TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

anyone also still waiting on milbank post-first test? Are we assuming PFO now if still waiting?

Im still waiting🤣

 

[AP2000]

Bit different from the usual vacation scheme or direct TC discussion, but I have another opportunity that may be of interest!

Agio Ratings is a fintech startup whose products are used by trading firms, insurers, and banks.

Agio Ratings Limited is seeking a highly capable Associate to support senior leadership across a range of legal, commercial, and operational activities. This role is well suited to a candidate with a strong paralegal background, excellent organisational skills, and the confidence to operate with a high degree of autonomy in a fast-moving, professional environment.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted support to senior officers, helping to ensure that key business objectives are progressed efficiently and that information, documentation, and communications are managed to a consistently high standard.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and maintaining legal, financial, and commercial documents, ensuring accuracy, version control, and appropriate filing
• Preparing, updating, and maintaining spreadsheets, databases, and written materials to support sales activity and core business functions
• Helping manage outside counsel and driving efficient use of external legal resources
• Proactively communicating with senior members of the global team to track progress against objectives and deadlines
• Managing schedules, including diary coordination and meeting logistics
• Attending meetings with key clients to assist with presentations, note taking, and follow-up actions
• Assisting with internal communications, including preparation and coordination of written materials
• Providing general administrative and operational support in a growing, fast-paced business environment

Candidate profile

• Paralegal or similar background, with at least two years’ experience
• Undergraduate degree from a Russell Group or equivalent university
• Complete fluency in English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrable experience managing legal and financial documentation
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Proven self-starter who operates effectively with minimal supervision

Enhancing attributes

• Experience in financial services, professional services, or a regulated environment
• Confidence interacting with senior stakeholders and executives
• Strong judgement and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information

Working arrangements

The role is based in London, with office attendance at Agio Ratings Limited’s Bloomsbury office required. The balance between in-office and remote working will be agreed with the successful candidate, reflecting business needs and individual effectiveness.

Message me directly if you think you would be a suitable candidate.

Hi - what is the salary range for this role?

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Has anyone done an AC at Reed Smith before?

 

[jojo23]

TCLA users after seeing this post for a job role in London rushing to PM the poster:

TCLA users after seeing the role requires 2 years paralegal experience (we’re all mostly students or recent grads) and a Russell Group or equivalent degree (code for Oxbridge/London RG):

Im more distracted by the fact that this dude is named after a pizza place

 

[Suii]

Mills Reeve PFO excelled in 4/5 pillars and was average in the other pillar, excelled in both numerical and verbal. Don't know what else I have to do to get to an AC. This 1 hurt on a personal level.

 

[PinkZebra67]

I’m still waiting too

I can’t tell if it’s my references ? Tbh I forgot if we even needed them it’s been so long but that’s been playing on my mind 💔

 

[rulebritannia]

I have quite a few offers for vac schemes in summer but a few clash - does anyone know if they are flexible at moving - or i may ask if they can put me on the DTC route. One firm did agree to the DTC route but they were bottom of my favourites

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

any advice on how to relate a current affairs issue e.g. Trump's tariffs to a firm and its clients for an upcoming AC?

I'm gonna give up my "strategy" here... partially as I'm not sure I'll even make it to an AC, and it'll potentially go to waste.

The obvious answer to me is for clients that operate internationally being directly impacted. Then there is uncertainty around investment/marketing/deal decisions and risks because of this. Beyond that, the impact it can have on the US/EU economy in certain markets, the UK services "export" economy, currency conversions/values, and other countries' competitive advantages from US costs going up (for firms operating in other countries). Then there will be inflation and price level, unemployment, etc., in terms of impactful macroeconomic decisions. There are probably 7 or 8 knock-on impacts from that. Then also Trump's specific demands, what he wants and the risks of certain countries *cough* UK *cough* giving into demands

As somebody who follows other headlines, tariffs are just one of maybe 10 pieces of the macroeconomic puzzle (including Venezuela, Iran, Powell, etc.). As for specific client industries, look at the clients/sectors the firm represents, and figure out who will be impacted, and by which means.

 

[elle woods]

I have quite a few offers for vac schemes in summer but a few clash - does anyone know if they are flexible at moving - or i may ask if they can put me on the DTC route. One firm did agree to the DTC route but they were bottom of my favourites

I would like to be in this position please

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

These Baker McKenzie PFO's - are they for Spring or Summer? I applied for Spring and radio silence since I did the VI

 

[Dannie]

Jones Day AC! Did the interview on friday. does anyone know how many they invite to their ACs?

 

[CharlesT47]

Has anyone still not heard from Willkie? I don’t entirely understand what’s happened.

 

[zonnonomo]

These Baker McKenzie PFO's - are they for Spring or Summer? I applied for Spring and radio silence since I did the VI

summer + post app for me

 

[Dannie]

Hey. I also failed exactly 4 ACs. keep going, we got this.

I am currently on my fourth rejection post assessment centre (US Law firms). I have no issue making it past first round interviews but this is now my fourth rejection post AC - and I have nothing to show for myself.

Where do I go from here. Is it time to call it quits on a career in law, I always felt I acted upon my feedback and that’s why I’ve always had no issue making it to the second stage of interviews, but i never make it past the second round, it seems like this is a me problem.

Even if I applied for less competitive firms, I’ve now failed 4 interviews/ACs. Am I even cut out for this.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Am I right in believing that Stephenson Harwood recruit equally through vacation scheme and DTC routes?

EDIT: To add onto this, is the DTC route much more competetive in terms of number of applicants?

 

[ilikelaw]

baker mckenzie pfo came mid exam ☹️☹️

now time for a mad rush of applications before the 31st, gonna try submit applications for:

morgan lewis
r&g
orrick
stephenson harwood

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Hey. I also failed exactly 4 ACs. keep going, we got this.

Also, just saying, if you got through to N ACs, you're capable of getting N+1 AC. And if you get N+1, you have another bite at the apple. And you go in with the advantage of the previous N AC experiences.

 

[addy2004]

For a WE, how many words roughly are we expected to write? I know WE's assess clear & concise language, but also reasoning and analysis. Does anyone have any tips on how much to write for a WE that is 1 hour 30mins? Thank you

 

[llblawstudent]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure general interview questions? I tend to answer the question and say “I believe…” and then give another reason or two. But recently I’ve been wondering if it’s more confident to say “there are two main reasons how…” but the danger is Ofc you don’t end up having two reasons haha

 

[rohing99]

yes.
I think they don't actually have a VS but I'm only really following this thread so posted here.

ah okay thank you, makes sense. Yeah they don't have a vac. Was this london office? I am also awaiting an outcome following the VI...