General Discussion Thread 2020-21

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi guys,

I have a virtual AC coming up (case study + presentation + Q&A) where they've said I need to prepare a 10 min presentation. I think this means that there is no drafting part so I just need to verbally deliver my conclusions over video - in this case should you prepare a powerpoint or just speak to assessors without the hassle of sharing your screen etc?
At an AC I did recently, the case study "presentation" was just delivered orally - there was no screen sharing or powerpoint. It might depend on the firm though, I guess?
 
  • Like
Reactions: sl399
Hello again :) haha. Ok fab thank you. Did you do the same for the work experience section? I usually bullet point on my CV but feel as though I should write in full sentences for the app?

It depends on the event. Sometimes a description really isn’t needed, especially if the title is pretty self explanatory.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bethany
Hello again :) haha. Ok fab thank you. Did you do the same for the work experience section? I usually bullet point on my CV but feel as though I should write in full sentences for the app?

Work experience should be written out in prose though. Just ensure it is super console with no filler phrases.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bethany
Hi @Jessica Booker

Thanks for all the help you have given!
Just wanted to hear your thoughts - some firms have expressed that they wish for an in-person component for summer vacation schemes, for durations of 2-4 weeks physical component. How likely is this, given the current situation?

Thank you so much!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zaynah
Hi @Jessica Booker

Thanks for all the help you have given!
Just wanted to hear your thoughts - some firms have expressed that they wish for an in-person component for summer vacation schemes, for durations of 2-4 weeks physical component. How likely is this, given the current situation?

Thank you so much!

Unlikely in my opinion. They will have to apply it consistently for all vac schemers and I think there is a considerable risk that not only the vacation scheme students themselves but also the supervisors will still be working from home.

To me September is the watershed of when things realistically will be back to normal for internships. I am currently helping to plan one for late August, and its highly likely that will be virtual rather than in person at this rate.
 
  • ℹ️
Reactions: Holly
Hi everyone, sorry if this is the wrong thread, I was wondering whether anyone has been in the same boat as me and would be able to give me some advice. I had a virtual vacation scheme last year in August, but unfortunately I wasn't offered a training contract. I recently had a feedback call and I asked whether I could apply for the vacation scheme again for this year. I was encouraged to apply again or go for the direct training contract route.

I'm not sure which one is best in my situation. I understand it is highly likely this years vacation scheme will also be virtual, and they may recruit majority from the vacation scheme. Has anyone been in the same boat, or any advice as to which route is best? Thank you very much!! :)
 
Anyone else feel like this week there has been a lot less news than at other times this month??

It is a strange time - a lot of candidates are in exams at the moment, so tends to be a little quieter in the 2/3 week of Jan. Reckon it will be crazy this time next week though.
 
Hi :)

I wasn't sure where to write this comment but I hope this helps someone who is in a similar position to me.

I achieved ABC at A-Level and a high 2:1 (69%) in Law from a Russell Group university. Because of my A-Levels, the firms I can apply to are limited. I'm always checking firm entry requirements, specifically A-Levels, and wanted to share an example with you. Chambers Student and Legal Cheek both state that Hogan Lovells' A-Level entry requirement is AAB, however, the firm's website states that they require 'strong academic performance from GCSE onwards and expect candidates to consistently achieve at least a 2:1 for the majority of their degree modules at undergraduate level'. Because of this lack of clarity on their A-Level requirements, I emailed Grad Rec with my academics and asked if they would still consider my application. To my surprise, Grad Rec responded saying they would accept an application from me!

I wanted to share this with people because I discounted applying for many firms where I relied on (trusted) sources like Chambers Student and Legal Cheek. This has taught me that if you really want to apply to a firm but you don't meet their entry requirements or if their entry requirements aren't clear on their website, always email and ask!

*happily drafting my Hogan Lovells application knowing I won't be rejected on academics alone*
 
Hi :)

I wasn't sure where to write this comment but I hope this helps someone who is in a similar position to me.

