TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[mhs234]

Anyone have any AC offer for shoosmiths TC yet?

 

[sxw517]

You could, but you could then also have a disciplinary record that could follow you if you are fired for breaching the terms of your employment. Although references tend to be fairly standard with employment dates and job title, previously employers will often disclose disciplinary actions when they provide references.

You may also need to disclose such work to the vac scheme firm too, who could then contact your current employer, as any conflict check process. So it is not completely unrealistic that your current employer could find out.

The safest option is asking your employer whether they can make an exception to the term, but you'd most likely need to make your boss aware of the situation if you did do this.

I worry, as I'm progressing well in this role and explicitly said in my interview, when asked about the SQE course and PgDL I had taken, that I was no longer interested in a career in law. Telling them 1.5 years down the line that I want time off for what is essentially a job try-out, won't go down well at all.

 

[RonRod13]

I worry, as I'm progressing well in this role and explicitly said in my interview, when asked about the SQE course and PgDL I had taken, that I was no longer interested in a career in law. Telling them 1.5 years down the line that I want time off for what is essentially a job try-out, won't go down well at all.

Your best bet is to just take the risk and request time off as a holiday. The chances of your current employer finding out are slim to none.

Theres absolutely no point disclosing the vac scheme to your current employer because then they will obviously know that you’ve got one foot out the door which isn’t a great look. And if you don’t convert the vac scheme then you’re in an even worse position than you started.

The safest option is not always the best one…

 

[sxw517]

Your best bet is to just take the risk and request time off as a holiday. The chances of your current employer finding out are slim to none.

Theres absolutely no point disclosing the vac scheme to your current employer because then they will obviously know that you’ve got one foot out the door which isn’t a great look. And if you don’t convert the vac scheme then you’re in an even worse position than you started.

My thoughts exactly, I'll be like a bad smell in the office.

 

[emee]

Does anyone know how many people get Mishcon vac schemes i.e. how likely is it to convert to a TC?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Theres absolutely no point disclosing the vac scheme to your current employer because then they will obviously know that you’ve got one foot out the door which isn’t a great look. And if you don’t convert the vac scheme then you’re in an even worse position than you started.

Well there is a point if there is a risk of the employer finding out anyway. The concept that there is a slim to none chance of being found out is incorrect.

A bit factor in this is what type of industry you are currently working in. If this is a regulated industry (banking, accountancy) or in a major public sector organisation like the Civil Service, or in any competitor/organisation where conflicts could be an issue, this becomes an exceptionally larger risk someone would be taking.

 

[sxw517]

Well there is a point if there is a risk of the employer finding out anyway...

A bit factor in this is what type of industry you are currently working in. If this is a regulated industry (banking, accountancy) or in a major public sector organisation like the Civil Service, or in any competitor/organisation where conflicts could be an issue, this becomes an exceptionally larger risk someone would be taking.

It is in one of the aforementioned sectors, we often work with other law firms as well, which makes a conflict check even more likely.

I'm really not sure what the best course of action is, I'm going to email grad rec and see what they say.

 

[Jessica Booker]

It is in one of the aforementioned sectors, we often work with other law firms as well, which makes a conflict check even more likely.

I'm really not sure what the best course of action is, I'm going to email grad rec and see what they say.

They are going to tell you to disclose it to your employer. Could the vac scheme firm offer you a direct TC process instead?

 

[Bolade]

Hii @Jessica Booker Wanted to ask what the difference is between - "Why do you think we should consider employing you?” and “What experiences (if any) have you encountered to date that you feel may be brought with you to the firm and from which we may benefit?” and how to go about both?

 

[sxw517]

They are going to tell you to disclose it to your employer. Could the vac scheme firm offer you a direct TC process instead?

Yes, but the deadline for this has now passed. I'll email and ask if I can switch to that. I'm hoping I won't have to do all the stages again.

Seems like the only option really, as I don't want to shoot myself in the foot with my current employer.

Thanks, Jessica!

 

[hiimlawyer]

Anything from Paul Hastings for PHirst?

 

[ErickLawson2020]

Well there is a point if there is a risk of the employer finding out anyway. The concept that there is a slim to none chance of being found out is incorrect.

