TCLA Spring & Summer Vacation Scheme Thread 2026

[fbtrainee]

Hi, I've heard that part of the assessment for my upcoming VS is a presentation on a topic of your choice to the entire firm. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to approach this? I don't have much context on how long the presentation is supposed to be but I'd appreciate any tips on how to approach presentations especially under pressure

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, I've heard that part of the assessment for my upcoming VS is a presentation on a topic of your choice to the entire firm. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to approach this? I don't have much context on how long the presentation is supposed to be but I'd appreciate any tips on how to approach presentations especially under pressure

Hey!

For these types of assessments, I'd say they are usually assessing things like your communication style, structure, confidence, clarity, and ability to engage an audience, rather than expecting a perfect presentation!

My biggest advice would be to choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in and could speak about naturally. People tend to perform much better under pressure when they are discussing something they actually enjoy and understand well, rather than forcing themselves into an overly technical commercial topic as they think it sounds more impressive.

In terms of structure, I have always found that keeping it fairly simple usually works best. I'd start with a clear introduction (i.e. what you'll cover and why it matters), 2-3 main points, and then a concise conclusion to wrap it all up. I would also avoid overcrowding any slides with text (if you are asked to make presentation slides) - a presentation that feels conversational and easy to follow is usually stronger than one that is packed with information and text.

I used to be (and honestly still am) petrified of public speaking, so I can share what helped me with approaching presentations or assessments of this nature. For nerves/pressure, I think that it really helps to practice out loud as much as possible. A lot of people rehearse silently in their head, but speaking it aloud helps massively with things like pacing and confidence. Even if you don't feel particularly confident, I'd just try to fake it until you make it - that usually works for me, haha! I also found it helpful to know my opening 30 seconds really well, as if you get this right and settle into the presentation, the nerves often ease more naturally.

If you don't know the timing yet, I'd probably prepare something flexible that could comfortably sit around the 5-10 minute mark unless told otherwise. If they are allowed to ask questions afterwards, I would try to remember that they are often testing how you think and communicate under pressure, rather than trying to catch you out. They might probe you on some of the ideas or views you have expressed, and it is important to stand your ground if you feel confident on the topic, but also be open to changing your mind if they offer a new perspective that you hadn't considered.

I hope that assists, and best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!

 

[ELSA19]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out for some advice regarding my upcoming vacation scheme.

I was fortunate enough to secure two vacation schemes this summer. However, as I’m an international student and will also be completing my master’s during the summer, my visa restricts me to working 20 hours per week. After explaining the situation to both firms, unfortunately one rescinded my offer, but the other was very accommodating and agreed to arrange the scheme around the 20-hour limit. They mentioned they’ve had candidates in this situation before and would do their best to ensure I wasn’t disadvantaged.

HR gave me two options:

1. Include networking dinners/events within my 20 hours, or
2. Focus only on working hours.

They recommended the second option, saying it would allow them to better evaluate my work. Before the scheme starts, I’ll also be completing a written task, which I understand forms part of the TC assessment process as well.

I also spoke to a trainee at the firm who had previously been in the same position and still managed to secure a TC offer. They mentioned that they attended the partner dinner, but at times found balancing the social and work aspects quite difficult. They also said the firm took their reduced working hours into account when assessing them.

Even though I’m grateful the firm has been accommodating, I can’t help feeling a bit anxious and worried that I may be at a disadvantage compared to other candidates. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice on how best to approach and mitigate this during the scheme?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out for some advice regarding my upcoming vacation scheme.

I was fortunate enough to secure two vacation schemes this summer. However, as I’m an international student and will also be completing my master’s during the summer, my visa restricts me to working 20 hours per week. After explaining the situation to both firms, unfortunately one rescinded my offer, but the other was very accommodating and agreed to arrange the scheme around the 20-hour limit. They mentioned they’ve had candidates in this situation before and would do their best to ensure I wasn’t disadvantaged.

HR gave me two options:

1. Include networking dinners/events within my 20 hours, or
2. Focus only on working hours.

They recommended the second option, saying it would allow them to better evaluate my work. Before the scheme starts, I’ll also be completing a written task, which I understand forms part of the TC assessment process as well.

I also spoke to a trainee at the firm who had previously been in the same position and still managed to secure a TC offer. They mentioned that they attended the partner dinner, but at times found balancing the social and work aspects quite difficult. They also said the firm took their reduced working hours into account when assessing them.

