TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Bbhu19]

Hiya @Bbhu19

Just wanted to jump in and add to what @Andrei Radu has already said. Completely agree, it's quite difficult to find much information about the firm. I've tried to put some research together based on a quick google search, and hoping the information below is helpful to you.

1. Financials: I just looked through The Lawyer's most recent market report on US firms in the City (unfortunately paywalled), and it mentions that Katten’s London office has seen significant growth in recent years (both financially and in terms of its headcount). In 2023, revenue grew by 16.9%, reaching $23.8 million and thus up from $20.3 million the previous year. The firm’s global performance also looks quite good, as total revenue climbed by 5.2% to $781.6 million.

2. Key Practice Areas: The Lawyer's market report also mentions that a major driver of Katten’s success in London has been its focus on transactional work, particularly advising U.S. financial services clients operating internationally. Transatlantic work has been a key growth area, now making up 37% of the firm’s UK revenue and this apparently went up from just 21% in 2021. You may want to look into the following transactional matters in which the London office was involved, which I've found through looking at their Legal 500 profile and the firm's website:

• Leonardo Hotel’s £65 million acquisition of the Grand Brighton Hotel
• Authentic Brands Group on its takeover of Hunter Boot Limited
• Nordic fund manager Areim AB on a €1.5 billion logistics joint venture across the EU
• They are currently advising the liquidators of Lloyds Pharmacy following its insolvency

3. Talent and Headcount Growth: The firm appears to be growing its London team to align with its U.S. headquarters. It recently made some pretty impressive hires in transactional areas, particularly in its funds practice. You can read about these here, but they include funds partners Ryan Hansen and Thomas Laurer, as well as tax planning partner Daniel Lewin, who all joined from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP.

This is just to help you get started on drafting answers to any application questions. Hope this helps and good luck with the application!

Thank you this is very helpful

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, has anyone completed the video interview for the Legal internship at Amex?

Hey,

I’m unsure about AMEX in particular, but these are some common questions that come up in such pre-recorded VI situations (non-exhaustive list).

1. Tell us about yourself.

2. Why do you want to work at our firm?

3. Why are you pursuing a career in commercial law?

4. Describe a time you worked in a team and faced a challenge. How did you overcome it?

5. Tell us about a time you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage your time effectively?

6. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing law firms today?

7. Describe a time you demonstrated strong attention to detail.

8. Give an example of a time you had to persuade someone to see things your way.

9. What skills or qualities do you think make a great commercial lawyer/in-house legal analyst?

10. Tell us about a recent commercial news story that interested you and why.

11. Why in-house/ differences with private practice law (or something within this spec).

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Any one have insights on Simmons & Simmons AC- including inbox exercise (I genuinely don't know what this would be like), client discussion exercise(what is this) and case study exercise and competency interview
, would be so appreciate on the insights given- can give insights on HL AC.

Congratulations!! Can I ask when you submitted the VI?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

anyone heard from CRS post VI for summer placement?

 

[legallyells]

anyone heard from CRS post VI for summer placement?

the wait is driving me crazy!!!! refreshing my emails constantly!!

 

[adrian_nlh]

Ok so this is borderline a conspiracy theory but I looked at last year's thread and Travers sent all pfo's on a single day in March. Maybe they just had that pfo day earlier this time and those of us still here are getting interviews? At the same time though, back then, no one got interviews after the pfo day, at least not on the forum (so it was kinda like the Ashurst pfo day, where the pfos were sent to anyone remaining)

I don't know. It could be that we're in the 'amber' pile, i.e. the reserve list in case those offered ACs do not accept. I don't know about Travers, but a lot of firms will have people they definitely don't want (red), people they definitely do want (green) and people in limbo (amber) who they'll pick up if green is too small. It could be that those who have received a PFO so far are in red and we're in amber because Travers have already begun giving out offers for their SVS.

