TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[TCLA Community Assistant]

What is the best way to tackle 'why you?' without boasting? I was told by a Partner at a firm who has worked as a partner in the past for some of the best law firms recently that I have alot of potential and was the kind of person that a specific firm looked for. My experiences were talked about a lot especially because of how fast I have managed to get certain roles and experiences but I feel weird bragging as I am somewhat reserved. How can I brag but not come across as self centred because prior to the 'meeting/session' I had confidence in myself but the behavior and what was said has made me realize that I am really not giving myself enough credit and that instead of 'why me?' I should be answering it as 'why not me?' @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

i don’t agree that you should be pitching this as “why not me”. What specifically were you told by this partner to do?

 

[Deleted member 30442]

does anyone know if you can apply for the cooley diversity fellowship as a second-year (law) student?

You can’t, unfortunately

 

[Givemeatcplease]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but when asked what practice areas you're interested in, if the firm has sectors, would that be considered different?

For instance, if I'm interested in the hospitality sector of a firm, that's different to a practice area? Would the practice areas just be the "legal services" part of the website, such as banking, competition, disputes, real estate etc?

Any insight would be appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but when asked what practice areas you're interested in, if the firm has sectors, would that be considered different?

For instance, if I'm interested in the hospitality sector of a firm, that's different to a practice area? Would the practice areas just be the "legal services" part of the website, such as banking, competition, disputes, real estate etc?

Any insight would be appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

Practice areas will be the different areas of law: corporate, finance, tax, employment, IP, real estate, etc.

While sectors will be the industries the clients work in: Finance, technology, media, hospitality, retail etc.

It is fine to present your interests in hospitality, but I would lead more with in your interest in the practice area first but then explain your interest is more sector led, and that you would like to work across practice areas but within more specific sectors (if that is how the firm works).

 

[Givemeatcplease]

Practice areas will be the different areas of law: corporate, finance, tax, employment, IP, real estate, etc.

While sectors will be the industries the clients work in: Finance, technology, media, hospitality, retail etc.

It is fine to pretence your interests in hospitality, but I would lead more with in your interest in the practice area first but then explain your interest is more sector led, and that you would like to work across practice areas but within more specific sectors (if that is how the firm works).

Thanks so much for the reply Jessica Following on with another quick query, if a firm has a practice area that it isn’t particularly renowned for, would it not be advised to mention that as one of interest?

Say if I mentioned I was interested in employment but the firm’s bigger practice area strengths are banking/corporate? Or does the fact the firm offers it make it a fine answer?

 

[ChasingTCS]

Has anyone heard back from Trowers post AC?

 

[wc]

Hey guys, when mentioning a firm's awards in an interview, is it ok to mention that a firm is ranked Band 1 in a practice in 2023, and not talk about how that same practice is ranked Band 3 in 2024?

@Jessica Booker

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey guys, when mentioning a firm's awards in an interview, is it ok to mention that a firm is ranked Band 1 in a practice in 2023, and not talk about how that same practice is ranked Band 3 in 2024?

@Jessica Booker

This is why I often suggest people avoid using awards as a reference point.

There is likely to be a reason it has dropped so quickly (maybe it has lost key partners in this team or has lost key clients), and I think you really have to think about what does the ranking mean for you as a trainee. Is it really the ranking that gives you the benefit of working in that area, or is the ranking just a by-product of something else which is actually what will make working in that area interesting?

 

[CHLTC]

Anyone who has done the Bakers AC, what was it like?

 

[tcplease2345]

Still no word form SH summer scheme?

 

[Cherikon]

Does anyone know if Browne Jacobson's SJT involves a written exercise element and whether we can close and revisit the assessment?

 

[midnightsky990422]

I applied 21 Feb and received the test an hour ago - maybe check your spam?

I applied about 2hrs before the deadline on Friday so not expecting anything yet but will keep an eye on spam

 

[midnightsky990422]

Did anyone apply to regional firms like Browne Jacobson? I’m looking at the application and I’m unsure if I’m meant to apply my previous job skills to the firm - regarding please give details of your responsibilities and achievements and how they support your application?

Hey, I know the deadline has passed now so not much help but I applied to Browne Jacobson and I did research on their values and the key skills needed for the role and made sure to emphasise them in my application while mentioning times when I demonstrated such skills and attributes in my work experience

 

[bangarangbass39]

I was looking at a draft of my motivation for wanting to join a firm that I handed in a long time ago. (i'm not sure if it was the official one I handed in). I realised in my first paragraph I kinda bombed it. In it, I said that it was a regional firm when it's considered a national firm. I also said that I want to work in a firm that has a strong multi-jurisdictional environment (whatever the f that means). Lol don't judge, sometimes we have shakey starts and performances.

