely be doing very similar things (e.g. research tasks, minutes, transaction management, legal diligence, drafting...
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    Buy-side front office exit opps for lawyers

    Your use "finance" is too broad here and it could mean a variety of things. For example, are you interested in IBD or equity research or leveraged finance, etc. I would recommend you look at Wallstreet Oasis to get a better understanding of the application process and the industry itself. I...
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    The impact of interest rates on law firms - part 1

    I think one thing missing from this newsletter is the mention / discussion of liquidity. Although it's alluded to, it's not discussed in detail. The current interest rates and recessionary climate has impacted your typical go-to lenders' ability to maintain facilities, extend loans, provide...
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    Overseas graduate + UK LLM: Do I have any chance of getting a Vacation Scheme?

    On paper you'll be a strong candidate, but it'll ultimately come down to the quality of your written application, your ability to perform in interviews/cases studies and the experiences that you have at your disposal to articulate your fit/competencies.
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    Understanding US law firms in the UK

    1. Depends on the client. If the relationship is a US-centric one, it'll likely be billed in USD. If the client prefers / operates in USD, it'll be billed in USD. Reed Smith likely has it's own European client base and therefore services them and deals in GBP and EUR. They may even get paid more...
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    Which firms are harsh on academics?

    Literally, 66-69%. Practically, it means 67/68%++
  12. R

    Which firms are harsh on academics?

    MC: Slaughters (they don't generally look at anything below a high 2:1), Freshfields (to a lesser degree) US: Sidley Austin, Davis Polk, Sullivan & Cromwell
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    Large vs Small Trainee Intakes

    I have to agree with Jess. There's no hard and fast rule about trainee intake size and how that impacts you - most 'good' firms would have thought carefully about how to strike the perfect ratio of trainees to lawyers. It's a cost and a talent pipeline consideration, and for them to get it wrong...
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    Who are our competitors?

    I think you might be misunderstanding what these 'delivery' centres do. They provide typically cheaper labour than having in-office, London-based paralegals. As a result of this, they can take on a lot of work that is just volume, process-churn, and as a result, allow firms like Ashurst and A&O...
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    Who are our competitors?

    I imagine the idea is that they're competing on price offering (i.e. whoever can innovate and offer the best price wins the mandate over their 'competitors'). It's a relatively simplistic view and isn't reflective of what is actually quite an asymmetric market (depending on which industries...
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    TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Depends on the firm. They're pretty terrible with respect to US firms.
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    Buy-side front office exit opps for lawyers

    I'm going to preface that I'm talking about the context of IBD into PE/HF/AM as opposed to other FO roles like equity research, sales, trading. I'm also talking with certain funds in mind (e.g. not quant funds that typically want a PHD student). Technically, there's arguably no all consuming...
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    Buy-side front office exit opps for lawyers

    It's definitely been done before (both on in the US and UK/Europe). I have a few friends and have heard of others that have gone from the following paths into buy-side: 1. Drop out of TC --> Sell-side FO (IBD) at BB, Analyst --> Buy-side (PE/AM) 2. Qualify as NQ --> Sell-side FO (IBD) at BB...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Prepare for philosophical questions! I had a lot of fun in my interview - not sure if it's changed.
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    Top corporate firms with good work life balance?

    I think you should define what "Good" or "Decent" work life balance means to you in terms of hours (a week and perhaps yearly billable average). Similarly, what does "great work" mean to you? You should also consider and define whether you can tolerate ungodly hours (e.g. working at 3am) versus...

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