General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[33c]

yep haha, really wasnt interested in the firm at all but enjoyed the insight thing, might just give it ago although I'm still waiting for their response to my 2022 direct tc app - mystifying how theyve done all of these events but still not got back to the vac schemers or tc applicants

I attended the insight event and the open day too! Im happy to share the slides from the open day

 

[c1070]

yep haha, really wasnt interested in the firm at all but enjoyed the insight thing, might just give it ago although I'm still waiting for their response to my 2022 direct tc app - mystifying how theyve done all of these events but still not got back to the vac schemers or tc applicants

I’ve emailed them about a 3 times between summer and now and have no response- they cancelled their VS so offered a direct TC interview to those who had a place on the VS instead but since I’ve heard literally nothing!! I understand it’s all still very uncertain but if they’re holding these events and have opened 2023 apps a bit of communication would be nice!

 

[Wajahat Jilani]

Anyone heard from Jones Day who applied on the deadline?

Not yet

Just got a online test, written exercise and VI invite for Simmons. Would really appreciate advice for this stage please.

 

[Kablahc]

I attended the insight event and the open day too! Im happy to share the slides from the open day

really?! That would be amazing! I'll dm you

I’ve emailed them about a 3 times between summer and now and have no response- they cancelled their VS so offered a direct TC interview to those who had a place on the VS instead but since I’ve heard literally nothing!! I understand it’s all still very uncertain but if they’re holding these events and have opened 2023 apps a bit of communication would be nice!

Good to know everyone else is just as confused!!! Yeah I feel like our cohort's been totally abandoned by basically all firms this year- the firm that cancelled my VS at least sent me a courtesy email before summer to let me know they weren't recruiting, but I know loads of people who just got mysteriously rejected by particular firms only to find out the firm cut recruitment for 2022 tcs. I wonder if we'll get any email at all about it before they decide on their 2023 intake...

 

[c1070]

really?! That would be amazing! I'll dm you



Good to know everyone else is just as confused!!! Yeah I feel like our cohort's been totally abandoned by basically all firms this year- the firm that cancelled my VS at least sent me a courtesy email before summer to let me know they weren't recruiting, but I know loads of people who just got mysteriously rejected by particular firms only to find out the firm cut recruitment for 2022 tcs. I wonder if we'll get any email at all about it before they decide on their 2023 intake...

Yeah so frustrating as feeling very much in the lurch, hoping at the very least of forsters do pull recruitment for 2022 they’ll interview us for 2023 aswell...

I had the same with another firm I had a direct TC interview at they said they’ve just cut recruitment and I emailed last week to ask about this cycle, and they’ve put it on hold until 2021.

All fair enough given the current climate but a bit of communication would be appreciated!!

 

[E.A]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells post WG for direct TC?

 

[Bakers Junior Lawyer]

Hey everyone,

I have just received a video interview invitation for a VS at Willkie Farr & Gallagher. This will be my first video interview at a law firm.

Can anyone give me any advice on how best to prepare for this?

Also, has anyone completed the video interview at Willkie Farr & Gallagher who can give some insight into the questions asked and how they prepared?

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

 

[OB]

Has anyone heard back from BCLP?

Not yet!

 

[Wajahat Jilani]

If anyone has already taken the Simmons online tests (VRT and LRT), VI and written exercise could you please give me some insight?

I’ve usually had just one test to do so would appreciate any advice on how to plan and sit these tests/VI over the 5 days.

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Hi guys, does anyone know of any law firms that specialise in private equity but have a particular type of transaction that they focus on? If so, what firm and what is the type of transaction?

I am researching a firm and they say they are one of few firms that have expertise in every type of private equity transaction, and so I am curious as to what the flip side of that is.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Hi guys, does anyone know of any law firms that specialise in private equity but have a particular type of transaction that they focus on? If so, what firm and what is the type of transaction?

I am researching a firm and they say they are one of few firms that have expertise in every type of private equity transaction, and so I am curious as to what the flip side of that is.

