TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu - Could you kindly let me know how to delete my account please? there appears to be no options on settings for this (I may be missing something obvious)

Hi @Future Trainee - 2027 confirmed I had a look and I think this may require manual deletion form one of the admin accounts - let me bring it up with the rest of the team and I will come back to you on this by tomorrow.

 

[user55998384]

Hi all, I heard Latham asks a mix of competency and motivational interview questions. Is this true? Should I prepare some commercial awareness ones as well? Thank you!

is that for the VI?

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi @pfoapplicant to address your questions in turn:

1. While if possible it is ideal to avoid having your work experience entries end up looking very similar to what you put down in your CV, a significant overlap in the nature of information covered is unavoidable, and recruiters are well-aware of this. As such, I do not expect it to be an issue. Here, I would just advise you to (i) keep the CV work experience section quite concise and focused on the essentials of the roles; and (ii) ensure that you do not generally use the same paragraphs or sentences in the CV and work experience - i.e. do not copy paste sections.
2. I would say it would be ideal to keep it to 1 page, but a 2 page cover letter is also generally deemed acceptable as long as you write in a concise and to-the-point manner and have enough substantive content to cover to justify the extra length.
3. I think the research role can definitely be classified as work experience, albeit unpaid; it involves substantive responsibilities in helping carry out activities in a recognised profession. The university role is more in a borderline grey area between "work experience" and "extracurriculars", and you may get different answers in terms of how it should be classified depending on the recruiter you ask. I personally used to put it down as work experience, but I think this is an area where it is best for each candidate to make a judgement call in the context of their application - i.e. if you feel your extracurriculars section looks a bit light, it may make sense to discuss it there, and vice versa.

Thank you Andrei - as ever, you've been tremendously helpful!

 

[Bread]

Also, could someone please share which SJT platform Baker McKenzie use, thank you 🙏🏻

 

[flower1]

Anyone know how long to do Clifford Chance WGT after it's sent?
Thank you

 

[lawyerperson]

Hey - has anyone got any insights into Jones Day AC? so grateful for anything! thanks so much

 

[Julia Dyminska]

is that for the VI?

I'm not sure, its just part of the online assessment they send you after you send your application (sorry I have recently joined and I am unfamiliar with some of the abbreviations) .

 

[Lawlawland]

Hi guys,

I'm currently putting together my application for the Taylor Wessing VS, and I've got some quick queries:

1. On the form, candidates are able to attach a CV (and are expected to attach a cover letter), but there's also a section for work experience; each work experience contains the message "outline your responsibilities and what you skills you built from this experience in no more than 200 words". I'm anticipating that there might be quite a big overlap between what I write in the work experience section on the form, and what I write in the work experience section of my CV (albeit I expect the experience section on my CV will be more concise, and there'll be less of an explicit focus on skills than on the experience section on the form). Would this be okay?

2. Given the lack of any explicit guidance on Taylor Wessing's website on how long the cover letter should be, would it be wise to keep it to one page?

3. Not too long ago, I did some (unpaid) work over a couple of years collating research for the authors of an academic legal paper, and generally supporting the authors' work. In past application cycles, I've put this work down in the work experience section; does that sound right? On the flipside, I've tended to leave experiences such as my work for my university's student-run legal journal out of any "work experience" sections, and instead discuss it as extra-curricular activities - is this the right thing to do?


As ever, if anyone has any pointers (no matter how big or small), I'd be immensely grateful!

I've had similar questions and they replied me. I'm pasting the answer verbatim, so it might help you!

Mail from Taylor Wessing graduate recruitment team:

"Within your cover letter, we are looking for you to showcase your key skills, your motivations for applying to Taylor Wessing specifically, and why we're the firm that stands out for you. Therefore, make sure to do your research on our firm before applying so that your cover letter is specific to us, and the scheme that you are applying to. Here, you may wish to share additional information that you have not discussed in your application, as opposed to repeating similar points. We advise candidates to keep their cover letter clear and concise, aiming to be no more than one page.

