application advice

  1. Jacob Miller

    Should you apply for a vacation scheme or a training contract? Finding your best application type!

    Introduction The pathway to a training contract at a commercial law firm can be bumpy. More often than not, candidates will make multiple applications, to multiple firms, usually across multiple application cycles. With that in mind, understanding whether one should consider applying for a...
  2. K

    Shakespeare Martineau Application Question

    Hi everyone, I am about to apply to SM for a TC and the first question is 'Our ambition at Shakespeare Martineau is to be in the Top 30 Law Firms in the UK by 2025. Please identify two of the areas of law that we practice, and advise on the actions those teams should take to enable them to play...
  3. Katie Swift

    Russell-Cooke application question - help!

    'If you couldn't work in law, what do you think you would do and why?' (300 words) (Russell-Cooke application question) I'm having a little trouble answering this question, I'm not sure if you should relate the career path to qualities that the firm wants? Or should you just do something...
  4. A

    Work Experience 50 words

    Hi All I am currently drafting a vac scheme application and the work experience section has a 50-word limit! I would really appreciate any advice/tips on what should be included in this v.small word limit. Thanks!
  5. Laurenjosephine

    Question

    I really don't understand how I am meant to approach this question?! "What is it about the profile of the Boodle Hatfield client base which attracts you?"
  6. Laurenjosephine

    Client Focus Question

    On Withers' application, they ask for you to tell them about a time you delivered 'client focus' but I'm not really sure what that is? Would working in a supermarket be an example? Would using another example for my time working in a supermarket be repetitive because I can't think of anything...
  7. Laurenjosephine

    Missing A Level Grade Requirements

    I achieved ABB in my A Levels, but some firms require that you have AAB at A Level. Would this entirely write off my application/ruin my chances of being considered, even if I am on track for 2.1?
  8. A

    Why do you want to be a solicitor at an *international law firm*?

    Hi all. Obviously, this is a standard question. However, I note that firms differ in how they phrase the question - some firms simply ask "why a commercial solicitor", and others "why a commercial solicitor at an *international* firm". All the firms I'm applying to are "international firms", so...
  9. A

    Extracurricular activities question

    A question for one of my vac scheme applications is: Please provide details of your main extracurricular interests and achievements. How have these interests and achievements helped you to develop the skills that you will need as a commercial solicitor? What's the best way to approach this? Is...
  10. N

    Free Month of TCLA Premium (Bronze) - Every Week From Monday!

    Hi everyone, As some of you may remember, at TCLA we have a tradition of running a weekly giveaway of TCLA Premium subscriptions based on contributions to the forum. As the new year approaches, we'd love to start this again! Therefore, every Monday (starting Monday the 4th of January), the...
  11. A

    What do you hope to get out of a career at a Firm like ours?

    Hi everyone, I am completing an application to Debevoise and came across the following question: What do you hope to get out of a career at a Firm like ours? (250) I feel like it is quite similar to the questions "why do you want to become a commercial solicitor", could anyone tell me what...
  12. E

    If clients are increasingly unwilling to pay high fees, how else can law firms make money?

    I've seen a few variations of this question, e.g.: given that London clients are not willing to pay as high fees as Wall Street clients, how can UK firms stay competitive against US firms? or How can firms survive the proliferation of AI which may render charging high fees for services...
  13. M&M

    Is it okay to answer an application question using information from the firm's article?

    Hi everyone, I am applying for a vacation scheme with Bird & Bird and am trying to answer the question "Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? (Max:150)" I was planning on writing about the use of blockchain...
  14. B

    Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme Question and Application Advice

    Hi guys, I was wondering what advice and approach you would give in answering the below commercial law question: "What three proposals would you make to the Partnership if you were Chairperson of Ropes & Gray?" Also, if anyone has had any success with an application to the firm, any tips...
  15. V

    How to write mitigating circumstances?

    Hi everyone. Hope you all are well. I am creating a thread for the first time, kindly pardon my mistakes, if any. I have been applying for vacation schemes but I do not understand how to write the mitigating circumstances. Unfortunately, I have faced mitigating circumstances that have affected...
  16. S

    CMS application question

    Hi everyone, I'm stuck on answering CMS' app question "How would you describe the relationship between law and business?" I'm struggling with how vague the question is, what exactly am i supposed to answer here? Any ideas to get me started would be fab thanks!
  17. CallumJR

    Open Day Applications

    Hello I wanted to ask if you hanve any advice for writing open day applications. Most applications for open days consist of a questions around the lines: "Why are you applying for an Open Day?" I dont know what graduate recruitment want to hear. Do you talk about your skills / Do you show firm...
  18. F

    Training contract question help

    Hi all, just joined TCLA so apologies if im posting in the wrong thread, i really dont know how to use this yet! I'm applying to a small firm for a TC at the moment. i really know and like the firm and previous work experience there has encouraged me to apply. However, i'm stuck on how to...
  19. A

    Global Partnership Model

    Hello Everyone ! I was wondering if anyone knows what global partnership model Herbert Smith Freehills has adopted? An example would be "the best friends network"? I thought this would be something I could talk about in an application form if I get the facts right ! Thanks everyone.
  20. C

    Ask a future MC Trainee (international applicant) anything

    Hi everyone, I hope you're having a lovely weekend. I received so many kind messages after my post a few days ago that I had received a TC offer from my dream firm. I honestly never thought I would be able to say this out load. Just to give you a bit of a background, I'm an international...

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