Even though I’m grateful the firm has been accommodating, I can’t help feeling a bit anxious and worried that I may be at a disadvantage compared to other candidates. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice on how best to approach and mitigate this during the scheme?

Thank you in advance!

Hi!

Firstly, congratulations on securing the vacation schemes!

I think the firm's response here is a really positive sign - the fact that they have dealt with this situation before, have proactively discussed adjustments with you, and have had previous candidates in the same position secure TCs suggests they genuinely are trying to assess you fairly.

I also think HRs recommendation to prioritise working hours is probably sensible. Ultimately, the strongest basis for a TC offer is usually the quality of your work, your engagement with the team, responsiveness to feedback, and how you conduct yourself day-to-day. Networking events can help, but firms are unlikely to expect you to attend every social event even in normal circumstances, let alone where visa restrictions limit your available hours.

I would therefore focus on making the most of the time you do have during the scheme to be proactive in asking questions and seeking work, show enthusiasm and curiosity about the tasks you are give, build relationships during the working day, and make sure that your supervisors can clearly see your interest and engagement.

If there are particularly important events that fit within the permitted hours, then great, but I would not worry too much about trying to attend everything at the expense of the core scheme itself.

From what you have said, it sounds like the firm understands the situation and wants to give you a fair opportunity to succeed. I would make the most of it and give it your best shot - I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[Bread]

Hello! I was wondering what are some of the main/dealmaking clauses that might appear in an SPA or SA!!

Also, I was wondering what the main things to think about when financing a project or an acquisition, more from the legal finance side than just commercially. So, for instance, what the main kinds of contracts are and what type of form they would take.

Thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello! I was wondering what are some of the main/dealmaking clauses that might appear in an SPA or SA!!

Also, I was wondering what the main things to think about when financing a project or an acquisition, more from the legal finance side than just commercially. So, for instance, what the main kinds of contracts are and what type of form they would take.

Thank you!

Hey!

I've done some research on this, and for SPAs, some of the main "deal-making" clauses that tend to come up are things like:

• Warranties and Indemnities
• Limitation of Liability Clauses
• Completion Accounts/Locked Box Mechanisms (i.e. whether the final purchase price is adjusted based on the company's actual financial position at closing (for CA) or it is fixed using historical accounts (for locked-box))
• Restrictive Covenants
• Conditions Precedents
• Material Adverse Change Clauses (allows a buyer to walk away or renegotiate if the target business suffers a significant negative change before completion)
• Earn-Outs (part of the purchase price is paid later if the business hits certain financial/performance targets after the acquisition)

I've always found that a good way to think about these is that most of them are really about risk allocation - i.e. who bears what risk after the deal closes, how much control investors/shareholders have, and what happens if things go wrong.

On the finance side, the legal analysis is often less about whether something is commercially sensible and more about how the lender protects itself, what security is available, the repayment structure and cash flow, enforcement risk, regulatory issues, and intercreditor priorities (if there are multiple lenders involved).

Therefore, the main types of documents or contracts that you'll often see include:

• Facility Agreements (outline the terms of the loan)
• Security Documents (i.e. charges, debentures, guarantees, etc.)
• Intercreditor Agreements (if there are multiple lenders)

Whilst this isn't an exhaustive list, it should cover the main ones you should know about (particularly things like security documents, which are crucial for lenders)! In project finance specifically, there is usually a web of contracts underpinning the project itself too (e.g. construction agreements, offtake agreements, supply agreements, etc.) as lenders care a lot about whether the project will actually generate stable cash flow in order to repay the debt.

It helps to view finance lawyers as people who manage legal and financial risk while also coordinating multiple moving parts of a transaction to ensure that the funding structure protects all parties involved.

I hope that assists!

 

[Bread]

Hey!

I've done some research on this, and for SPAs, some of the main "deal-making" clauses that tend to come up are things like:

• Warranties and Indemnities
• Limitation of Liability Clauses
• Completion Accounts/Locked Box Mechanisms (i.e. whether the final purchase price is adjusted based on the company's actual financial position at closing (for CA) or it is fixed using historical accounts (for locked-box))
• Restrictive Covenants
• Conditions Precedents
• Material Adverse Change Clauses (allows a buyer to walk away or renegotiate if the target business suffers a significant negative change before completion)
• Earn-Outs (part of the purchase price is paid later if the business hits certain financial/performance targets after the acquisition)

I've always found that a good way to think about these is that most of them are really about risk allocation - i.e. who bears what risk after the deal closes, how much control investors/shareholders have, and what happens if things go wrong.

