After yesterday's TC offer, I got a TC rejection today from a similar type of firm where I thought I aced the VS. Just goes to show how subjective and unpredictable this process is, and how important it is to keep going because you never know who will value your potential!
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
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Sorry I should have clarified. I meant updating them with my final grades because the applications did not have an option to edit them.
Appreciate this a lot. I meant how do we go about explaining this to a firm if required. I realise I would most likely not have to but I was just being paranoid 🫣
On my VS:
* lots of formal events, interviews etc with specific lawyers. however, there's the opportunity to potentially interact with lots of other people by coming and saying "hi", asking out for coffee, etc. - are HR likely to ask the whole office for feedback on each VSer from which it might be ascertained your general level of sociability?
* is it better to ask questions or just get on with the work? I was given some fake work and told to ask if necessary - there's a bit of a learning curve and initially I probably didn't properly understand but while working through it my understanding of the concept improved and I didn't ask questions on the basis that I suppose they have better things to do than talk to VSers - I'm not at this point a trainee so they don't have a commercial interest in teaching me things, prior to me actually signing a TC, so maybe it's better to work things out alone.....
* was asked by partner to consider a client legal enquiry. Wasn't really clear what the purpose of this request was - it could either be because the partner doesn't know, or simply to give me an opportunity to experience client work. Was told "no need to draft but you can take some notes". I drafted because it seems to me more effective to write things formally. Was then asked the next day to have a chat to discuss the matter, which rather awkwardly was five minute before my final interview so very limited time, and I gave my conclusion on the main point based on the UK legislation and EU directive, and also noted a possible complication that I had identified.
Partner had a different conclusion on the main point so I explained why I had come to my conclusion and he said that what I was seeing as multiple things was in fact one. There was also a bit of awkward interaction because the matter could have fallen under one of two subsections, and I'd chosen one subsection and he the other. Ultimately his conclusion was more cautious than mine, and being cautious makes a lot of sense. I wasn't entirely convinced that his was the right conclusion but obviously had to acquiesce after initially explaining why I'd come to my conclusion.
Not sure if I handled this very wrongly and should have treated it purely as an opportunity to learn from him as it might have come across as arrogant - the timing was very far from ideal as I was about to go off to interview so I had a choice between listening to him or trying to share what I'd come up with. I guess it's a question of whether as a VSer one is supposed to show ability to analyse, or more treat it as an opportunity to learn. Bit confusing really.
* lots of formal events, interviews etc with specific lawyers. however, there's the opportunity to potentially interact with lots of other people by coming and saying "hi", asking out for coffee, etc. - are HR likely to ask the whole office for feedback on each VSer from which it might be ascertained your general level of sociability?
* is it better to ask questions or just get on with the work? I was given some fake work and told to ask if necessary - there's a bit of a learning curve and initially I probably didn't properly understand but while working through it my understanding of the concept improved and I didn't ask questions on the basis that I suppose they have better things to do than talk to VSers - I'm not at this point a trainee so they don't have a commercial interest in teaching me things, prior to me actually signing a TC, so maybe it's better to work things out alone.....
* was asked by partner to consider a client legal enquiry. Wasn't really clear what the purpose of this request was - it could either be because the partner doesn't know, or simply to give me an opportunity to experience client work. Was told "no need to draft but you can take some notes". I drafted because it seems to me more effective to write things formally. Was then asked the next day to have a chat to discuss the matter, which rather awkwardly was five minute before my final interview so very limited time, and I gave my conclusion on the main point based on the UK legislation and EU directive, and also noted a possible complication that I had identified.
Partner had a different conclusion on the main point so I explained why I had come to my conclusion and he said that what I was seeing as multiple things was in fact one. There was also a bit of awkward interaction because the matter could have fallen under one of two subsections, and I'd chosen one subsection and he the other. Ultimately his conclusion was more cautious than mine, and being cautious makes a lot of sense. I wasn't entirely convinced that his was the right conclusion but obviously had to acquiesce after initially explaining why I'd come to my conclusion.
Not sure if I handled this very wrongly and should have treated it purely as an opportunity to learn from him as it might have come across as arrogant - the timing was very far from ideal as I was about to go off to interview so I had a choice between listening to him or trying to share what I'd come up with. I guess it's a question of whether as a VSer one is supposed to show ability to analyse, or more treat it as an opportunity to learn. Bit confusing really.
Would taking up a criminal law paralegal role negatively affect my training contract/VS applications next year?
If anybody could provide some insight, I would be extremely grateful
@Amma Usman @TCLA Community Assistant
If anybody could provide some insight, I would be extremely grateful
@Amma Usman @TCLA Community Assistant
- Sep 7, 2024
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No no no not at all! Law firms value any experience anyway, regardless of the sector. So, a paralegal role, regardless of specialisation, places you as a competitive candidate.
Picture these two candidates.
Candidate 1 is a paralegal in PE at a top US firm. Of course, having direct experience in say paralegaling in PE, for example, would benefit a candidate applying for a TC at a transactional law firm. However, all this matters less than their ability to apply strategically and leverage their current and past experiences!
Candidate 2 was a paralegal in criminal law. They leveraged their ability to understand the disputes practice area through the various activities they were responsible for in proceedings. They linked this to some corporate law related work they were given and saw they liked corporate more for XYZ reasons. If they didn’t complete the criminal paralegal role, they would've never known this.
There you go.
Every experience matters - and so does your thinking…your strategy!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hi, congratulations again on your first virtual AC invite!
For the group exercise, focus on presenting your views in a way that’s both respectful and collaborative. Express your ideas confidently, but also engage with and encourage others’ contributions to showcase your ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Since this is for an in-house role, it's essential to understand how the advisory scope differs from private practice. In-house lawyers are typically specialists in the specific industry they serve, providing expert advice tailored to the business's needs. However, when matters require niche expertise or go beyond their scope, they may seek support from private law firms. I have usually been asked about this difference in past ACs I’ve been to, so it’s helpful having some points under your belt on the advisory-related differences.
To prepare, familiarise yourself with the industry the company operates in and think about how their legal team might approach commercial and operational challenges. During case studies or group discussions, focus on offering practical, solution-oriented advice that balances legal compliance with business priorities.
Best of luck, you’re going to do great!
Hi! The above should help!
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If you haven’t heard back yet, then emailing them with grades will not do much right now unfortunately. The GR team themselves will be the one’s to ask for any updated marks. Unless the firm has a policy of updating them on these, I recommend just waiting for them to get back to you with further instructions. Then again, you could always email the firm’s specific team to confirm. But, so far as the grades you submitted are at least a 2:1 overall, I reckon you have nothing to worry about!
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If a firm advertises both routes, I suggest applying for which one appeals to you more. Generally, I recommend candidates applying to VS’ more than TCs, (depending on the extent of your legal work experience), as it means you’d have more globally recognised firms on your CV, whilst still getting a chance to convert into a TC offer.
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This is not a bad idea at all. I’d just be mindful that requirements/application questions may change. Regardless, the below will be asked at several stages and across several firms, so prepping for them will save you time come September!
- Work experience section.
- Why commercial law.
- Why law - notice the difference to the above.
- Why X firm.
- Why you.
- Sep 7, 2024
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If you know for certain that you wouldn’t accept a training contract (TC) with the vacation scheme (VS) firm over the TC offer you already have, then it would be best to sign your existing TC offer.
On the other hand, if you are genuinely open to exploring the opportunity with the VS firm and might consider turning down your existing TC, you could try requesting an extension on your current TC offer. That said, the firm is under no obligation to grant one, and they may say no.
I suggest sitting down and weighing up your options to know if you want to accept your current TC offer.
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