TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[libertad seoane]

How should I structure the Linklaters 'Work Experience' Section? It seems to demand different approach/structure to other applications

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anything else think that SJTs are just a way of randomly filtering people out without reason? I know they supposedly test your skills, but every time I do one I get different strengths and weaknesses. I see them as just a bit of a lottery.

Hey!

I totally get where you’re coming from - SJTs can definitely feel frustrating and inconsistent, especially when feedback varies everytime. I remember being shocked sometimes that I had passed an SJT (and vice versa), and it can be hard to know when you’ve done well!

I think firms use them more to get a general sense of how you might respond to common workplace situations, rather than to measure your ability in any absolute way.

My top advice for SJTs is to think about how you would response when you’re working at your best, and answer honestly. Sometimes there isn’t simply one right answer, so I wouldn’t worry too much about trying to second-guess what the firm wants - just focus on showing good judgement and staying true to how you’d act in a professional setting

 

[bh.sa]

does Weil have SJT now?

Yes, they mentioned that they don’t have any written questions this year iirc

 

[bh.sa]

is the hogan lovells test automatic? after how long do you receive the test after submitting the application?

Yes, it’s automatic, I believe they send out in batches

 

[Jaysen]

Hi all,

Paul, Weiss is live in the forum right now to answer any questions you have about applying to the firm.

Just drop a reply in this thread.

I hope you find it useful!

 

[bh.sa]

Just got an invite to Jones Day's AC! Any advice for the AC would be greatly appreciated - I've been told that it involves a group exercise and a one-to-one discussion with senior lawyers

 

[rosedunn]

any tips for the hogan lovells vs assessment?

 

[e_turbo2]

any tips for the hogan lovells vs assessment?

Hey! Can I ask when you applied and when you received the test? Thanks!

 

[emily3827]

how do you talk about open days/ insight events in work experience sections - what kind of things are you meant to say about them as its not really task heavy

 

[AS24]

Hi @Andrei Radu, given my professional background, I want to talk about a law firm's practice area. However, they only ranked Band4, which I think is still good. Should I write about it even if it is low-ranked?

 

[TCSeeker999]

how do you talk about open days/ insight events in work experience sections - what kind of things are you meant to say about them as its not really task heavy

i usually try and use it to demonstrate a bit of motivation.

like i'd say who i spoke to, what i learnt, why i found this convo particularly interesting

 

[iklawapps]

This might be me overthinking it, but NRF seems to have dropped the 'why commercial law' part of its cover letter. Their website specifies "Tell us ‘why you want to join', 'what excites you about our programme', and 'how your skills match our values'."

How would you all interpret this? Is it better to follow the general structure of 1. why commercial law, 2. why NRF, 3. skills, or make sure we're answering the question like 1. why join NRF, 2. what excites us, 3. skills?

Thank you, and any advice would be appreciated : ))!!

 

[TCpleasex]

This might be me overthinking it, but NRF seems to have dropped the 'why commercial law' part of its cover letter. Their website specifies "Tell us ‘why you want to join', 'what excites you about our programme', and 'how your skills match our values'."

How would you all interpret this? Is it better to follow the general structure of 1. why commercial law, 2. why NRF, 3. skills, or make sure we're answering the question like 1. why join NRF, 2. what excites us, 3. skills?

Thank you, and any advice would be appreciated : ))!!

Hi, I would interpret this to scatter 'why commercial law' throughout the cover letter.

For example, when talking about 'why NRF' you could mention here why commercial law and then specifically why commercial law at NRF.

'What excites you about our programme' also has scope for you to sprinkle in why commercial law. Why specifically does your interest in commercial law excite you about what NRF offer on their programme and how you will use that passion and understanding of a commercial solicitor in the position you are applying to.

Finally, in terms of skills matching values, this could be a great opportunity to highlight your commercial awareness. Not simply stating you have commercial awareness but how using that skill of commercial awareness and your interest in commercial law fits with the firms values.

I know you will have limited words, however, this is the approach I would attempt to take. I have never applied to NRF so someone else might have a better insight, but I think the fact that they have dropped the 'why commercial law' question means they will be looking for you to indicate through the other questions why commercial law and also indicate your commercial awareness of the firm and also their clients etc.

 

[Samdeacon1902]

I replied for the Jones Day WVS last Friday - is this too late?

 

[msclm]

I replied for the Jones Day WVS last Friday - is this too late?

I applied last tuesday and have got to the interview stage already, so def not too late!

 

[Samdeacon1902]

I applied last tuesday and have got to the interview stage already, so def not too late!

I was concerned as you received an answer within 3 days, and I am on the 3rd day of waiting. Maybe I am being impatient 😂

 

[calebnash]

Is Jones Day the only firm that have given out interviews so far?

 

[jagath]

has anyone heard from slaughter and may for their vac scheme/ work experience?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Does anybody know if Ashurst review all applications along with their online test score or do they still only review apps which pass their assessment benchmark?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu, given my professional background, I want to talk about a law firm's practice area. However, they only ranked Band4, which I think is still good. Should I write about it even if it is low-ranked?

Hi @AS24 that's a great question I used to also wonder about, and it also gives the opportunity to clear a common misconception. While you may very roughly think of band 1 to band 4 Chambers rankings as going from the "best" to the "worst" in reputation, this best-to-worst ranking is only a ranking of a select handful of firms which are already considered to be the best in the jurisdiction for that type if work.

To take high-end Corporate M&A as an example: there are around 20 firms in total Chambers ranks here from band 1 to band 2. Nonetheless, there are more than 100 firms in the City that will provide corporate M&A advice and that would love to make it to the ratings. While a band 1 corporate M&A firm (say, Freshfields) can normally be assumed to have a stronger reputation in M&A than a band 4 firm (say, White & Case), White & Case can still be assumed to have a much stronger reputation in M&A than the significant majority of firms who do not even make it to the rankings - which in this case includes many big names, such as Gibson Dunn, Travers Smith, BCLP, Milbank, etc. Generally speaking, if a firm's practice gets a Chambers ranking, it is good enough to be mentioned as a reason to want to join the firm (although, to differentiate it from similarly/better ranked rivals, you may not want to have it as the only reason you list).

A second point that should be made is that Chambers rankings are not an indicator of absolute quality, in that they are influenced by two factors:

1. The size of the firm's practice: Chambers rankings do not only assess for the quality of a firm's work - ie are their usual mandates consistently high-end and complex ones, does it have blue-chip clients etc - but also the quantity, as this is also a factor for establishing reputation. As such, larger and older firms, such as the Magic Circle, will generally have an advantage over newer firms. Thus, if you are principally interested in quality of work rather than general renown, you can motivate choosing a lower band-ranked firm because of factors such as: (i) a high average deal/case value; (ii) having a high proportion of highly-ranked practitioners; (iii) punching above their weight by getting a Chambers ranking despite lower headcount; etc. All of these are examples of factors that could be indicative of a high-quality practice, despite not being as renowned as the practice of the largest players in the market.
2. A high level of generality: Importantly, the Chambers rankings operate at a high level of generality, while you could tie your interests to more specific subareas. Thus, while a firm may be ranked "just" band 4, there are likely particular subareas (say life sciences M&A, or tech M&A) where they have stronger expertise than in other areas, and potentially even market leading expertise. For instance, White & Case, a band-4 ranked firm for corporate M&A, is generally thought to be among the best firms for infrastructure/energy-liked M&A work.