TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Abbie Whitlock]

how should one approach the questions: 'looking back what would you have done differently on the VS?' and 'what did you find challenging about the VS?' at a post-VS interview?

Hey!

I think for both of these questions, I'd try to treat them less as "tell us what went wrong" and more as reflective questions.

For the first question, I'd avoid giving an answer that suggests you fundamentally underperformed or misjudged the scheme. Instead, I would think about whether there were opportunities to be even more effective or improve your performance in some way. For example:

• I would have been more proactive in setting up conversations across different teams rather than mainly speaking to people in my immediate seat
• I would have asked for feedback slightly earlier or more regularly
• I would have been more confident contributing my thoughts rather than assuming I needed to know everything first
• I would have kept more structured notes on matters/conversations so that I could reflect on them later

Therefore, I think the strongest answers are those that show you performed well but still found areas to improve.

For the second question, I'd pick something genuine that naturally comes with being on a vacation scheme and then focus on how you adapted to this challenge. For example, this could include things like:

• Balancing competing tasks and prioritising deadlines
• Adjusting to ambiguity when instructions weren't clear
• Getting comfortable asking questions at the right time or in the right way
• Managing the volume of information and meeting lots of people in a short period of time.

I would then spend the majority of your answer talking about what you did in response, what you learnt, and how that will shape how you approach similar situations in the future. I would generally avoid answers that imply a lack of interest, poor interpersonal skills, or something that remained unresolved by the end of the scheme.

I think it helps to ask yourself what you would actually do differently if you started the scheme again tomorrow, as it gives you a reflective answer without being overly negative

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I recently attended a law firm for a vacation scheme experience at a magic circle firm, and I have found it really interesting. I found the culture here is a bit more challenging and if I'm honest a bit jarring, it's completely at odds with other experiences I've had and my supervisor didn't seem to like me/gel/ seemed bored of me - which is fine.

I have other VS to look forward to but I'm just wondering, what advice do you have on navigating how to get a supervisor to like you!!! As they're the ones who are giving feedback to get the offer in the firms I'm going to !!

Hi!

One thing I learnt from my vacation schemes is that sometimes you just won't click naturally with certain supervisors (which is completely okay!), and that doesn't automatically mean they disliked you or that you performed badly. Lawyers are busy and people have different management styles, or sometimes people are just less expressive or warm than others. I have definitely had interactions where I came away thinking "I don't think they enjoyed speaking to me" and later found out that wasn't the case at all!

In terms of future schemes, I would probably reframe the goal slightly from "how do I get my supervisor to like me?" to "how do I make it easy and enjoyable to work with me?".

For me, that usually looks like:

• Being proactive but not overwhelming (e.g. showing interest, asking for work, checking in appropriately, but not constantly hovering or asking questions in random intervals).
• Communicating clearly on timelines and asking questions when needed (e.g. how they want something presented, whether they'd rather you asked all your questions at one time, etc.).
• Showing curiosity about their work rather than trying to impress them (e.g. asking about the wider context, discussing how their interest in the work developed and why they enjoy it, etc.).
• Taking feedback positively and visibly implementing it (e.g. making a note of anything you could have improved on and making sure you don't make the same mistakes)
• Being reliable with the small things (e.g. turning up on time, following instructions, keeping people updated)

I also think it is helpful to not make your supervisor the only point of feedback or validation. I'd speak to trainees, associates and others in the team too, as this will give you a more well-rounded experience, but also because one person's style shouldn't define your perception of how the scheme is going.

If you do get a quieter or more reserved supervisor again, I wouldn't interpret a lack of enthusiasm as dislike. Sometimes people who seem quite neutral day-to-day still give really positive feedback as they have noticed things you didn't realise they were noticing. I also think it is worth noting that vacation schemes aren't only firms assessing you - they are a chance for you to work out where you'd actually enjoy training, particularly the culture and working environment.

Good luck with the upcoming schemes - I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[Garak]

Hey!

I have written a few posts on my general advice for group exercises before, which I will quote below - I hope they are useful in your preparation! Just shout if you have any further questions, and best of luck with the AC!!

Thanks again, Abbie!

I'll give it my shot and just use it as a learning experience.