On the finance side, the legal analysis is often less about whether something is commercially sensible and more about how the lender protects itself, what security is available, the repayment structure and cash flow, enforcement risk, regulatory issues, and intercreditor priorities (if there are multiple lenders involved).

Therefore, the main types of documents or contracts that you'll often see include:

• Facility Agreements (outline the terms of the loan)
• Security Documents (i.e. charges, debentures, guarantees, etc.)
• Intercreditor Agreements (if there are multiple lenders)

Whilst this isn't an exhaustive list, it should cover the main ones you should know about (particularly things like security documents, which are crucial for lenders)! In project finance specifically, there is usually a web of contracts underpinning the project itself too (e.g. construction agreements, offtake agreements, supply agreements, etc.) as lenders care a lot about whether the project will actually generate stable cash flow in order to repay the debt.

It helps to view finance lawyers as people who manage legal and financial risk while also coordinating multiple moving parts of a transaction to ensure that the funding structure protects all parties involved.

I hope that assists!

This was so helpful, thank you!!

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Hi,

I'm currently preparing for my first summer vacation scheme and I will likely be put in the Employment Seat in Oxford.

After doing a little research, I am making sure I keep ontop of employment updates, the firms work in employment, and am going to revisit a Forage Course regarding employment law. I have also done a module in employment

Other than that, what can I do to prepare specifically for an Employment Seat for a Vacation Scheme?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi,

I'm currently preparing for my first summer vacation scheme and I will likely be put in the Employment Seat in Oxford.

After doing a little research, I am making sure I keep ontop of employment updates, the firms work in employment, and am going to revisit a Forage Course regarding employment law. I have also done a module in employment

Other than that, what can I do to prepare specifically for an Employment Seat for a Vacation Scheme?

Thank you for any advice!

Hi!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!

It sounds like you are already doing a really solid amount of preparation, so I wouldn't worry too much about trying to cram in loads more!

For an employment seat specifically, I'd say that beyond keeping up with any updates and revisiting the basics, it can help to focus on understanding how employment law actually plays out in practice rather than just the legal doctrines. For example, thinking about concepts such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy processes, and settlement agreements in a more "real client scenario" way can be super useful!

If you want to go a little further, you could also potentially (if you haven't already!):

• Read a few recent Employment Tribunal cases or summaries to get used to the kind of factual detail and reasoning involved
• Look at how the firm describes their employment work on their website, so that you understand the types of clients or issues they deal with (e.g. advising employers, HR issues, litigation vs advisory, etc.)
• Practice explaining core concepts clearly and in a client-friendly way

However, for a vacation scheme, they are not expecting you to be anywhere near "expert level" in a seat. Things like being curious, engaged, and willing to ask good questions during the scheme is usually what stands out most!

Wishing you the best of luck with your vacation scheme!

 

[haribolover]

I don't know if this is a dumb question, but I have a vacation scheme in the next month and I was wondering if it is appropriate or inappropriate to ask a partner you had an interview with for a coffee chat, or if this is something which if frowned down upon?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I don't know if this is a dumb question, but I have a vacation scheme in the next month and I was wondering if it is appropriate or inappropriate to ask a partner you had an interview with for a coffee chat, or if this is something which if frowned down upon?

Hey!

Not a dumb question at all! Personally, I don't think it would be frowned upon provided that it is approached professionally and naturally - I know of plenty of people on my previous vacation schemes that did this

If you had a particularly good conversation with the partner during your interview, I actually think reaching out for a brief coffee chat during the scheme can show genuine interest in the firm and their practice area. Firms will usually want to see that vacation schemers are proactive and engaged, and this is a great way to show that you genuinely enjoyed the conversation you had with the interviewer. You could reach out and say something along the lines of: "Hi X, I really enjoyed speaking with you during my interview process and particularly enjoyed our conversation about Y. If you happened to have time during the scheme, I'd love to grab a quick coffee and hear more about your work/practice area, but I completely understand if your schedule is busy".

I think the key part is to try not to make it feel transactional, and don't purely network/have coffee chats with lots of senior people just for the visibility. I'd also be mindful that partners are often very busy, so I wouldn't take it personally if the timing doesn't work out.

