It’s really difficult, but trusted my gut and went with what seemed right. Definitely do the practice questions that they provide access to beforehandHow did you find the assessment? I have heard its harder than the watson
It’s really difficult, but trusted my gut and went with what seemed right. Definitely do the practice questions that they provide access to beforehandHow did you find the assessment? I have heard its harder than the watson
Applying for Hogan Lovells direct TC and currently struggling with this one question: tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector (250 words).
It's been 2 years since I've graduated from uni and since I've started working, I've never had the chance to attend any more recent events. The last law firm open day/event i've gone to was in my second year of uni.
What exactly is the firm looking from this question? Meaningful reflection of the events?But what exactly can I write about -- please may I get some pointers?
Also because my attendance at these events were so long ago, are they still considered relevant?
I had my ac on the 4th november and they said they'd get back to us end of last week or this week - so would wait till the end of the week. I know some people on here received wvs offers a while back and then last week so they may just be doing it in batchesNothing received yet! I did see two or three people on this thread who said they had received offers last thursday/friday. Obvs not everybody who receives an offer will be on here of course. Idk if there's still hope atp...sigh (buy hey, maybe they did their ACs at the earliest date)
Who are Travers Smith's competitors? I see they are very well-balanced and traverse (all pun intended) many practice areas, should I be referring to their practice area/sector competitors or overall competitors?
@Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Andrei Radu @Shahana
Hi team,
I hope you’re well. I’ve reached out to both Shahana and Jessica about upgrading my bronze subscription to gold, but I haven’t yet received an update. I understand you’re likely handling a high volume of requests, but I wanted to confirm a few details before making any additional purchases.
If I purchase the application review pack, will I be able to submit my applications directly for review, or will this also require approval similar to the gold subscription upgrade? I’d like to ensure that I’ll be able to proceed with reviews smoothly, especially as I’m a bit concerned by the delay in processing my subscription upgrade.
Thank you for your help, and I look forward to hearing from you soon![]()
Simmons AC for Summer! Any insights will be helpful as contains a lot of exercises. @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @anyone
Hey @FLOWERYELLOW2002 , thanks for your question. I haven’t had any experience with Simmons in particular, but here are a few tips from the specific points you’ve mentioned:
Inbox Exercise
The inbox exercise simulates a real-life work scenario where you'll be managing multiple tasks and deadlines, often under time pressure. Typically, you'll be reviewing emails and responding appropriately. This could involve prioritizing client queries, drafting responses, and even summarizing complex information into clear, actionable advice.
In some cases, you might also be asked to write an electronic memo summarizing your thoughts and findings based on attached documents or client instructions. It’s important to maintain a professional tone and address client concerns clearly. I would suggest focusing on being concise yet thorough—clients value clarity and precision in legal advice.
In my experience, law firms want to see how well you manage your workload, respond to client needs, and communicate effectively. A good way to prepare is by practicing drafting succinct emails and memos, perhaps even setting a timer to simulate the time pressure you may face on the day.
Client Discussion
A client discussion exercise could involve advising a client on the surrounding circumstances of their case, often in the presence of a senior lawyer or partner. This task will test your ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and efficiently. The key here is to ensure you fully understand the client’s objectives—what they want to achieve from the matter—and provide tailored advice that addresses those concerns.
The client may ask questions on the spot, so it’s important to stay calm and think on your feet. They’ll be assessing your commercial awareness and understanding of how legal principles apply to business situations. Therefore, brushing up on recent commercial cases or trends in the sector can be beneficial. Whether you're discussing contract negotiations, regulatory issues, or disputes, having a broad understanding of the legal and business implications will help you shine.
If you’re preparing for a transactional firm, expect more corporate-focused discussions—think mergers, acquisitions, and private equity. For more contentious firms, the discussion may lean towards litigation or dispute resolution. Being aware of both areas is crucial, as even transactional clients will appreciate your awareness of potential disputes, and vice versa.
Case Study
Case studies at law firm assessment centres tend to focus on contemporary issues in the commercial world. You might be given an article on a specific industry, like energy, or a broader topic such as private equity or mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The task will usually involve analyzing the situation and advising on potential legal or business solutions. Firms are testing your ability to digest information, think critically, and apply your legal knowledge to real-world scenarios.
For example, in a case study involving M&A, you may need to advise on due diligence, regulatory concerns, or the structure of the deal. In a case centered around energy, you might need to discuss environmental regulations, contract risks, or the impact of geopolitical events. Be sure to structure your analysis logically: identify the key issues, consider possible solutions, and weigh the pros and cons of each option.