 

[anon78365222111]

Perkins invite just landed, saw some people on LinkedIn get a final LBA interview and some people say they can’t. Also saw someone say they give them a year or two later when people grad so is it convertible ?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Perkins invite just landed, saw some people on LinkedIn get a final LBA interview and some people say they can’t. Also saw someone say they give them a year or two later when people grad so is it convertible ?

It's not convertible. If you do well on the scheme you may be fast tracked to interview for LBA. But it's not a guarantee

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Anyone interviewed at Simkins before? Any tips?

 

[anon78365222111]

It's not convertible. If you do well on the scheme you may be fast tracked to interview for LBA. But it's not a guarantee

Thank you !

 

[Gioiabwear Yong]

Hi! I’m currently applying to Reed Smith’s 2027 Direct TC. I’m not so sure about the difference between Stephenson Harwood, Reed Smith and Watson Farley & Williams. Can I please have some tips?

And may I know what is the training like in Reed Smith? Anything that is particularly cool?

Thank you very much!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi! I’m currently applying to Reed Smith’s 2027 Direct TC. I’m not so sure about the difference between Stephenson Harwood, Reed Smith and Watson Farley & Williams. Can I please have some tips?

And may I know what is the training like in Reed Smith? Anything that is particularly cool?

Thank you very much!

Hey!

I did a vacation scheme last cycle at Stephenson Harwood, and I am a future trainee at Reed Smith after applying via their Direct TC route last cycle, so I can share my own impressions (with the caveat that these are just based on my experience!). I think @Henrik's post outlines the main differences really well, so I'd definitely echo that!

To me, although all three firms may sit in a similar broad space and attract similar applications, they feel quite different in practice. From my experience at Stephenson Harwood, I found it had a really international feel (especially since a lot of trainees I spoke to had done international secondments, or wanted to) and had a particularly strong disputes offering that makes up a lot of the firms work, alongside its sector expertise. Whilst I don't have much direct experience with Watson Farley & Williams, they seem more sector-driven, particularly around energy, infrastructure, maritime and transport, so I'd definitely look into whether those industries interest you.

One of the things that drew me to Reed Smith was that it felt like a really strong combination of international work, recognised sector strengths in interesting sectors, and a trainee experience that seemed very trainee-focused. After speaking with trainees throughout the process (rather than having started myself!), something that stood out to me was the level of responsibility that trainees seem to get early on and the opportunities for client exposure. I also have really liked the people I have met so far at the firm and found that the culture felt collaborative while still giving trainees meaningful work, and integrating them into the teams from the start.

There are also client and international secondment opportunities, which are something that everyone I've spoken to at the firm seems to speak really positively about. I also think the seat structure is quite interesting - alongside broader practices areas such as Corporate and Finance, there are also more sector-focused options like Energy & Natural Resources and Entertainment & Media. This gives trainees the opportunity to explore a wider variety of work and industries than they might typically experience at some other commercial firms in the City, while still building a broader foundation if they choose to.

I also think it is important to talk about the Professional SQE Placement, which is pretty unique to Reed Smith (+ what I am currently doing now!). As a Direct TC applicant, this was really important to me as I didn't know anyone from my cohort from things like a vacation scheme, so it has been really great to get to know everyone and see them in the office each week. We are also able to attend firm-wide events (e.g. the Christmas party), and a few of us SQE interns did the Legal Walk with the firm this week, so it has had a really great social aspect as well! It has helped me feel more like a part of the firm, even though I haven't started my training contract yet, and has given me lots of opportunities that were great for my development. There are two parts to the internship, alongside studying for the SQE - the first is spent working in one of Reed Smith's business services teams, and the other is spent doing a project for one of the firm's clients. I spent my first part of the internship in the Early Careers team which I really enjoyed, as it meant I got to attend uni law fairs and firm open days and meet lots of different people. I just started the second part of the internship (after finishing SQE2), and it has been great so far, particularly as you get to work directly with one of the firm's clients.

For me, that has probably been one of the most valuable parts of the Reed Smith experience so far as it feels like you start building relationships and understanding how the firm operates before the TC actually begins. I also think it gives you a broader perspective on the business side of a law firm, which isn't always something that you get much exposure to as a student.

If you are applying, my biggest piece of advice would be to speak to as many people as possible and think about which training style and environment suits you best. A lot of firms can look similar on paper, but once you speak to trainees or attend events, the differences start to become much clearer.

I hope that helps, and I am happy to answer anything more specific about the Direct TC process or Reed Smith more generally - just shout!