I just wanted to clarify on the differences between a National and Regional firm. there's so much crossover that sometimes I get confused about how a firm should be classified. I realise a rule of thumb is to go by what the firms say about themselves but it's hard to keep up when you read multiple sources about the firm that say different things.

For example, Chambers Students and AllAboutLaw will say Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard and CMS are national firms. But they are also international, particularly CMS because it was created by a merger with a German firm. A lot of the time these firms will say they are "global or international".

Mills and Reeve and Womble Bond Dickinson are considered national but M&R is referred to highly for its regional strengths and base by multiple sources. Sometimes it will be mentioned as a Regional Firm. Also, WBD is a US-based firm.

I know it's pedantic but I'm worried these minor references are super important for GradRec when reviewing. Do you think I will be forgiven if I make this sort of mistake when it's not wholly true or false?

With the multi-jurisdictional bit, I realised I should have been clearer because the firm is national and has no offices abroad but it regularly advises clients in different jurisdictions such as South Africa. It's not grouped as an international firm though.

Any advice?! Lol, I hope what I've said makes sense.

 

[lolololol]

does anyone know what kind of questions are for the bdp pitmans VI

 

[S87]

I was looking at a draft of my motivation for wanting to join a firm that I handed in a long time ago. (i'm not sure if it was the official one I handed in). I realised in my first paragraph I kinda bombed it. In it, I said that it was a regional firm when it's considered a national firm. I also said that I want to work in a firm that has a strong multi-jurisdictional environment (whatever the f that means). Lol don't judge, sometimes we have shakey starts and performances.

I just wanted to clarify on the differences between a National and Regional firm. there's so much crossover that sometimes I get confused about how a firm should be classified. I realise a rule of thumb is to go by what the firms say about themselves but it's hard to keep up when you read multiple sources about the firm that say different things.

For example, Chambers Students and AllAboutLaw will say Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard and CMS are national firms. But they are also international, particularly CMS because it was created by a merger with a German firm. A lot of the time these firms will say they are "global or international".

Mills and Reeve and Womble Bond Dickinson are considered national but M&R is referred to highly for its regional strengths and base by multiple sources. Sometimes it will be mentioned as a Regional Firm. Also, WBD is a US-based firm.

I know it's pedantic but I'm worried these minor references are super important for GradRec when reviewing. Do you think I will be forgiven if I make this sort of mistake when it's not wholly true or false?

With the multi-jurisdictional bit, I realised I should have been clearer because the firm is national and has no offices abroad but it regularly advises clients in different jurisdictions such as South Africa. It's not grouped as an international firm though.

Any advice?! Lol, I hope what I've said makes sense.

Hey, I understand your frustration.

It is my opinion that marketing plays a big role. You might want to adhere to how firms describe themselves on Chamber Students, Legal Cheek etc..because they approved it. However, I agree that these firms have also a strong national presence. In fact, in my AG application, I spoke about its strong national and international position (with specific data) and how this aligned with my professional experiences and ambitions. I hope it helps!

 

[bangarangbass39]

Hey, I understand your frustration.

It is my opinion that marketing plays a big role. You might want to adhere to how firms describe themselves on Chamber Students, Legal Cheek etc..because they approved it. However, I agree that these firms have also a strong national presence. In fact, in my AG application, I spoke about its strong national and international position (with specific data) and how this aligned with my professional experiences and ambitions. I hope it helps!

Okay cool. That's kind of what I did. In the first bit, I mentioned that I wanted to work for the firm because of its regional dominance/impact and that it connects with my upbringing and the work experience I've done in the area. Essentially I want to work in that firm because I want to witness and be a part of the impact it has on the region I've grown to be connected with.

I mentioned the multi-jurisdictional work because it highlights the broad range of specialisms on offer. I'm a non-law student who doesn't know exactly which area they want to work in. Also, the jurisdiction the firm is familiar with connects to my interest in that area because of my previous academic work and familial ties - I like that the firm offers the opportunity to work on alternative cases, especially in areas that I am personally close with. (I did a dissertation that researched the legal and political system in that area, I conducted interviews with people who experienced that system to support my thesis and family members/friends have exposed me to the complexity of the system through their personal experiences).

 

[cattlawapps324]

Here is a link for 75% off, which is the biggest discount we've ever offered! Valid until Monday!

A little thank you for being part of our community

Hi Jaysen,

I don't think this is working anymore - price comes to £60 when I clicked on it. Is there a coupon code? Thanks!!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jaysen,

I don't think this is working anymore - price comes to £60 when I clicked on it. Is there a coupon code? Thanks!!

It may have "sold out" if we only set a number of purchases. Jaysen will be back online tomorrow, so I will flag to him in case there is anyway we can honour the discount still.

 

[cattlawapps324]

It may have "sold out" if we only set a number of purchases. Jaysen will be back online tomorrow, so I will flag to him in case there is anyway we can honour the discount still.

thanks!