TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Winter]

Out of interest - did you secure that TC offer after a few beers?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Should have grabbed popcorn from Sainsbury's earlier. When the tea on here is good it's sooooo good 🤭💅

 

[aniraz]

Your comment was not necessary - Bolder.

From my own personal experience, many VS candidates are proactive and “do make an effort”, unfortunately because they are of a BAME or minority ethnic background, many partners and associates turn a blind eye and will only consider fellow “white counterparts”. FACTS!

There are many partners in elite law firms who sadly are quite narrow minded, and do not hold a “diverse mindset” shall I say the least.

Out of interest - did you secure that TC offer after a few beers?

It's also interesting because a lot of candidates may not feel comfortable going to a pub due to religious reasons, and therefore miss out on 'networking'. This is something I've heard from qualified solicitors also. Another point I've seen mentioned on the forum about being a minority and reaching 'final round' or getting on the vac scheme for firms with bad reputations like Slaughters further proves the points made by others imo - in my experience, firms like Slaughters 'show' diversity by inviting higher numbers of diverse candidates to AC or vac scheme, but then the actual characteristics of those who are offered a TC are very different...

 

[Aga123+]

Out of interest - did you secure that TC offer after a few beers?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

For people who have completed the Mishcon VI, was it hard or were the questions fairly generic? xx

 

[mfuturetrainee]

It's also interesting because a lot of candidates may not feel comfortable going to a pub due to religious reasons, and therefore miss out on 'networking'. This is something I've heard from qualified solicitors also. Another point I've seen mentioned on the forum about being a minority and reaching 'final round' or getting on the vac scheme for firms with bad reputations like Slaughters further proves the points made by others imo - in my experience, firms like Slaughters 'show' diversity by inviting higher numbers of diverse candidates to AC or vac scheme, but then the actual characteristics of those who are offered a TC are very different...

falling into the category of people who choose not to drink, this is a massive worry for me yk I always think about these massive socials they have and how it’ll actually affect my chances to network 😭😭

 

[zainab.nadeem02]

Anyone heard from Clyde & Co Middle East TC post VI?

 

[ab01]

It's also interesting because a lot of candidates may not feel comfortable going to a pub due to religious reasons, and therefore miss out on 'networking'. This is something I've heard from qualified solicitors also. Another point I've seen mentioned on the forum about being a minority and reaching 'final round' or getting on the vac scheme for firms with bad reputations like Slaughters further proves the points made by others imo - in my experience, firms like Slaughters 'show' diversity by inviting higher numbers of diverse candidates to AC or vac scheme, but then the actual characteristics of those who are offered a TC are very different...

Great points! To elaborate further, I recently graduated from Cambridge university, also I have been private schooled too - however, I do not see myself as more capable than someone who is of a BAME background.

I know many of my friends who are of a BAME background unfortunately were ghosted in rooms full of partners and associates when they attended ACs or legal events at university. Partners would only speak to people of their choice, and I did call out a partner because of his actions, of why he spoke to me and not my friend.

I agree, Slaughters is a firm known for this. I completed a VS with them, and most of the people on the scheme were white. Also, in terms of their associates and partners they are all white coloured to say the least lol!

However, I do know currently there is 1 Asian and 1 Black trainee.. who they would push in front to show they are very “diverse” although that is not the case!

Despite some trainees may be of a BAME background at these firms, when the time comes to being promoted or being in important client meetings, they are the ones hidden in the back, whereas their white colleagues are pushed in front! I have spoken to many qualified associates and trainees at legal fairs to know this!!!

It’s absolutely ridiculous! But I guess the “legal sector” will always remain for the elite, despite the attempts of law firms saying they are becoming “very diverse”!!’

 

[ab01]

falling into the category of people who choose not to drink, this is a massive worry for me yk I always think about these massive socials they have and how it’ll actually affect my chances to network 😭😭

Your chances will be affected! But not all firms are like this. There are some firms who genuinely care of being diverse!

 

[cattlawapps324]

gif choice on point 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[bangarangbass39]

Great points! To elaborate further, I recently graduated from Cambridge university, also I have been private schooled too - however, I do not see myself as more capable than someone who is of a BAME background.

I know many of my friends who are of a BAME background unfortunately were ghosted in rooms full of partners and associates when they attended ACs or legal events at university. Partners would only speak to people of their choice, and I did call out a partner because of his actions, of why he spoke to me and not my friend.

I agree, Slaughters is a firm known for this. I completed a VS with them, and most of the people on the scheme were white. Also, in terms of their associates and partners they are all white coloured to say the least lol!

However, I do know currently there is 1 Asian and 1 Black trainee.. who they would push in front to show they are very “diverse” although that is not the case!

