General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Jacob Miller]

Hi! I'm preparing for an interview and I'm not sure how I would tackle this question "what do you know about the ways we engage with our clients?" I'm just slightly confused as to what exactly this question is targeting, if anyone could help that would be really appreciated!

It depends a lot on the context - this is rather a vague question - but, without any other background info or context, I would take this either to mean the different circumstances under which a firm might come to advise the client (basically in different practice areas) or to include wider things such as client secondments etc as a means of providing added value for key clients.

It does strike me, though, as a question which is unlikely to be asked without the context being given, owing to its vague nature, so if you were asked it without any such context you could definitely ask for some clarification so search for a nudge in the right direction.

 

[ZR1998]

It depends a lot on the context - this is rather a vague question - but, without any other background info or context, I would take this either to mean the different circumstances under which a firm might come to advise the client (basically in different practice areas) or to include wider things such as client secondments etc as a means of providing added value for key clients.

It does strike me, though, as a question which is unlikely to be asked without the context being given, owing to its vague nature, so if you were asked it without any such context you could definitely ask for some clarification so search for a nudge in the right direction.

Thank you so much!

 

[Tan]

How was it? Mine is next week.

Hi, how did the case study go? I've never done one before, so would love to hear about your experience at Mishcon!

 

[Tan]

Have they got in touch regarding arrangements for it? Mine was cancelled in March due to Covid and I haven't heard anything since

Hi, how did the case study go? I've never done one before, so would love to hear about your experience at Mishcon!

 

[Tan]

I was supposed to attend the case study interview at Mishcon on Monday but it has been postponed and I have not had any further updates yet. I wouldn't take silence as bad news, I suspect they are just really busy trying to juggle things around/come up with a new system.

Hi, how did the case study go? I've never done one before, so would love to hear about your experience at Mishcon!

 

[Aspiring_Lawyer98]

Hi! I have an upcoming TC interview where I have been asked to give a presentation on litigation funding in relation to a data privacy dispute to a panel of 3 partners, and I have 10 minutes to present. I was wondering if it would be best to use a PowerPoint deck to aid my presentation, or whether I should just present alone? I've been told that the interview will take place on Webex, but I'm yet to ask whether or not I will be able to share my screen.

I was wondering if anyone has any insights on this?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Saw this on my LinkedIn and thought it might be of interest:

https://careers.google.com/jobs/res...ler_share&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=online

 

[Ailsa I]

Hi All,

Not sure if this is the best place to post, however I have a few first year schemes coming up (CMS, DLA and Linklaters) which all offer 'early assessment' for vacation schemes. I was just wondering if anyone had done the schemes before and was subsequently successful in getting a vac scheme offer, how likely this is or just any general advice for putting myself in the best position possible during/after?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi All,

Not sure if this is the best place to post, however I have a few first year schemes coming up (CMS, DLA and Linklaters) which all offer 'early assessment' for vacation schemes. I was just wondering if anyone had done the schemes before and was subsequently successful in getting a vac scheme offer, how likely this is or just any general advice for putting myself in the best position possible during/after?

@Neville Birdi , @Jacob Miller and @Dheepa - do you have any experiences of these “early assessment” fast-track schemes?

 

[Jacob Miller]

@Neville Birdi , @Jacob Miller and @Dheepa - do you have any experiences of these “early assessment” fast-track schemes?

Unfortunately I can't be a huge help here - I did interview for the CC SPARK scheme, which isn't a hundred miles away from this except it's for a TC, but completely bombed the interview so didn't get the scheme. I think all the normal considerations in terms of presenting yourself would apply here, though: be engaged, ask good questions, be enthusiastic, put in 100% effort etc etc. If you've made it as far as the scheme, the firms clearly think you're an exceptional candidate with a high likelihood of doing well, so very well done!

 

[Anon08]

Hi All,

Not sure if this is the best place to post, however I have a few first year schemes coming up (CMS, DLA and Linklaters) which all offer 'early assessment' for vacation schemes. I was just wondering if anyone had done the schemes before and was subsequently successful in getting a vac scheme offer, how likely this is or just any general advice for putting myself in the best position possible during/after?

Hey! I had two ‘fast track’/‘first steps’ schemes at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, and CMS, respectively.

For Weil, there were 10 of us on the Fast Track scheme and 3 of us converted it. However, I know the scheme is really is challenging and can catch those who are unprepared off-guard.

For CMS, I don’t know how many of us were on the scheme - maybe 50...but don’t hold me to that, I can’t remember! I don’t know how many of us got it, but the conversion rate seemed pretty high.

I can’t give hardcore facts and stats - but I’ll just say that if you do get on a first steps/fast track scheme, you’re in with a really good shot of getting a VS, compared with applying to the VS at the respective firm through the normal route.

