TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[VMS]

I've seen quite a few people mentioning HL PFOs/ACs, are any of these for the Summer Vacation Scheme?

 

[Deleted member 27336]

I've seen quite a few people mentioning HL PFOs/ACs, are any of these for the Summer Vacation Scheme?

I think they were all for the SVS - I've yet to hear anything, but I think they will send out more ACs once the lift-off candidates have been interviewed.

 

[VMS]

I think they were all for the SVS - I've yet to hear anything, but I think they will send out more ACs once the lift-off candidates have been interviewed.

Ah okay, thank you!

 

[laby201]

Just did Baker's SJT and these reports really, really confuse me.

I responded in exactly the same manner in my Reed Smith SJT and my Baker's one. In my RS report, I got 4/9 for grit, 4/9 for applied intellect, 7/9 for creative force, and 4/9 digital mindset. In my Baker report, I got 6/9 for grit, 7/9 for applied intellect, and 3/9 for both creative force and digital mindset. How can one test which is presumably very similar give me 7/9 and 3/9 in THE SAME CATEGORY? 😂 😂

Ah well, given two of those pillars are horrific, assuming that's a PFO!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

it's not looking good so I think I will be - even if I recover somewhat, I think it might affect my performance. But I'm also concerned I'll miss out on the opportunity to interview with the firm.

I would call them tomorrow morning then and ask whether you can postpone.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker I saw you answer how to approach "tell us about something that excites you" and you emphasised the fact it doesn't need to be legal, or commercial, and they make that quite clear in the phrasing.

Would it seem disingenuous to talk about something relevant to the firm's key practice areas and the legal market? It is something I am actually genuinely interested in, and have done lots of research on before, but I don't want to seem uninteresting, as I imagine lots of other applications are about more exciting topics outside of law and stand out to grad recruitment.

Interest is one thing, but does it excite/inspire you?

If so, you can talk about it. But if it is more an interest I don’t think it will fit the question.

 

[br2000]

Dechert SVS! If anyone needs advice on the process, feel free to DM me

Is this for spring or summer? I applied for the summer vs on the deadline and im trying to figure out when I'll hear back

 

[Easttowest]

Yes I got my invitation today and I took my VI exactly two weeks ago

How did you perform in your video interview? I was extremely nervous and stuttering 😭

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

Your feelings are valid so you should not apologise for how you feel. Of course it is a good dilemma to have as far as dilemmas go but it is still something affecting you and you should not apologise for it.

What I would say is I would give this firm a chance and wait for this consideration once you get the training contract offer after the vacation scheme. I always say to keep an open mind because you might love your time at the firm and you also might love the other vacation schemers and the lawyers you meet.

Your experience will vastly depend on a variety of different reasons so I personally would wait until you have an offer to decide what you want to do.

What I would do in your shoes is still applying for direct training contract in April/May to the firms that I might be more interested in to see if you might have success with those. However, I would recommend waiting until the end of the scheme to decide.

I hope I was helpful,

Good luck!!

I'm by no means qualified to give an answer here but I thought I'd share my own personal experience as it's quite similar, in the hope that it helps you

Firstly, a massive congrats on your VS! This is a huge achievement and you should be really proud!! I was in the same boat and applied to a firm that specialised in a niche sector of law I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue a long-term career in. Nevertheless, I applied as they had a semi-decent corporate practice. Doing the VS will undoubtedly provide you with a fantastic insight into a law firm and life as a trainee. During the VS, you might find you enjoy their main practice areas, in which case, this may help the TC selection process. As a trainee (depending on the firm) you do 4 seat rotations and so if the firm offers more mainstream seats like Corporate/Litigation/Real Estate etc, this is still a really good option for you. If you find this firm hasn't got the breadth and depth of work you're hoping for, it's also very common to move firms as an NQ.

First off, congratulations on your VS offer! You should be very proud of yourself as it’s a great achievement

In no way should you feel bad; I think the way you feel right now is understandable if you had your heart set on a particular firm and the “consolation prize” part makes sense.

If I’m honest, I think if this does turn out to be your only VS this cycle and you do (hopefully) convert it into a TC, it would likely be a mistake not to take it. TCs are very hard to come by (as I’m sure you’ve experienced!) and to be in the position to have one is something I feel you should take with both hands. Even if the practice areas or firm’s specialisms don’t entirely align with your original goals, you may end up surprised during your seats at what you enjoy. In any event, if it’s a full service firm, you’ll still likely gain exposure to your standard corporate, finance, employment, real estate etc seats, even if the firm isn’t a Legal 500 Band 1 for them.

