TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Limanehious]

I applied to Manchester, not Birmingham, but grad recruitment said there's a delay and they would issue AC invitations at some point today

Just want to add that I have just now received the email!

 

[Rob93]

I find it absolutely bonkers. I think the open nature of NQ salaries rn really warps opinions towards levels of remuneration. You see 15+ US firms offering crazy money and begin to think it's a norm when in fact the total numbers of NQ solicitors are pretty insignificant when compared with the broader total London grad market.

Yeah I mean it's also imo quite unseemly to get into pissing contests about comp levels as though that's a reflection of competence, intelligence or inherent worth. Everyone matriculating into City practice as an NQ is in or very near the top 1% of UK earners, the obsession in some corners with working at the highest levels of remuneration is a bit tasteless and should be relegated to investment banking where it belongs.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yeah I mean it's also imo quite unseemly to get into pissing contests about comp levels as though that's a reflection of competence, intelligence or inherent worth. Everyone matriculating into City practice as an NQ is in or very near the top 1% of UK earners, the obsession in some corners with working at the highest levels of remuneration is a bit tasteless and should be relegated to investment banking where it belongs.

(although I am not convinced it has a place in IB either...)

 

[ps123]

Yeah I mean it's also imo quite unseemly to get into pissing contests about comp levels as though that's a reflection of competence, intelligence or inherent worth. Everyone matriculating into City practice as an NQ is in or very near the top 1% of UK earners, the obsession in some corners with working at the highest levels of remuneration is a bit tasteless and should be relegated to investment banking where it belongs.

Couldn't agree more. This was my first cycle and so with nothing else to go on, I'm not ashamed to admit I basically selected firms to apply for on the basis of the 'Most List' on Legal Cheek (NQ Salaries & even more amusingly PEP). As the months have gone on, various open days have really opened my eyes to how much you can actually find out about a firm when you look further than the superficial descriptions of a 'full-service international firm'.

 

[jamesbaillie]

Dechert AC!

Please can you DM with any tips for the video interview and written exercises!! I would really appreciate it!

 

[Rob93]

(although I am not convinced it has a place in IB either...)

It would be better if it didn't! I gather that no small part of the strain on city lawyers is a downstream effect of some of the... shall we say, 'extreme' behaviour sometimes seen in IB and PE outfits.

 

[Abii]

Yeah I mean it's also imo quite unseemly to get into pissing contests about comp levels as though that's a reflection of competence, intelligence or inherent worth. Everyone matriculating into City practice as an NQ is in or very near the top 1% of UK earners, the obsession in some corners with working at the highest levels of remuneration is a bit tasteless and should be relegated to investment banking where it belongs.

Even the trainee salaries are higher than the average London full-time salary! I think a lot of people forget that, perhaps it is because so many solicitors come from quite privileged backgrounds so see high salaries as normal.

 

[S87]

I got in touch with Dechert and they said that they are close to the completion of application screening.
So, another PFO for me! Well time to boost my salary with a new job

 

[Rob93]

Couldn't agree more. This was my first cycle and so with nothing else to go on, I'm not ashamed to admit I basically selected firms to apply for on the basis of the 'Most List' on Legal Cheek (NQ Salaries & even more amusingly PEP). As the months have gone on, various open days have really opened my eyes to how much you can actually find out about a firm when you look further than the superficial descriptions of a 'full-service international firm'.

Astronomically high PEP to me is a red flag because it means they are wringing ever more out of juniors. I will perhaps lateral into partnership at Kirkland in my later years, after building a respectable book of business at some 'lesser' firm 🥳

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I got in touch with Dechert and they said that they are close to the completion of application screening.
So, another PFO for me! Well time to boost my salary with a new job

Did they say when they will get back to everyone.

 

[S87]

Did they say when they will get back to everyone.

By next week

 

[Asil Ahmad]

By next week

Thank you.

 

[Sophh182]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Addleshaws post-VI? Not sure when the ACs are being held

 

[tc_hopeful]

Hey - I received a VI link for W&C last Thursday if that helps. I applied on the deadline day

That's great!! Congrats and good luck I applied on deadline day as well and I'm still waiting to hear May I ask if you applied for spring or summer?

 

[Trying4aJob]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

 

[GXA123]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

Ashurst

 

[Rob93]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

They're both in a similar league but have very different things in which they're particularly strong.

 

[Legalmel_99]

This page has massively beat last year in terms of interaction ❤️this time last year wasn’t this high on pages😅 (I don’t think) were only in feb! 😳Wait till more firms respond 🥳

 

[JoeyTr]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

Macfarlanes. Their commitment to training post TC is unmatched

 

[S87]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

There are so many variables and I think you need to consider what you want from your career.
Rankings are good, but then it all comes down to you. I am not a big fan of Macfarlanes because is very old white, british and lacks of the international appeal I look for. However, I know nothing about Ashurst.