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

[ccfuturetraineesolicitor]

Anyone heard back from V&E post VI?

I don't think anyone has

 

[APPLE619]

Hi! Is anyone still waiting for V&E Post app? Seems most people have received a VI request so I think I might have been rejected without being informed.

 

[TCApp2021]

Anyone waiting to hear back from OC (VS London).. had my first-stage AC last Monday and haven't heard back

 

[M&Amakesmyday]

Has anyone got a first-stage interview at Gibson recently? I'm just wondering if they're still giving them out

 

[Ambs123]

I felt similarly but I really think you just have to listen to your body. I was sick so I was forced not to work the 4 days before my AC which I thought was the end of my chances but I ended up getting it. Rest is really underrated but it really helps clear your mind. If you can, I'd say focus on two core things, keeping up your commercial awareness (podcasts are great if you dont want to read) and knowing your story/experiences so you can answer why law, why the firm (firm research is what I focused on so competitors, a case or two I am interested in and what makes them unique) and why you! The rest is really just luck and thinking on your feet which only becomes harder if you are burnt out Best of luck with the AC!

That’s really encouraging!! Thank you for the advice. I have another interview today (not with a law firm) so I’ve had that to focus on too + the AC. I’ve started doing some research but podcasts are a really good idea Thanks so much!

 

[kat_]

not really a vacation scheme, but did anyone do a Legal & General internship? Or did their video interview?

 

[LawfulRed]

Happy Monday all.

I got to VI stage at a firm last year. The app questions are pretty much the same this year. To what extent can I copy what I already put?

Yours truly,
James

 

[S87]

could you please share what the application questions are?

why commercial law and why latham over another firm? This what I remember and not the exact words

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Has anyone got a first-stage interview at Gibson recently? I'm just wondering if they're still giving them out

Still waiting but am guessing it is a rejection.

 

[S87]

Still waiting but am guessing it is a rejection.

Same but not holding my breath

 

[Strugglinglawstudent]

Start of another week of being ignored by travers smith 😂

 

[GXA123]

Start of another week of being ignored by travers smith 😂

and Irwin Mitchell 🤢🤢

 

[NaimK]

Hi! Is anyone still waiting for V&E Post app? Seems most people have received a VI request so I think I might have been rejected without being informed.

Yeah I haven't held my breath on that one. Still waiting for post-app.

 

[S87]

Can I have your advice on how to show my interest/fascination with the corporate work.

My career has been mainly focused on litigation work but as we know during a tc you may experience different seats.
Over the last few months I have completed free courses and law firms lead workshops on M&A and PE. How do I include these experiences in my application? This is particularly tricky when answering why this firm.

 

[kat_]

why commercial law and why latham over another firm? This what I remember and not the exact words

could you please share what the application questions are?

Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer?
Why would you choose to train at Latham & Watkins over another firm?
Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application.

 

[S87]

and Irwin Mitchell 🤢🤢

and Links

 

[Jessica Booker]

could you please share what the application questions are?

Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer? (max. 300 words)
Why would you choose to train at Latham & Watkins over another law firm? (max. 300 words)
Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (max. 300 words)

 

[honeytea]

If my employment changes or I sit important assessments between now and my vac scheme in the summer, is this information I am expected to share with the grad recruitment team of the firm?

 

[TC fiend]

Can I have your advice on how to show my interest/fascination with the corporate work.

My career has been mainly focused on litigation work but as we know during a tc you may experience different seats.
Over the last few months I have completed free courses and law firms lead workshops on M&A and PE. How do I include these experiences in my application? This is particularly tricky when answering why this firm.

Like you my career has been mainly focused on litigation so far. The way I (tried to) demonstrate interest in corporate was by trying to get a bigger picture understanding. For example, clients I had in litigation may have had issues stemming from their corporate practice. Or the litigation I was doing might influence the way they decide to structure themselves moving forward, or other related decisions they might take. I’d then tie it back by saying something along the lines of “having been briefly exposed to X challenge on the corporate side, I’d be keen to build on and improve my understanding of Y (fill in relevant corporate/transactional activity)”. I hope that makes sense! With your experience also doing workshops I’d use that to draw out specific examples of how that gave you a more holistic appreciation of the other team’s work and your client’s needs.

Hope that helps!

 

[Jessica Booker]

If my employment changes or I sit important assessments between now and my vac scheme in the summer, is this information I am expected to share with the grad recruitment team of the firm?

What do you mean by important assessments?

If you are employed by another organisation during your vacation scheme (e.g. you are taking annual leave to attend the scheme), you will likely need to disclose this to 1) your current employer and 2) the vacation scheme law firm to ensure there aren't any conflicts of interest or to ensure you are still meeting the terms of your employment by both organisations.

If it is interim work that ends by the time you start your vacation scheme, then you can just update them during the scheme (no need to do it beforehand). Many firms will ask you to provide an updated application as part of a TC conversion process anyway.