Moreover, you’re not tied to that firm forever. A TC only lasts 2 years and once you’re qualified, you can move laterally to another firm and plenty people will do that.

I’d advise you take the offer if successful; I imagine it’ll turn out to be an excellent decision and you’ll thrive. Best of luck!

You should be so proud to have received an offer but that doesn't mean it's not ok to feel this way. I suppose after working so long to receive an offer, it can seem a bit frustrating if you didn't get one from a firm you really liked so I get why it feels sort of underwhelming. I am sure others can give deeper advice than me but my own opinion is to take the TC and change firms after two years. I think you would regret if you had to wait another 3 years to receive an offer. That's just my two cents as I cannot give a longer answer right now but I would be curious as to what you decide so do keep us updated if you can. Congratulations again!!!

Thank you to everyone for all your comments and advice - this is a really amazing community and a great one to be a part of

My AC was with Skadden, which was my dream firm, so when they rejected me, it sucked. I now have the VS offer from Addleshaw, which I am, of course, grateful for, but it's still tinged with disappointment. I want to shake that feeling as everyone around me is very positive, especially when I've been working towards this for years now.

Knowing I could have had the opportunity to work for a firm like Skadden though and missed that opportunity is still getting to me. I know it shouldn't and you all make such good points (and I know I will be able to transfer later in my career). I'm sure doing the VS will be a great experience and one I'll learn a lot from, especially when I know there are many out there who would do a lot to be in my position.

I wondered if you had any wisdom to impart @Jessica Booker? Is there a way to still feel proud and upbeat about a VS from a firm that doesn't motivate you as much as one you got rejected from/its practice area strengths don't align with your main goals? I want to try and adopt a more positive mindset about it all

 

[Amehta1]

How did you perform in your video interview? I was extremely nervous and stuttering 😭

My heart was racing throughout the whole thing😭😭 I think my prep paid off though cause thankfully I didn’t stutter.

 

[r5533]

Thank you to everyone for all your comments and advice - this is a really amazing community and a great one to be a part of

My AC was with Skadden, which was my dream firm, so when they rejected me, it sucked. I now have the VS offer from Addleshaw, which I am, of course, grateful for, but it's still tinged with disappointment. I want to shake that feeling as everyone around me is very positive, especially when I've been working towards this for years now.

Knowing I could have had the opportunity to work for a firm like Skadden though and missed that opportunity is still getting to me. I know it shouldn't and you all make such good points (and I know I will be able to transfer later in my career). I'm sure doing the VS will be a great experience and one I'll learn a lot from, especially when I know there are many out there who would do a lot to be in my position.

I wondered if you had any wisdom to impart @Jessica Booker? Is there a way to still feel proud and upbeat about a VS from a firm that doesn't motivate you as much as one you got rejected from/its practice area strengths don't align with your main goals? I want to try and adopt a more positive mindset about it all

No worries I actually think AG has a lot of areas that cross with Skadden's, particularly its corporate and financial services offering, the only exception being its arbitration practice. However it is completely possible to transfer once qualified, I know many from LinkedIn who trained at AG specifically who moved to Skadden, Kirkland and Weil. Whilst I don't think it's fair to say you will absolutely move from AG as soon as you qualify, the opportunity to move to a US firm is definitely there. Even if you search NQ jobs in London on Google right now, the majority of firms with NQ positions open are the US firms comparable to Skadden, even in this dire lateral market.

Sometimes life doesn't go the way you expect, and I truly believe it is always for a good reason. Maybe at AG you'll find a mentor who provides fantastic training, you may benefit from a larger trainee cohort, or you may find an area of law you unexpectedly really enjoy. Try to keep an open mind if you can and I'm sure things will work out!

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

I shared some general tips that might be useful as starting point in this post: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-167210

I do understand the struggle of preparing for assessment centres but I hope those tips are going to be helpful as they were for me when I was preparing!

Thank you so much for this! I love your content. It’s always so helpful. Do you have suggestions on how to practice for the written exercises in assessment centres?

 

[EqualityNonNegotiable]

Thank you to everyone for all your comments and advice - this is a really amazing community and a great one to be a part of

My AC was with Skadden, which was my dream firm, so when they rejected me, it sucked. I now have the VS offer from Addleshaw, which I am, of course, grateful for, but it's still tinged with disappointment. I want to shake that feeling as everyone around me is very positive, especially when I've been working towards this for years now.

