TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jnice]

@Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu or anyone else who can help me from Tcla team.

Is it inappropriate for me to reference a personal experience which sparked my interest in a firms practice area.

For Cooley- this would be their product liability practice which is ranked tier 1. My interest in it stems from my experience within dermatology, having struggled with a skin condition, I’ve had to seek out medical lasers from private dermatologists and there’s a grey area as not all doctors are qualified to operate such strong lasers and these are causing more and more damage to patients skin, lasers aren’t heavily regulated and it’s become an increasing concern as any medical professional has agency to operate them, but they are extremely dangerous when used in unqualified hands (cosmetic doctors who aren’t trained, yet are able to obtain lasers for their clinics) and there’s been a rise of litigation.

I’m not going to sell the whole sob story but can I briefly mention this as a point of interest?

Hey, in my applications and interviews in response to the why commercial law question, i spoke my initial interest in law being sparked by my interest in textiles and sewing. I discussed how I eventually developed an interest in the importance of brand protection by learning about different IP rights.

I echo what Ram has said about just merely mentioning/referencing your personal experience as opposed to really elaborating on it and focus more so on what draws you to product liability and the firm in general.

 

[ohnoselim]

any tips for cappfinity tests, never seem to pass those

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hiya @gazdgazd11

Wanted to get something to you to help structure your research into the topic. I'm hoping this isn't too late and that it's helpful. Some things you may want to look into include:

1. Shipping Disruptions and Port Congestion: There's been a lot of news about how tariffs have led to substantial disruptions in global shipping, causing rerouted shipments and logistical challenges. European ports (e.g. in Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Southampton) have experienced significant congestion due to the redirection of goods initially destined for the U.S. There was a piece in the Times that nicely covered this issue, which you can find here.
2. Increased Shipping Costs: You may want to look into any research/news on how tariffs are contributing to rising shipping costs. I'd recommend having a thinking about how this sort of escalation can affect the cost structures of businesses and any contract negotiations and dispute resolution mechanisms.
3. Regulatory Changes and Port Fees: Some of my former colleagues on LinkedIn who work in defence have noted that the U.S. administration is now planning to impose substantial port fees on Chinese-built vessels (though this was revised after industry backlash). But overall this indicates that there might be more stringent regulatory measures on the horizon. You can learn more about the port fees and its relationship to tariffs here.
4. Strategic Shifts in Trade Routes: There's this good piece in the Guardian which looks into some of the ways businesses are trying to shift trade routes. But essentially, the point being made is that businesses are altering their supply chains, with some halting Chinese imports or shifting sources to countries like Vietnam and India. It's likely that these sorts of reconfigurations will require legal input on on new trade agreements and compliance with varying international laws.

Hope this helps with your application!

Thank you so much! As always so appreciated!!! The best analysis out there

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This is really a question for @Ram Sabaratnam with regards to Cooley. I was wondering if you know what they specifically look for in Vac Schemers?

I know most firms are looking for the same balance of characteristics, but I've heard some place difference emphasis on the quality of the work you produce versus coffee chats/networking. For example, I have heard Willkie are much more concerned about what you produce over the 2 weeks than other firms. So just wondering where you would say Cooley fit in? How do they assess you? Thanks!

Hiya @James Wakefield


You’re absolutely right that firms can place emphasis on slightly different things during a vacation scheme. But from my experience, I’d say Cooley is quite typical of US firms in that they’re very focused on the quality of the work you produce during the scheme. That includes your work ethic, how you respond to feedback, and how you approach the tasks you're given. They also place real weight on how you perform in the formal assessments that sit outside of day-to-day work. This "non-live work" is an important means for them to compare candidates more evenly, and they definitely factor into their decision-making.

At the same time, how you interact with people matters a lot. Like many other US firms that I've had vacation schemes with, they will absolutely take on board feedback from a wide range of people, including those you speak to over coffee chats and non-fee earners you meet. This basically allows them to get a sense of what you’d be like to have in the office every day. How you treat people and the kind of impression you leave really does count, including during your coffee chats.

Even though I was fortunate enough to get an offer, I still asked for feedback because I always wanted to understand what firms thought I did well and what I could have improved. The feedback I received from Cooley touched on all three areas: the work I produced, the way I handled the formal assessments, and how I came across to people during the scheme. So I’d say it’s worth being mindful of all of those areas. Overall, I'd say just try to do your best work, put in a good effort to connect with people, and approach the scheme as a two-week opportunity to show them what you’d be like as a trainee. Good luck, especially if you’re heading into a scheme soon!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

any tips for cappfinity tests, never seem to pass those

Hiya @ohnoselim

I've generally found these tests a bit tricky to prepare for, especially because they tend to be quite varied depending on the firm and the specific role. From what I’ve seen (and from my own experience doing a CAPP test for Linklaters and BCLP) they often include a mix of situational judgement scenarios and questions that feel more like they’re assessing your personality traits. Some versions also include a Watson Glaser-style element.

From having read the forum on the topic, I’d say the best way to approach it is to first get a sense of what the firm is actually looking for. In effect, you'll want to consider their key competencies or values, because that’ll help give you a sense of what they’re likely assessing in the test. Then it can really help to do a few practice SJTs just to get comfortable with the format and start thinking through how you might approach different scenarios.

Also, as far as I know, most of these tests aren’t timed. At least, when I did the Linklaters one, I was able to take as long as I needed. I just gave myself the time to really think through each question and what the best or most appropriate response might be. I'm also including the following links which @Chris Brown had posted on the forum a few months back. These look really helpful for getting a feel for the format and practising a bit beforehand:

• Preparation Hub – Practice Assessments
• FAQs about the CAPP test

Hope that helps, and good luck!

