Hi, no worries about whether the question is obvious or not, going into the cycle I was also confused often by such things. In regards to this, I assume that is specifically for people, like you said, who are paralegals at the firm already.
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Hey Guest, applications for Reed Smith’s Vacation Scheme Open Day close at 5pm on 28 September. Apply for the Open Day.
Applications for its 2027 Vacation Schemes close at 5pm on 18 December. Apply for the Vacation Schemes.
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27
- Thread starter Abbie Whitlock
- Start date
What is the best way to frame your work experience for a VS application? I applied for a DTC this year and got quite far but they wanted work experience in bullet points rather than paragraphs.
Assessment day has quite a lot of practice tests.
Have you checked your application portal? Last year they didn’t send a separate link for the assessment it just said to log back into your account in the submission confirmation email. May have changed this year though
Thanks for letting us know! Yeah, they've changed the portal this year, so doesn't seem to be any option to access the assessment on the application portal.
I did get a reply by Grad Rec to say they are investigating the issue and the 3 day deadline will not start until the test is received- for everyone who is waiting too
Hi everyone! I’d really appreciate some advice on applying to certain firms.
I have quite a lot of tech-related experience, including a growth role at an AI financial wellbeing start-up, a vacation scheme in a firm’s Corporate Technology department, and I’m now pursuing an LLM in Law, Technology & Innovation. Naturally, I’ve been thinking about leaning into this in my applications.
I’ve found this relatively easy with a firm like Orrick, where technology, innovation and emerging companies are clearly central to the firm’s work. However, I’m less sure how to approach a firm like Gibson Dunn.
My understanding is that Gibson Dunn is much broader, with a particularly strong focus on areas such as M&A, private equity and complex disputes, rather than being defined by particular sectors. That said, the firm does regularly work with technology companies and has a strong Technology Transactions practice.
Would it be misguided to make my interest in Gibson Dunn’s work with technology clients part of my “Why Gibson Dunn?” answer, given my own background? Or should I focus more heavily on the firm’s broader M&A/PE offering and use my tech experience as an additional point of connection rather than the main reason for applying?
I’m conscious of wanting to show a genuine connection to the firm without trying to make it into something it isn’t. Any advice would be really helpful!!
I have quite a lot of tech-related experience, including a growth role at an AI financial wellbeing start-up, a vacation scheme in a firm’s Corporate Technology department, and I’m now pursuing an LLM in Law, Technology & Innovation. Naturally, I’ve been thinking about leaning into this in my applications.
I’ve found this relatively easy with a firm like Orrick, where technology, innovation and emerging companies are clearly central to the firm’s work. However, I’m less sure how to approach a firm like Gibson Dunn.
My understanding is that Gibson Dunn is much broader, with a particularly strong focus on areas such as M&A, private equity and complex disputes, rather than being defined by particular sectors. That said, the firm does regularly work with technology companies and has a strong Technology Transactions practice.
Would it be misguided to make my interest in Gibson Dunn’s work with technology clients part of my “Why Gibson Dunn?” answer, given my own background? Or should I focus more heavily on the firm’s broader M&A/PE offering and use my tech experience as an additional point of connection rather than the main reason for applying?
I’m conscious of wanting to show a genuine connection to the firm without trying to make it into something it isn’t. Any advice would be really helpful!!
Hi, that’s some fantastic experience, congrats on it
! While I do not have any personal experience or deep understanding of GD’s work, I can give you my overall take on situations like this.
I think, assuming the firm does operate strongly in tech transactions, it would be more than a valid point to raise in the application. It paints you as a very strong candidate with a clear real and verifiable interest.
On the other hand, you’re completely right in your concern about it not being the core foundation of the firm. As such, I would recommend including tech as only one of several points. The firm, being either focused elsewhere or simply having a broad offering, is likely to want candidates who are happy to work across the range of work rather than one specific part. This is particularly the case as you may not be guaranteed work in that sector.
Hope that helps
!Hogan Lovells Cadwalder recommend applying to DTC if you have work experience. I am a career changer with 5 years (non-legal) work experience and one previous vacation scheme. I'm unsure if this means I should apply for the DTC or the VS. It also seems that they recruit mostly from VS so should I still apply for that even though I have some experience?
Hello! does anyone know how long eversheds takes to send the test/VI after submitting the application form?
Also, I am trying to apply for the open day first which is in end October, so I can maybe talk about the open day experience in the video interviews assuming I get the open day, but i think eversheds is rolling so maybe waiting til November to apply may not be a good idea?
Also, I am trying to apply for the open day first which is in end October, so I can maybe talk about the open day experience in the video interviews assuming I get the open day, but i think eversheds is rolling so maybe waiting til November to apply may not be a good idea?
Hi everyone! I'm trying to dig a bit deeper into being specific about my motivations for firms, specifically for US firms with smaller trainee intakes. What are reasons that a small trainee intake might be appealing, I am afraid that simply mentioning it without sustantiated reasoning will hurt my applications. Thanks!
Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz
For this Skadden question - What do you think would be the most challenging elements about working here as a trainee? How would you approach these challenges? (300 words) - do I need to include a personal example from my own life to substantiate my answer to this part - How would you approach these challenges?
Thank you
For this Skadden question - What do you think would be the most challenging elements about working here as a trainee? How would you approach these challenges? (300 words) - do I need to include a personal example from my own life to substantiate my answer to this part - How would you approach these challenges?
Thank you
Hi! There are various ways of going about it. I personally opted for one paragraph going over general responsibilities and company description then a separate doing a STAR-like insight into a particular situation. Nevertheless, I'll attach some helpful posts here as I know some other users this cycle also contributed nicely to this discussion.
Hi! I personally am not sure of Hogan's preferences, but I would say your experiences certainly qualify for either pathway! I've seen some other firms state that for DTC they prefer 3-8 weeks of continuous legal work experience but that might not be the case for them. Nevertheless, I personally always advise people to go for a VS if they can as you'll get a much better feel of the firm (+ usually they hire more from them). Consequently, I'd just go for whatever you personally feel more comfortable with.
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