Law Firm Milkrounds 20/21

Jeremiah25

azee76 wrote: »

I just got a call from AC and got the TC!!!

Huge congrats, a great achievement!

Jeremiah25

Are firms still generally doing a group assessment aspect (remotely of course) of interviews given the current climate?

azee76

Jeremiah25 wrote: »

Are firms still generally doing a group assessment aspect (remotely of course) of interviews given the current climate?

AC did still do the group interview yeah. It was very well organized actually and I found that everyone got a chance to be heard, moreso than in the in-person group interviews.

IgoPAP

Also got a call from AC! Not a bad day

azee76

IgoPAP wrote: »

Also got a call from AC! Not a bad day

Congrats!

Jeremiah25

azee76 wrote: »

AC did still do the group interview yeah. It was very well organized actually and I found that everyone got a chance to be heard, moreso than in the in-person group interviews.

Any tips/advice?

Beatriz2020

caius97 wrote: »

Just got called for interview with Hayes on 1st December!

Congrats!

And apologies, as I’ve asked a different poster above, was it a call or email? I’m living abroad and worry that my phone won’t be reachable (rather than my applications are just crap haha!)

azee76

Jeremiah25 wrote: »

Any tips/advice?

I have lots but essentially: try to display good communication skills and commercial awareness. Don't speak for the sake of just speaking. Think before you speak and make sure you have a logical and reasonable argument. A lot of inexperienced people tend to speak for ages and over other people. They know when you try to do that and they don't like it.

They may reject you in the group stage even if you have a first class honours degrees and lots of extracurriculars, if you waffle over other people. Just be relaxed and laid back and you'll be fine. I know it's easier said than done though, especially when you haven't done group interviews before.

IgoPAP

azee76 wrote: »

I have lots but essentially: try to display good communication skills and commercial awareness. Don't speak for the sake of just speaking. Think before you speak and make sure you have a logical and reasonable argument. A lot of inexperienced people tend to speak for ages and over other people. They know when you try to do that and they don't like it.

They may reject you in the group stage even if you have a first class honours degrees and lots of extracurriculars, if you waffle over other people. Just be relaxed and laid back and you'll be fine. I know it's easier said than done though, especially when you haven't done group interviews before.

Adding on to this - be someone that they know they can work with. Have opinions, but be respectful. Be willing to say what you think is right, but also have the temerity to consider other people's perspectives. Don't be too serious, don't be too casual.

Fe1forthefun

Congrats everyone on the AC offers!

Did anyone hear back from Dechert?

lamacg95

Did BW let anyone know when offers would be made after second round interview?

Beatriz2020

I presume RDJ Dublin have already called people for interview and I’m due a PFO? Anyone hear?

LeGal97

Jeremiah25 wrote: »

Any tips/advice?

Congrats to everyone who has received an offer!!

Are you doing a group interview for Fieldfisher?

ACGrad2023

AA247 wrote: »

I wasn’t sure which of your posts to comment under but I have to say you are incredibly arrogant and it’s quite rich you giving application and career advice to people when you openly said you were being “looked after”. Arthur Cox will be lucky to have you haha.

I think someone with a 1.1 L&B degree who knows how the legal profession works is the best person to be giving application and career advice. Arthur Cox will be very lucky to have me.

ACGrad2023

azee76 wrote: »

I just got a call from AC and got the TC!!!

Congratulations. That's amazing for someone in in 3rd year and you should be very proud.

I'm looking forward to working with all of you in AC when we start. The intakes are small so we'll get to know eachother very fast.

caius97

azee76 wrote: »

I was called.

I was emailed!

caius97

Beatriz2020 wrote: »

I presume RDJ Dublin have already called people for interview and I’m due a PFO? Anyone hear?

I hope not!

borke

Has anyone heard from RDJ? Got an email last week saying I was shortlisted for interview in the Galway office and they were to be in contact later in the week with a time and date and haven’t heard anything yet!

Liordi

ACGrad2023 wrote: »

I'll probably get attacked for this but my experience in college is that anyone with a 1.1 and good LC points will get interviews from top firms without legal experience. People have had 4 years to get legal experience and don't have an excuse for not having it but it's not a requirement to get a traineeship.

I'm actually in final year and know several people in my course who are averaging firsts and high LC points [my course was 540s] that didn't even get invited to interview with some firms this year, and none of them have legal experience.

I also hope you realise there are several reasons why people have not had legal experience in law firms.
In my case, I've never applied to do an internship because I needed to work at home over the summer to offset the cost of college for the subsequent year and cannot subsidise the costs of living in Dublin in a month that I don't receive SUSI.

Nevertheless, congratulations to you (and others) for receiving a TC offer today. You are obviously an impressive candidate but the arrogance is painful.

IgoPAP

I hope some of you guys are much nicer in person. We're going to be future colleagues! I don't think the passive-aggressiveness helps anyone.

Jeremiah25

IgoPAP wrote: »

I hope some of you guys are much nicer in person. We're going to be future colleagues! I don't think the passive-aggressiveness helps anyone.

