TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Lopez2017]

Can anyone confirm the deadline for Reed Smith? I am finding different dates online. Some say 8th January and others say 31st January. Thank you!

8th

 

[ChanA2626]

HSF PFO for summer vacation scheme after passing their test
Merry Christmas ;(

 

[eleven14og]

Eversheds VI invite! applied on the deadline

 

[Ghassen]

I received Eversheds VI now, but without a deadline to complete. Is it first come, first served to the AC ? Also, any insights would be helpful.

 

[WeGotThis!]

How should I tackle the "Tell us about a situation where you made a decision and then changed your mind." potential interview question? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How should I tackle the "Tell us about a situation where you made a decision and then changed your mind." potential interview question? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

The key to this question is recognising an instance where changing your mind led to a better outcome. Lawyers need to have the emotional intelligence to realise where their approach to something or decision-making isn't the best route to take and then adapt to ensure a better outcome.

I would take the approach of briefly outlining your original decision-making and why you came to that conclusion. I would then explain the importance of how you changed your mind (e.g. what information/input did you have that helped you change your mind, how did you find this, why did it feel relevant/important in helping you change your mind), and then explain how the change in direction led to a better outcome.

 

[saj2002]

Has anyone done the Simmons & Simmons blended online assessment? Any tips?

 

[Legal_Eagle91]

I received Eversheds VI now, but without a deadline to complete. Is it first come, first served to the AC ? Also, any insights would be helpful.

I logged back into the portal and got another automated email from Shortlister saying the deadline is 1st Jan 23:59

 

[Miss Elli]

Has anyone heard back from Weil?

 

[Ghassen]

I logged back into the portal and got another automated email from Shortlister saying the deadline is 1st Jan 23:59

Ah okey. Thanks.
That’s very helpful.

 

[ayiiii05]

Hi, for those who have applied to Linklaters, what does your portal look like? After candidate review, does it just say interview or interview and interview outcome?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

If I am asked to discuss a 'particular area of law' can that be sector specific or does it need to be practice focused eg can I talk about law within energy/projects or AI?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If I am asked to discuss a 'particular area of law' can that be sector specific or does it need to be practice focused eg can I talk about law within energy/projects or AI?

What is the specific question?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

What is the specific question?

With reference to a particular area of law, what do you find to be the most interesting about it?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

With reference to a particular area of law, what do you find to be the most interesting about it?

To me this is more practice area rather than sector specific. However, there tends to be cross-overs - for instance, Real Estate, M&A, Private Equity, Technology/TMT all can be seen as both practice areas and sectors. If you do go with more of a sector approach, I would focus on the legal work within it, rather than it as a topic though.

 

[futuretrainee2025]

To me this is more practice area rather than sector specific. However, there tends to be cross-overs - for instance, Real Estate, M&A, Private Equity, Technology/TMT all can be seen as both practice areas and sectors. If you do go with more of a sector approach, I would focus on the legal work within it, rather than it as a topic though.

If I go with a sector approach, can I discuss project finance and environmental litigation etc in Energy or should I just be safe and go with a more specific practice area?

I say this because even within Real Estate there are several types of law so I'm not sure how to approach this.

Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If I go with a sector approach, can I discuss project finance and environmental litigation etc in Energy or should I just be safe and go with a more specific practice area?

I say this because even within Real Estate there are several types of law so I'm not sure how to approach this.

Thank you!

You will need to pick one area - be mindful project finance will be considered one and environmental litigation another.

 

[crt1s]

If I'm applying for a VS with a firm's London office, is it okay to reference the work/reputation of their other offices in the UK when answering a commercial question?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

You will need to pick one area - be mindful project finance will be considered one and environmental litigation another.

Perfect, thanks!

 

[SemperParatus]

Anything from linklaters?