Which TC should my DD accept if she gets an offer - any law experts around?

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Having graduated and done the GDL my DD is waiting to hear back from 3 firms for TCs. She’s done vac schemes with all three and enjoyed them for different reasons. Just wondered if anyone has any views/advice on the firms - I am curious as I don’t know much about them aside from what I’ve googled.

They are Osborne Clarke, Charles Russell Speechlys and Burges Salmon. Would be grateful for any thoughts/advice - thank you.

I would take what’s offered first! She might only get one offer. Many people are glad to get one offer. She must know what she preferred and where she thinks she will fit in best. That’s the best yardstick because no one wants to be unhappy and other people’s opinions might not chime with your DD.

I would say they are all in similar ranking brackets so as Bubbles said does she already have a preference but if she gets an offer there is no guarantee the others will too.

I had offers from Osborne Clarke and Charles Russell Speechlys. In the end I chose to go to CRS and had a fab experience. Osborne Clarke is very corporate compared to CRS. The original firm of Charles Russell was very much a traditional family partnership and has remained so even after the merger with Speechly Bircham. The regional offices in Guildford and Cheltenham are excellent and very friendly (and less affected by the merger). I loved it there (no longer working in law otherwise I wouldn't have moved).

DD made notes on pros and cons with each firm at the time of her vac schemes. Each firm will usually have its own unique culture but after reading that your DD enjoyed each scheme for different reasons this probably wont help.

DD reflected as to why she had applied for a vac scheme at each particular firm to begin with. She also read info on each firm from the Chambers Student, Roll on Friday and Glassdoor websites but she kept an open mind with the Glassdoor reviews.

DD was given an early offer by one firm who did not force her to make a decision before she had received feedback from all the firms she had a scheme with. She had an Easter vac scheme with that particular firm and they invited her back to their offices in summer so she could make a fresh comparison against all 3 firms while they were fresh in her mind.

Thanks for the replies, that’s really interesting thepurplepenguin my DD loved her 2 weeks with CRS. Good idea Sunbursts to write a comparison, she has been doing that but can’t decide at the moment. I’ll suggest she looks at the websites you suggested.

She should read the write-ups of each firm on Roll on Friday (which is a gossipy but excellent read). www.rollonfriday.com

If she looks on Roll on Friday and clicks on Inside Info she will find a list of each firm she has had a vac scheme at.

Was she selected for TC interviews at the end of all 3 vac schemes?
Tell her to hold tight. TCs are like gold dust - after having a vac scheme with the firm there is no guarantee whatsoever of an offer being made as there are so many on the same vacation schemes as her.

Many thanks for all the advice - the roll on Friday website is very good. She has got 2 offers and waiting to hear on the last before making a final decision.

What a great position to be in, she should be very proud of herself. Good luck to her in the future.

Thank you for all the advice and kind messages - she accepted one yesterday and is very happy. She went for the one she came out most enthusiastic about - and who in turn appeared to want her the most. We are very proud of her, she’s a determined and hard worker. Feeling very grateful she’s been given this opportunity.

Great news - wishing her all the best for LPC and TC when she starts.

Well done to her. My daughters (and I) are solicitors. As she's chosen I won't comment on the three but they are all good firms.