Overall, I don't think it is inappropriate and I've never seen it be frowned upon. Best of luck with the vacation scheme!!

 

[haribolover]

Hey!

Not a dumb question at all! Personally, I don't think it would be frowned upon provided that it is approached professionally and naturally - I know of plenty of people on my previous vacation schemes that did this

If you had a particularly good conversation with the partner during your interview, I actually think reaching out for a brief coffee chat during the scheme can show genuine interest in the firm and their practice area. Firms will usually want to see that vacation schemers are proactive and engaged, and this is a great way to show that you genuinely enjoyed the conversation you had with the interviewer. You could reach out and say something along the lines of: "Hi X, I really enjoyed speaking with you during my interview process and particularly enjoyed our conversation about Y. If you happened to have time during the scheme, I'd love to grab a quick coffee and hear more about your work/practice area, but I completely understand if your schedule is busy".

I think the key part is to try not to make it feel transactional, and don't purely network/have coffee chats with lots of senior people just for the visibility. I'd also be mindful that partners are often very busy, so I wouldn't take it personally if the timing doesn't work out.

Overall, I don't think it is inappropriate and I've never seen it be frowned upon. Best of luck with the vacation scheme!!

Hi Abbie, thank you so much for this! I think I am just overthinking the networking side of things on the vacation scheme as I want to make a good impression. What would you say is an appropriate amount of people to have coffee chats with over a two week scheme? I am hoping to do a few with the people in the departments I am in, but also want to ensure I put myself out there to reach out to people across the firm as the firm really seemed to emphasise asking questions and networking. Equally, I don't want to compromise on any in department work/ make it seem I am not at my desk and just off having coffees

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie, thank you so much for this! I think I am just overthinking the networking side of things on the vacation scheme as I want to make a good impression. What would you say is an appropriate amount of people to have coffee chats with over a two week scheme? I am hoping to do a few with the people in the departments I am in, but also want to ensure I put myself out there to reach out to people across the firm as the firm really seemed to emphasise asking questions and networking. Equally, I don't want to compromise on any in department work/ make it seem I am not at my desk and just off having coffees

Hey!

No worries at all! I completely get why you are thinking about this, as coffee chats were definitely something I was worried about before my schemes as I'd often see people chatting about them online. However, I would try not to get too hung up on hitting a particular number, as quality is much more important than quantity.

Over a two-week scheme, I think it is great to have coffee chats with people in your departments, as well as others across the firm whose work interests you. I'd only arrange coffee chats when you genuinely want to get to know someone or learn more about their work, rather than just for the sake of ticking a networking box.

In my experience, nobody is expecting you to spend the whole scheme networking and the coffee chats themselves are unlikely to make a huge difference in conversion (although I'm sure there are some exceptions at some firms). If anything, I'd say it is better to have a smaller number of meaningful conversations where you can ask thoughtful questions and really learn more about the firm, rather than trying to squeeze in as many coffees as possible.

Even just arranging a few chats each week is likely to be more than enough, and I would try not to compare your schedule too much to others on the scheme. It is more about how you utilise the information you gain from coffee chats in any final assessments (i.e. interviews), rather than the fact you have done the coffee chats themselves. I'd say that coffee chats are particularly useful for making the most of any 'free-time' where you aren't doing any work for your supervisor - therefore, if you have lots of work to be getting on with, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to arrange lots of coffee chats.

The main thing is to make sure that you are still prioritising your seat/department work and being visible to your supervisor, as their feedback is going to matter the most in the grand scheme of things. If you are proactive, engaged, and making an effort to meet people across the scheme, I don't think people will be counting how many coffee chats you have had. In terms of your supervisor, I'd just let them know that you are popping away for a coffee chat, and they'll likely be more than used to this and be expecting it.

Best of luck with the scheme!!

 

[haribolover]

Hey!

No worries at all! I completely get why you are thinking about this, as coffee chats were definitely something I was worried about before my schemes as I'd often see people chatting about them online. However, I would try not to get too hung up on hitting a particular number, as quality is much more important than quantity.

Over a two-week scheme, I think it is great to have coffee chats with people in your departments, as well as others across the firm whose work interests you. I'd only arrange coffee chats when you genuinely want to get to know someone or learn more about their work, rather than just for the sake of ticking a networking box.