In my experience, transactional firms tend to center their case studies on corporate law issues, while contentious firms will have case studies focused more on litigation or regulatory concerns. However, showcasing knowledge of both will help you come across as a well-rounded candidate. It’s essential to demonstrate that you can consider both corporate and contentious aspects—this will highlight your versatility and make you a more attractive prospect.
General Tips
- Research the firm: Know their major practice areas, recent cases, and key clients. It helps to tailor your responses and demonstrate your commercial awareness.
- Time management: These exercises are often time-pressured, so practice managing your time effectively.
- Attention to detail: Commercial law demands precision, so take care in reviewing documents, drafting emails, and delivering advice.
- Clear communication: Whether in written tasks or discussions, make sure your points are clear, concise, and business-oriented.
Hope this helps!
Same just got my PFO right now as well (I only applied yesterday a few hours before the deadline). My email also said they would 'encourage me to apply for their vacation scheme'. Did you also get that since I am assuming they sent a generic email to everyone they rejected.Davis Polk Insight Day PFO
4 Open Day applications and 4 PFOs in this cycle.
This particular one hurts cos of the time invested and that I had genuine reasons to want to work at the firm.
Does anyone with particular insight to DPW know if I can apply for the VS this cycle after the rejection, or should I look elsewhere?
Hi guys! a quick question, does anyone know if i can apply to TC and VS for Linklaters in one recruitment cycle or not?
Yeah I applied on the 7th, and I got that email too, so it’s defo generic.Same just got my PFO right now as well (I only applied yesterday a few hours before the deadline). My email also said they would 'encourage me to apply for their vacation scheme'. Did you also get that since I am assuming they sent a generic email to everyone they rejected.
Hi, for the question "Please choose a recent (less than 12 months) development in UK/European news. How are such developments relevant for Skadden’s clients? (max 250)", does it need to focus specifically on a new regulation, or would discussing commercial trends also be appropriate?
Generally, I would recommend prose over bullet points. If you have a lot to talk about, focus on the most complex responsibilities or those that were most challenging.@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu On the vantage platform or the all hires platform that firms use re work experience, should I be putting in bullet points for the details of my role or explaining my responsibilities with more granularity? There’s more to talk about with my full time jobs than I can fit into 250 words if I go into detail so I thought it best to bullet point the major responsibilities and achievements?
I would personally leave it - I don’t think the firm would assume you resat your year just because of the dates of your campus ambassador role.just submitted my cv for SM, but realised theres a mistake with one of the dates, as i have that i was a brand ambassador in my first year instead of my second (current) year, any advice on what to do - just don't want HR to think I have re-taken a year (as you can't be brand ambassador for this firm in your first year).
I don’t know the specifics of each programme, so I would check each vacancy you are interested in as they state what year you have to be in on the vacancy listing.@Jessica Booker apologies for chasing, the deadline is in 10 days therefore I want to apply asap
@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu On the vantage platform or the all hires platform that firms use re work experience, should I be putting in bullet points for the details of my role or explaining my responsibilities with more granularity? There’s more to talk about with my full time jobs than I can fit into 250 words if I go into detail so I thought it best to bullet point the major responsibilities and achievements?
Morning all, i received an email today from a firm I interviewed at over summer. After an assessment day I was rejected. As someone who accepted a place has now dropped out they’ve invited some of their previous interviewees for a follow up interview.
Do you know what I should expect? Is it just to check if I would fit in culturally or Will some of the other stuff covered in an AC come up?
Interesting dynamics because they’re potentially putting you through the effort and disappointment twice… is there a decent chance of converting to a TC?
Hi @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam !
Any advice on how to tackle the following question (and how I should divide the word count)?: "Please choose a recent (less than 12 months) development in UK/European news. How are such developments relevant for Skadden’s clients?"
I was thinking of writing 1-2 sentences outlining the recent development. Then, I am not sure about whether I should discuss why I find the development I chose interesting because usually the 'commercial' question like this in an app would explicitly state "a news story that interests you" in the question, but this is not the case in here. So, should I spend the rest of my word count simply outlining how the news/developments would affect Skadden's clients and how Skadden would get involved as a result?
Thank you!
Hi @Amma Usman, @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu
I trust you are all well.
I am applying to Katten and am trying to understand how to answer this question.
What experience and skills do you have that will make you an excellent solicitor at Katten?
I am struggling to understand how specific I should be. Would you suggest looking for keywords used by the firm's marketing team?
Thank you in advance for your help.