TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Partcore22]

Has anyone heard back from these firms - Fieldfisher (post telephone interview), Travers Smith and Browne Jacobson? I am a little concerned as I thought my telephone interview with Fieldfisher went well and would hear back regarding AC start of this month but got no reply yet. The other 2 firms I have not heard back since I submitted my application lol

did u apply for the pathway to practice or direct tc for fieldfisher

 

[Novaa]

Hey, this is quite interesting actually. Can you share the link to the video and did you take any notes you could share please?

Very interesting, I do love a creative approach to commercial awareness!! I haven’t made notes yet, but the video is three minutes long, and she breaks it down really well!!

Here is the link:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRBVco1M/

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I asked Grok to make me a better version

View attachment 7786

Macfarlanes LLP v McDonald’s [2026] UKSC 26 IP trademark infringement lawsuit pending??!!

 

[trainee4u]

Macfarlanes LLP v McDonald’s [2026] UKSC 26 IP trademark infringement lawsuit pending??!!


​

Counsel for the claimant:

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Can anyone who has done an AC at Reed Smith give some last minute tips on what helped them the most in their preparation? Or tbh any general advice would be appreciated. Is it normal to not feel prepared despite everything 😭

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Do you guys write out your interview answers to questions? Or do you end to just bullet point some general ideas

 

[elle woods]

Can anyone who has done an AC at Reed Smith give some last minute tips on what helped them the most in their preparation? Or tbh any general advice would be appreciated. Is it normal to not feel prepared despite everything 😭

whilst I can't speak on the RS AC, I can say that it is normal to not feel prepared! Because ACs come with an element of uncertainty, you can never feel truly prepared.

if it's tomorrow (aka today), my best advice would be to get enough sleep and calm yourself down before going in tmr! Best of luck, you've got this!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

whilst I can't speak on the RS AC, I can say that it is normal to not feel prepared! Because ACs come with an element of uncertainty, you can never feel truly prepared.

if it's tomorrow (aka today), my best advice would be to get enough sleep and calm yourself down before going in tmr! Best of luck, you've got this!

Thank you 🫶 Just having a major imposter syndrome moment rn lol

 

[elle woods]

Thank you 🫶 Just having a major imposter syndrome moment rn lol

haha I get you, but trust me, don't let it consume you! what will help you most is to walk in there with confidence, knowing that you deserve to be there just as much as anyone else!

 

[Novaa]

Do you guys write out your interview answers to questions? Or do you end to just bullet point some general ideas

I mind map general ideas for competency interviews just so I can see what examples my brain has in there, and that’s the only prep I will do.

I then remember to use the STAR when guiding my thought process while discussing.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

haha I get you, but trust me, don't let it consume you! what will help you most is to walk in there with confidence, knowing that you deserve to be there just as much as anyone else!

You're right... just need to fake it until I make it 🤣 genuinely really appreciate your reply

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

I mind map general ideas for competency interviews just so I can see what examples my brain has in there, and that’s the only prep I will do.

I then remember to use the STAR when guiding my thought process while discussing.

What about for motivational questions? I know it sound silly but apart from why commercial law and why this firm, what else counts as motivational?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I mind map general ideas for competency interviews just so I can see what examples my brain has in there, and that’s the only prep I will do.

I then remember to use the STAR when guiding my thought process while discussing.

The annoying thing though is we’ll do the prep but as soon as we go into the interview it’s like:

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

What about for motivational questions? I know it sound silly but apart from why commercial law and why this firm, what else counts as motivational?

These are 10 examples that come to mind but idk if I’m deeping it way too much lmao:

1. Why a US/MC/SC firm?
2. Why this location (e.g., regional office)?
3. What practice areas interest you?
4. Where else have you applied?
5. Why our firm over our competitors?
6. Why do you want to be a solicitor?
7. Why a city law firm?
8. What do you hope to gain from a legal career?
9. Why law? Why not finance, consulting, IB?
10. Why an international vs national law firm?​

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

These are 10 examples that come to mind but idk if I’m deeping it way too much lmao:

1. Why a US/MC/SC firm?
2. Why this location (e.g., regional office)?
3. What practice areas interest you?
4. Where else have you applied?
5. Why our firm over our competitors?
6. Why do you want to be a solicitor?
7. Why a city law firm?
8. What do you hope to gain from a legal career?
9. Why law? Why not X Y or Z profession?
10. Why an international vs national law firm?​

Thank you!!

 

[Novaa]

What about for motivational questions? I know it sound silly but apart from why commercial law and why this firm, what else counts as motivational?

For those I will usually bullet point, so I have a structure.

I usually prepare for the following:

Why Law / Why Commercial Law? (Sorry they’re getting both in one, THIS IS MY INTERVIEW!)

Why this firm?

Rare:

Why the city and not regional?

Why not our competitor?

Where else have you applied?

Ultra Rare:

Why not go into Human Rights / IB / Politics (I was not prepared for this one 💔 BUT it’s only been asked once)

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

For those I will usually bullet point, so I have a structure.

I usually prepare for the following:

Why Law / Why Commercial Law? (Sorry they’re getting both in one, THIS IS MY INTERVIEW!)

Why this firm?

Rare:

Why the city and not regional?

Why not our competitor?

Where else have you applied?

Ultra Rare:

Why not go into Human Rights / IB / Politics (I was not prepared for this one 💔 BUT it’s only been asked once)

Thank you so much
🤗

 

[Novaa]

The annoying thing though is we’ll do the prep but as soon as we go into the interview it’s like:

Partner: “Didn’t you already say that point?”

Me: *Mind went blank because I noticed a window cleaner in the background*

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Partner: “Didn’t you already say that point?”

Me: *Mind went blank because I noticed a window cleaner in the background*

Partner: “Okay let’s move on to the next question: can you explain the lifecycle of a PE fund?”

Me: *realises I’m cooked and grad rec are ready to launch the automated PFO email in 3 2 1…*

 

[HLL]

Can anyone who has done an AC at Reed Smith give some last minute tips on what helped them the most in their preparation? Or tbh any general advice would be appreciated. Is it normal to not feel prepared despite everything 😭

The case study for RS AC 2025 is highly contextual on the materials they give you - it felt more like a reading comprehension assessment with a bit of general commercial awareness. Just make sure to read the docs carefully and you'll be fine. There were a few motivational and competency questions at the end but those were not out of the blue. (P.S. take this with a pinch of salt as I was unsuccessful last year)