TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
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Which firm is this for?
Generally the Graduate Apprenticeships only need to be recruited a maximum a year in advance (and some firms recruit for them to start the next September), so it would be slightly strange for a firm to be recruiting for 2027 if it was a GA model of training.
But if the firm is advertising a 2027 GA model of training contract, yes there is a risk it could be cut, unless they are willing to fund the training themselves and not from their apprenticeship levy. It would be something to speak to the firm about if you are concerned.
Thank youHi there @tosin4774 ,
Just to add to @Andrei Radu ’s amazing response on this, I’ve linked a thread below which you may also find useful:
Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications
Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...www.thecorporatelawacademy.com
In summary of the link above, I like to approach such questions almost like an equation:
(What I know) + (What I don’t yet know) = A Knowledge Gap
A Knowledge Gap × The Right Environment (i.e. X firm) = Accelerated Growth
So rather than just listing what you admire about the firm, frame it as the essential multiplier that bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. For example, if you already understand the basics of private equity but haven’t yet seen how it plays out in cross-border deals, and the firm is known for exactly that, then…that’s your equation in action.
This makes your answer both personal and forward-looking…you're not just choosing the firm because of its rankings or status, but because it’s the right environment to turn your current potential into future impact.
Best wishes with the application. Let us know if you’ve got any more questions. We’d be more than happy to help xx.
Hi there @tosin4774 ,
Just to add to @Andrei Radu ’s amazing response on this, I’ve linked a thread below which you may also find useful:
Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications
Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...
In summary of the link above, I like to approach such questions almost like an equation:
(What I know) + (What I don’t yet know) = A Knowledge Gap
A Knowledge Gap × The Right Environment (i.e. X firm) = Accelerated Growth
So rather than just listing what you admire about the firm, frame it as the essential multiplier that bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. For example, if you already understand the basics of private equity but haven’t yet seen how it plays out in cross-border deals, and the firm is known for exactly that, then…that’s your equation in action.
This makes your answer both personal and forward-looking…you're not just choosing the firm because of its rankings or status, but because it’s the right environment to turn your current potential into future impact.
Best wishes with the application. Let us know if you’ve got any more questions. We’d be more than happy to help xx.
Hi Amma, could you please tell me how I should apply this approach at a TC interview at the end of the scheme? From what I know, the firm places an emphasis on being open-minded regarding practice areas but has a strong private equity practice. Could you please advise me on how I can modify this approach to ensure that the interviewers can see that I'm open to various practice areas?
Thank you.
It was a phone call. I didn’t do that well on the test or VI so don’t worry maybe they’re still hope
Still attend - nothing to lose
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You may not get the formal agreement until just before your TC starts. If you have received a TC offer letter, this could be your formal offer.
If there is no chance of you accepting a TC offer from firm B over firm A, you should withdraw your candidacy from the VS. There is little value in continuing with the vacation scheme - you don't need the experience now you have secured your preferred TC.
If you want to work out whether Firm B is better suited to you than firm A, then you can proceed with the VS given neither of your offers have a term restricting you from doing so.
There are no unwritten rules about this. Some would argue that you should stick to the "voluntary code of recruitment for trainee solicitors" which can be found here https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topic...ry-code-of-recruitment-for-trainee-solicitors. However, as you can see, this hasn't been reviewed or updated since 2015 and firms are not sticking to this, so I don't see why candidates should. Just to highlight it is just a voluntary code - there is no regulatory requirements to stick to this, its just considered best practice.
Firms would only find out if you told them or you put it in the public domain like on LinkedIn. Now they could ask you as part of your scheme or TC conversion interview, and at that stage I would encourage people to be honest.
As for LinkedIn, no one would know when you got the offer or when you accepted it, so it wouldn't look odd to have a VS on your LinkedIn. You can also change your "future trainee" dates on LinkedIn to only cover the period you start a sponsored course, so it wouldn't look like your VS was after you had accepted an offer based on the information on LinkedIn.
The only final point to make, is that your "funding" commitment with Firm A could start from the point you submit forms to the GDL/SQE prep provider. I have seen people financially tied to the firm because they have effectively signed up to a GDL/SQE course even if that has not started.
I feel the same. My AJ was not bad, and my interview I put quite a bit of effort into except obviously read and still managed to cut off half-way through last sentence, but realistically experience is if anyone else has got an offer etc. it's PFO for sure.
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Missed a vacation scheme this year? There's still time! The TCLA team are excited to share the following opportunity.
Perkins Coie London has just announced its vacation scheme. It runs this summer. And you can apply in the next two weeks.
It's a firm that has a huge presence in the US, especially in the tech sector - working with clients like Amazon, Meta and Amazon. What's interesting about the London-side is it's new, fast-growing, and operates very much like a start-up. This is a chance to join the firm as it builds its London practice.
It is a very unique vacation scheme (which tells you a lot about the firm), including gamified AI case studies, masterclasses to boost skills and commercial awareness, and a group pitch to a Founder/General Counsel client. As well as being a paid position, the firm will cover the cost of accommodation and travel.
Want to apply directly instead? The firm is also hiring for its Legal Business Analyst role.
For the vacation scheme, apply here by 23 June 2025.
Perkins Coie London has just announced its vacation scheme. It runs this summer. And you can apply in the next two weeks.