In my experience, nobody is expecting you to spend the whole scheme networking and the coffee chats themselves are unlikely to make a huge difference in conversion (although I'm sure there are some exceptions at some firms). If anything, I'd say it is better to have a smaller number of meaningful conversations where you can ask thoughtful questions and really learn more about the firm, rather than trying to squeeze in as many coffees as possible.

Even just arranging a few chats each week is likely to be more than enough, and I would try not to compare your schedule too much to others on the scheme. It is more about how you utilise the information you gain from coffee chats in any final assessments (i.e. interviews), rather than the fact you have done the coffee chats themselves. I'd say that coffee chats are particularly useful for making the most of any 'free-time' where you aren't doing any work for your supervisor - therefore, if you have lots of work to be getting on with, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to arrange lots of coffee chats.

The main thing is to make sure that you are still prioritising your seat/department work and being visible to your supervisor, as their feedback is going to matter the most in the grand scheme of things. If you are proactive, engaged, and making an effort to meet people across the scheme, I don't think people will be counting how many coffee chats you have had. In terms of your supervisor, I'd just let them know that you are popping away for a coffee chat, and they'll likely be more than used to this and be expecting it.

Best of luck with the scheme!!

Hi Abbie, thank you so much for the super insightful view on this, your thoughts have definitely allayed some of my concerns on this. I think because the scheme has no final interview I feel that there is this pressure to be the best version of myself throughout it. I will try and go with a positive view into the scheme without the pressure and need to compare myself to others on the scheme. Thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie, thank you so much for the super insightful view on this, your thoughts have definitely allayed some of my concerns on this. I think because the scheme has no final interview I feel that there is this pressure to be the best version of myself throughout it. I will try and go with a positive view into the scheme without the pressure and need to compare myself to others on the scheme. Thank you!

Hey!

No worries at all! I think it is completely natural to feel a bit more pressure when there is no final interview as it can feel like every interaction is being assessed, but I found that trying to be the "perfect" candidate all day, every day was far more exhausting than it was helpful.

If there is no final interview, I would probably prioritise building relationships with your supervisor and the people within your team over trying to meet as many people across the firm as possible. Their feedback is often going to carry the most weight, so being engaged, proactive, and enjoyable to work with on a day-to-day basis is really important.

That said, it is definitely still worth arranging coffee chats with people elsewhere in the firm if you are genuinely interested in speaking with them. This could be because their practice area interests you, they have a background or career path you'd like to learn more about, or they are involved in a pro bono initiative or employee network that you find particularly interesting. Those conversations can be really valuable and often give you a much broader understanding of the firm. During my Travers Smith scheme (which had no final interview), I had a coffee chat with an associate who was involved with a lot of the social mobility work that the firm does (which I was particularly interested in as I had received the scheme through BIUCAC as a non-RG applicant). I happened to mention this to my supervisor after I came back from the chat, and it led to a really insightful conversation about our experiences being non-RG graduates (which I hadn't been aware of before this chat) - even if not directly linked to your conversion chances, it can still show you are proactive and eager to learn more about the firm!

Most importantly, I'd also try to enjoy it! Two weeks goes by incredibly quickly, and you'll get so much more out of the experience if you are focused on learning rather than comparing yourself to others or keeping score of how many coffee chats you have had.

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!

 

[haribolover]

Thank

Hey!

No worries at all! I think it is completely natural to feel a bit more pressure when there is no final interview as it can feel like every interaction is being assessed, but I found that trying to be the "perfect" candidate all day, every day was far more exhausting than it was helpful.

If there is no final interview, I would probably prioritise building relationships with your supervisor and the people within your team over trying to meet as many people across the firm as possible. Their feedback is often going to carry the most weight, so being engaged, proactive, and enjoyable to work with on a day-to-day basis is really important.

That said, it is definitely still worth arranging coffee chats with people elsewhere in the firm if you are genuinely interested in speaking with them. This could be because their practice area interests you, they have a background or career path you'd like to learn more about, or they are involved in a pro bono initiative or employee network that you find particularly interesting. Those conversations can be really valuable and often give you a much broader understanding of the firm. During my Travers Smith scheme (which had no final interview), I had a coffee chat with an associate who was involved with a lot of the social mobility work that the firm does (which I was particularly interested in as I had received the scheme through BIUCAC as a non-RG applicant). I happened to mention this to my supervisor after I came back from the chat, and it led to a really insightful conversation about our experiences being non-RG graduates (which I hadn't been aware of before this chat) - even if not directly linked to your conversion chances, it can still show you are proactive and eager to learn more about the firm!

