TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Amz2006]

Has anyone done the taylor wessing test and how was it. And if anyone has also done the Pinsent Masons test too

 

[kn]

does davis polk look at grades very strictly? does anyone know of someone with a 2.1 that managed to secure a vac scheme with them?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

How would you recommend we approach DLA Piper's questions:

1) Describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters)
2) Select one article from DLA Piper Insights page on a client sector that interests you. How does it align with your personal and professional ambitions? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters)

Thanks !

Hey! I think the best way to approach these questions is to treat them like mini personal statements. I would keep them personal and tailored to DLA Piper, and reflective of your own experiences when you can.

Here is how I’d break it down:

Personal Experience and Motivation for Law

This question is asking you to go beyond generic motivations (like problem-solving or liking to debate) and focus on something that genuinely developed your interest. This is ideally something that you personally experienced or were actively involved in.

The typical structure I would follow is:

1. Briefly explain the context - what was the experience, and why was it relevant?
2. Reflect on what you realised from this experience - did it change your perspective? Did it spark an interest in a distinct area, such as regulation?
3. Link this to your long-term career ambitions - how did it lead you to pursue a career in law? Why does DLA Piper align with that?

This doesn’t have to be a legal experience! It could be something like helping someone navigate complex systems, a moment that taught you analytical thinking, or a personal situation with a legal element. The main thing is that you have to clearly link it back to your motivation for law!

DLA Piper Insights Article

This is your opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and understanding of the firm’s work, and how your interests align.

I would structure my response using the following:

1. Choose an article on a client sector that you find interesting - this should ideally be something that overlaps with your genuine interests and your background (e.g. emerging tech, ESG, healthcare etc.)
2. Summarise the main points of the article in your own words - this should be brief, but show that you understand the commercial and legal implications
3. Explain why this topic resonates with you - what does it tell you about the evolution of the legal industry? What part of it excites you? Does it relate to something you have studied or explored in another setting?
4. Link to DLA Piper - think about the firm’s international reach, sector focus, innovation, or work with leading clients. How does this article show the kind of work that you’d be interested in working in?

I would avoid picking a random article - choose something that you have a genuine interest in, and clearly explain why that is and how it links to your future career.

I know that there aren’t a lot of words available due to the word limit, so you should aim to be as concise as possible. Hope this helps!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for the nrf application, am I supposed to fill out the work experience section as well as uploading my cv or one or the other?

Hello!

From what I understand, you’re expected to fill in the work experience section and upload your CV for the NRF application. I know it can feel slightly repetitive, but they do serve slightly different purposes.

Your CV should give the early careers team a full picture of your background and experience in your own format. The NRF website states:


“List your work experience in order. Include dates, role, and key responsibilities. Add both legal and non-legal roles – including Open Days and Vacation Schemes (with us or elsewhere).”


On the other hand, the work experience section on your application should highlight the most relevant roles and pull out the key details from them. I’d recommend using this section to discuss the skills that NRF are looking for, such as commercial awareness and attention to detail.

You don’t need to copy-paste your entire CV into the work experience section, as you should be highlighting the most relevant experiences instead. However, I would definitely still fill out both sections.

Best of luck!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Do firms care if you overall have a 2:1 but have also have one or two 2:2s and a few firsts?

Hello!

As long as your overall grade is a 2:1 or higher, most firms won’t be concerned about a couple of 2:2s - especially if you have some firsts to balance it out.

The graduate recruitment team will be looking at the bigger picture, and as long as there is not a consistent pattern of low grades, it’s not likely to hold you back.

That being said, there are a few firms that do have a strict 2:1 requirement. If this isn’t clear from the graduate recruitment website, I would email them to double-check and confirm their stance!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

does davis polk look at grades very strictly? does anyone know of someone with a 2.1 that managed to secure a vac scheme with them?

Hey!

Davis Polk does have a 2:1 minimum, and I can see from LinkedIn that there are a few trainees at the firm that achieved a 2:1 in their degree.

