2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[E.A]

Just got an email asking for my availability to interview

OMG amazing - when did you apply?

 

[charotts1708]

nice! May I ask when you applied?

13th Jan I believe

 

[Celestie]

Thank you ! I have a few questions if you have a min - is it okay if I message you

Yup sure, ping me a DM and I will answer what I can

 

[lawstudent2111]

does anybody know the dates for Addleshaw Goddard's VS?

 

[Matt_96]

Yep as soon as Cleary made all of their paralegals redundant a couple of years ago, I feared for every trainee at the firm and decided I was never ever applying there...

Oh yep. I can totally see that happening. I think it's a privilege they also extend to their associates as they are rumoured to do a lot of stealth firing.

 

[jlj]

Just wondering if anyone has any advice for how to prepare for a group exercise at an AC - is there a particular method I should adopt for this? Thanks in advance!

 

[jasonweee]

Oh yep. I can totally see that happening. I think it's a privilege they also extend to their associates as they are rumoured to do a lot of stealth firing.

Wait I haven't heard back and now I'm scared!!!!!

 

[Celestie]

Oh yep. I can totally see that happening. I think it's a privilege they also extend to their associates as they are rumoured to do a lot of stealth firing.

Yo this firm tf....

 

[Daniel Boden]

Oh yep. I can totally see that happening. I think it's a privilege they also extend to their associates as they are rumoured to do a lot of stealth firing.

Not rumoured haha they fired 25 lawyers in one fell swoop a few years ago (in 2018 I think it was). This RollonFriday article is pretty damming and there's a comment made by a Clearly associate (allegedly obviously) which makes it seem like he's/she's having a miserable life there

EXCLUSIVE Cleary boots all its paralegals and hands their work to trainees | RollOnFriday

Another Cleary out

www.rollonfriday.com

 

[FM302989]

How is it humanly possible to do uni work while waiting for apps. I want to cry 24/7.

I can't concentrate on my job, checking for updates, 'extra curriculars', and doing more applications all at the same time

 

[Daniel Boden]

Wait I haven't heard back and now I'm scared!!!!!

Put it this way, I wouldn't be too disheartened if they came back with a no... but obviously to caveat this, everyone has a different experience with a firm so obviously it's worth doing a vac scheme/open day if you can to make your own mind up about them!

 

[Dheepa]

I started reading! Not the boring kind of reading you do because you have to but the kind where you can’t put the book down because it’s making you ask a million questions and you’re fascinated. I make an effort to read every night before bed. It’s really improved how I feel and my sleeping pattern.
Anyone looking for book recommendations, or has book recommendations please feel free to drop me a message.

I really like non-fiction atm

If you're looking for light hearted easy to read non-fiction, I love the entire Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella (my guilty pleasure honestly).For anyone looking for non-fiction recs, I haven't read these myself but have just bought them: Dark Money by Jane Meyer and Caste by Isabele Wilkerson ☺️

 

[FM302989]

Not rumoured haha they fired 25 lawyers in one fell swoop a few years ago. This RollonFriday article is pretty damming and there's a comment made by a Clearly associate (allegedly obviously) which makes it seem like he's/she's having a miserable life there

EXCLUSIVE Cleary boots all its paralegals and hands their work to trainees | RollOnFriday

Another Cleary out

www.rollonfriday.com

That's a disgrace! You gotta look after your employees, especially as law firms' assets are its fee earners

 

[dorisbeg]

Hi - I am invited for an interview at Sidley! How do I prepare? Thanks for any help

 

[law230]

If you're looking for light hearted easy to read non-fiction, I love the entire Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella (my guilty pleasure honestly).For anyone looking for non-fiction recs, I haven't read these myself but have just bought them: Dark Money by Jane Meyer and Caste by Isabele Wilkerson ☺️

can you keep a secret is the definition of beautiful trash.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hi - I am invited for an interview at Sidley! How do I prepare? Thanks for any help

@Celestie this one is for you but I'd really prepare for private equity-related questions as Sidley is big on that e.g. what is leveraged finance, why is leverage used in a transaction, what is carried interest, what is private equity etc. etc.

 

[Celestie]

@Celestie this one is for you but I'd really prepare for private equity-related questions as Sidley is big on that e.g. what is leveraged finance, why is leverage used in a transaction, what is carried interest, what is private equity etc. etc.

You mentioned PE, Daniel...

 

[Matt_96]

Yo this firm tf....

It's not the only crazy one. This was a long time ago now but my older brother also trained as a solicitor and after his TC interviewed for an NQ role with Debevoise & Plimpton. Apparently the partner there described his own firm as a 'cult'.

Not rumoured haha they fired 25 lawyers in one fell swoop a few years ago (in 2018 I think it was). This RollonFriday article is pretty damming and there's a comment made by a Clearly associate (allegedly obviously) which makes it seem like he's/she's having a miserable life there

EXCLUSIVE Cleary boots all its paralegals and hands their work to trainees | RollOnFriday

Another Cleary out

www.rollonfriday.com

Oof that is brutal. I was thinking more recently tbh - I've seen a few (admittedly unreliable) discussions online about Cleary stealthing a few mid-level associates during peak Corona.

 

[mia99]

Hi everyone!
Has anyone interviewed with Winckworth Sherwood before and would be willing to share some insights? The interview is competency-based and lasts for 45 minutes. I am quite nervous as this would be my first in-person interview...

 

[Daniel Boden]

It's not the only crazy one. This was a long time ago now but my older brother also trained as a solicitor and after his TC interviewed for an NQ role with Debevoise & Plimpton. Apparently the partner there described his own firm as a 'cult'.



Oof that is brutal. I was thinking more recently tbh - I've seen a few (admittedly unreliable) discussions online about Cleary stealthing a few mid-level associates during peak Corona.

That's.... bizarre.

This is why I didn't hang out much with law students at uni - some of you guys turn out weird 😂 😂 😂

No but in all seriousness, imagine describing your firm as a cult and expecting that to be a selling point like wtf

Edit: Obviously @OliviaBurn, you and the rest of our wonderful committee were notable exceptions