Most importantly, I'd also try to enjoy it! Two weeks goes by incredibly quickly, and you'll get so much more out of the experience if you are focused on learning rather than comparing yourself to others or keeping score of how many coffee chats you have had.

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!

Thank you so much Abbie!! That definitely all makes sense!!

 

[meredithgrey]

Hey, would appreciate any advice. Have my vac scheme with Slaughter and May coming up and have to also submit a DTC application (even though been accepted on the scheme, I guess it's so my CV is updated with more experience and grades). But it also gives the opportunity to update cover letter but I'm not sure how much to change. Like I want to update and show my further enthusiasm for the firm and excitement for the scheme but am cautious of changing it too much if I know it was good before?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey, would appreciate any advice. Have my vac scheme with Slaughter and May coming up and have to also submit a DTC application (even though been accepted on the scheme, I guess it's so my CV is updated with more experience and grades). But it also gives the opportunity to update cover letter but I'm not sure how much to change. Like I want to update and show my further enthusiasm for the firm and excitement for the scheme but am cautious of changing it too much if I know it was good before?

Hey!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!!

I was actually in a very similar position last cycle, as I had already been offered a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co but still had to submit a training contract application before the scheme started.

Personally, I wouldn't feel the need to completely rewrite your cover letter if the original version was strong enough to secure you the vacation scheme. Instead, I would focus on updating it to reflect any new experiences, achievements, grades, or insights that you have gained since submitting the original application. You could also briefly reinforce your enthusiasm for the firm and mention that you are looking forward to the scheme, but I would generally be cautious about making big changes to your reasoning for applying (as that is likely to be more abnormal).

I would try to view at as an opportunity to ensure your application is as current accurate as possible, rather than starting completely from scratch. If your motivations for applying haven't fundamentally changed, there is no reason to reinvent them for the sake of it

 

[Bree]

Hello Abbie! Sorry if this is too specific to a law firm but I wanted to ask if you would have any advice on how I should prep for Travers Smith's case study exercise which happens during the vacation scheme? Thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

H

Hello Abbie! Sorry if this is too specific to a law firm but I wanted to ask if you would have any advice on how I should prep for Travers Smith's case study exercise which happens during the vacation scheme? Thank you!

Hello!

No worries at all - I can't share too many specifics, but I'm happy to share some general advice that is hopefully useful!

From my experience with the Travers Smith vacation scheme, I'd say that it is best to prepare in the same way that you would for most case study exercises generally.

I would focus on getting comfortable with quickly analysing large volumes of information or picking out the key points, risks, opportunities, or issues that actually need to be addressed, rather than getting lost in the smaller details. It helps to cover most (if not all) of the issues that arise, but it is important to prioritise the most pressing issues and analyse those in more detail. I would also try to keep a client-centred perspective in mind when you are reading through the documents and think about what matters most from a commercial point of view.

I'd also recommend looking at different types of document formats/structures beforehand and getting a feel for how you would structure your answer clearly and logically, so that you can communicate your points in a way that is easy to follow under time pressure. A well-structured answer will make it much easier for the assessor to follow your reasoning, and ensures that your key points and recommendations come across clearly under the time pressure.

Overall, it is often more about your approach and structure rather than any specific technical knowledge. I'd therefore make sure that you feel comfortable with approaching the task under time pressure, so that you can stay calm, organised, and still produce a clear and well-structured recommendation even when the information feels quite overwhelming.

I have also quoted below some previous posts that I have made on case studies - I hope they are useful!

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Hello!

Huge congratulations on getting an invite - that's a great achievement, especially in your first cycle!