Your cover letter also allows us to assess your written communication, so ensure to triple check your letter before submitting your application. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes, and that you've kept a high level of attention to detail when writing your cover letter."

I hope that helps!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hey - has anyone got any insights into Jones Day AC? so grateful for anything! thanks so much

Hi @lawyerperson and congrats for getting to the AC! I will link some resources with insights bellow:

• A page on TCLA with a number of candidates describing their interview experiences at JD in detail - these are freely accessible, but are from interviews that have taken place a few years back.
• A thread with an in-depth description of the interview form 2018
• A thread where a number of people were discussing their experiences in 2019
• On the premium database, in-depth discussions of more recent interview experiences (2021 and 2022)

Besides this, please see bellow two posts from @Abbie Whitlock and @Ram Sabaratnam sharing their insights and advice:

Hi @unknownnn7372

Well done on getting to the AC! The Jones Day AC has changed a bit since I went through it in 2022, but you may be asked questions about areas of law or business that you’ve expressed interest in at the application stage. For example, I was asked several questions about the National Security and Investment Act, which made sense since I had mentioned my interest in the defence sector in my application. Keeping on top of current developments in areas you're passionate about will help demonstrate genuine interest and thought.

Also, as with any other AC, it’s critical to reflect on why you want to join Jones Day specifically. Besides the non-rotational training system, think about the firm’s global structure (the “one firm worldwide” approach), the practice areas it’s strong in, and its top-tier reputation for client service—Jones Day consistently ranks highly in surveys on client satisfaction. Being able to articulate why these aspects matter to you will help you stand out.

In terms of commercial awareness, reading the FT and keeping up with market trends is a great starting point. When applying to firms, I also found it helpful to practice analysing news stories myself. One thing that worked for me was actively analysing why specific events and trends were relevant to law firms and their clients. Every month or so, I would try to do the following:

• Choose one business story – This can be about anything you find interesting in the last day or two.
• Ask yourself key questions:
  • How might this impact a firm’s clients?
  • What practice areas could be affected? (e.g., corporate, litigation, regulatory)
  • Could it lead to new opportunities or risks for the business or industry involved?
  • How would you advise a client on this issue?
• Take notes in bullet points – I’d jot down why it mattered from both a business and legal perspective, thinking about how the story could drive client needs or affect firm strategy. This was also an opportunity for me to practice Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
• Apply your insights – This approach really helped later on during ACs and written exercises. I was able to refer back to these stories and show a deeper understanding of commercial issues when asked about recent developments.

It's also worth looking beyond the FT. For instance, I also found firm websites and industry reports (particularly from groups such as Deloitte or McKinsey) really useful in learning about recent financial and commercial trends that would inevitably impact law firms.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your AC

Congratulations on the AC invite - what an amazing achievement!!

Whilst I have never attended a Jones Day AC, I can offer some general advice when it comes to approaching those sorts of tasks.

Group Exercise

• Focus on teamwork and communication rather than dominating the discussion - it's always best to avoid being the quietest or the loudest.
• Listen actively, contribute ideas clearly, and help keep the group on track with the task. If you can, build on other people's ideas and encourage everyone to express an opinion on any decision being made.
• Show problem-solving, collaboration, and professionalism - often you're mainly being assessed on how you interact with others, rather than the things you are saying.

One-to-One Discussion

• Be ready to talk about your motivations for a career in law (and 'Why solicitor and not barrister'), and why Jones Day specifically.
• Highlight any relevant experiences or skills, and how they would help you at the firm. Have a look at the website and see what traits they list as the most important for their trainees, and go from there.
• Ask thoughtful questions about the lawyer's practice area, recent work, or the firm's culture. Make sure you are not asking questions in which the answer can easily be found on the website.
• Try and keep it conversational (if this is appropriate based on the atmosphere) - listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and engage naturally.

Generally, I would try and stay calm (easier said than done, I know!) and be yourself - they won't be expecting perfection, and all the matters is that you try your. Show curiosity in the firm and a positive attitude to learning more

Good luck - you've got this, and we'll all be cheering you on!

