TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[simplyfaith]

Age isn't why I'm feeling stuck. Laziness is the reason - anyone else?

I'm never tailoring anything ever again. That's it. I have better things to do. They can take it or leave it. I have grass to touch

That's where I'm at 🤣

 

[Chris Brown]

Age isn't why I'm feeling stuck. Laziness is the reason - anyone else?

I’ve made the decision that if I am to go through another cycle, I am avoiding firms that ask us to write an entire PhD thesis, only to then give us a generic automated PFO. If an application question asks for more than 300 words, it’s an automatic no from me. This is the point I am at after only one application cycle. 😂😂​

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi @Chris Brown and @legal18 I would describe Willkie in London as a middle-sized office of a top US firm specializing in a number of transactional (particularly PE and insurance work) and contentious practices (particularly competition litigation and white collar crime). If we look at competitors at a firm-wide level, the most similar types of firms I would identify would be the likes of Milbank, Cleary, and Gibson Dunn. Looking at the firm's wider strategy, we can see Willkie has grown rapidly in London with a focus on servicing its PE client base but also seeking to have a well-rounded and well-hedged practice; and thus, expanded to other areas when the opportunity arose. Within PE, while it does not have quite as strong of a reputation as a Kirkland, Latham or Simpson Thatcher, this is mainly due to the difference in size of practice - in 2024, I know they had the smallest number of practitioners of all firms in the same Chambers band ranking. As such, I would classify them as a having a smaller but premium PE offering, similar to that of Paul, Weiss, Gibson Dunn, and Ropes & Gray, who I would deem to be their primary competitors in this space.

As for your second question, I would firstly advise you not to worry. As you might know, Willkie has a reputation for being a US firm with a great culture, and I think this is one of the cases where this is not simply a result of effective marketing. My interview experience was one of the best ones I had, as I felt constantly encouraged by the partners and felt they really wanted to see me succeed. Having gotten to speak to both recruitment partners more during the vacation scheme, I further confirmed my impression that they are some of the kindest people I had come across in a law firm context. As such, try not to feel too nervous about the fact that you are speaking to a someone who is so much more senior than you - they will do their best to make you feel at ease in that regard.

My main tips for preparation are ones that are applicable to many other interviews: firstly, know your answers to the usual motivational/competency questions really well and try to add as much insights and analysis to them as you can. Secondly, brush up on your commercial awareness, and aim to particularly improve your understanding of the key practices/sectors the firm operates in. Thirdly, when in difficulty, take a little time to think and then given your best guess and/or externalize your thought process - this is the approach that led to some of the highest praise I have received in an interview context.

Best of luck !

Thank you @Andrei Radu for your advice and guidance for both questions, I really appreciate it. The breakdown of Willkie relative to its position in the City of London and against its competitors is really insightful. I think TCLA needs to add a 🐐 react at this point because you are literally the GOAT at producing in-depth analysis of commercial city law firms. 🐐​

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Hi @Chris Brown and @legal18 I would describe Willkie in London as a middle-sized office of a top US firm specializing in a number of transactional (particularly PE and insurance work) and contentious practices (particularly competition litigation and white collar crime). If we look at competitors at a firm-wide level, the most similar types of firms I would identify would be the likes of Milbank, Cleary, and Gibson Dunn. Looking at the firm's wider strategy, we can see Willkie has grown rapidly in London with a focus on servicing its PE client base but also seeking to have a well-rounded and well-hedged practice; and thus, expanded to other areas when the opportunity arose. Within PE, while it does not have quite as strong of a reputation as a Kirkland, Latham or Simpson Thatcher, this is mainly due to the difference in size of practice - in 2024, I know they had the smallest number of practitioners of all firms in the same Chambers band ranking. As such, I would classify them as a having a smaller but premium PE offering, similar to that of Paul, Weiss, Gibson Dunn, and Ropes & Gray, who I would deem to be their primary competitors in this space.

As for your second question, I would firstly advise you not to worry. As you might know, Willkie has a reputation for being a US firm with a great culture, and I think this is one of the cases where this is not simply a result of effective marketing. My interview experience was one of the best ones I had, as I felt constantly encouraged by the partners and felt they really wanted to see me succeed. Having gotten to speak to both recruitment partners more during the vacation scheme, I further confirmed my impression that they are some of the kindest people I had come across in a law firm context. As such, try not to feel too nervous about the fact that you are speaking to a someone who is so much more senior than you - they will do their best to make you feel at ease in that regard.

My main tips for preparation are ones that are applicable to many other interviews: firstly, know your answers to the usual motivational/competency questions really well and try to add as much insights and analysis to them as you can. Secondly, brush up on your commercial awareness, and aim to particularly improve your understanding of the key practices/sectors the firm operates in. Thirdly, when in difficulty, take a little time to think and then given your best guess and/or externalize your thought process - this is the approach that led to some of the highest praise I have received in an interview context.

