TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[A2026]

Hi everybody, I got an AC for NRF and I was wondering if anyone who’s done it last year had an insight or tips? Not my first AC, but the only one this cycle so my last hope. Any advice and suggestions would be much appreciated! I know there is a case study but I don’t know if it’s a presentation of a written exercise, thank you guys!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

On their website it says that the VS doesn’t lead to an automatic TC and that yous need to submit a separate app for their TC. So imagine the length of their app and having to do it 2x over…

No. This is misleading, instead they urged me to apply for the work placement as they're heavily recruit TC from it. They'll get back to you post app in August/September if you apply for TC.

Here's what they said on email last week:

Dear Laurel,

Many thanks for your email and for your continued interest in K&L Gates.

You can apply for either schemes regardless. We would strongly encourage people to apply to the work placement scheme as we heavily recruit from this onto our training contract. Any spaces left after that, we will look at direct training contract applications around August/September.

Many thanks

Felicity Smoak
Former Graduate recruitment team at Queen Consolidated

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

K&L Gates app is way too long

I spent weeks on it. Glad it was over last night and now I'm watching the Bridgerton season 4, just after release yesterday.

Hope my works paid off, small treat for myself lol

 

[ABC234]

congrats. What firm, if you feel comfortable saying?

Dechert!

 

[Deleted member 43346]

I had an AC at my dream firm and I’m super sure I’ll get rejected, would appreciate any advice moving forward, feels crushing to get this close but so far hate the post-AC waiting period so much

Same here honestly the waiting it killingme espc over the weekend but most important thing is that you should be proud of how you did on the day and got this far to have the opportunity to have that AC at the firm

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Simpson Thacher is launching training contracts

One more firm to add to the list next year…

 

[unemployed12830]

Did you do the Reed Smith AC this cycle? If so have you heard back?

 

[htrizzy100]

Hi All! Any tips/advice for Latham AC would be greatly appreciated! Please feel free to PM me.

 

[赐给我tc]

baker mckenzie vi insights, can trade with weil, sidley, MB, paul weiss insights

 

[privateequitywarrior]

Does anyone have insight on V&E VI. I can help out with NRF VI, Freshfields VI, Milbank Stages 1 and 2, Weil AC, White & Case VI + AC + VS, HSF AC, Slaughters AC and many more just pm me with your firm and I will likely know something.

 

[Novaa]

I really like this R&G question, but I feel like I’ve missed something…

 

[an03]

Does anyone know what the shoosmiths assessment is like. Is it SJT?

 

[sqe4676]

Still nothing from Withers post SJT - been exactly a month

 

[lawstudent2]

Anyone have insights on the Ashurst AC? I can exchange for macfarlanes ac and lots of VIs
pm if interested

 

[TCLAAAA]

I did my Cleary WG Dec 21 but no response, do I email or keep waiting? nervousss

I did their wgt since 12th Nov... but I applied for summer- did they notify anyone for summer?

 

[n_99_99]

Hey thanks for getting back to me

Could I ask - were you sent the tests?

I was not - the other person was and did the final interview yesterday

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

I kind of want to message Debevoise because I'm guessing if I didn't get an open day invite, it was a PFO. I hate that they just don't send out messages about it.

 

[Bread]

I kind of want to message Debevoise because I'm guessing if I didn't get an open day invite, it was a PFO. I hate that they just don't send out messages about it.

I kind of want to message them cause they progressed someone who wasn’t eligible

Where is the competence?

 

[SBD total 1000lbs (and an applicant)]

this is genuinely a serious question. the firm ive been offered a vac scheme at has an in house gym. they showed us at the AC. whats the scope for actually using it during the scheme? ... i dont wanna make it seem like all i care about is the gym but i also internally combust without exposure to the gym!

 

[Deleted member 43292]

this is genuinely a serious question. the firm ive been offered a vac scheme at has an in house gym. they showed us at the AC. whats the scope for actually using it during the scheme? ... i dont wanna make it seem like all i care about is the gym but i also internally combust without exposure to the gym!

so cool! congrats!

i defo think you can use it - just maybe before or after your allocated work hours etc. I wouldn't recommend going during lunch etc because that's normally when they expect you to be doing coffee chats or engaging with other participants. But then again, if you're going before or after work, it might just be easier and more convenient to use an external gym!

also I really need to get glasses or smth cos I read that as "Ive been offered a scheme at an in-house gym". I was about to congratulate you on that achievement before I realised something was wrong