The best way to prepare is like any other VS - however, try and leverage the experiences you have on the said schemes in your interview answers. Don’t do it ad nauseam but enough to demonstrate your development and that your interest in the career/firm has deepened.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ailsa I]

Unfortunately I can't be a huge help here - I did interview for the CC SPARK scheme, which isn't a hundred miles away from this except it's for a TC, but completely bombed the interview so didn't get the scheme. I think all the normal considerations in terms of presenting yourself would apply here, though: be engaged, ask good questions, be enthusiastic, put in 100% effort etc etc. If you've made it as far as the scheme, the firms clearly think you're an exceptional candidate with a high likelihood of doing well, so very well done!

Hey! I had two ‘fast track’/‘first steps’ schemes at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, and CMS, respectively.

For Weil, there were 10 of us on the Fast Track scheme and 3 of us converted it. However, I know the scheme is really is challenging and can catch those who are unprepared off-guard.

For CMS, I don’t know how many of us were on the scheme - maybe 50...but don’t hold me to that, I can’t remember! I don’t know how many of us got it, but the conversion rate seemed pretty high.

I can’t give hardcore facts and stats - but I’ll just say that if you do get on a first steps/fast track scheme, you’re in with a really good shot of getting a VS, compared with applying to the VS at the respective firm through the normal route.

The best way to prepare is like any other VS - however, try and leverage the experiences you have on the said schemes in your interview answers. Don’t do it ad nauseam but enough to demonstrate your development and that your interest in the career/firm has deepened.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much to you both for your responses! Will try to keep all that in mind

 

[TC4me]

I’m preparing a news story that I’m interested in for an AC.

If one of their clients is Goldman Sachs is one of their clients, do you think their recent workplace scandal is an appropriate story ?

I have a family member who works there whose told me about their personal experience, I think I can relate it to the firm and most of all I’m interested in it. I’m trying to steer clear of the overused topics and I want to prepare something I’m interested in. Would really appreciate any insight

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I’m preparing a news story that I’m interested in for an AC.

If one of their clients is Goldman Sachs is one of their clients, do you think their recent workplace scandal is an appropriate story ?

I have a family member who works there whose told me about their personal experience, I think I can relate it to the firm and most of all I’m interested in it. I’m trying to steer clear of the overused topics and I want to prepare something I’m interested in. Would really appreciate any insight

You’d need to make sure you are being analytical with your thinking of this, rather than just reciting facts. You’ll need to ensure you think about this in a commercial context too - what are the implications for the business beyond it impacting employees

 

[Jacob Miller]

I’m preparing a news story that I’m interested in for an AC.

If one of their clients is Goldman Sachs is one of their clients, do you think their recent workplace scandal is an appropriate story ?

I have a family member who works there whose told me about their personal experience, I think I can relate it to the firm and most of all I’m interested in it. I’m trying to steer clear of the overused topics and I want to prepare something I’m interested in. Would really appreciate any insight

Being 100% honest, I'm not sure there's enough meat on the bones of this topic to just discuss it as a standalone story. If you really want to discuss it, I would personally approach it as an example of the increasing number of occasions where law firms are making decisions about clients they will and won't represent on the grounds of ethical concerns - you would also need to look at other examples here, though. This would allow you to genuinely discuss something which has an impact on law firms as a general issue and is also increasingly relevant, but not widely discussed at interview. Again, though, as a standalone story I don't think it's relevant enough or meaty enough. See my article on interviews for an example of how to work one story into a wider trend in the manner I describe. Hope this helps

 

[TC4me]

Being 100% honest, I'm not sure there's enough meat on the bones of this topic to just discuss it as a standalone story. If you really want to discuss it, I would personally approach it as an example of the increasing number of occasions where law firms are making decisions about clients they will and won't represent on the grounds of ethical concerns - you would also need to look at other examples here, though. This would allow you to genuinely discuss something which has an impact on law firms as a general issue and is also increasingly relevant, but not widely discussed at interview. Again, though, as a standalone story I don't think it's relevant enough or meaty enough. See my article on interviews for an example of how to work one story into a wider trend in the manner I describe. Hope this helps

You’d need to make sure you are being analytical with your thinking of this, rather than just reciting facts. You’ll need to ensure you think about this in a commercial context too - what are the implications for the business beyond it impacting employees

Thank you, I wasn’t sure. That helps a lot. I’m gonna think about some more topics.

 

[tla99]

Question that @Jessica Booker is probably the best person to answer: is it better to take the 'normal' 9 month LPC or the fast-track version? Do firms have a preference between the two?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Question that @Jessica Booker is probably the best person to answer: is it better to take the 'normal' 9 month LPC or the fast-track version? Do firms have a preference between the two?

Really doesn’t matter if you are self funding.

 

[tla99]

Really doesn’t matter if you are self funding.

Thanks Jessica!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks Jessica!

Be mindful that if you are an international student a 6 month course may not be eligible for post study visas. Something to check with the course provider.