I achieved ABC at A-Level and a high 2:1 (69%) in Law from a Russell Group university. Because of my A-Levels, the firms I can apply to are limited. I'm always checking firm entry requirements, specifically A-Levels, and wanted to share an example with you. Chambers Student and Legal Cheek both state that Hogan Lovells' A-Level entry requirement is AAB, however, the firm's website states that they require 'strong academic performance from GCSE onwards and expect candidates to consistently achieve at least a 2:1 for the majority of their degree modules at undergraduate level'. Because of this lack of clarity on their A-Level requirements, I emailed Grad Rec with my academics and asked if they would still consider my application. To my surprise, Grad Rec responded saying they would accept an application from me!

I wanted to share this with people because I discounted applying for many firms where I relied on (trusted) sources like Chambers Student and Legal Cheek. This has taught me that if you really want to apply to a firm but you don't meet their entry requirements or if their entry requirements aren't clear on their website, always email and ask!

*happily drafting my Hogan Lovells application knowing I won't be rejected on academics alone*
I noticed that a couple of the firms I applied to this year (Addleshaw Goddard and Irwin Mitchell, off the top of my head) have scrapped their A level requirements altogether. It does seem like something more firms are putting aside now.
 
  • ✅
Reactions: Amy_22
Having absolutely flunked my one AC last year, I wondered if anyone could give any tips for preparing for an assessment centre. I think last year I was completely unprepared and this year just don’t know how best to go about it! Any help would be much appreciated!
 
Having absolutely flunked my one AC last year, I wondered if anyone could give any tips for preparing for an assessment centre. I think last year I was completely unprepared and this year just don’t know how best to go about it! Any help would be much appreciated!
What are the AC exercises? Hopefully we can provide more detailed help that way. Well done on getting invited to an AC this year! 🥳
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dheepa
Thank you so much! It’s a group negotiation, a written exercise and an interview (includes a case study)
Hi @kls

To prepare for case study based scenario interviews I would suggest becoming familiar with legal terms relevant to M&A transactions as this is the basis of most case studies. A good place to start is to consider:

1. What is a Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)?

2. What is the difference between a Share v Asset Purchase and the advantages and disadvantages of either?

3. What are the different ways to finance an acquisition e.g. via equity or debt?

4. What are some ways to absolve liability in a contract e.g. the use of conditions, warranties, and indemnities

5. What are some key due diligence issues e.g. outstanding liabilities, employment & staffing concerns, IP concerns (e.g. licensing agreements), the existence of clauses such as change of control clauses, competition and tax concerns etc.

These are just some useful ideas to get you thinking, but I have linked below one of our extremely helpful guides which should provide greater insight! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-case-study/

For written exercises- I think these are twofold. You'll need the legal knowledge above firstly, then the next focus is on your presentation skills. For this my advice would be:
1. Remember who your audience is - if it is a client ( more succinct/ less legal jargon), if another solicitor e.g. a partner or associate still keep in mind the format of your information e.g. if it is an email keep it brief.
2. Clarity- I personally often used headings to keep my information clear and easy to read

These are some of my key tips. @Jacob Miller recently wrote some great articles which I have linked below.


Hope this helps & best of luck :)
 
Hi @kls

To prepare for case study based scenario interviews I would suggest becoming familiar with legal terms relevant to M&A transactions as this is the basis of most case studies. A good place to start is to consider:

1. What is a Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)?

2. What is the difference between a Share v Asset Purchase and the advantages and disadvantages of either?

3. What are the different ways to finance an acquisition e.g. via equity or debt?

4. What are some ways to absolve liability in a contract e.g. the use of conditions, warranties, and indemnities

5. What are some key due diligence issues e.g. outstanding liabilities, employment & staffing concerns, IP concerns (e.g. licensing agreements), the existence of clauses such as change of control clauses, competition and tax concerns etc.

