TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

here's the Trump letters to the law firms about their DEI policies:

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/Law_Firm_Letters_-_03.17.2025.pdf

They state:

* firms rapidly increased their % of women, LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority partners/associates
* this took place so rapidly that it is likely to have been illegally discriminatory against non-minorities
* this was done for financial gain: e.g., Microsoft awarded bonuses to law firms meeting diversity targets
* "It appears likely that Cooley disparately provides access to certain privileges of
employment (training and leadership development) based on its employees’ race or other protected
characteristics."
* they ask for Excel spreadsheets with GPAs & race of candidates applying to diversity programmes.
* it refers to a paid 8-10 week internship programme, "SEO law", as excluding whites, and asks about this.
* it asks whether GPAs to filter candidates were applied differently by race
* it asks whether recruiters were asked to source minority candidates

etc.

It is sent to

A&O Shearman, Debevoise & Plimpton, Cooley, Freshfields, Goodwin Procter, Hogan Lovells, Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, McDermott Will & Emery, Milbank, Morgan Lewis, Morrison & Foerster, Perkins Coie, Reed Smith, Ropes & Gray, Sidley Austin, Simpson Thacher, Skadden, White & Case, and WilmerHale.


Although MC firms were contacted, this applies only to their US offices.

 

[BBsharkk]

After chasing up, finally a PW pfo post-interview. The message said nothing about feedback so I do not know if I should request any.

Same here. I emailed them nonetheless, but ngl the recruitment process was kinda weird given that they are marketed as the best PE firm without a single technical element or question 🤣

 

[thelawstudent]

still no news for most from NRF post - AC?

 

[anna57492]

Anyone heard back from rwk Goodman post vi? I believe their first scheme starts in April but they haven’t gotten back to applicants yet?

Had an interview invite this week

 

[lawyergirl2903]

still no news for most from NRF post - AC?

I got a call with a vacation scheme offer about two hours ago so I think maybe they’re just starting to get back to people!

 

[User5678]

Had an interview invite this week

Congratulations! Was this invite for a telephone/zoom interview? I thought that the final stage was the vi and the ac would be conducted on the scheme for tc?
I am still waiting to hear back post vi

 

[anna57492]

Congratulations! Was this invite for a telephone/zoom interview? I thought that the final stage was the vi and the ac would be conducted on the scheme for tc?
I am still waiting to hear back post vi

Thank you! Same, I assumed it would be the final stage but got invited to a zoom interview. Hope you hear back soon 🤞

 

[Applebanana425]

still no news for most from NRF post - AC?

they said responses w/c the 24th March

 

[jojo23]

Would it seem weird to schedule """coffee chats""" (as people call them) and then drink water/another non-coffee beverage?

Go for whisky and assert your dominance.
Or better yet, the classic rum and vybz kartel combo

 

[toad92]

anyone know how to remove autism during interviews 🙏

guess i didn't need to remove it, gibson dunn invited me to second stage interview even though i was really bad in the first one this morning lmaoo 😭

 

[mfuturetrainee]

there's an insight event being held for the vac schemers, if im unable to go, do you think it looks bad? @Jessica Booker

bumping this! @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam , do you have any advice or tips for the Cooley vac scheme? I’d really appreciate any insights on how you found the scheme and the firm, as well as any tips for success. Thanks in advance! 😊

Hiya @paralegaltotrainee


Congratulations again on securing your place on Cooley's vacation scheme! I've put together some of my thoughts below for you.

You'll find the scheme consists in a balanced mix of live client assignments and structured tasks set by graduate recruitment. Both elements are equally important, so even though the live client work is engaging and rewarding, make sure you give the structured tasks plenty of attention too. These exercises provide graduate recruitment with a consistent benchmark to compare candidates (which can be more difficult to assess if they were to look strictly at your live client work), so I'd recommend that you invest care and thought into each one.

You'll likely sit in two different seats during your time on the scheme. While it's tempting to focus on work within your assigned teams, I strongly encourage you to look beyond them as well. Some of the most insightful and enjoyable experiences I had involved actively approaching associates and partners in other practice areas. Reaching out to express your interest and proactively asking for tasks will not only enrich your understanding of how the firm operates but also help you demonstrate initiative and curiosity.