 

[OliverTwist]

You email grad rec just attach a screenshot and proof

Hey - have you been paid yet?

 

[Chris Brown]

Return of the Mack! And best of luck to you too on your legal journey 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

Hi guys, it’s Breezy here! I’m happy to be back on the forum. 😅😅

 

[TCpleasex]

I have an interview in a couple of days with Eversheds for a paralegal role.

Has anyone interviewed with them for a paralegal role before & have any advice?

P.s I know this is for VS advice, however, not really sure where else to post as there’s no paralegal forum 🥺

 

[dolchii]

Has anyone who got PFO after Gateley AC received detailed feedback as to why?

 

[lawgal1908]

Unless there are terms in either your VS or TC offer that stop you from doing the vacation scheme because you have accepted the TC, you can choose to do the VS should you want to.

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

 

[a512003]

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

Would also like to know if a firm requires you to withdraw from any other processes as a term of signing the TC and you go ahead with another scheme and renege on the offer what could the firm actually do against you?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

For clarity, it will only be if you have accepted an offer that such a term will be in place. You can hold an offer that you haven't decided on.

If you would not accept a TC with the VS firm over the existing TC offer you have, then I would withdraw from the vacation scheme - there is little to no point doing a vacation scheme if you are definitely going to accept the TC offer you have. If you want to explore the opportunity with the VS firm and may potentially decline/renege the offer with the original TC firm, then you could ask the TC firm to potentially extend the offer period. However, they could decline this request.

Ultimately some people do accept offers, keep it exceptionally quiet (e.g. no posts on social media/don't tell many people) and then continue with the VS despite having accepted a TC elsewhere. Although they will be in breach of their employment contract, they manage to keep it quiet and the VS firm does not always find out. It isn't without its complications though, especially when asked by your VS firm how your other applications/VS opportunities have gone, whether informally during a scheme or during a TC conversion process.

However, I have heard of at least three people this cycle who have had their VS offer withdrawn within this cycle when the firm found out they had an accepted TC offer elsewhere. Ultimately you are in breach of the employment contract, so the firm doesn't have to do anything as such - you have technically terminated the contracted by being in breach of it, rather than the firm having to withdraw the offer.

In this instance, because the term is in the VS offer, not the TC, that is a risk you would take. I think its trickier to consider when the term is in your TC offer though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Would also like to know if a firm requires you to withdraw from any other processes as a term of signing the TC and you go ahead with another scheme and renege on the offer what could the firm actually do against you?

The firm technically doesn't have to do anything. You are in breach of contract - so you have technically terminated the agreement by being in breach of the offer, not them.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi all! Any info on the Winston & Strawn interview? I can't find anything online

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all! Any info on the Winston & Strawn interview? I can't find anything online

We don’t have a lot of information, but we understand that previous candidates have been asked situational judgement questions that ask you to think about how you might respond to situations trainees experience and also commercial awareness questions specifically about the firm and its position in the market.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

We don’t have a lot of information, but we understand that previous candidates have been asked situational judgement questions that ask you to think about how you might respond to situations trainees experience and also commercial awareness questions specifically about the firm and its position in the market.

Thank you Jessica! Just to be sure, is this from the one post from 2018, or from your experience hearing from other candidates in more recent years? Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you Jessica! Just to be sure, is this from the one post from 2018, or from your experience hearing from other candidates in more recent years? Thanks

This is from the last recruitment cycle.

We understand there is a new commercial element to the final round interview stage that is new for this year and that we don’t have any information on this where it is new.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

This is from the last recruitment cycle.

We understand there is a new commercial element to the final round interview stage that is new for this year and that we don’t have any information on this where it is new.

Thank you very much!

 

[lovedalaw]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I had a question about doing a vac scheme in Dubai and what it would mean to potentially accept a TC offer if I am offered one. For background, I'm an EU national (not pre-settled as moved to the UK for uni in 2021), and my family is based in the UAE. It would be a scheme for a very big UK law firm, and one of the four seats would be in London, confirmed. I would also be doing my SQE in London, as the firm would be sending me to be with the UK cohort.

I wanted to ask firstly whether, from your experience, if I ever wanted to return to London it would be near impossible or very difficult to move that way, and whether trainings outside of London, in Dubai or Hong Kong, are seen as being less intensive or taken less seriously.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I had a question about doing a vac scheme in Dubai and what it would mean to potentially accept a TC offer if I am offered one. For background, I'm an EU national (not pre-settled as moved to the UK for uni in 2021), and my family is based in the UAE. It would be a scheme for a very big UK law firm, and one of the four seats would be in London, confirmed. I would also be doing my SQE in London, as the firm would be sending me to be with the UK cohort.

I wanted to ask firstly whether, from your experience, if I ever wanted to return to London it would be near impossible or very difficult to move that way, and whether trainings outside of London, in Dubai or Hong Kong, are seen as being less intensive or taken less seriously.

Moving between the UAE and London won't be impossible, but it won't necessarily be straight forward either.

Although you will be qualified in England and Wales, your experience will be predominately on UAE matters rather than English law matters, which will make it somewhat more difficult to compete with associates in the English job market who will have more experience in local matters. It will depend on what area of law you qualify into and also how supportive the firm you train with are in willing to either allow you to move on further secondments or permanent moves to London. It is likely to be far easier to move with your existing employer than with a new one, and therefore you may want to look at how many of their current lawyers in London are people who trained in the UAE.

It will also depend on the job market at the time you want to move - if there is high demand for lawyers it will be easier.

Your training will not be seen as less intensive or taken less seriously though. It is just in a different jurisdiction, with different clients. The major benefit you will have though is that you will be qualified within England and Wales.