These are just some useful ideas to get you thinking, but I have linked below one of our extremely helpful guides which should provide greater insight! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-case-study/

For written exercises- I think these are twofold. You'll need the legal knowledge above firstly, then the next focus is on your presentation skills. For this my advice would be:
1. Remember who your audience is - if it is a client ( more succinct/ less legal jargon), if another solicitor e.g. a partner or associate still keep in mind the format of your information e.g. if it is an email keep it brief.
2. Clarity- I personally often used headings to keep my information clear and easy to read

These are some of my key tips. @Jacob Miller recently wrote some great articles which I have linked below.


Hope this helps & best of luck :)
In addition to these, next Monday's article will be a breakdown of the competency interview with a series of answer frameworks for key questions.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Daniel Boden
Hi @kls

To prepare for case study based scenario interviews I would suggest becoming familiar with legal terms relevant to M&A transactions as this is the basis of most case studies. A good place to start is to consider:

1. What is a Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)?

2. What is the difference between a Share v Asset Purchase and the advantages and disadvantages of either?

3. What are the different ways to finance an acquisition e.g. via equity or debt?

4. What are some ways to absolve liability in a contract e.g. the use of conditions, warranties, and indemnities

5. What are some key due diligence issues e.g. outstanding liabilities, employment & staffing concerns, IP concerns (e.g. licensing agreements), the existence of clauses such as change of control clauses, competition and tax concerns etc.

These are just some useful ideas to get you thinking, but I have linked below one of our extremely helpful guides which should provide greater insight! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-case-study/

For written exercises- I think these are twofold. You'll need the legal knowledge above firstly, then the next focus is on your presentation skills. For this my advice would be:
1. Remember who your audience is - if it is a client ( more succinct/ less legal jargon), if another solicitor e.g. a partner or associate still keep in mind the format of your information e.g. if it is an email keep it brief.
2. Clarity- I personally often used headings to keep my information clear and easy to read

These are some of my key tips. @Jacob Miller recently wrote some great articles which I have linked below.


Hope this helps & best of luck :)
Hi @kls

To prepare for case study based scenario interviews I would suggest becoming familiar with legal terms relevant to M&A transactions as this is the basis of most case studies. A good place to start is to consider:

1. What is a Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)?

2. What is the difference between a Share v Asset Purchase and the advantages and disadvantages of either?

3. What are the different ways to finance an acquisition e.g. via equity or debt?

4. What are some ways to absolve liability in a contract e.g. the use of conditions, warranties, and indemnities

5. What are some key due diligence issues e.g. outstanding liabilities, employment & staffing concerns, IP concerns (e.g. licensing agreements), the existence of clauses such as change of control clauses, competition and tax concerns etc.

These are just some useful ideas to get you thinking, but I have linked below one of our extremely helpful guides which should provide greater insight! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-case-study/

For written exercises- I think these are twofold. You'll need the legal knowledge above firstly, then the next focus is on your presentation skills. For this my advice would be:
1. Remember who your audience is - if it is a client ( more succinct/ less legal jargon), if another solicitor e.g. a partner or associate still keep in mind the format of your information e.g. if it is an email keep it brief.
2. Clarity- I personally often used headings to keep my information clear and easy to read

These are some of my key tips. @Jacob Miller recently wrote some great articles which I have linked below.


Hope this helps & best of luck :)

Wow! Thank you so much for your thoroughness and clarity! This is amazing and is so appreciated ☺️

@Jacob Miller - thank you! I will look out for it!
 
I have to answer a question to do with a 'commercial issue' and I was wondering if I could talk about something that isn't a problem? Basically, I wanted to talk about VR and how demand for it is on the rise, but I don't know if this counts as an 'issue' per se
 
I have to answer a question to do with a 'commercial issue' and I was wondering if I could talk about something that isn't a problem? Basically, I wanted to talk about VR and how demand for it is on the rise, but I don't know if this counts as an 'issue' per se
Issue just means "matter" or "topic" in this context, so talking about VR is totally fine!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.