They are academically selective, but the overall strength of your application is just as important. If you write a solid application that shows strong written communication skills, genuine motivations, and commercial awareness, there is absolutely a chance of securing a vacation scheme.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for DLA Q2, Select one article from DLA Piper Insights page on a client sector that interests you. How does it align with your personal and professional ambitions? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters), i want to discuss an energy/aviation deal that they advised on about a year ago.

for the professional ambitions part of the q, i was thinking of highlighting the broader range of work DLA conducts in the aviation sphere. I know NRF CC conduct a lot of aviation finance mandates, whilst DLA offer insurance, regulatory, structuring and finance as well.

Is it ok to say something like 'this would provide broader exposure than finance-focused competitors such as NRF and CC, allowing me to explore my interest in this sector holistically'?

or is not a good idea to name drop competitors and keep it general.

would appreciate any advice from @Amma Usman or anyone else, thank you in advance!!

Hello!

I think your point about DLA Piper’s broader aviation work is really strong, and shows that you have done your research on the firm. However, I’d suggest keeping it general rather than naming other firms like NRF or CC directly. For example:

“This would offer broader exposure than firms focused primarily on aviation finance, allowing me to explore the sector holistically through regulatory work, insurance, and complex structuring”

By adopting this approach, you keep the focus on DLA Piper’s strengths without making direct comparisons. In general, firms prefer when you centre your answer around what attracts you to them (rather than why others might fall short).

I hope that all makes sense!

 

[floral.tcla]

Haha I totally get that feeling! You're doing amazing, please keep going! To help with that feeling, I typically went on regular walks, or took some time out to focus on strengthening other areas of my candidacy, like writing applications, test writing capabilities, interview composure, etc.

thank you, it's good to know! )

 

[Maddy]

For Ashurst test do we have to turn on our video?

 

[a1024]

@vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. (250)

Hi, this is one of the application questions for Hogan Lovells. I was wondering if we need to link back our experiences and skills to specific things relating to the firm where it might be helpful? How would you recommend structuring this answer?

 

[Amz2006]

what law firms have no grade requirement

 

[jojo23]

Yesterday hogan lovells had 4 questions in their wvs application now suddenly they have 2? Am I hallucinating 🤣 or did they suddenly change it

 

[ZNadeem]

I've just been invited to the Jones Day AC which includes a group exercise and a case study interview. If anyone has any tips or insight into how best to prepare and succeed on the day I would really appreciate it!

Congrats on the AC invite – that’s a huge step!

Group exercise tips

• Collaborate, don’t compete – build on others’ points, encourage quieter teammates, and keep the group moving towards consensus.
• Listen actively – respond to what’s been said instead of just waiting for your turn.
• Be concise & balanced – make several short, relevant contributions rather than dominating with one long speech.
• Stay positive – keep your tone polite, professional, and solution-oriented.
• Expect a mix of prep, discussion, and maybe presentation/role-play. Even if there’s a commercial element, they’re really testing how you engage as part of a team.

Case study interview tips

1. Communication – explain your thinking clearly; use PEA (Point, Evidence, Analysis).
2. Attention to detail – scan the documents carefully; small details often matter.
3. Confidence under pressure – stay calm, speak clearly, and if unsure, think out loud.

How to prep:

• Review key legal basics (contract, commercial law).
• Practise timed case studies – focus on spotting issues, structuring your analysis, and presenting logically.

During the interview:

• Structure your answers clearly (PEA).
• Engage with the interviewer.
• Stay concise – they value clarity and efficiency.
• If stuck, show your thought process rather than freezing.

 

[ZNadeem]

@vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. (250)

Hi, this is one of the application questions for Hogan Lovells. I was wondering if we need to link back our experiences and skills to specific things relating to the firm where it might be helpful? How would you recommend structuring this answer?

Hi! Rather than tying your answer directly to Hogan Lovells at every step, it’s better to link your examples back to the trainee role itself. You can do this by focusing on the key competencies HL highlight on their website (e.g. collaboration, resilience, problem-solving, communication) and then, where it adds value, show how those same skills connect with aspects of the firm (like global teamwork, sector strengths, or culture).

