General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[JD]

Hi everyone! I’m new here! just wondering has anyone heard from Orrick yet?

 

[Brandon93]

Hi everyone! I’m new here! just wondering has anyone heard from Orrick yet?

Orrick are non-rolling so I believe you'll hear back after the deadline.

 

[JD]

Orrick are non-rolling so I believe you'll hear back after the deadline.

Oh sorry was talking about their open day, got a place but it was postponed

 

[acceleratedlaw]

I know I sound like a broken record but has anyone heard anything from Trowers (Vac Scheme) post AC?

They said they’d respond in early may and they’re marking the written assessments now

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

What's the best way to prepare for case studies, group exercises etc?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

What's the best way to prepare for case studies, group exercises etc?

this is too broad a question to answer in any useful sense here. Group exercise hints would be very different to case studies, and then with case studies it depends on the nature of the case study.

have you got any more specific detail?

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

this is too broad a question to answer in any useful sense here. Group exercise hints would be very different to case studies, and then with case studies it depends on the nature of the case study.

have you got any more specific detail?

Oh no I meant where can you find the resources for this to prepare? Most case studies are typically M&A case studies. The ones I've found online simply give you practice case studies with answers, but I cant seem to find material that can provide steps on how to approach these case studies; i.e. what you should know, step by step tutorials

 

[hktr]

Oh no I meant where can you find the resources for this to prepare? Most case studies are typically M&A case studies. The ones I've found online simply give you practice case studies with answers, but I cant seem to find material that can provide steps on how to approach these case studies; i.e. what you should know, step by step tutorials

I suggest you think about the key themes of an M&A case study: due diligence; warranties and indemnities; share v asset purchase; debt v equity financing. Read up on the fundamentals first (basic books on corporate finance will be useful), then drill down into the details. As you work through the case study, always have in mind 1) the commercial considerations of the client, and 2) the role of the law firm.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

I suggest you think about the key themes of an M&A case study: due diligence; warranties and indemnities; share v asset purchase; debt v equity financing. Read up on the fundamentals first (basic books on corporate finance will be useful), then drill down into the details. As you work through the case study, always have in mind 1) the commercial considerations of the client, and 2) the role of the law firm.

Thank you so much! Any specific book suggestions?

 

[hktr]

Thank you so much! Any specific book suggestions?

Not a problem! Tse's Corporate Finance: The Basics is a good intro I've found. But also just feel free to wander through the corporate/M&A section of the library (online these days!) and dip into what looks relevant or interesting.

 

[Barami]

Hey you guys does anyone know if Orrick are still viewing TC applications? I've applied and heard nothing back from them

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Oh no I meant where can you find the resources for this to prepare? Most case studies are typically M&A case studies. The ones I've found online simply give you practice case studies with answers, but I cant seem to find material that can provide steps on how to approach these case studies; i.e. what you should know, step by step tutorials

case studies are not always M&A case studies!

I would personally not prepare for a case study exercise until I knew I had one and then I would do specific research/preparation for that task.

What I would do is read about the topic more though. I’d follow M&A deals, I would read resources (plenty on here) that explain how M&A transactions work.

Technically you shouldn’t be able to “prepare” for an individual case study until you are given preparation time on the assessment centre. Because they are all so different, you won’t find “step by step tutorials”, just guidance of things to think about - but that will be learnt by reading.

Trying to learn things parrot style is not great for preparing for a career in law, and also for a recruitment process. You’ve got to be able to demonstrate your thinking (not someone else’s) and typically with case studies it is actually about thinking on your feet.

What your preparation now should consist of is exercising your brain in a way that makes it used to digesting commercial information, not trying to preempt answer (which might actually change by the time you are assessed anyway).

 

[CalU]

Happy Monday all- has anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie yet post-VI?

 

[Changes]

Happy Monday all- has anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie yet post-VI?

Nope.

 

[JD]

Hey you guys does anyone know if Orrick are still viewing TC applications? I've applied and heard nothing back from them

Did you apply direct or though open day? I applied through open day and got it but it’s been postponed but haven’t heard what they plan to do yet

 

[Jean]

Hope everyone's doing well!

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown post-tests for Direct TC applications? I completed the tests in Feb but haven't heard back since. Unsure if I should reach out for an update...

 

[Dala]

Hey everyone, sorry to bother you again, just wondering if anyone has heard back from Stephenson Harwood?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Big request to everyone. If you are still studying at university, please could you PM me if your university is allowing you to not formally be assessed on all of your modules this year. I have been notified of at least one law faculty doing this (allowing them submit assessments for 3 out of their 6 modules), and I am keen to understand how common an approach it is. I am speaking to graduate recruiters about this to understand their concerns about this too.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

case studies are not always M&A case studies!

I would personally not prepare for a case study exercise until I knew I had one and then I would do specific research/preparation for that task.

What I would do is read about the topic more though. I’d follow M&A deals, I would read resources (plenty on here) that explain how M&A transactions work.

Technically you shouldn’t be able to “prepare” for an individual case study until you are given preparation time on the assessment centre. Because they are all so different, you won’t find “step by step tutorials”, just guidance of things to think about - but that will be learnt by reading.

Trying to learn things parrot style is not great for preparing for a career in law, and also for a recruitment process. You’ve got to be able to demonstrate your thinking (not someone else’s) and typically with case studies it is actually about thinking on your feet.

What your preparation now should consist of is exercising your brain in a way that makes it used to digesting commercial information, not trying to preempt answer (which might actually change by the time you are assessed anyway).

Ahh wow thanks you’re absolutely right! I guess I’ve just been very nervous!

 

[NickMcK]

Does anyone have a good list of questions to expect at an end of vac-scheme interview? Specifically questions related to your time on the scheme.

I want to make sure I can prepare for these by recording relevant things throughout the two weeks.

I’ve found a few relevant questions from the TCLA VS guides, which are great!, and the lists of standard TC interview questions.

Any pointers would be really appreciated!