Despite some trainees may be of a BAME background at these firms, when the time comes to being promoted or being in important client meetings, they are the ones hidden in the back, whereas their white colleagues are pushed in front! I have spoken to many qualified associates and trainees at legal fairs to know this!!!

It’s absolutely ridiculous! But I guess the “legal sector” will always remain for the elite, despite the attempts of law firms saying they are becoming “very diverse”!!’

Like what you’ve said. Super interesting. Are there any firms you think have “worked well” with diversity? From your experiences and friends of course.

From what I’ve gathered the firms with bigger cohorts and “reputation” tend to do better. In terms of having a good amount and a strong approach for wellbeing.

 

[Deleted member 31343]

When expressing why you want to work for a US firm what do you guys say/suggest is good? I’m struggling to make the firm stand out and I don’t want my answer to sound like it could be for any US firm…

@Jessica Booker any suggestions

 

[LawBrah]

falling into the category of people who choose not to drink, this is a massive worry for me yk I always think about these massive socials they have and how it’ll actually affect my chances to network 😭😭

I would try a be a little street-smart about it. At a networking event, if you have a zero alcohol beer in a glass, other people won't think twice and sub-consciously assume you are drinking alcohol. Same for a glass of (just) tonic water with a lemon in.

 

[ab01]

Like what you’ve said. Super interesting. Are there any firms you think have “worked well” with diversity? From your experiences and friends of course.

From what I’ve gathered the firms with bigger cohorts and “reputation” tend to do better. In terms of having a good amount and a strong approach for wellbeing.

From my own experience, FF and CC - are great firms in terms of diversity.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It’s disappointing to have to say this, but please keep these discussions civil and avoid making personal jibes at one another.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

When expressing why you want to work for a US firm what do you guys say/suggest is good? I’m struggling to make the firm stand out and I don’t want my answer to sound like it could be for any US firm…

@Jessica Booker any suggestions

Do you mean answering “why this firm” when it is a US firm or answering “why a US firm” question?

 

[aniraz]

Great points! To elaborate further, I recently graduated from Cambridge university, also I have been private schooled too - however, I do not see myself as more capable than someone who is of a BAME background.

I know many of my friends who are of a BAME background unfortunately were ghosted in rooms full of partners and associates when they attended ACs or legal events at university. Partners would only speak to people of their choice, and I did call out a partner because of his actions, of why he spoke to me and not my friend.

I agree, Slaughters is a firm known for this. I completed a VS with them, and most of the people on the scheme were white. Also, in terms of their associates and partners they are all white coloured to say the least lol!

However, I do know currently there is 1 Asian and 1 Black trainee.. who they would push in front to show they are very “diverse” although that is not the case!

Despite some trainees may be of a BAME background at these firms, when the time comes to being promoted or being in important client meetings, they are the ones hidden in the back, whereas their white colleagues are pushed in front! I have spoken to many qualified associates and trainees at legal fairs to know this!!!

It’s absolutely ridiculous! But I guess the “legal sector” will always remain for the elite, despite the attempts of law firms saying they are becoming “very diverse”!!’

Agree with everything you've said. I also did a VS with Slaughters and it was a very interesting experience... over half of the cohort were Oxbridge (which was funny because they made a massive deal about how they don't care what university you go to) and friends on the scheme experienced being left out/basically ignored in conversations because everyone else were talking about colleges etc

We also had a talk from someone very senior, white and male, in the firm who talked about how there was no hierearchy because he was called into a partner's office and asked to join the company jazz band (I think the irony of this was lost on him..)

The scheme was also during social mobility month which Slaughters made a MASSIVE deal out of. However most socially mobile vac schemers were not offered a TC (same with most of the ethnic minority vac schemers). I also asked during the D&I talk why the firm chose not to do university-blind recruiting and they gave some confusing excuses and said about how things have improved a lot, I was thinking erm a team at Slaughters literally stays at an Oxford college every year but ok

This isn't even everything that happened lol but Slaughters was an interesting experience...

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you for your response soo late on a Sunday!

I was going to answer “why a US firm“ in my ”why this firm“ question when asked in an interview. it was going to be 1 of my 3 points

I don’t think you need to do this. I would just focus on why the firm rather than trying to explain why a US firm.

 

[EqualityNonNegotiable]

For people who have completed the Mishcon VI, was it hard or were the questions fairly generic? xx

I don't think they were too difficult. Personal strengths, character and one company type question. The time limit got me on the first question though so be mindful it's only 60 seconds.

 

[JLaw56]

They said this during the Open Day but I would double-check their website.

However, I still think that the K&S deadline should be midnight tomorrow and not midday as its not clearly stated on their website that the deadline should be midday.