My trainee buddy was an invaluable support to me during the scheme (sadly, they've since left the firm). They allowed me to navigate everything from understanding senior lawyers' workloads to figuring out the best way to approach certain tasks. Really recommend that you don't hesitate to ask your buddy any questions you have (whether practical, professional, or simply about firm culture). My buddy certainly made the experience much less daunting.

Finally, while the vacation scheme can be intense, you shouldn't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. One thing I tell myself often is to "get out of my own head." Overthinking can feel awful. Instead, actively seek feedback before submitting work, but don’t let it shake your confidence if you receive heavily edited documents. I had my fair share of redlined feedback and still managed to secure multiple offers.

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

there's an insight event being held for the vac schemers, if im unable to go, do you think it looks bad? @Jessica Booker

Hiya @mfuturetrainee

I've not had this exact situation before, but I have been invited to similar pre-scheme events by firms. Typically these were pre-vacation scheme events, where expectations for the scheme were set and general guidance was provided by the training principal or several members from the graduate recruitment team. Personally, I'd try my best to attend, as these insight events can be very valuable. They give you a good sense of the firm's culture, introduce you to key people, and can help you feel more comfortable once the scheme starts. However, if you're genuinely unable to go, I wouldn't immediately assume it reflects poorly on you. I'd recommend dropping graduate recruitment a quick email to politely explain that you're unable to attend, just to keep them informed. That said, @Jessica Booker would probably be the best person to confirm whether missing the event could have any impact on how you're evaluated.

 

[x_lauren112]

Has anyone heard from Paul Hastings for the summer placement scheme?

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (MoFo rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[James Wakefield]

Hiya @paralegaltotrainee


Congratulations again on securing your place on Cooley's vacation scheme! I've put together some of my thoughts below for you.

You'll find the scheme consists in a balanced mix of live client assignments and structured tasks set by graduate recruitment. Both elements are equally important, so even though the live client work is engaging and rewarding, make sure you give the structured tasks plenty of attention too. These exercises provide graduate recruitment with a consistent benchmark to compare candidates (which can be more difficult to assess if they were to look strictly at your live client work), so I'd recommend that you invest care and thought into each one.

You'll likely sit in two different seats during your time on the scheme. While it's tempting to focus on work within your assigned teams, I strongly encourage you to look beyond them as well. Some of the most insightful and enjoyable experiences I had involved actively approaching associates and partners in other practice areas. Reaching out to express your interest and proactively asking for tasks will not only enrich your understanding of how the firm operates but also help you demonstrate initiative and curiosity.

My trainee buddy was an invaluable support to me during the scheme (sadly, they've since left the firm). They allowed me to navigate everything from understanding senior lawyers' workloads to figuring out the best way to approach certain tasks. Really recommend that you don't hesitate to ask your buddy any questions you have (whether practical, professional, or simply about firm culture). My buddy certainly made the experience much less daunting.

Finally, while the vacation scheme can be intense, you shouldn't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. One thing I tell myself often is to "get out of my own head." Overthinking can feel awful. Instead, actively seek feedback before submitting work, but don’t let it shake your confidence if you receive heavily edited documents. I had my fair share of redlined feedback and still managed to secure multiple offers.

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly!

Thanks for this Ram! Did you have an interview at the end, or do Cooley only judge candidates holistically on the scheme?

 

[BillSikes]

Browne Jacobson (BJ if you like) have sent their automatic test over today

45 mins to complete the test! Only if they’ve removed the two 500 word written questions!

 

[Jessica Booker]

there's an insight event being held for the vac schemers, if im unable to go, do you think it looks bad? @Jessica Booker

No - if you have got commitments you cannot get out of, then this is not an issue. Just explain why you cannot attend to the firm/graduate recruitment team.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, could I ask if anyone knows what it means if slaughters contacts your referee?

Hi. It could mean a few things, for different firms, and I am unsure about S&M specifically. Sometimes, it’s a positive sign that your application has progressed and they’re at the final stage of consideration. Other times, contacting a referee may simply be part of their operational process and not necessarily indicative of the outcome. Hope that helps!

 

[James Wakefield]

Anyone heading to Russell-Cooke for their VS week after next? Feel free to DM!