Hmm - the main types of Private Equity work relate to Buyouts, or investment fund work (venture capital etc) - could they be referring to the sectors of private equity investment they work with (ie tech companies)?

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Hmm - the main types of Private Equity work relate to Buyouts, or investment fund work (venture capital etc) - could they be referring to the sectors of private equity investment they work with (ie tech companies)?

That would make sense but no, they said they unlike many other law firms, they have expertise in almost every type of private equity transaction from early-stage venture capital financings to multi-billion dollar LBOs!

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Hi guys, does anyone know of any law firms that specialise in private equity but have a particular type of transaction that they focus on? If so, what firm and what is the type of transaction?

I am researching a firm and they say they are one of few firms that have expertise in every type of private equity transaction, and so I am curious as to what the flip side of that is.

There are some firms that are more specialised in the buy-and-build PE deals and some that do other things like advise big pension funds on their PE investments. Traditionally, institutional investors would ask a PE company to generate returns via an investment fund but as we are in a low interest rate environment and markets don’t generate high enough returns, some institutional investors have taken it onto themselves to do the investing. Off the top of my head, I can think of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund. They tend to go for safer investments and steadier returns as opposed to the big bucks that a buy-and-build would go for. There are also rich families and wealth funds that do this too.

 

[Jaysen]

How does one go about getting an application (or past applications) reviewed through TCLA?

I’ve submitted 30 applications in the past two years with little to no success (only gotten to online test stage twice for VS & telephone interview stage once for direct TC with Mayer Brown, and been invited to WGT twice by Hogan Lovells, which is automatic).

Admittedly my first ~10 apps were weak/generic as I was just then learning what firms were looking for. But I have since had my applications reviewed by Rare Recruitment, BPP’s Careers Service, and multiple future & current trainee/associate friends and also attended countless firm events.

I just have no idea what I am doing wrong; whether the quality of my answers is poor or my undergrad/GDL grades are too low or my Canadian nationality requiring sponsorship is an issue or if everyone is just way better qualified or if this amount of rejection is normal?? (27/30 rejections and all 3 positive responses from the same firm?) Just need some kind of litmus to know what I am doing wrong and how to do it right... is there anyone I can message privately?

Apologies for the frustrated rant...

Hey - if you’re a premium member, you can submit an application to us here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/application-review/. Happy to see if it’s to do with the application answers.

 

[cgs97]

NRF Spring deadline is 22nd November - the applications are rolling, so is it too late to start my application now? Wondering if maybe I'd be better off putting my energy into ones that have a bit later deadlines?

 

[NadineBusty]

NRF Spring deadline is 22nd November - the applications are rolling, so is it too late to start my application now? Wondering if maybe I'd be better off putting my energy into ones that have a bit later deadlines?

No, it is not too late.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

NRF Spring deadline is 22nd November - the applications are rolling, so is it too late to start my application now? Wondering if maybe I'd be better off putting my energy into ones that have a bit later deadlines?

It will only be too late on the 23 November

 

[AH97]

NRF Spring deadline is 22nd November - the applications are rolling, so is it too late to start my application now? Wondering if maybe I'd be better off putting my energy into ones that have a bit later deadlines?

I was on a webinar with NRF yesterday and they said whilst they're screening applications and conducting telephone interviews before the deadline, they're considering themselves "non rolling" this year and not making any decisions until everyone who they give telephone interviews to has been interviewed!

 

[SRW]

Does anyone have any good tips/advice in regards to answering curveball questions? Would be interested to hear any super out there ones you've been asked!

I've been asked about a time I broke a rule, and also to explain one of my 2nd yr modules to the interviewers as if they were 16...

 

[cgs97]

I was on a webinar with NRF yesterday and they said whilst they're screening applications and conducting telephone interviews before the deadline, they're considering themselves "non rolling" this year and not making any decisions until everyone who they give telephone interviews to has been interviewed!

Oh that's really helpful, thank you!