 

[dannyp123]

Hey guys I'm applying for Taylor Wessing's Cambridge Vacation Scheme, given I'm applying for the Cambridge Office should I make the practice area and deal I mention in my cover letter tailored to Cambridge. I wanted to mention the venture capital team (which I believe is cross-office) but the deal I wanted to mention - which aligns most closely with my experience with start ups - is from London. Thanks!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys I'm applying for Taylor Wessing's Cambridge Vacation Scheme, given I'm applying for the Cambridge Office should I make the practice area and deal I mention in my cover letter tailored to Cambridge. I wanted to mention the venture capital team (which I believe is cross-office) but the deal I wanted to mention - which aligns most closely with my experience with start ups - is from London. Thanks!

Hey!

If you're applying specifically to Cambridge, it's definitely a good idea to show some awareness of the kind of work that office is known for. That said, it's totally fine to reference a deal from the London office, particularly if it closely aligns with your experience and interest in venture capital work.

Just make sure that the Cambridge office is involved in similar VC / start-up work (which it often is, and it seems like you believe it is!). You could potentially frame it as: you're drawn to Taylor Wessing's venture capital practice, which is a team that works cross offices, and that the London deal exemplifies the kind of work that excites you and that you'd be keen to get involved with from the Cambridge office.

By acknowledging this, you're showing both awareness of the office you're applying for whilst also demonstrating a genuine interest in the firm's broader VC offering.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[futureharveyspecter]

I've had similar questions and they replied me. I'm pasting the answer verbatim, so it might help you!

Mail from Taylor Wessing graduate recruitment team:

"Within your cover letter, we are looking for you to showcase your key skills, your motivations for applying to Taylor Wessing specifically, and why we're the firm that stands out for you. Therefore, make sure to do your research on our firm before applying so that your cover letter is specific to us, and the scheme that you are applying to. Here, you may wish to share additional information that you have not discussed in your application, as opposed to repeating similar points. We advise candidates to keep their cover letter clear and concise, aiming to be no more than one page.

Your cover letter also allows us to assess your written communication, so ensure to triple check your letter before submitting your application. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes, and that you've kept a high level of attention to detail when writing your cover letter."

I hope that helps!

Would this mean that we don't have to include the usual "why commercial law" within the cover letter and focus more on the firm and key skills that we have, considering 1 page doesn't give you a lot of room.

 

[Lawlawland]

Would this mean that we don't have to include the usual "why commercial law" within the cover letter and focus more on the firm and key skills that we have, considering 1 page doesn't give you a lot of room.

I'm planning to do the same, as the question given is about the skills. I might also attempt to parallel the things I like about the firm with how that fits my skillset, something I tried with Slaughter and May application, as they're strictly one page. It helps me reduce the page length from 1.75 to 1 page.

Also, though people might already know this, using Google Docs helps me extend the margins without making it look clumsy in the PDF format. So, I would ideally extend the border to accomodate 3-4 more lines.

 

[sophiajan.e]

That Latham VI....... what on earth was that

Bye bye vac scheme xxx

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

If anyone can provide insight into Weil VI, I'm happy to help with Milbank test 1-2, Freshfields test 1-2, Latham test 1-2, w&c vi, Dechert written, Gibson dunn interview, willkie vi and a few more!

 

[Lawlawland]

That Latham VI....... what on earth was that

Bye bye vac scheme xxx

Everyone I know is traumatized by it, I swear 😭

 

[lawberri3]

hey guys how long did it take from submitting the freshfields application to receive stage 1 test please??

 

[aspringlawyer25]

If anyone can provide insight into Weil VI, I'm happy to help with Milbank test 1-2, Freshfields test 1-2, Latham test 1-2, w&c vi, Dechert written, Gibson dunn interview, willkie vi and a few more!

Can I ask when you applied for Gibson and got the interview invite?

 

[abc124]

Is the Mayer Brown test selective or automatic? The wording on the website makes it seem like it’s automatic but I applied yesterday and haven’t received it, not sure if I should email them

 

[lawyergal101]

Has anyone received an interview invite for DLA Piper London?