TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[user55998384]

has anyone recieved a feedback report from HSF Kramer and willing to share?

 

[Harvey Specter]

To those applying to Goodwin, was at their open day today and they said they still haven’t gotten to finalising their VI questions. Early careers did mention it will be kind of similar to the application questions so largely motivational, competency and commercial awareness questions. Not really ideal given the deadline is in 10 days. They are non-rolling so it is likely nobody will hear until after the new year in any case.​

 

[Happy Law Student]

Would it be too late to apply for Gibson Dunn? The deadline is mid January so there’s still more than a month, but it’s been open since September so I’m not sure if it would be better to wait until next year.

 

[Ferran_]

anyone know if macfarlanes vac scheme deadline this friday means for assessments too?

 

[Mikeross750]

Hi!

Congratulations on getting the final interview - that's amazing news! 🎊

Whilst I haven't been through the Withers process myself, I can share some general tips on how I would prepare for an interview with HR and a partner!

1. Research the firm and Withers' focus

I'd refresh your memory and do a little more research on the firm - as they're known for their private client and HNW/UHNW work, it might be worth brushing up on:

• Their key practice areas (private clients, family, reputation management, real estate, etc.)
• What makes them different - have a think about what sets them apart in the market. This could be things such as their client base, international presence, and the relationship-driven nature of their work
• A couple of recent deals or insights that they have shared that genuinely interested you

2. Be prepared for the classic motivation questions

You can almost guarantee that at most law firm interviews you will be asked questions such as:

• "Why law?"
• "Why Withers?"
• "Why you?"

I'd also pay particular attention to the fact that they are well-known for their private client work, and prepare an answer for "Why private client work?" in case they ask you this. They likely want to see that you understand the people-focused nature of the work, and why that appeals to you / you are a good fit for it.

3. Prepare strong examples

I would also expect some competency-style questions as well. Have a few solid stories ready for traits such as teamwork, resilience, attention to detail, handling responsibility, managing competing deadlines, etc. I would always recommend this forum post by Andrei, as it is really comprehensive and super handy to go over before an interview!

4. Expect some commercial awareness

Even though it's private client focused, they still want to see you can think commercially (and I was asked commercial questions at a similar, private client focused firm). Pick one or two current issues affecting HNW clients (e.g. tax changes, cross-border estates, family office trends, economic shifts) and be ready to discuss them logically. Discuss how the firm can help their clients navigate these issues, and which departments in the wider firm would be involved.

5. Consider your tone

Whilst it is important to remain professional in an interview, it's also just as important to show genuine enthusiasm and be engaged in the conversation. They will want someone personable, thoughtful, and genuinely interest in their work, so remember to show your personality as well!

6. Prepare a few questions

As with most interviews, I would prepare a few insightful questions to ask at the end if you have time. These should be things that you aren't able to find on the firm's website, such as:

• "How does Withers collaborate across practice areas for private client matters?"
• "What makes a trainee stand out here?"

You could potentially even ask the partner for their views on how recent developments might change the work that Withers completes, or how it creates new opportunities / challenges for their clients - particularly if it is a topic you are interested in!

I hope that helps, and best of luck! You've got a whole week, which should be plenty of time to prepare

Thank you so much Abbie!

 

[Mikeross750]

Hi, congratulations! Although, I thought that Withers wasn't rolling? I'm confused!

Hi, thank you! I believe they started progressing applications around one month after the applications opened (as stated on their website), but in an irregular pattern. I believe I received the SJT in late October, then got the invitation to the proof-reading test yesterday, and was invited for an interview today.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock or @Andrei Radu !!
Just wondering what the correct sign-off for an email to a client in a written exercise would be? Does this differ if I’m writing to my supervisor or a partner?

Also, just in terms of formalities, is ”Dear [first name]” fine for writing to a supervisor or a partner? And then “Dear Mr/Ms [surname]” for a client?

And lastly I was unsure about headings/subheadings throughout the email. If I kind of list the key issues, do I actually add in a header “Key Issues”? Or if I then analyse said issues, do I add “Analysis”?

Thanks!

 

[apap]

Anyone who made it onto Simmons & Simmons AC able to share their Amberjack scores please?

