TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[mg42guy32]

Failed a WG for the first time ever with CC, any tips for making sure I smah the next ones I do? (always more to learn evidently haha)

 

[Dannie]

Hey is anyone else struggling to see what the word limits are for Links work experience? It says 250 overall but is that for the achievements and job description section together or for each?

 

[shadowkiller]

Has anyone heard about the Gibson virtual open day in December? I wanna wait with submitting my vac scheme app but if they already sent invites to the open day, I might as well submit it soon

Hey I got the invite on Friday. Good luck with your appln!

 

[aspringlawyer25]

CC is so rude with their WG rejection email. Lol, no need to put it in all caps wth

 

[Mikeross750]

@Abbie Whitlock I was wondering how you would approach the following question for Osborne Clarke?

- What skills have you been developing over the last 12-24 months that you believe are instrumental to ensuring your success as a solicitor? How have you been developing these skills? Why do you believe that these skills will set you up for a successful career at Osborne Clarke? Your examples can be taken from any activities or experiences you have participated in and don't have to be focussed solely on the legal sector (Max 500 words)

I have spoken with the early careers team and they said to follow something along the lines of skill-evidence-link, but I am unsure on whether I should choose four or five skills to talk about. Thank you in advance!

 

[tithi]

Hello!

I'd say its absolutely fine to include Forage programmes on your CV - especially early on when you might not have a long list of commercial experience yet. If the firm has specifically asked for them, I'd definitely include them to show initiative and genuine engagement with the profession.

In terms of listing virtual open days and events on your CV, it might be easier to put these in a separate sort of "events" section, or group them all under one heading in the work experience section.

You can definitely list Forage programmes and events in your work experience section, particularly if you can share particular insights that you gained. However, as above, you might find it helpful to group some of them together if you are struggling to write a lot about them.

As for verification, law firms generally don't "check" Forage experiences as far as I am aware, but you should always be ready to talk about what you learned and the tasks that you completed. As long as you are honest, you'll be absolutely fine

Thankyou very much for the guidance.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Is there a video interview stage for CC if they like your application? I thought it would be an assessment centre...

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Does anyone know if the Freshfields stage 2 online assessment is timed? Ik that the video interview is but not sure about the job simulation part? Please reply ASAP as I'm aiming to do this tonight!

 

[johnsmith]

@Abbie Whitlock I was wondering how you would approach the following question for Osborne Clarke?

- What skills have you been developing over the last 12-24 months that you believe are instrumental to ensuring your success as a solicitor? How have you been developing these skills? Why do you believe that these skills will set you up for a successful career at Osborne Clarke? Your examples can be taken from any activities or experiences you have participated in and don't have to be focussed solely on the legal sector (Max 500 words)

I have spoken with the early careers team and they said to follow something along the lines of skill-evidence-link, but I am unsure on whether I should choose four or five skills to talk about. Thank you in advance!

I think I went with three so I could explain them really well rather than trying to cover too much and too thinly - 500 words is quite a bit of word count though.

 

[yk1906]

Does anyone know if the Freshfields stage 2 online assessment is timed? Ik that the video interview is but not sure about the job simulation part? Please reply ASAP as I'm aiming to do this tonight!

it's not. only vi

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey @Abbie Whitlock I'm SO sorry for the millionth question about RS VIs, but I saw in all of the firm's videos, they talk about having examples for things even if not asked, and I'm wondering for scenario questions (like how would you respond if ...), would you suggest explaining our thought processes in that scenario exactly and then tagging an example in the end, or would it be better to spend the whole two mins on an analogous example and explain our thought processes through that. I'm just curious cause the time is so short

Sorry for the question and thank you so much for all of your help < 3

Hello!

No need to apologise at all - more than happy to help! It's a great question, and definitely something that a lot of people wonder about.

In a two-minute scenario answer for VI, my approach to the structure would be:

1. Briefly explain your thought process and what you would do in the situation - I'd aim to show that you understand the firm's expectations and what Reed Smith looks for in potential trainees, and talk through each stage of your thought process. They might not necessarily be assessing a "right" or "wrong" answer to the situation, and likely will focus on how you approach the scenario.
2. Add a short real life example if you have one - I'd aim for this to be just 20-30 seconds at the end, as it shouldn't necessarily take up the bulk of your answer. Include an example that demonstrates you've handled something similar before and can apply the same approach in real life.

Going all-in on an example can potentially work, but the risk is that you might not make it clear how you would specifically respond to the scenario being asked. Starting with your reasoning ensures you directly answer the question, and the example acts as evidence that you've done it before (and backs up your claims!).

I hope that helps - best of luck with the online assessment!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you so much!!
If I can ask is there a specific structure that ReedSmith is looking for when it comes to the VI?

No problem at all!

