TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Abbas J]

Hi,

Can anyone list the hot topics in the legal market right now? Or industry trends in the legal sector? I'm struggling to research this sufficiently online. Alternatively, any resources which I can use to research both these factors would be much appreciated. My AC is on Monday and I don't have much knowledge on the legal industry at all.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi,

Can anyone list the hot topics in the legal market right now? Or industry trends in the legal sector? I'm struggling to research this sufficiently online. Alternatively, any resources which I can use to research both these factors would be much appreciated. My AC is on Monday and I don't have much knowledge on the legal industry at all.

Here is a good starting point:

Key trends shaping the future for lawyers in 2024

The legal profession is adapting to new technologies, consumer demands and shifting economic conditions. But what does this mean for law firms?

www.lawsociety.org.uk

However I would try to focus more on what might be impacting the specific type of firm you have the AC with.

 

[aspiringlawyer27]

Would anyone who used jobtestprep to prepare for their WG and managed to go to the next stage (or generally get a good score) be willing to pm me? I'm trying to gauge the scores I should be getting on there to be comfortable with taking actual WG tests

Hey, happy to discuss if you want to PM

 

[bella98]

Good luck for your interview!

I have just narrowed mines down to 3/4.

firstly, one of their key practice areas being of interest to me and how my experience links back to this with brief mention of a case and why it’s important to me.

Secondly, I spoke about the training contract structure, the lack of mandatory seats allowed for more exposure and let’s trainees have the responsibility to drive their career into multiple areas/ areas they’re interested in and how this could contribute to their high retention rate. Also added in about their multiple offices with an opportunity to do an international secondment and large intake for networking.

lastly, spoke about culture specifically diversity and their partnership with 10K interns shows their dedication to tackling diversity in the legal field with majority participants actually getting a TC.

@Jessica Booker would this be too much to say? I’ve narrowed it down from the 8 points I had before

I also had 5 points before I think we are overthinking this too much and we should really keep it short - I think yours is really good with these key points

 

[lllaaawww098]

Anyone heard from Dentons post-app for London VS? It’s been so long I almost forgot about them

 

[bella98]

What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of a firm having offices in multiple countries compared to a best friend network?

 

[l234567]

Anyone who’s done V&E VI pm me!

 

[S87]

What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of a firm having offices in multiple countries compared to a best friend network?

I am not sure about my answer but I always think about costs and profits. It is more expensive to have multiple offices and depending on the firm’s business model, having multiple offices could affect partners pep.

 

[s2203]

What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of a firm having offices in multiple countries compared to a best friend network?

The level of quality of work between each office varies. E.g., the London office might have "Tier 1" quality work, whereas an office in Brussels let's say may have "Tier 3" quality work. Best friend network allows firms to handpick the high ranked firms in each region who know the jurisdiction a lot more, thus allowing their clients to get the best advice regardless of where they're operating.

Hope that helps!!

 

[cattlawapps324]

@Jessica Booker

I've got the Macfarlanes written exercise in a few days, which often includes a letter. In all the examples I have looked at people seem to never use any headings/sub-headings when writing these letters, even though they address multiple different legal issues. Is that normal?

I'm worried it will seem like I have no structure if I do it that way.

Do you have any "model" examples of a letter beyond just the formalities?

Hey, where have you found examples from? Grateful if you could share deets!

 

[LKG]

Is this post app or AC?

Post app

 

[RBUCL]

Anyone else find the Mayer Brown verbal reasoning/ situational judgement tests quite hard? I feel like they tested just about every aspect of VR possible The time pressure doesn't help either

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Good luck for your interview!

I have just narrowed mines down to 3/4.

firstly, one of their key practice areas being of interest to me and how my experience links back to this with brief mention of a case and why it’s important to me.

Secondly, I spoke about the training contract structure, the lack of mandatory seats allowed for more exposure and let’s trainees have the responsibility to drive their career into multiple areas/ areas they’re interested in and how this could contribute to their high retention rate. Also added in about their multiple offices with an opportunity to do an international secondment and large intake for networking.

lastly, spoke about culture specifically diversity and their partnership with 10K interns shows their dedication to tackling diversity in the legal field with majority participants actually getting a TC.

@Jessica Booker would this be too much to say? I’ve narrowed it down from the 8 points I had before

8 points would have been far too many to explain. I would aim for no more than 3, maybe 4 at an absolute push. You can alway make your three points and then conclude by saying something like “ I am also interested in X, Y and Z, but the three main reasons are those I have discussed”. That always allows your interviewer to prove those areas further if they want to.

 

[Apple]

Hey, where have you found examples from? Grateful if you could share deets!

On the really old Macfarlanes interview someone posted how they answered the question, but you have to find it manually as its not listed in the premium database

 

[Apple]

Does anyone have tips for the interview Q "tell me about a story you have been following" i'm having a difficult time doing anything but just summarising the article, how can I create links to the firm and explain the impact. I'm struggling to think of anything, would appreciate any rough ideas or guidance

 

[MG020202]

Does anyone know the Gowling Vac Scheme dates?

Did you hear back?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Did you hear back?

I did the London AC this week but didn’t bother asking when the actual scheme would be

 

[S87]

When completing a VI, should I look at the camera or screen? I don't seem to pass any of my VIs!

 

[Law2020]

Hey if anyone has done V&E's VI please could they PM, happy to help with Latham & Sidley interviews!

 

[Ghassen]

Did anyone notice that NRF deadline for summer vacation scheme became tomorrow instead of 18th February ?
I just realised this by coincidence, otherwise I will miss the deadline.
Apparently they don't need more applicants !!