It's a firm that has a huge presence in the US, especially in the tech sector - working with clients like Amazon, Meta and Amazon. What's interesting about the London-side is it's new, fast-growing, and operates very much like a start-up. This is a chance to join the firm as it builds its London practice.
It is a very unique vacation scheme (which tells you a lot about the firm), including gamified AI case studies, masterclasses to boost skills and commercial awareness, and a group pitch to a Founder/General Counsel client. As well as being a paid position, the firm will cover the cost of accommodation and travel.
Want to apply directly instead? The firm is also hiring for its Legal Business Analyst role.
For the vacation scheme, apply here by 23 June 2025.
Does anyone know how to pass the Macfarlanes online test? What skills are they looking for as strengths/weaknesses?
they are very big on resilience
i went to their AC last year and my top 3 strengths were resilience, collaboration and adaptability
and my weakness was personal responsibility iirc
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some practical advice on how to deal with very busy supervisors during VSs. I’ve noticed I tend to get great feedback from more involved supervisors (the ones who check in regularly, have tasks planned for you etc), but I struggle with very busy/hands-off supervisors.
In a recent VS that I didn’t convert, one of my supervisors (let's call them supervisor 1) checked in with me throughout the day, planned my tasks ahead of time, and gave me excellent feedback. Whereas supervisor 2, who was quite busy, gave me bad feedback (GR didn't tell me the specifics, just that I scored poorly in their evaluation). I don't think my work quality was the issue as all my work was reviewed by another lawyer (supervisor 2 was too busy to review it), and I only received positive feedback for my work. Therefore, I think the problem might be that I bothered supervisor 2 too much.
As supervisor 2 didn't check in with me, I tried to be proactive: I’d stop by their office (I was seated away from them) once or twice a day (usually morning/lunch and before leaving) to say hello, let them know what I was working on, and ask if they needed help. They also didn't give me any tasks initially, so I asked others around for tasks (I thought that was better than doing nothing). I did get tasks from others, but eventually a more senior lawyer intervened, said they would speak with my supervisor about the situation, and after that I started receiving tasks from them. I feel terrible, as I didn't mean to create more stress for supervisor 2 - I just didn't want to sit idle all week and was concerned I’d have nothing to speak about in the upcoming partner interview (as we were told it would be based on the tasks we completed).
Thankfully, I have another VS starting soon. However, I’m worried I might face a similar situation. So my questions are:
I’d really appreciate any practical tips or insights (including advice that goes beyond my specific questions!). Thank you!
@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman
I’m looking for some practical advice on how to deal with very busy supervisors during VSs. I’ve noticed I tend to get great feedback from more involved supervisors (the ones who check in regularly, have tasks planned for you etc), but I struggle with very busy/hands-off supervisors.
In a recent VS that I didn’t convert, one of my supervisors (let's call them supervisor 1) checked in with me throughout the day, planned my tasks ahead of time, and gave me excellent feedback. Whereas supervisor 2, who was quite busy, gave me bad feedback (GR didn't tell me the specifics, just that I scored poorly in their evaluation). I don't think my work quality was the issue as all my work was reviewed by another lawyer (supervisor 2 was too busy to review it), and I only received positive feedback for my work. Therefore, I think the problem might be that I bothered supervisor 2 too much.
As supervisor 2 didn't check in with me, I tried to be proactive: I’d stop by their office (I was seated away from them) once or twice a day (usually morning/lunch and before leaving) to say hello, let them know what I was working on, and ask if they needed help. They also didn't give me any tasks initially, so I asked others around for tasks (I thought that was better than doing nothing). I did get tasks from others, but eventually a more senior lawyer intervened, said they would speak with my supervisor about the situation, and after that I started receiving tasks from them. I feel terrible, as I didn't mean to create more stress for supervisor 2 - I just didn't want to sit idle all week and was concerned I’d have nothing to speak about in the upcoming partner interview (as we were told it would be based on the tasks we completed).
Thankfully, I have another VS starting soon. However, I’m worried I might face a similar situation. So my questions are:
- With busy supervisors, how often should you try to speak to them in a day?
- Is it better to wait for them to approach you/check in instead?
- How many tasks would you typically be expected to complete in a week?
- If your supervisor doesn't give you tasks, how long should you wait before asking others?
I’d really appreciate any practical tips or insights (including advice that goes beyond my specific questions!). Thank you!
@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman
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Hiya, any 2025 graduates here planning to take a year to focus on applications in the next cycle? Would love to connect and possibly set up a group chat 
Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating it. I hope you guys have a great day and weekend! 🥳
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Hi Jess,
For this opportunity it has mentioned to include
- Cover letter including your response to the following questions:
- What attracts you to the LBA program?
- What is a recent story in the news that could impact a Perkins Coie client and what could that effect be?
would you recommend it be best to answer the second question separately in its own respective paragraph within the cover letter or to integrate the response within the cover letter itself and continue with the typical cover letter structure?
Many thanks!
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I think it should be within the cover letter format but have dedicated paragraphs to it.
Looks like this is more of an undergraduate-only work experience program than a VS - it doesn't appear to lead to permanent employment, and graduates appear to be excluded.
I think only finalists and graduates can apply for the legal business analyst (LBA) role, which is a form of permanent employment. Anyone who is not a finalist or graduate is not eligible to apply for the LBA role. They can apply for the Perkins Coie Summer VS instead. 😅
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