TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

TCLA Community Assistant

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Hi all, I wanted some advice, I have a client pitch presentation which I was currently recording and it’s not supposed to be longer than 3 mins. If I exceed the time limit by 10-15 secs is this going to lead to a rejection or look bad?
I would try to get it down to the time limit, just because you might be cut off - so anything you say in the last 10-15 second might not be able to be said.
 
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KBanana

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Mar 10, 2023
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I'm really sorry about this - it’s completely understandable to feel this way, especially with upcoming interviews on your mind. You’ve done the right thing by asking for feedback and following up politely, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Sometimes delays happen due to internal scheduling, annual leave, etc. In terms of interviews, if the firm still hasn’t provided feedback by the time you're asked about conversion, you can just say that you haven’t yet received formal feedback, though you’ve requested it and currently awaiting a response. The firm you are interviewing for will likely understand that these processes take time. On the other hand, if the feedback does come through before your interview, you can use it as a great opportunity to show self-awareness and growth. When asked about the outcome of the VS, it’s helpful to briefly mention what you learned from the experience and what specific steps you’re taking to improve. Firms really value candidates who can reflect, take feedback on board, and act on it.
Thank you very much @Amma Usman
 

tianna09

Active Member
Mar 7, 2025
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hello! i have two questions that i would love some advice on

1) after a basically unsuccessful cycle this year i ended up with some informal work experience doing litigation at eon next. i’m super excited about it but now im not too sure how to send an email back. they emailed me saying that if i have any preferred types of law, let them know. my trouble is, i can’t find any information about their legal services ANYWHERE. i don’t wanna guess but also don’t wanna ask what law they do because i sound like ive done no research?!

2) i’ve applied to a firm for a summer vs, i received an email saying id hear back end of april. nobody on this forum or anyone i know has applied so im not sure if they’re halfway through the process or still sifting through applications. i really love this firm so id love to send an email to ask about how long its going to take but im not sure how to word it

thank you :)
 

Andrei Radu

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Sep 9, 2024
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hello! i have two questions that i would love some advice on

1) after a basically unsuccessful cycle this year i ended up with some informal work experience doing litigation at eon next. i’m super excited about it but now im not too sure how to send an email back. they emailed me saying that if i have any preferred types of law, let them know. my trouble is, i can’t find any information about their legal services ANYWHERE. i don’t wanna guess but also don’t wanna ask what law they do because i sound like ive done no research?!

2) i’ve applied to a firm for a summer vs, i received an email saying id hear back end of april. nobody on this forum or anyone i know has applied so im not sure if they’re halfway through the process or still sifting through applications. i really love this firm so id love to send an email to ask about how long its going to take but im not sure how to word it

thank you :)
1. I think you have two options here. Firstly, on a quick look, I have seen Eon's major operations are in the energy infrastructure and distribution space. You could thus research what types of disputes work this normally entails, as this is the area the company's litigation team will likely spend most time in. Secondly, the company should be aware of the fact that information about their legal work is not easily available online, and therefore will likely not expect you to know much. If you want to further hedge against that risk, you could ask a question phrased something like 'I have a broad interest in commercial litigation, but could you please let me know what types of matters the team is working on most at the moment, so that I can tell you what I am most interested in regards to that?' If phrased this way, the question no longer makes it seem like you do not know what legal work they do in general, but just that you do not know what is keeping them busy at this particular moment, which I cannot imagine they will have expected you to know.

2. Unfortunately, it is quite common for firms to take a couple of days or even weeks after their stated deadline before coming back to applicants. If that is the case, the reason is that they are quite busy, and therefore, they may not even have time to respond to your email. That said, there's no real downside to doing it if you word it in a polite manner (although I would perhaps wait a few more days). I would go for something like:

Hi/Dear person's name/Graduate Recruitment Team,

My name is ... and I am writing to ask about my application to the firm's summer vacation scheme (include application reference number if you have one). I appreciate that you will be very busy at the moment, but in light of other professional opportunities and to avoid potential scheduling conflicts, I wanted to ask around what time I could expect to hear back with an update on my application.

Many thanks,
....
 
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Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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Faegre Drinker Summer VS!
Well Done Good Job GIF by Jess


Share Discover GIF
 
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tianna09

Active Member
Mar 7, 2025
15
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1

1. I think you have two options here. Firstly, on a quick look, I have seen Eon's major operations are in the energy infrastructure and distribution space. You could thus research what types of disputes work this normally entails, as this is the area the company's litigation team will likely spend most time in. Secondly, the company should be aware of the fact that information about their legal work is not easily available online, and therefore will likely not expect you to know much. If you want to further hedge against that risk, you could ask a question phrased something like 'I have a broad interest in commercial litigation, but could you please let me know what types of matters the team is working on most at the moment, so that I can tell you what I am most interested in regards to that?' If phrased this way, the question no longer makes it seem like you do not know what legal work they do in general, but just that you do not know what is keeping them busy at this particular moment, which I cannot imagine they will have expected you to know.

2. Unfortunately, it is quite common for firms to take a couple of days or even weeks after their stated deadline before coming back to applicants. If that is the case, the reason is that they are quite busy, and therefore, they may not even have time to respond to your email. That said, there's no real downside to doing it if you word it in a polite manner (although I would perhaps wait a few more days). I would go for something like:

Hi/Dear person's name/Graduate Recruitment Team,

My name is ... and I am writing to ask about my application to the firm's summer vacation scheme (include application reference number if you have one). I appreciate that you will be very busy at the moment, but in light of other professional opportunities and to avoid potential scheduling conflicts, I wanted to ask around what time I could expect to hear back with an update on my application.

Many thanks,
....
Thank you so much for your insights! I will definitely look into eon and their business operations.
 
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helenaskelton

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2025
22
16
Hi guys. I have a VS that starts in a couple weeks and was wondering what the best way is to prepare for one. I'm a non law student and the firm is full service -- we haven't been given our seats yet. This is my first VS and I want to make a good impression, but am unsure which knowledge I should brush up on! Thanks!
 

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
339
689
Hi @Jessica Booker (or others with experience of graduate recruitment)

I wonder how I should handle this situation?

I have two VS offers as shown in this calendar:

1746028087495.png


I have accepted firm A's four-day VS, which is their only route to a TC. I have now also received a VS offer from firm B, which lasts for 10 days (2 full weeks). Firm B has a direct TC route, and I guess that they take about half the candidates from each route.

I need to be pragmatic in that I want a TC, and I'd like to be open to getting one from either or both of firm A and firm B, so if I were to rescind my previous acceptance to firm A, then I could only get an offer from firm B.

Therefore I want to email firm B, and ask them if I can attend for only the first week and (at their option) the last day of the VS. However, I'm not really sure how this will come across; e.g., is it a good idea for me to mention either or both of these points in an initial email asking to attend for 5 or 6 days of the VS:

1) that firm A does not have a direct TC intake, only via VS
2) that if I'm not able to attend for part of firm B's VS, that I'd like to attend firm B's direct TC assessment centre.
 

tc1999

New Member
Mar 12, 2025
4
4
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice. Ideally, I’m aiming to train at a leading City corporate law firm. I believe I have the potential to succeed, but I’m also aware of how competitive and uncertain the process can be. Should I continue to pursue this goal, or consider accepting a training contract at a smaller firm but in the top 100?
 

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