Seems to be mainly down to one individual in fairness to the forum.

These "connections" that were mentioned are going to have a lot more "looking after" to do by the looks of it!

lawgrad15

CO.LAW20 wrote: »

Hi guys, just made an account to ask for opinions.
I applied to most firms this year and got one interview for DE where I did not succeed to the second round.
What am I doing wrong?
-got 515 converted points in LC (did LC in Germany)
-got 1.1 in LLBH from Griffith College
-currently doing LLM at University of Edinburgh
-sat my first FE-1 while doing masters
-extensive work experience in different EU countries and internationally in finance and law
-multilingual (French, German, English)
Thanks

Well done - you certainly have an impressive CV and are on course for a successful career. Unfortunately, like so many of us here, it is a highly competitive market for training contracts.

I think something you should consider doing is following up with DE and see if they have any advice for you on what aspects of your interview technique you could improve on, if any. That way you may be able to get some worthwhile advice from those who interviewed you.

You also mentioned that you are doing an LLM at the moment - is there a careers advisory service at the uni? I know when I was doing my undergrad study you could do mock interviews with the careers service. This could be worth checking out.

Good luck!

LegalEagle2023

LeGal97 wrote: »

Thank you for sharing this with me, it definitely makes me feel hopeful! Is this a group that you joined when in Blackhall or is it accessible to anyone?


Thank you, I will take this on board for future applications. I have always tried to view it like that.

It’s open to anyone tbh, I just graduated this year.

Keep the head up high!

LegalEagle2023

CO.LAW20 wrote: »

Hi guys, just made an account to ask for opinions.
I applied to most firms this year and got one interview for DE where I did not succeed to the second round.
What am I doing wrong?
-got 515 converted points in LC (did LC in Germany)
-got 1.1 in LLBH from Griffith College
-currently doing LLM at University of Edinburgh
-sat my first FE-1 while doing masters
-extensive work experience in different EU countries and internationally in finance and law
-multilingual (French, German, English)
Thanks

The market for training contracts is extremely competitive but you also need to remember that these processes are fairly arbitrary so if it doesn’t go your way don’t be disheartened: on a different day with a different interviewer it may well have landed for you. Give yourself some credit for getting to the interview; use it as a learning curve.

You clearly have an impressive CV with an array of experience etc. You have a bright career ahead.

My personal advice to you would be to go back over your applications and see what it is you could improve on; for example being able to make a personal connection with a firm and giving reasons as to why they should choose you over another candidate. You are doing a lot of different things which is great but try and narrow your focus as firms could get the impression that you are unsure as to what direction you’re going. Make it clear to them that despite that, you are 1 truly focused on qualifying in Ireland and 2 with that specific firm. - it’s great to have all those accolades but you need to ask yourself where it fits in with them.

Another option is to also go down the U.K. qualification route. It is more competitive but a quicker route to qualifying nonetheless; especially considering the fact you’re studying at Edinburgh now, the U.K. firms will look on that fondly. Find a firm that suits you and then tailor that application to them. I.e. Baker McKenzie, Linklaters etc. Those firms are rebound for having a lot of diverse candidates from across the globe so if it’s something that is or interest to you definitely give it a shot!! Your careers office at University will definitely be able to guide you in that regard.

ACGrad2023

CO.LAW20 wrote: »

Hi guys, just made an account to ask for opinions.
I applied to most firms this year and got one interview for DE where I did not succeed to the second round.
What am I doing wrong?
-got 515 converted points in LC (did LC in Germany)
-got 1.1 in LLBH from Griffith College
-currently doing LLM at University of Edinburgh
-sat my first FE-1 while doing masters
-extensive work experience in different EU countries and internationally in finance and law
-multilingual (French, German, English)
Thanks

I think you should make sure your application covers you wanting to live in Ireland. Since you went to school in Germany, are doing your masters in Edinburgh, and have international work experience they might be think you're not serious about staying for the longer term.

IgoPAP

Has anyone gotten an offer email from AC yet

CO.LAW20

Thanks guys for your informative responses! Appreciate the help, and will try again next year.

azee76

IgoPAP wrote: »

Has anyone gotten an offer email from AC yet

I was wondering about that too. Let me know if you do. I'm thinking maybe Friday is the latest day we'll get it? (Tomorrow)

roofus22

Has anybody heard from RDJ Dublin?

law987

Dillon Eustace anyone? Hopefully we hear tomorrow

caius97

roofus22 wrote: »

Has anybody heard from RDJ Dublin?

Nope...

azee76

Anyone else get the email from AC?

IgoPAP

azee76 wrote: »

Anyone else get the email from AC?

Yep

LeGal97

Has anyone at all heard from Fieldfisher? Interviews or PFO'S?

Jeremiah25

LeGal97 wrote: »

Has anyone at all heard from Fieldfisher? Interviews or PFO'S?

Had a first-round interview earlier this week with them!

LeGal97

Jeremiah25 wrote: »

Had a first-round interview earlier this week with them!