Case studies are usually designed to test your commercial awareness, logical reasoning, and ability to interpret financial information. Whilst I haven't completed the case study interview at A&O Shearman, here are a few general tips:

• Get comfortable with basic financial concepts: as you mentioned, I would have a look at thinks such as revenue vs. profit, market share, valuation, interest rates, and how macroeconomic factors can impact businesses. I would recommend sites such as Investopedia, as this is what I used when trying to digest all of the basic financial concepts for commercial awareness.
• Practice breaking down information / data logically: you might be given a short brief and asked to make recommendations or discuss implications. Focus on structuring your thoughts clearly - identify the key issue, explain the relevant factors, and conclude with a reasoned judgment. There won't necessarily be one 'right' answer, however, you should make sure to show your thought process and be able to defend your stance if questioned (although make sure you are also flexible if it is an aspect that you hadn't thought of!).
• Stay calm under time pressure: it can feel very overwhelming to be handed a bundle of documents and know that you have to go through it all under the time limit. I would start by reading through all of the documents, and then go back over and start highlighting the important parts and areas that you would want more information. They're more interested in how you think and communicate than whether your answer is 'right'.
• Brush up on A&O Shearman's key practice areas: if this is a finance-based case study, make sure to have a look at their finance, M&A, and restructuring teams. Have a look at recent deals, and see if you can link these to your reasoning in the case study.
• Practice: if you have time before your AC, I would try a few practice case studies online just to get used to analysing data quickly.
• Structure: I would go into the case study interview with a clear structure of how you have analysed the brief and what your conclusions are. How you want to structure this is completely personal to you, but I would make sure that you have a rough idea so that you can go into the interview and discuss all the most important points without missing something out. Some case study interviews have set questions, whilst others will be a conversation on the brief, but going in with a rough idea is a great way to prepare yourself and manage nerves.

There are also some amazing resources on TCLA that I used when I was preparing for the AC that resulted in my TC, so I would absolutely check these out as they were a lifesaver:

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies
• Private Equity: A Basic Guide

Overall, I would treat it as a conversation where they're assessing how you approach problems. If you show curiosity, commercial reasoning, and an open-mind - you'll do great!

Wishing you the best of luck, and I'm sure you'll smash it

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!

Hey!

I'm not too knowledgeable on these areas myself, so my advice would be quite general! However, when I was starting to learn more about specific areas my starting point is usually Investopedia. For example, I've had a look for posts on Funds and Private Credit and have found:

• Private Credit vs Private Equity: What's the Difference?
• Fund: Definition, How It Works, Types and Ways to Invest
• What Investors Should Know About Investing in Private Debt

If videos are what work best for you, I would definitely have a look at YouTube and search things such as "How private equity works", "What is private credit", "How a fund is structured", etc. When I was preparing for an interview at a PE-focused firm last cycle, I found this video from TCLA really helpful as an introduction: "What Private Equity Lawyers Actually Do? - with Bernie Rivard"

In a case study, they are usually testing:

• Can you spot key risks?
• Do you understand the client's overall commercial objective?
• Can you think commercially and offer practical solutions?

For example, in an M&A case study, you need to think about what the buyer is actually trying to achieve and what are the main risks to highlight in due diligence. For PE, this might be how the fund will exit and what could impact returns from the investment. Lastly, for private credit, you would want to consider what the lender would be worried about (e.g. repayment, security, etc.).

A simple structure that might help you as you approach these exercises is:

1. What is the client's goal?
2. What are the main commercial risks?
3. What would you prioritise as their lawyer?

Try to focus on keeping it logical and commercial - they won't be expecting you to address the technical complexities of an LBO model, but rather to show that you understand the client's objective, can identify the key commercial risks, and can think practically about how a lawyer would help protect the client's position.

I hope that helps!

Hey!

This is completely normal - they are definitely harder to predict, so it can be difficult to prepare for them! The key is remembering that they are not testing whether you "get it right", but whether you can analyse the case study in a structured and commercial way.

I wouldn't explicitly use the SWOT/PESTLE framework when answering, but instead use them as mental checklists to ensure that you cover everything.

WIth SWOT, it might help to quickly think:

• What are the client's key strengths and weaknesses?
• Where is the main opportunity in the scenario?
• What is the biggest threat (e.g. regulatory, financial, reputational)?

Then, I would focus on 2-3 of the most material points and prioritise - sometimes it doesn't make sense to list absolutely everything.

With PESTLE, I would use it to ensure that you haven't missed a big external factor (e.g. economic pressure, regulatory change, tech disruption). You won't necessarily need every category if it is not relevant. I'd say that the partners are looking to see the following:

• Can you identify the core commercial issue(s)?
• Can you prioritise risks?
• Can you give balanced advice?
• Do you understand how a lawyer adds value in a transaction?

You might not be able to give a definitive answer if there are areas that you would need further information, but it always helps to make a decisive answer where you can - even if you added a caveat of "...but this would depend on further information on X".

I hope that assists!