Knowing I could have had the opportunity to work for a firm like Skadden though and missed that opportunity is still getting to me. I know it shouldn't and you all make such good points (and I know I will be able to transfer later in my career). I'm sure doing the VS will be a great experience and one I'll learn a lot from, especially when I know there are many out there who would do a lot to be in my position.

I wondered if you had any wisdom to impart @Jessica Booker? Is there a way to still feel proud and upbeat about a VS from a firm that doesn't motivate you as much as one you got rejected from/its practice area strengths don't align with your main goals? I want to try and adopt a more positive mindset about it all

I hope you don't me asking but what makes Skadden your dream firm? Just curious as the firm was never on my list and you sound genuinely passionate!

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

No worries I actually think AG has a lot of areas that cross with Skadden's, particularly its corporate and financial services offering, the only exception being its arbitration practice. However it is completely possible to transfer once qualified, I know many from LinkedIn who trained at AG specifically who moved to Skadden, Kirkland and Weil. Whilst I don't think it's fair to say you will absolutely move from AG as soon as you qualify, the opportunity to move to a US firm is definitely there. Even if you search NQ jobs in London on Google right now, the majority of firms with NQ positions open are the US firms comparable to Skadden, even in this dire lateral market.

Sometimes life doesn't go the way you expect, and I truly believe it is always for a good reason. Maybe at AG you'll find a mentor who provides fantastic training, you may benefit from a larger trainee cohort, or you may find an area of law you unexpectedly really enjoy. Try to keep an open mind if you can and I'm sure things will work out!

The international arbitration element was my main appeal for Skadden, and I had a preference for US firms in general. As you say though, there is a lot of crossover.

And you’re right on the second point. I know AG is still a very good firm and I’m trying to keep an open mind about the process still. I can’t believe this is even a thought (but I know the main reason people get a job is of course money), but the difference in NQ salaries also makes me wonder what I could have had 😭 I know that’s not a primary motivation, but makes me think I’ve settled.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

I hope you don't me asking but what makes Skadden your dream firm? Just curious as the firm was never on my list and you sound genuinely passionate!

It was mainly I’m really keen to become involved in international arbitration and I’d say they’re (along with W&C) the best in the City for it.

The emphasis placed on pro bono was also a pretty big factor.

AG also has a lot of positives to it though and I wouldn’t have applied otherwise so trying to refocus the energy on that

 

[laby201]

Thank you to everyone for all your comments and advice - this is a really amazing community and a great one to be a part of

My AC was with Skadden, which was my dream firm, so when they rejected me, it sucked. I now have the VS offer from Addleshaw, which I am, of course, grateful for, but it's still tinged with disappointment. I want to shake that feeling as everyone around me is very positive, especially when I've been working towards this for years now.

Knowing I could have had the opportunity to work for a firm like Skadden though and missed that opportunity is still getting to me. I know it shouldn't and you all make such good points (and I know I will be able to transfer later in my career). I'm sure doing the VS will be a great experience and one I'll learn a lot from, especially when I know there are many out there who would do a lot to be in my position.

I wondered if you had any wisdom to impart @Jessica Booker? Is there a way to still feel proud and upbeat about a VS from a firm that doesn't motivate you as much as one you got rejected from/its practice area strengths don't align with your main goals? I want to try and adopt a more positive mindset about it all

No problem

I’ve seen your point about NQ salaries and I would try not to focus on that *too* much. We’d all be lying if we said that didn’t factor into our thinking when picking a firm but the money you’d make at AG (£95k is it as an NQ?) is still very, very good money. It may not compare to a US firm like Skadden, but it doesn’t mean you won’t reach those figures eventually, whether that’s through a lateral transfer or progressing up the AG ranks.

If you’re in a firm where you really enjoy the work, the people, and the culture, I’m sure that will balance out not having a £160k salary 😉

 

[LexNavigator]

these for summer or spring?

I am not sure sorry

 

[bangarangbass39]

Okay I am completely lost with the SJTs. Just finished my final one for the season which was with Womble Bond. Does anyone know how Grad Rec decides which report goes forward and which one does not? I assume that everyone is going to have weak points and strengths so how do they decide? Especially firms that don't have a V.I. at the end

 

[ayiiii05]

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown post-test, NRF post-ArticS and K&L Gates post-app?

 

[jas1502]

Is this for spring or summer? I applied for the summer vs on the deadline and im trying to figure out when I'll hear back

This is for spring Hope you hear back soon!