 

[c.t.tc]

Hey @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock! Not sure if anyone saw my last post, but I just wanted to ask if you had any practical key tips to keep in mind during a timed written exercise as my technique in the past wasn't amazing

 

[johnsmith]

To those applying to Goodwin, was at their open day today and they said they still haven’t gotten to finalising their VI questions. Early careers did mention it will be kind of similar to the application questions so largely motivational, competency and commercial awareness questions. Not really ideal given the deadline is in 10 days. They are non-rolling so it is likely nobody will hear until after the new year in any case.​

At this point I’m happy for tests to run into January 😅

 

[J333]

Hi guys, I submitted my Latham’s app dec 1 23:05pm. It says I have 72 hours after submission to complete the OA. So am I correct to understand that I need to do the OA by dec 4 23:05pm?? 😭

 

[tianna09]

hi everyone, i hope someone can help me with this

I am wanting to apply to Law firms around London and in the midlands, but I have quite a lot of trouble finding firms specialising in what I am interested in. I am not entirely interested in commercial & business, but what I really do like is medical negligence, PI, Civil lit and also maybe environmental and sustainability. I have tried to shop around for firms that offer these but I am struggling to find firms that offer these as seats in the TC process as I would like to apply to their vac schemes now and next year. If anyone has similar interests I would love to hear what firms you have applied for !!

 

[p2bv]

hi everyone, i hope someone can help me with this

I am wanting to apply to Law firms around London and in the midlands, but I have quite a lot of trouble finding firms specialising in what I am interested in. I am not entirely interested in commercial & business, but what I really do like is medical negligence, PI, Civil lit and also maybe environmental and sustainability. I have tried to shop around for firms that offer these but I am struggling to find firms that offer these as seats in the TC process as I would like to apply to their vac schemes now and next year. If anyone has similar interests I would love to hear what firms you have applied for !!

You could try looking at Chambers and Legal 500, both let you filter firms by practice area and region, so it’s an easy way to see who actually specialises in the areas you’re interested in.

From what you’ve said so far, you might like Fieldfisher, Kingsley Napley or Irwin Mitchell, but I’m not completely certain as they're different practice areas to what I'm interested in. I think Kennedys also have a strong PI/civil lit department, and you can do a training contract just in medical law there.

 

[lolololol]

does the latham test have a vi?

 

[DavidJC]

Hi guys, I submitted my Latham’s app dec 1 23:05pm. It says I have 72 hours after submission to complete the OA. So am I correct to understand that I need to do the OA by dec 4 23:05pm?? 😭

Yes, you're correct

 

[maylawwww]

Hi, thank you! I believe they started progressing applications around one month after the applications opened (as stated on their website), but in an irregular pattern. I believe I received the SJT in late October, then got the invitation to the proof-reading test yesterday, and was invited for an interview today.

omg that is so cheeky they must have changed their website without announcing it -- i copied into my notes a while ago that they review applications approximately 1 month before the application deadline (ie starting in mid-Dec) but now it says approximately one month after applications open (i.e. late Oct/Early Nov) !!
nevertheless huge congrats for ur interview !!!!

 

[Lizardlaw]

It was a VI last year but they have now changed it to a short telephone interview (10-15 minutes) that assesses your motivation and alignment to the firm’s values

Oh my god, that is such a short interview – can I ask you (or anyone else who reached this stage) what that was like? They must have only asked one or two questions with no time to be friendly at first and build rapport? Did it feel quite sudden? How soon after receiving the email to schedule the phone interview was the day you did it?

 

[p2bv]

Oh my god, that is such a short interview – can I ask you (or anyone else who reached this stage) what that was like? They must have only asked one or two questions with no time to be friendly at first and build rapport? Did it feel quite sudden? How soon after receiving the email to schedule the phone interview was the day you did it?

I reached the TI stage, I was given a warm up question at the start which wasn’t assessed just generally about myself, the interviewer did ask questions about this so there was a little bit of a rapport. I was asked quite a few questions I think around 5 or so, and I did mine a few days after getting the email

 

[kn]

is anyone else yet to receive the freshfields stage 1 assessment? submitted my app on the 29th

 

[Amgrad]

Not sure, but at the Open Day GR said they only hire 2 trainees each year for Cambridge office and 4-5 VS each scheme, so it must be competitive. I saw a guy applied to Cambridge here (https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2025-26.9717/post-222508), but idk whether he progressed to WE or not

Did anybody who got Taylor wessing WE apply for the Cambridge summer vac scheme?