Fair play, I hope it went well!

What did you think of it?

I can assume the PFO is winging its way to me so

IgoPAP

LeGal97 wrote: »

Fair play, I hope it went well!

What did you think of it?

I can assume the PFO is winging its way to me so

Have you thought about applying to UK firms, LeGal97? I had a few friends that were unsuccessful here in Ireland and they received offers from the UK just because there's so many firms in places like London. Either way, don't be disheartened! Your background is almost the same as mine.

Fe1forthefun

IgoPAP wrote: »

Have you thought about applying to UK firms, LeGal97? I had a few friends that were unsuccessful here in Ireland and they received offers from the UK just because there's so many firms in places like London. Either way, don't be disheartened! Your background is almost the same as mine.

I am considering doing this but I need to look into the process further.

Does anyone have a very brief summary of the qualification process in the UK?

(If not, hopefully I will soon and will gladly share)

lawgrad15

Fe1forthefun wrote: »

I am considering doing this but I need to look into the process further.

Does anyone have a very brief summary of the qualification process in the UK?

(If not, hopefully I will soon and will gladly share)

I haven't but all I know is that the process is changing next year - there is a new super exam which sounds fun.

I also regret not doing UK land law at uni as I believe there is some exemption in having studied it

Again, my knowledge of the process is very vague

caius97

lawgrad15 wrote: »

I haven't but all I know is that the process is changing next year - there is a new super exam which sounds fun.

I also regret not doing UK land law at uni as I believe there is some exemption in having studied it

Again, my knowledge of the process is very vague

Feel free to message me about the process: I have been through the process & did my undergraduate degree in England so know how it all works! Also yes the super exam SQE will be introduced in September 2021! Just fire me a message if you want any info - most TC applications for firms remain open

Fe1forthefun

Just received a PFO from Hayes.

Fe1forthefun

caius97 wrote: »

Feel free to message me about the process: I have been through the process & did my undergraduate degree in England so know how it all works! Also yes the super exam SQE will be introduced in September 2021! Just fire me a message if you want any info - most TC applications for firms remain open

Thank you. I'll take you up on that offer. I did just finish my FE1s in October so the thought of doing a super exam SQE is very unappealing at present.

However, I'll obviously do whatever I have to do to get a training contract ðŸ˜႒

LeGal97

IgoPAP wrote: »

Have you thought about applying to UK firms, LeGal97? I had a few friends that were unsuccessful here in Ireland and they received offers from the UK just because there's so many firms in places like London. Either way, don't be disheartened! Your background is almost the same as mine.

I have, but its just not for me. I want to qualify in Ireland and train here. I'm recently graduated and I am working through the FE1s so I will persevere and hope that something comes up here in the next year or so.

IgoPAP

Fe1forthefun wrote: »

Thank you. I'll take you up on that offer. I did just finish my FE1s in October so the thought of doing a super exam SQE is very unappealing at present.

However, I'll obviously do whatever I have to do to get a training contract ðŸ˜႒

The "super-exam" is multiple choice and secondary school students with no prior legal experience have managed to pass the first one, I just read.

Fe1forthefun

IgoPAP wrote: »

The "super-exam" is multiple choice and secondary school students with no prior legal experience have managed to pass the first one, I just read.

That's amazing news ill definitely look into this over the Christmas.

lawgrad15

Fe1forthefun wrote: »

That's amazing news ill definitely look into this over the Christmas.

That is great news. All hope is not lost!

Fe1taker2020

Anybody heard back from BW or Dechert?

lamacg95

Fe1taker2020 wrote: »

Anybody heard back from BW or Dechert?

Nothing from BW yet anyway!

Fe1taker2020

lamacg95 wrote: »

Nothing from BW yet anyway!

Just want to know at this point. The wait is an absolute killer!! Hahaha

Liordi

Fe1forthefun wrote: »

I am considering doing this but I need to look into the process further.

Does anyone have a very brief summary of the qualification process in the UK?

(If not, hopefully I will soon and will gladly share)

The current route, which is going to be phased out by 2032, can still be taken if you have a "qualifying law degree" according to the SRA. You then spend a year doing the the LPC which is usually paid for by firms and they provide a maintenance grant of up to £10k.


The SQE exams are being introduced in 2021.
From the SRA website:
"SQE1 - £1,558 for ten hours of examinations testing candidates' functioning legal knowledge.
SQE2 - £2,422 for 14 hours of written and oral tasks testing both practical legal knowledge and skills, such as advocacy, legal research and case and matter analysis."

You also need to have two years of legal work experience before you do a character assessment test but this can be from before the SQE exams are taken.


Also, if you are interested in hearing from a UK firm: Latham & Watkins are hosting an open day for Irish university students on Friday 4th December from 10:30 - 13:30.

"please register for this event by emailing London.Graduates@lw.com with the following details –

Name
Email address
University, year of study and degree subject"

I'm gonna be honest, and say, in my opinion, if you've already got the FE1s completed you'd be far better off trying to source a TC in Ireland.