thank you so much - sorry just another thing - would you just focus on one change?Hello!
I'd say that making blockchain in IP the main focus might come across as a bit niche for this kind of question (although it sounds like an interesting discussion!). Even though the firm has a strong IP practice, the prompt is really about how the legal profession as a whole is changing, so an answer that is too narrow might not show the broader commercial awareness that they're looking for.
If I was answering this question, I'd be more inclined to start with the major forces shaping the sector on a wider scale - things such as AI, automation, digital transformation, changing client expectations, more data-driven decision-making, and the increasing need for lawyers to have both legal and technological fluency. These trends are affecting firms across all practice areas and speak directly to how the role of a lawyer is evolving in terms of skills, service delivery, and the types of problems that clients are now seeking advice for.
You can still bring blockchain into the discussion, but I'd use it as a single example rather than the focus of your answer. For instance, you could mention blockchain as one of the emerging technologies creating new legal challenges in areas like IP and digital assets, and then relate that back to how firms need to adapt, innovate, and build specialist knowledge to stay competitive.
This way, you show a focused insight without losing sight of the bigger picture, which is ultimately what the question is trying to showcase.
I hope that assists, and best of luck with the application!
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi!
Whilst I can't say with complete certainty, the outcome will probably depend on what you want to do next. If you're hoping to unsubmit the application but not reapply in this cycle, it may be best to simply leave it as it is (as it won't affect any future applications you make). Alternatively, you could politely contact the graduate recruitment team and ask whether they can withdraw it from their end.
If the intention is to unsubmit and then resubmit a new application in the same cycle, this is less likely to be permitted. Many firms don't allow candidates to reapply within the same recruitment round once an application has been submitted, and they may not be comfortable accepting a second submission, as you would have technically already applied in that cycle.
I'd say the safest approach is to email the graduate recruitment team, explain the situation, and see what they can do - they'll be able to give you the most definitive answer!
End of Week Update: Travers pfo post app | W&C pfo post vi | DLA submitted | Sullivan & Cromwell submitted | Akin/K&E this weekend
Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥❌
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
DLA Piper ✅
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅❌
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅
Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection
*Training Contract applications.
Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥❌
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
DLA Piper ✅
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅❌
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅
Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection
*Training Contract applications.
Hey!
No worries! This depends on the word limit that you have for the question, but I think discussing 2-3 well-developed issues would be the optimal amount. This allows you to cover a few things, but also go into depth and tailor your points.
If the word limit is relatively small, I’d say 1 well developed point works well! The focus should be on depth not breadth, so I’d focus on writing in more detail on fewer issues where you can
Hi everyone - I have a Latham Q. I was successful for their open day which fast tracks to the vac scheme (don't need to do SJT or VI again but still need to write written app). BUT one of the Qs for the vac scheme is exactly the same as the one I wrote for the open day (a question on extracurriculars, interests, etc...). Is it alright for me to reuse the same Q? I forgot to ask this with gradrec!
Timed. As for first stage, HL seems to send tests in batches but I know for a fact that they don't review your application until after you complete 2nd stage it seems i.e. they review it with the 2nd stage test result
I assume most of them are winter vacations right?
When did you apply to Travers Smith? I ask because they still haven't rejected me and so I'm wondering what on earth is the hold up or whether they're just going through applications in order rejecting them.
Have I just missed the email then because I applied to Travers well before the 5th?
What on earth is going on with this recruitment process? Maybe I'm just going crazy or they just decided to give you a special rejection as my application wasn't even worth the effort lol.
Or is it like last in-first out where they review from last in and then reject as they go down the pile.
I applied to Travers a long time ago and also received a PFO recently. Check the Direct TC Thread, a lot of people received rejections. Maybe it’s good that you haven’t! Although some people also received PFOs post-interview
Travers is non-rolling, they chose to open and close DTC apps before VS apps this year
RS and HL PFOs after the tests, but CMS VI! Who knew that I'd do better at Watson Glaser than other test formats.
Sorry to hear about RS and HL. If you don't mind me asking, how long did RS take to get back to you?
Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.
Far too early to tell. I think I received my stage 2 about 2 weeks after completing stage 1.
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