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

[mailer]

I've seen that a firm sometimes offers direct TCs after a VS AC for their regional offices but not their London office - why would that be?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I've seen that a firm sometimes offers direct TCs after a VS AC for their regional offices but not their London office - why would that be?

They cancel VS and this happens sometimes with law firms or they have filled up all their VS places but you was a really excellent candidate.

 

[TC fiend]

Random q, but on a vac scheme if you go out to lunch/coffee with a trainee/associate/partner of the firm, do they pay for it?

Often times they’re aware they earn far more than you and will take that into consideration in inviting you out (especially for lunch). Especially with vac schemers they can also expense this back to the firm. Never assume they will but tbh I’d be surprised if they didn’t.

That said, a coffee is £3. If they didn’t it probably wouldn’t break the bank.

 

[JD]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from the following firms since submitting an app:

1. Travers Smith
2. Mischon De Reya
3. Gibson Dunn

Mishcon did say they'll get back to everyone by 9 March but the other two, I have not heard from other than the standard confirmation email.

 

[lawstudent04]

PINSENT OFFER !!!!

 

[Laurenbt2110]

really struggling to work out NRF's competitors with specific reasoning, does anyone have any idea?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from the following firms since submitting an app:

1. Travers Smith
2. Mischon De Reya
3. Gibson Dunn

Mishcon did say they'll get back to everyone by 9 March but the other two, I have not heard from other than the standard confirmation email.

I am still waiting to hear back from 2 of those law firms.

 

[John Travoni]

Really wish PMC would get back to us post AC. It’s been nearly 3 weeks post AC and I still haven’t heard anything and some haven’t heard back and it’s been 4/5 weeks almost

 

[tt_xo]

really struggling to work out NRF's competitors with specific reasoning, does anyone have any idea?

Maybe Mayer Brown, another US headquartered firm with expertise in Banking & Finance and Energy.

 

[djqb]

really struggling to work out NRF's competitors with specific reasoning, does anyone have any idea?

NRF's specialities lie in project finance & banking.

Have a look at the practices the firm is ranked Tier-1 in (for example infrastructure projects), and then have a look at which other firms have the same ranking.

For example for infrastructure projects:



You can try this for other practice areas as well, and you should be able to come up with strong arguments for which firms are competitors! 🙂

Also look at lateral hires for NRF (the firms they come from), and the firms that advise on deals alongside NRF.

Hope this helps!

 

[Lilz]

Did anyone else have their AC today with DWF?

 

[GXA123]

PINSENT OFFER HERE AS WELL!

 

[gdelle]

Hi, everyone. Quick question ahead of the next cycle: are there any firms that are known to be "pro-" or "anti-" career changers?

I'm phrasing it more bluntly than what I expect the reality to be, but I'd love to hear thoughts on whether XYZ firms tend to only welcome non-law grads from certain industries, if there are some known for taking on people in their 30's, etc. - any of this sort of insight would be most appreciated!

 

[Ambs123]

PINSENT OFFER HERE AS WELL!

So happy for you !!!! CONGRATS!

 

[squidsalmons]

Hi everyone! I'm wondering if anyone has heard from Boodle Hatfield for their VS. I know some people have gotten interviews but I'm wondering if anyone has gotten a rejection either?

 

[CareerChanger]

Really wish PMC would get back to us post AC. It’s been nearly 3 weeks post AC and I still haven’t heard anything and some haven’t heard back and it’s been 4/5 weeks almost

If it’s like last year, they won’t get back to anyone until a few weeks after all the assessment centres are completed.

 

[CareerChanger]

Hi, everyone. Quick question ahead of the next cycle: are there any firms that are known to be "pro-" or "anti-" career changers?

I'm phrasing it more bluntly than what I expect the reality to be, but I'd love to hear thoughts on whether XYZ firms tend to only welcome non-law grads from certain industries, if there are some known for taking on people in their 30's, etc. - any of this sort of insight would be most appreciated!

Trowers make a point of being career changer friendly. They were the most explicit about it from the ones I came across in their recruitment info.

 

[corplaw123]

I was just wondering if anyone knows what approach Goodwin take in their initial interviews with the partners? I'm unsure as to whether it is competency/scenario/motivations based? Thanks

 

[M&Amakesmyday]

I have an odd question. If you miss a law firm's phone call, do they eventually e-mail you? I'm currently not in the UK and I can't get phone calls from the UK so I'm a bit worried that I missed a call

 

[Crystal86]

Hey @Crystal86,

Again this is only my opinion, but yes!

I tried to be curious during my interview and enthusiastic about the issues that we were discussing. This approach indicates that are you engaged and interested, as well as being keen and willing to learn/improve, which bodes well for when you become a trainee. For example, from what I remember, I asked my interviewers (as I had two scenario interviews when I was applying) what their thoughts were about X or Y (even during the interview rather than just at the end) and what they found difficult etc.

I think this worked well for this style of interview partly because it (in some ways) replicates a conversation between two lawyers trying to work through a new legal scenario together and questions would naturally arise during this sort of discussion.

That being said, I would not force it. I tend to be one of those people who naturally asks a lot of questions and am generally enthusiastic, so for me this came relatively naturally. But I do not think that you need to ask lots of questions to be successful.


I hope that helps. Do ask if anything is unclear etc. 💪

Thanks again @George Maxwell . As a non-law student, I am a little worried that I might not understand some terms the partner may use, do you think it's okay to ask them to clarify? Also, do you think the scenario interview is supposed to be a formal or an informal discussion?