Hold on… let me add this to my 2025/2026 logbook of shamelessness!
Idk who but someone must hear of this!
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Idk who but someone must hear of this!
haha we might be doing the same firm!!
but yes, best of luck to you too! This definitely will throw us to some extent, no doubt... but I suppose the important thing is to try not let it hinder our performance for these last ACs... easier said than done tho!
fingers crossed for both of us!
Hello!I have an AC coming up with a written exercise that will probably include writing a recommendation for a business proposal/recommendation/analysis. I've been prepping so far but not really sure if my practicing online is helpful. Any advise would be appreciated as it it my first time doing this
I'd say the biggest thing to focus on is how you approach the task, rather than whether your answer is "right" overall. The graduate recruitment team or assessors will be looking for logical thinking and clear commercial judgement - this'll likely matter more than reaching a perfect solution.
Therefore, I would focus on preparing a well-structured answer that identifies the key issue, analyses it briefly, and then makes a clear recommendation on what steps the client should take. Generally, you are likely to score better if you are able to make a clear recommendation over trying to cover absolutely everything (but never really landing on a conclusion). Where you can, I'd also try to explain your reasoning for making certain choices in your answer - even if it isn't necessarily the answer they were looking for, this may help them understand why you have answered in that way and displays skills that they'll be looking for.
In terms of preparation, I would try to practice writing full answers under time pressure and then check whether your recommendation actually follows from your analysis, whether you've prioritised the most important points, and whether your writing is clear and concise. It is very easy to over-prepare on content, but in the exercise itself they will want you to be decisive and practical, so try not to get bogged down in the smaller details.
Overall, as long as you can show that you understand the problem the business is facing, weigh the key risks and then make a sensible recommendation, you should be absolutely fine! I have also quoted some previous general posts on written exercises that I have made - these might be a helpful reference point in your preparation too.
Best of luck with the AC, I'm sure you'll smash it!!
Hello!
Congratulations on getting the invite! 🎉 Whilst I haven't completed the Ashurst written exercise, they will usually test your ability to communicate clearly and structure your arguments logically - similar to what you'd do as a trainee when drafting emails or internal notes.
I've outlined some previous tips that I always used when preparing for written exercises below:
- Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
- Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
- Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
- Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
- Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
- Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!
The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.
I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.
I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!
I hope that assists - best of luck with the written exercise, I'm sure you'll smash it!
Hello!
A few resources below that I used / might be useful:
- Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies (something I found super useful last cycle!)
- TCLA Written Exercises (a good way to practice if you are able to pay to access resources)
- Some law firms upload example written exercises online - I believe DWF has one available!
Hopefully they help as a starting point (particularly Jacob Miller's post!)
Hello!
This is a great question - I would say yes, as long as you make sure it has a purpose in your answer. You should still show that you have considered possible ways to make the deal work, because that demonstrates commercial judgement and makes it clear that you have analysed other options. However, you don't need to develop them in detail if your view is that the client shouldn't proceed.
A good approach could be to briefly acknowledge the main mitigations or alternatives, explain why they don't sufficiently address the key risks, and then return to your recommendation not to proceed.
It shows that you've taken a balanced and open-minded approach to making the decision, rather than saying "no" without much further analysis
Ok got my Weil PFO - can move on now!
Weil rejection. Oopsies
Grad Rec prolly read the forum and locked in
queen @Abbie Whitlock (and others with interview experience) - is 2 reasons enough for a interview answer of ‘why this firm’ ? Or is 3 ideal?
Wait what? As in, they aren't reviewing VI's that were submitted past a certain date?
Hey!
It is actually pretty hard to prepare in advance for a case study exercise, so I would try not to panic too much - the anticipation of the AC usually feels more nerve-racking than the AC itself! I personally found this forum post by Jacob Miller was good practice in advance of my case study interview, and it was the main preparation that I completed. I have also previously written a few forum posts on how I would approach a case study, which I have quoted below - these might also be a helpful resource to calm your nerves.
Wishing you the best of luck with your AC - I'm sure you'll do great!!
Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !
Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!
In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!
Group Exercise
- In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
- Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
- Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
- If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.
Case Study Interview
I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.
- You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
- Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
- They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
- Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
- If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change if X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.
At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.
Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!
Hi!
Huge congratulations on receiving the AC invite for Reed Smith!!
Whilst I can't share any specifics, I'm happy to share some general tips for case studies, motivational interviews, and proof reading exercises! Across all of the exercises, I would say that structure and clarity are really key. The assessors are usually less focused on you having the "perfect" answer and more on how you approach the task, prioritise issues, and explain your reasoning as you go along.
For the case study, I would absolutely make good use of the preparation time. What helped me was to read through all of the documents first to get a sense of the overall scenario, and then go back over it to familiarise myself with the finer details. If there is anything that is unclear or confusing, I would try to work it out during the prep time so that, if it comes up in the interview discussion, you are able to explain your understanding confidently (or at least explain your thought process in working it out if you are still not 100% sure!). One piece of advice that my mentor gave me that I found really helpful was to become comfortable with what contracts actually look like in practice - i.e. understanding common clauses, what they mean, and the effect they can have (and whether they are favourable / less favourable to your client). I would also try not to overcomplicate it - this is something I really struggled with at first, but if the answer feels like it is relatively straightforward, I would go with your gut! If the interviewers / assessors require more information, they might be able to ask follow-up questions that you can then address.
For the motivational interview, I would make sure that you have researched the firm (which I'm sure you have!) and can clearly articulate why Reed Smith specifically. Think about how your experiences and interests align with the firm's distinctive features (e.g. its sector focus or initiatives like the Professional SQE Placement Year). For example, I linked my previous vacation scheme experience at a firm with shipping expertise to Reed Smith's expertise in the area, as I could explain how my interest in the area had developed and why Reed Smith's practice stood out to me (compared to the other firm). As with any interview, it also helps to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end - although if any questions naturally arise due to things discussed in the interview, I'd always encourage you to ask those! Importantly (and I know this is the most annoying advice ever), be yourself! They're assessing your fit to the firm as much as motivation and experience, so I'd try to be friendly and match the atmosphere in the room as this really does go a long way.
For the proofreading exercise, I would encourage you to work slowly and methodically. One practical tip that I found helpful was to use your finger to guide yourself through the text and make note of anything that stands out. While I didn't personally do a proofreading exercise at my Reed Smith AC, I have done similar ones elsewhere and always looked for things such as defined terms (and whether they're capitalised consistently), spelling / grammar, and whether dates and deadlines match throughout the document. These are things that you might not necessarily think to check in a proofreading exercise, but are always important in the legal context!
Above all - stay calm, be structured, and try to explain your thinking clearly wherever you can. It sounds silly to say, but I did really enjoy my Reed Smith AC and I felt that the partners and graduate recruitment team wanted me to do well, rather than trying to catch me out.
I'm sure that you will smash it, and best of luck!
Weil PFO post AC. I expected it cos it was my first AC ever and of this cycle. Moving on to the next!
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how does one practise article interviews? Just pick an article and practise summarising them?
W&C pfo. It was a last min application lmao so very much expected
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