Best of luck !

Hi @Andrei Radu ! Would you be able to comment on the same aspects for Weil including their training quality? Thanks!

 

[ausinldn]

Question for people who are international students or are currently based overseas.

How flexible have you found firms to be for ACs or interviews that are meant to be in person? Have they been willing to provide an online or virtual option for you?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Parsorandini]

Slightly embarrassed to admit this but after 4 years of applications, I have finally got through to the final stage of a vac scheme application for the first time and get to speak to actual people from the firm. No idea how to prepare but been told to celebrate the small wins a bit more so here we are. I'll give it my best 🫡

I have been offered a place on the CMS Insight Programme

I can call that a vacation scheme right? 🥲

 

[yk1906]

Question for people who are international students or are currently based overseas.

How flexible have you found firms to be for ACs or interviews that are meant to be in person? Have they been willing to provide an online or virtual option for you?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I cannot speak for every firm, but I talked to Freshfields' graduate recruitment team and they said it was possible to arrange a virtual AC in this situation.

 

[bsh]

Has anyone done their PW interview yet? If so, was it as expected - motivational/competency-based ?

 

[delarse]

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to hear from Freshfields post-AC?

 

[NCTC2025]

To anyone still waiting on Hogan Lovells, was told by grad rec recently that they're still running ACs and the final one will be on 18th March!

 

[AZ97]

Safe to say if no response from weil post-AC yet then its a pfo?

 

[VVV]

Safe to say if no response from weil post-AC yet then its a pfo?

Know some have been rejected so might be a maybe pile and we hear Monday? Not sure tho. Have you heard a lot of people getting offers?

 

[AS24]

Hi guys,

For those who completed the LPC at BPP, did you receive a signed and stamped certificate from them to prove your completion? I have been offered a new job, and they need this paper otherwise, I cannot start. I gave them my official transcript and the number of the tutor who usually provides firms with my reference.

@Jessica Booker, I have not signed the newly issued employment contract, in the meantime, I have been contacted for a job interview, which I would like to attend. If this goes well, can I reject the other job offer?

 

[Bloo]

Hi all, has anyone done the Pinsent Masons Forage experience/ have any general advice on how to prioritise emails?

I'm prepping for their AC which has an inbox/in-tray exercise. PM's forage has a task where you need to review emails and rank the order you would respond to, so I think assesses similar things to the AC exercise.

The correct answers for how you should prioritise are really different from how I would go about it so I am seriously confused.

E.g. they say to prioritise responding to an email from a partner (sent 4pm the day before) asking for a summary of changes in the legislation in the next few days BEFORE
1) an associate's email saying they need something 'as soon as possible to ensure the bank can fund the deal by 2pm', and
2) an urgent email from your supervisor at 9am saying they need your help summarising something 'sufficiently ahead' of 11am

Am I missing something? I would honestly have put the email from the partner as not that urgent and can be dealt with by the end of the week. Does anyone have any insight as to why this order? @Jessica Booker

 

[Careergal]

Does anyone please have any tips for NRF AC (its online) Can exchange info for Links (last year) & HSF

 

[applicant457]

Anyone have Spark VI insight? anyone done it?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys,

For those who completed the LPC at BPP, did you receive a signed and stamped certificate from them to prove your completion? I have been offered a new job, and they need this paper otherwise, I cannot start. I gave them my official transcript and the number of the tutor who usually provides firms with my reference.

@Jessica Booker, I have not signed the newly issued employment contract, in the meantime, I have been contacted for a job interview, which I would like to attend. If this goes well, can I reject the other job offer?

Yes - you can renege on a job offer quite easily unless you have taken any financial support from them ahead of joining.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, has anyone done the Pinsent Masons Forage experience/ have any general advice on how to prioritise emails?

I'm prepping for their AC which has an inbox/in-tray exercise. PM's forage has a task where you need to review emails and rank the order you would respond to, so I think assesses similar things to the AC exercise.

The correct answers for how you should prioritise are really different from how I would go about it so I am seriously confused.

E.g. they say to prioritise responding to an email from a partner (sent 4pm the day before) asking for a summary of changes in the legislation in the next few days BEFORE
1) an associate's email saying they need something 'as soon as possible to ensure the bank can fund the deal by 2pm', and
2) an urgent email from your supervisor at 9am saying they need your help summarising something 'sufficiently ahead' of 11am

Am I missing something? I would honestly have put the email from the partner as not that urgent and can be dealt with by the end of the week. Does anyone have any insight as to why this order? @Jessica Booker

I don’t understand the logic of that order they are suggesting either.

 

[c3alg]

should I assume PFO from CRS if I haven't heard back yet post VI for London SVS

 

[c3alg]

I don't think so. I haven't seen anyone receive AC invites yet... could be wrong tho

I saw a few people received holding emails on friday - there isn't an ac before the svs