TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[pepsicola96]

Has anyone got some advice on how to dress for an assessment centre where the following instructions were sent re dress code:

"There is no specific dress code. At the firm we adopt a 'dress for your day' policy meaning when colleagues have client meetings or court visits, they will dress a lot smarter, and some may be dressed more casually. We would recommend wearing whatever you feel comfortable in, whilst presenting yourself in a professional manner."

I'm thinking about playing it safe and wearing a full suit and tie anyway, but don't want to look out of place in case everyone else does actually follow these instructions and dresses much more comfortably?

Anecdotally, I was violently ill at an AC earlier this cycle, pretty sure with food poisoning (vomited twice on the 3hr train down to London 😇). Still attended the AC lol because I needed the train reimbursed, but ended up taking my tie and jacket off and unbuttoning my shirt because I could barely breathe, was sweating profusely and felt sick. I was mortified and definitely looked an absolute state, but still got the offer! So I definitely think people overestimate the importance of your appearance. Though it is still important, if you do meet all the benchmarks you will not be rejected for not wearing a tie you know? (top US firms may vary).

Still though, be on the safe side and go for business dress for an AC and the first day of a vac scheme. Full suit for men, full suit or similarly smart dress/skirt/blouse etc for women.

Another anecdote, I had an insight scheme last year at a firm's regional office that I know to be super super chill. It was bang in the middle of summer and hit like 34 degrees or something so I opted for a polo shirt and trousers on day 1. Was promptly told to be more professionally dressed for the rest of the scheme 🥲 (the rest of the team was in sundresses and t-shirts)

 

[Isobel.liddle]

do they assess your practice ones? bit of a strange way to do things no? 9 practice questions is crazyyyy

Where were you able to access the practice interviews? Did they send you a link? I haven’t received a VI invite as of yet but hoping to be prepared if I do.

 

[elle woods]

How do people get information to stick in their brain pre-AC... have one tomorrow 😭 😭

I'm in the same boat as you...

the volume of notes I have...does not correspond to the time I have left 😂

 

[legal18]

I'm in the same boat as you...

the volume of notes I have...does not correspond to the time I have left 😂

😭 😭 😭 thinking of you... we got this

 

[emma_annom]

CRS VI (London) applied on 15th of Jan

 

[wqueens8]

Bristows Partner Review! No clue how as my video answers were shocking? Did they consider written app at this stage too as I do think that was quite strong from me?

Either way, kinda hate this partner review stage. It's basically exactly the same stage just twice right? One from grad rec and one from the partner committee. So it doesn't mean the video interview part is over, just that it passed an initial sift 😖

 

[sadlawyer01]

Hey if you don't mind me asking when did you submit both ?

cleary day of deadline, dechert 24th dec!

 

[silonthesofa]

Bristows Partner Review! No clue how as my video answers were shcoking? Did they consider written app at this stage too as I do think that was quite strong from me?

Either way, kinda hate this partner review stage. It's basically exactly the same stage just twice right? One from grad rec and one from the partner committee. So it doesn't mean the video interview part is over, just that it passed an initial sift 😖

They consider your application throughout the entire process (which is different to some firms where each stage is standalone and used only to progress to the next stage).

 

[c.t.tc]

CRS VI!

 

[sadlawyer01]

btw has anyone heard back fro
deb and plimpton after sending their OD confirmation email?

 

[Dannie]

Is it worth emailing a firm to ask for an app update when it's been more than a month since you took their test and they have started giving ACs out and you've still not gotten a progression/rejection? will it kill my chances..

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Hi everyone, I've been applying to US law firms and I notice some brand themselves as being private capital specialists and some focus on asset manager clients so I was wondering what the difference is and how that impacts trainee tasks

Hi, I've worked in both so I'll try to give non-generic answers.

Asset management in general deals with publicly traded securities and will involve transactions on an exchange. The legal work required will most likely be in compliance, reporting, and production of Key Investor Document fact sheets that both institutional and retail investors may access to understand the investment returns. Lots of asset managers are trying to move into multi asset including private funds now too so there's that. If I had to hazard a guess the work for trainees could be less transaction focused but more custom fund formation for asset managers to offer specific vehicles for clients. Also a lot of compliance and reporting and ensuring the performance figures meet regulatory standards.

Private capital will involve fewer investors but involve investment into illiquid securities and private companies/ real estate/ early stage. This could also be fund formation and creating term sheets which give approximate indicators of what the fund will invest in and strategy (for example Buy-out, Continuation, Roll up, sector specific etc.) but the work might be more transactional in actually buying majority shareholdings or significant debt positions in private companies. As a junior -you could perform due diligence on the transactions for example in acquisition to ensure that the company does actually have the assets and IP and certifications it says it does.

Source: my best guess as someone who helps PE fundraising and worked in asset management operations and there was a lot of looking over LPAs and new fund paperwork, but don't take my word for any of this.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anybody who applied to Shoosmiths on their deadline got the tests?

 

[wqueens8]

They consider your application throughout the entire process (which is different to some firms where each stage is standalone and used only to progress to the next stage).

Oh that's quite nice. Maybe I have a chance after all lol.

Firms with low intakes make me so anxious. I know it's generally quite proportional. Like Bristows, they might get 1000 applicants for 10 spots, and Clifford Chance might get 10,000 applicants for 100 spots. But it feels more possible to be top 100/10,000 than top 10/1000, though that has actually been the opposite of my experience haha

 

[James Wakefield]

Oh that's quite nice. Maybe I have a chance after all lol.

Firms with low intakes make me so anxious. I know it's generally quite proportional. Like Bristows, they might get 1000 applicants for 10 spots, and Clifford Chance might get 10,000 applicants for 100 spots. But it feels more possible to be top 100/10,000 than top 10/1000, though that has actually been the opposite of my experience haha

You’re probably in the top 100 already for Bristows. Partners are so busy I doubt they ask them to watch many VIs.

 

[futuretrainee10123]

Hey guys, has anyone got any insights for virtual AC at Osborne Clarke? Can share insights for TW, Macfarlanes, Bird&Bird

 

[Ernesto]

Anyone got insights for Osborne Clarke AC. Can provide insights for Mills & Reeve, Burges Salmon and Trowers.

 

[TCGrad1642]

Anyone heard from Akin?

Haven’t even heard about TI after initial application from early Jan

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone have any idea regarding the timelines for winston & strawn and orrick?

 

[WillKitchen]

If you've completed this VI, I would really appreciate any insight, are the questions motivational, competency, SJT, prep time + record time....thanks in advance!!!!

do they assess your practice ones? bit of a strange way to do things no? 9 practice questions is crazyyyy

I'm afraid that prep for another VI has shuffled a lot of the details from my mind. But here is what I can recall about the CRS VI...

The practice questions are not assessed, of course, but it is possible that they may be viewed by the grad team. Always assume that someone is on the other end of a camera. Personally, I find having a lot of practice questions to be great for settling the nerves, but in my experience, the longer the VI and the more questions involved, the more likely things are to flag and loose structure. You may end up drawing on the same example twice, for example, or hesitate if this was also covered in the practice questions.

There was a mix of competency, motivational questions and commercial awareness; no SJT, as far as I can recall. The prep time was about 30 seconds for a 90 second answer, but don't quote me on that.

If you're prepping for yours now, good luck!