TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@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?

Hiya @l789

Absolutely, this is perfectly fine to mention. I’ve seen applicants talk about everything from personal experiences with medical devices to the impact of certain therapeutics as a way into their interest in life sciences and product liability. Mentioning these sort of experiences can add a layer of authenticity as well. I'd just make sure to keep it concise and frame it as something that sparked your interest, rather than the sole reason for it. You'll also want to reflect more broadly on what draws you to product liability as a practice area. For instance:

1. Mixture of legal and scientific complexity: For many people I've spoken to at Cooley and elsewhere, it’s the mix of legal, scientific, and strategic complexity. You often need to engage with technical detail (e.g. understanding how a product works, consulting experts, and analysing potential failure points). There's also some of challenges of balancing clients' regulatory obligations and exposure to litigation risks.
   
   
2. The high-stakes nature of the work: Product liability cases often involve significant financial exposure, media attention, or reputational risk, especially for clients in the life sciences or tech sectors. There are too many to mention here, but you'll find some of the work Cooley has done in this area in its Legal 500 page.

So again, yes you should feel free to include the personal angle briefly, but use it as a stepping stone to demonstrate a well-rounded and thoughtful interest in the practice area itself (and specifically on the defendants' side, which is what Cooley is particularly well-known for). Good luck!

 

[j.a55293]

Has anyone heard back from Stephenson Harwood in regards to the summer vac scheme? I have received no word since my application - am I to assume that I got rejected?

Think I saw that last year they sent out more tests for the summer schemes in April and May so maybe theres a chance they might send them out once the spring scheme is finished?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi everyone, I have a question. When filling in application forms, they ask for 1st-year grades. Given that it was a COVID year and 3 exams were assessed online, technically, my transcript doesn't have a mark on there, although I have the marks online that I got. My university, Warwick, also had the letter attached to explain. Should I still put the online marks or not? Just wanted to ask because I realise it might cause confusion in the future

Hiya @TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏

Something very similar happened to me during my first year, which was also when the pandemic hit. I included the provisional grades I had received, even though they didn’t appear on my transcript (we just received a pass/fail for the year), and then used the mitigating circumstances section to explain the situation during the 2019–2020 academic year. From my understanding, most graduate recruiters understand that this was a disruptive time for universities and students. So as long as you’re transparent and offer a brief explanation, I don't think this should hurt your chances (and could in fact help, since you've offered clarity). Just be clear about what happened and where the grades came from, and I think you’ll be absolutely fine. Will tag @Jessica Booker here in case she knows whether anything has changed from a graduate recruitment standpoint.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, does anyone have an idea how tariffs could impact the shipping/maritime industry?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

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!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi everyone,

A few people have been asking about Breezy and his whereabouts. Can confirm he will be back on this account by Monday.

Thank you all for being so kind and welcoming to me whilst I’ve been on here. It’s been nice to interact with you all these past 2-3 weeks.

This is my final post on this account. The next one will be by Breezy himself. Good luck to all of you in this cycle.​

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

 

[James Wakefield]

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!

 

[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?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

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