I'm not aware of a single strict structure that Reed Smith expects, but the key is to ensure that your answer fully addresses the question and is supported with specific examples. For example, an approach I usually took for most motivational interview questions was:

1. Directly address the question (e.g. "The reason I am applying for Reed Smith is...")
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the firm
3. Link the firm to your own motivations (i.e. why the above matters to you)
4. Use one or two relevant examples from your past experiences to back this up
5. End with a confident closing line

You should still tailor this structure (or a similar one) to each specific question. As long as your response engages with the question in sufficient depth and provides clear evidence for your points, the exact structure can be adapted to whatever feels most appropriate

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I was wondering how you would approach the following question for Osborne Clarke?

- What skills have you been developing over the last 12-24 months that you believe are instrumental to ensuring your success as a solicitor? How have you been developing these skills? Why do you believe that these skills will set you up for a successful career at Osborne Clarke? Your examples can be taken from any activities or experiences you have participated in and don't have to be focussed solely on the legal sector (Max 500 words)

I have spoken with the early careers team and they said to follow something along the lines of skill-evidence-link, but I am unsure on whether I should choose four or five skills to talk about. Thank you in advance!

Hello!

For this type of question, you definitely don't need four or five skills - usually two or three well-developed ones will make a much stronger and more focused response. I'd definitely follow the early careers guidance of "skill -> evidence -> link", as it gives you space to explore each skill in depth, rather than listing lots quite briefly.

For each skill, you could structure it along the lines of:

1. What the skill is: e.g. commercial awareness, adaptability, collaboration, time management, etc.
2. How you developed it: this can come from work experience, part-time jobs, volunteering, university projects, sports team, etc.
3. What the impact was: what changed as a result of that development? What are you now more confident in, and what did you learn?
4. Why it matters at Osborne Clarke: this is the key part! Demonstrate that you understand the firm's strengths, client base and sectors, and show how the skill will help you contribute to the firm.

I would have a think about what Osborne Clarke is known for, and pick skills that genuinely reflect how you would thrive in that environment. If you pick two or three strong skills and really unpack them with evidence and clear links to the firm, you'll end up with a much more compelling 500-word answer than trying to briefly touch on several.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!

 

[Dannie]

How cooked is one's Links app if you haven't done their forage internship or been to any of their events...

 

[yasmars]

If someone doesn’t mind can they point to some really strong points about why CMS for a potential VI answer. I’ve never applied to them and just did it this year and got the VI so don’t know much other than their band 1 for mid market work and their global structure and potential for US merger

These points need to be personal to you. If you reach an AC you will need to be authentic in your responses for why you would like to train at CMS.

 

[lawstudent2]

Is it too late to apply for Jones Day summer?

 

[llblawstudent]

slightly weird question guys but do we reckon it’s a bad look if you put in your other firms’ forage schemes if you haven’t done the firm that you’re applying for’s one?

 

[Andrei Radu]

If someone doesn’t mind can they point to some really strong points about why CMS for a potential VI answer. I’ve never applied to them and just did it this year and got the VI so don’t know much other than their band 1 for mid market work and their global structure and potential for US merger

Besides their mid-market corporate M&A work, CMS is also known to excel in the following areas:

• The TMT sector (technology, media, & entertainment), having recently advised on clients such as Esports World Cup Foundation on the organisation of the first Esports World Cup.
• In healthcare, where the firm advised Primary Health Properties on its £1.79 billion winning bid for Assura, one of the biggest mandates in the sector in 2025.
• Energy & Projects, whether the firm consistently advises big clients such as the National Grid;
• Real estate, planning, and construction disputes;

Besides these strong sectors/practices, another firm USP you could discuss is its strategic focus on innovation in legal tech, training and development, and client delivery. Here, you could analyse innovations such as:

• The CMS Academy
• Its investment and backing of AI developer Noxura
• Its implementation of Relativity aiR
• The creation of its unique media production studio in London

To learn more about all the points I mentioned, I would highly encourage you to read about it in TCLA's detailed law firm profile for CMS.

 

[Andrei Radu]

slightly weird question guys but do we reckon it’s a bad look if you put in your other firms’ forage schemes if you haven’t done the firm that you’re applying for’s one?

I do not think it is a bad look and I would encourage you to put yours down, as they showcase your dedication to pursuing commercial law. Firms are well aware that any candidate with a senior interest in commercial law will be applying to many firms besides theirs, and thus that they may have completed Forage courses from other firms - as such, I would not expect them to infer insufficient interest on a candidate's part if they have done other firms' courses but not theirs. At the very least, in my experience and in that of other people I know, I never saw a pattern of progressions/rejections that could indicate this was a problem.

 

[user55998384]

I have a VI question about what you would enjoy most and least about a career in commercial law - i have 2 mins to answer
would you say that for each point to add a personal experience, would be really grateful to know what you think! @Andrei Radu