 

[traineedreamer]

I don't know. It could be that we're in the 'amber' pile, i.e. the reserve list in case those offered ACs do not accept. I don't know about Travers, but a lot of firms will have people they definitely don't want (red), people they definitely do want (green) and people in limbo (amber) who they'll pick up if green is too small. It could be that those who have received a PFO so far are in red and we're in amber because Travers have already begun giving out offers for their SVS.

Red gang make some noiseeee!!!

 

[James Wakefield]

I don't know. It could be that we're in the 'amber' pile, i.e. the reserve list in case those offered ACs do not accept. I don't know about Travers, but a lot of firms will have people they definitely don't want (red), people they definitely do want (green) and people in limbo (amber) who they'll pick up if green is too small. It could be that those who have received a PFO so far are in red and we're in amber because Travers have already begun giving out offers for their SVS.

Do people on here think its the same situation for Ropes too? I've only seen two AC invites on here (when they invite 70 to AC). Would have thought more people would post if all offers made.

 

[CCLaw]

Has anyone heard from Gateley for the Reading office?

 

[missTCLA]

in an interview, if youre asked how many firms you've applied to, what is a good response?

 

[jta227]

in an interview, if youre asked how many firms you've applied to, what is a good response?

Enough that it seems like you didn't spend an entire cycle applying to 1-2 firms and not too much that it seems like you've scattergunned and not thoroughly put effort into each application, I suppose. When people get these questions I think it's more likely they ask something like "which other firms have you applied to?" rather than asking for a specific number - if this is the case then try and think about firms that are similar to the one you're currently being interviewed at in some way so it looks like you have preferences in what you want from a firm and haven't just applied any and everywhere with little thought. You don't have to state every single firm you've applied to

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone have advice for what I can do this summer / time until the next application cycle to boost my cv and general experiences?
This was my first application cycle and am still waiting to hear back from one AC but am not hopeful so I want to get ahead with adding stuff to my CV for the next cycle, especially law related as I don't really have any legal experiences.
I have a summer job, play a sport, volunteer weekly, and attend quite a few online events/complete forages, is there anything else I can do to improve myself for the next cycle or something I'm missing? Any advice very much appreciated as I really want to put my best foot forwards next time. Thanks

 

[Starfish31]

White & Case rejection!

 

[legallycurly]

Has anyone heard from DACB? they said we'd hear back no later than end of feb but tomorrow is literally the last day...

So I think there is still time. They also stated the ac dates, which are not any time soon.

 

[RaniaH062002]

Anyone heard anything from Shoosmiths yet? I’m aware they emailed stating we would receive an outcome no later than 18:00 tomorrow.

 

[SamiyaJ]

4 ACs, no offers. Third proper application cycle, feeling defeated.

I’m so sorry to hear that! Can’t imagine how you’re even feeling. I hope you take some time to relax and unwind.

You are so, so close!!!!! You are clearly doing all the right things- 4 ACs is such an impressive achievement. Wishing you all the best in the next cycle, you’ve got this. 🤞🏽

 

[Chris Brown]

What are these floating heart things on the forum? Can anyone else see them or am I just high as a kite? 🪁​

 

[simplyfaith]

I'd feel the love a little more if Paul, Weiss stopped leaving me on read

 

[isabelstcjourney]

Has anyone heard from Fieldfisher post the online test?

 

[futuretrainee!]

in an interview, if youre asked how many firms you've applied to, what is a good response?

I was asked this at the Ashurst AC, so here are my two cents:

1. They are looking for a strategy and hopefully some level of congruence among them. For example, all MC firms are considered great for well-rounded training in most popular commercial law subjects. However, if you have really enjoyed equity and trusts/private client (like I did during my PGDL) work, you might gravitate towards Mac and Mishcon.

2. I would suggest actually naming the firms and keeping them between 5-8 to show the depth of research and perhaps elaborate on some firm-specific events (Legal Cheek may be a good example, but events hosted by the firms themselves are much more valuable).

3. It is likely they are also hoping to check whether you are able to identify some of their competitors. This ties back to the first point, where your applications are expected to show some sort of strategy in which you should be able to do a competitor analysis based on practice areas, firm reputation, Chambers Rankings etc.

Hope this helps, and good luck!