Structure suggestion:

• Pick 2 skills that you can evidence strongly (e.g. teamwork + resilience, or leadership + communication).
• One paragraph per skill, using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give a concrete example outside of work/study.
• Close each paragraph with 1–2 sentences linking that skill to being a successful trainee at HL (e.g. collaboration → ability to work across their cross-border teams).

This way, your answer stays experience-driven and reflective but also shows you’ve thought about how those skills translate to life as a trainee at Hogan Lovells.

 

[e_turbo2]

Has anyone heard anything back from Macfarlanes since completing the 2nd stage assessment?

Hey! I hope your 2nd stage went well. Please can you share any insights pls?

 

[e_turbo2]

After finishing Macfarlanes second round online assessment, I would say I was "ambushed".

Hey! I hope your 2nd stage went well. Please can you share any insights pls?

 

[lawyersum]

Hey! I think the best way to approach these questions is to treat them like mini personal statements. I would keep them personal and tailored to DLA Piper, and reflective of your own experiences when you can.

Here is how I’d break it down:

Personal Experience and Motivation for Law

This question is asking you to go beyond generic motivations (like problem-solving or liking to debate) and focus on something that genuinely developed your interest. This is ideally something that you personally experienced or were actively involved in.

The typical structure I would follow is:

1. Briefly explain the context - what was the experience, and why was it relevant?
2. Reflect on what you realised from this experience - did it change your perspective? Did it spark an interest in a distinct area, such as regulation?
3. Link this to your long-term career ambitions - how did it lead you to pursue a career in law? Why does DLA Piper align with that?

This doesn’t have to be a legal experience! It could be something like helping someone navigate complex systems, a moment that taught you analytical thinking, or a personal situation with a legal element. The main thing is that you have to clearly link it back to your motivation for law!

DLA Piper Insights Article

This is your opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and understanding of the firm’s work, and how your interests align.

I would structure my response using the following:

1. Choose an article on a client sector that you find interesting - this should ideally be something that overlaps with your genuine interests and your background (e.g. emerging tech, ESG, healthcare etc.)
2. Summarise the main points of the article in your own words - this should be brief, but show that you understand the commercial and legal implications
3. Explain why this topic resonates with you - what does it tell you about the evolution of the legal industry? What part of it excites you? Does it relate to something you have studied or explored in another setting?
4. Link to DLA Piper - think about the firm’s international reach, sector focus, innovation, or work with leading clients. How does this article show the kind of work that you’d be interested in working in?

I would avoid picking a random article - choose something that you have a genuine interest in, and clearly explain why that is and how it links to your future career.

I know that there aren’t a lot of words available due to the word limit, so you should aim to be as concise as possible. Hope this helps!

Hi Abbie, do you recommend we should pick a relatively recent article, in the last 6 to 12 months and not further than that?

 

[Legal12345]

Has anyone been progressed to interviews or ac’s anywhere yet?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody know if DLA Piper sponsors visa's for trainees in their Birmingham officer?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. (250)

Hi, this is one of the application questions for Hogan Lovells. I was wondering if we need to link back our experiences and skills to specific things relating to the firm where it might be helpful? How would you recommend structuring this answer?

Hey!

I think that the question is a really good opportunity to show a bit more of yourself beyond work and study. It's less about having some huge achievement, and more about showing how everyday experiences have helped you build skills that matter in a trainee role. Activities such as being part of a sports team, volunteering, or organising a society event can all work well if you can link them back to what you learned.

A structure that I would usually use is:

• What you did - the activity or experience.
• What you learned - the key skills that you built (teamwork, resilience, communication, organisations, etc.)
• Why it matters - how these skills will help you as a trainee solicitor

For example:

"In my role as secretary of the university magazine, I was responsible for organising meetings, managing deadlines, and keeping communication clear between the editorial team and the design time. This meant balancing different priorities, resolving last-minute issues, and making sure that the magazine stayed on track to meet publication deadlines. Through this, I developed strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team under pressure. These are directly relevant to life as a trainee, where clear communication, teamwork, and the ability to manage competing demands are essential"

You don't need to link it back to Hogan Lovells directly, but thinking about the kind of qualities that they value in their trainees can help you frame your answer in the right way.

I hope that assists