Ask Alice G (Future Trainee at Freshfields) Anything!

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Alice,

Congrats on your TC! I have a question about the education section of the application please. I have uploaded some screenshots for your reference. In the sixth form section, it asks for Scottish Higher Results and Scottish Advanced Higher Results. I don't know if this is a silly question, but where do my A Levels go? I didn't school in Scotland so I'm not sure whether to put my A Level grades in those boxes. Even if I do, there's only 6 boxes, whereas I did seven subjects in total (A Levels + AS). Further, where do I state which subjects are AS and which are A Levels?

you must have mis-selected something. You wouldn’t be asked to provide Scottish Highers by default.

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Thank you!

so I think the GCSE section looks ok, is that right? Are you able to log out and log back in again to check that it isn't just the form? I am not 100% sure if I am entirely honest as I would have thought there would then be an option for you to input your A levels.

My GCSEs are fine yes, and yes I have signed in and out several times and it keeps giving me the Scottish option. I'm so confused

 

[Anthony Abloh]

you must have mis-selected something. You wouldn’t be asked to provide Scottish Highers by default.

I thought so too, but I have looked through the application forensically and there is nothing that I mis-selected.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I thought so too, but I have looked through the application forensically and there is nothing that I mis-selected.

contact them tomorrow - it sounds like a glitch no one else will be able to help with. It’s either that or trying to start a new application from scratch

 

[Alice G]

I thought so too, but I have looked through the application forensically and there is nothing that I mis-selected.

I totally echo what @Jessica Booker had said. It does sounds strange. I wonder if you want start a new app before deleting the old one and just transfer across to test whether the same thing happens? Then at least you can say you’ve tried a couple of times if you phone and can be certain it’s a glitch/bug in the system

 

[Ifmhouse4]

I thought so too, but I have looked through the application forensically and there is nothing that I mis-selected.

The same thing happened for me! I believe you just need to put your a levels into the CRS , after I did that, the form showed my a-level results!

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Thank you all very much! I was reluctant to withdraw my application and start a new one because I was worried that if I withdrew it, I wouldn't be able to start a new one but I will try that today! Grad recruitment suggested that I put my grades in the additional questions sections if the problem persists, so worst case scenario I will do that. Thanks again and good luck to everyone applying!

 

[c1070]

Hey Alice,

I have a question on lateral/internal partner hires. I have done some research and found the firm is quite keen on lateral hires. Would you say the advantage of this is expanding certain practice areas and their expertise builds up strength in certain sectors, am I missing anything? I know its not necessarily a point I'd make in isolation, just more in the context of areas the firm is strong in/expanding into.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Alice G]

Hey Alice,

I have a question on lateral/internal partner hires. I have done some research and found the firm is quite keen on lateral hires. Would you say the advantage of this is expanding certain practice areas and their expertise builds up strength in certain sectors, am I missing anything? I know its not necessarily a point I'd make in isolation, just more in the context of areas the firm is strong in/expanding into.

Thanks in advance!

Yeah that’s definitely a key motivation behind lateral hiring, it can also be that a lawyer has a strong relationship with a particular client and it is possible that client may decide to stick with that lawyers and seek services from the firm they go to then work for. This may not always happen of course, but the way working relationships manifest it could well be that a client seeks advice from their lawyers new firm as a result of their move. I hope that makes sense!

lateral hires I think in terms of research are just a good way to gauge a firms strategy to see which offices and practice areas they are bulking out

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Some lateral hires are just to replace people though - it might not always be due to growth or expansion, sometimes it is as simple as replacing people, especially if they jump ship to another firm.

 

[c1070]

Yeah that’s definitely a key motivation behind lateral hiring, it can also be that a lawyer has a strong relationship with a particular client and it is possible that client may decide to stick with that lawyers and seek services from the firm they go to then work for. This may not always happen of course, but the way working relationships manifest it could well be that a client seeks advice from their lawyers new firm as a result of their move. I hope that makes sense!

lateral hires I think in terms of research are just a good way to gauge a firms strategy to see which offices and practice areas they are bulking out

Thank you!! That’s really helpful

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Hi guys,

When you completed the CRS survey, was the link still there? When I click the link it still asks me to fill in the information but I have filled it in twice now.

 

[Alice G]

Hi guys,

When you completed the CRS survey, was the link still there? When I click the link it still asks me to fill in the information but I have filled it in twice now.

I can’t recall that detail, sorry. Though hopefully someone else will be able to if no one does on here it could be worth posting in the main ‘Hearing back’ thread

 

[Anthony Abloh]

I can’t recall that detail, sorry. Though hopefully someone else will be able to if no one does on here it could be worth posting in the main ‘Hearing back’ thread

No worries, thank you!

 

[S87]

Am I the only idiot who cannot download the Freshfields' template? Could anyone help me please?

Thank you in advance

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Am I the only idiot who cannot download the Freshfields' template? Could anyone help me please?

Thank you in advance

I think it’s only accessible from the ATS once you register your details.

 

[S87]

Excuse me the ignorance what’s ATS because I usually register my details on their portal “taleo”

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Excuse me the ignorance what’s ATS because I usually register my details on their portal “taleo”

Applicant tracking system

Taleo is an ATS

 

[futuretraineecity]

Hi Alice!

I'm struggling to know what kind of proportions my personal statement should have in terms of me and the firm? Should it mainly just be about me and then supplementing this with research on the firm? Hope this makes sense

Also, I don't suppose you have any pointers on good places to research? I've pretty much unpicked the firm's website now haha and I don't believe there is an annual report online

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Alice!

I'm struggling to know what kind of proportions my personal statement should have in terms of me and the firm? Should it mainly just be about me and then supplementing this with research on the firm? Hope this makes sense

Also, I don't suppose you have any pointers on good places to research? I've pretty much unpicked the firm's website now haha and I don't believe there is an annual report online

Research on the firm should only be applicable to why you are applying. Telling the firm things they already know about themselves is just a waste, unless why you are explaining why it is important to you and your potential future career.

Have a look at unbiased sources - things like Chambers Student Guide and the Lex100 can provide a good starting point to see a summary of the firm and the training contract opportunities. Have a look at the deals/matters/cases on the FBD website, find the ones that particularly interest you and then read up about them from other sources to see how they write about them (rather than how the firm does).