A bit factor in this is what type of industry you are currently working in. If this is a regulated industry (banking, accountancy) or in a major public sector organisation like the Civil Service, or in any competitor/organisation where conflicts could be an issue, this becomes an exceptionally larger risk someone would be taking.

What if the current role is in another country?
Will that make things like conflict check slightly better?

 

[lawbear123]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre I'm in my 2nd year of uni - If I haven't gotten a vac scheme this cycle, how do you recommend I proceed? Should I apply for vac schemes in my 3rd year or focus on direct TC applications now?

 

[Tcla555]

Have Gateley sent all their decisions by now? Haven't heard back since February but assuming bad news at this point

I believe so, email them to see and check your spam also

 

[abrzq]

Another day, another lack of reply from Fox Williams 😭😭😭

 

[sibs23]

Another day, another lack of reply from Fox Williams 😭😭😭

I am starting to think it's going to be next week because so many people will still be on Easter holiday this week

 

[prospectiveswitcher]

If my employment contract for my current company has a clause in that reads:

'You are prohibited from engaging, either independently or as an employee, agent, or consultant for any other individual, partnership, or corporation, or as a Director of any entity, in any trade, business, profession, or fee-earning activity during your employment, unless written consent is obtained from a Director of the company. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.'

I have accepted a VS for this summer, but don't want to let my boss know why I want 10 days off, as I am happy in this career until I obtain a TC - so I have requested the absence 'for holiday'.

There is no real way they can find out, so should I just chance it?

Do you work in a regulated profession which is likely to have contact with the law firm and/or its clients?
If so - consider asking permission, otherwise I would chance it tbh. Even if you are in a regulated profession - if you are working for say a high street accountants and doing a VS at a US firm, it's extremely unlikely there would be any crossover, so I would consider just keeping it to yourself.

I know Jessica said about the VS firm potentially contacting your current firm but tbh I think this is unlikely - it never happened at any of the law firms I was at, and I even made it clear I was being a bit under-the-radar with the whole thing to the firms and they were more than happy to be discreet and oblige. I had no clause like that in my contract but obviously for regular reasons I didn't necessarily want it to be known I was trying out another job. I didn't work in a regulated industry (strategy consulting) but would have been in contact with clients who were of similar ilk on confidential / market sensitive matters and nothing was ever queried with me.

 

[lookingforaTC]

Anyone have any AC offer for shoosmiths TC yet?

Direct TC? The deadline was only Sunday?

 

[abrzq]

I am starting to think it's going to be next week because so many people will still be on Easter holiday this week

Yeah that seems likely, I'm still hoping to hear tomorrow 😂 probably will be next week though. Just want to get it over with at this point lol

 

[bella98]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

The frustration and exhaustion you're feeling are completely valid. It's incredibly disheartening..

Your message hits incredibly close to home for me. Just now I received a rejection email from Mishcon after an assessment centre, and that concludes my cycle - I have not secured a single vac scheme. I cannot help but feel a mix of anger and exhaustion. Like you, I've put in a huge amount of effort and dedication: I achieved a first-class law degree and distinction in my LPC, which I self-funded. I even took electives such as private acquisitions to enhance my commercial knowledge and improve my performance in case studies (as some here suggested) because I was struggling with those.

After the case study at Mishcon I had high hopes as the associate even complimented me on identifying all the issues accurately and doing a great job!! It leaves me wondering, what more do they want? This process was for just a week-long work experience and I prepared so so much, giving it my all. I'm at a point where the thought of dropping out and never applying again feels tempting because I can't stand the constant cycle of hope and disappointment any longer. So I completely get you. There's a part of me that wishes someone had warned me about the uselessness of all the effort I poured into my law degree.

Despite the pain and frustration, I want to say to both of us: if this is truly our dream, we shouldn't give up on it. The road to achieving our goals is often much tougher than we anticipate, and sometimes, it feels outright impossible. Yet, the value of our experiences, our degrees, and the effort we've put in doesn't vanish in the face of rejection. It's incredibly tough, I know, but each setback is a stepping stone towards our goal, even when it doesn't feel that way.

Your qualifications and experiences are amazing and demonstrate your dedication and capability. I'm genuinely sorry you're going through this, as I am too. Let's try to hold on to our dreams a little longer, and hopefully, our perseverance will pay off in the end.