TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any tips for answering Macfarlanes' VS Q:

If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, ‘This person belongs at Macfarlanes’? Max 300 words

For example, should I connect my own experience's to the firm's values, or more their strategy / work e.g., private client work, buddy firm strategy etc.,? Thank you!

Hi!

You're definitely thinking along the right lines! The key is to use your story to show why you and Macfarlanes are a good match, rather than just describing the firm back to them. They want to get a sense of who you are, what has shaped you, and how that connects to what makes Macfarlanes distinctive.

A good structure tends to involve:

1. A personal narrative: I'd pick 1-2 experiences that genuinely shaped your interest in law, and built your working style. This doesn't need to be dramatic - just something that shows growth, curiosity, initiative, drive, resilience, etc.
2. Link those experiences to Macfarlanes in a specific way: aspects such as values are important (e.g. long-term client relationships, individual responsibility early on, etc.). However, I would go further and connect your story to what the firm actually does as well. This could be: the "single office" model and collaborative culture, their private client work, complex and multi-disciplinary matters for entrepreneurial clients, etc. You should show them that you don't just want a training contract, but their training contract in particular
3. Make the connection feel natural and authentic: rather than listing attributes of the firm, try to weave them into your story in some way. Show how your experiences and interests led you towards the kind of work that Macfarlanes does, or the culture it offers.

I hope that helps as a starting point - best of luck with your application!

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi!

You're definitely thinking along the right lines! The key is to use your story to show why you and Macfarlanes are a good match, rather than just describing the firm back to them. They want to get a sense of who you are, what has shaped you, and how that connects to what makes Macfarlanes distinctive.

A good structure tends to involve:

1. A personal narrative: I'd pick 1-2 experiences that genuinely shaped your interest in law, and built your working style. This doesn't need to be dramatic - just something that shows growth, curiosity, initiative, drive, resilience, etc.
2. Link those experiences to Macfarlanes in a specific way: aspects such as values are important (e.g. long-term client relationships, individual responsibility early on, etc.). However, I would go further and connect your story to what the firm actually does as well. This could be: the "single office" model and collaborative culture, their private client work, complex and multi-disciplinary matters for entrepreneurial clients, etc. You should show them that you don't just want a training contract, but their training contract in particular
3. Make the connection feel natural and authentic: rather than listing attributes of the firm, try to weave them into your story in some way. Show how your experiences and interests led you towards the kind of work that Macfarlanes does, or the culture it offers.

I hope that helps as a starting point - best of luck with your application!

Thank you so much Abbie! This is really really helpful!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abby,


Thank you very much for this structure — it’s been really helpful.


I was wondering what your view is on “opportunity” and how we should present it. For example, I’ve identified a regulatory reform as my commercial issue, which is highly relevant to one of Ashurst’s core practice areas, but I’m not sure how to frame it as an opportunity.


What I’ve done so far is explain that Ashurst is already strong in this practice area, so they could use that as a platform to attract more clients and resolve the challenges they face. Do you think that’s the right approach, or does it need to be a completely new opportunity — for instance, investment in a new practice area? At the moment, I’ve focused on how their existing strength positions them well to support clients through these upcoming reforms but I am not sure if that is enough.

Would really appreciate your thoughts!

Kind Regards,
LB

Hey!

No problem, I'm glad it is useful!

An "opportunity" doesn't have to be something such as a brand-new practice area. It can absolutely be something that builds on Ashurst's existing strengths, especially if the regulatory reform you've identified will create increased demand for advice in a space where they already have strong capability. Framing it as how the firm can capitalise on this change is a perfectly valid (and often realistic) angle to take.

You could develop it by going into the specifics on where the opportunity lies. For example:

• New advisory work for existing clients navigating the reform
• Attracting clients who need expertise in that regulation but don't yet have counsel
• Potential for cross-practice collaboration (e.g. regulatory + finance / corporate)
• Positioning Ashurst as a market leader through early guidance of the changes

You don't need to propose an opportunity that is radically new - just show commercial awareness by identifying what is changing, why clients will need support, and how Ashurst is well-placed to benefit. As long as you're explaining the impact of the reform and linking it clearly to a potential growth area for the firm, you're doing exactly what the question is asking!

i hope that reassures you - it sounds like you're on a strong track already!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock and anyone else, please, how do I approach answering this question: Describe a recent commercial news story that interested you and explain how it relates to Trowers & Hamlins (max 250 words). Does it have to be a deal the firm has worked on/been involved in? Also, how do I go about structuring it to make it as tailored as possible? I appreciate any tips!

Hi!

You don't need to pick a story that Trowers & Hamlins has directly worked on - it can be a deal they were involved in, but it is more likely to be a broader commercial development that connects their sectors or strategic strengths. The key is showing you understand the news, why it matters in the commercial world, and how it creates opportunities or challenges for a firm like Trowers & Hamlins.

A simply structure that I would follow is:

• Briefly summarise the news story: I'd keep this concise - what happened, who is involved, and why it matters.
• Explain the commercial impact: discuss the consequences for businesses and clients - this could be regulation, investment, growth, risks, market shifts / trends, etc.
• Link it specifically to Trowers & Hamlins: this is where you show that you have tailored your answer to the firm! You could connect it to: their practice area strengths (e.g. real estate, energy, etc.), the opportunities for advisory work arising from the development, and how the story relates to trends the firm is active in (housing, regeneration, etc.).

For example, if the story is about government housing policy or investment in infrastructure, you could discuss how it aligns with Trowers' strong public sector and real estate practice and what kind of client needs might emerge (that they could assist with).

You are essentially showing that you understand what is happening commercially, why this matters, and why Trowers & Hamlins is well suited to advise on those issues.

I hope that helps!

 

[tcla02]

it’s been more than 48 hours waiting for the mayer brown OA. someone here said they got it in 1-2 days. should i be worried? their deadline is rolling

 

[wooliewoo]

it’s been more than 48 hours waiting for the mayer brown OA. someone here said they got it in 1-2 days. should i be worried? their deadline is rolling

Hi! I wouldn't be too worried! I heard from grad rec that they send out all the invites manually, so it may just be a case of them being particularly busy right now. Good luck and I hope you get the OA invite soon!

 

[applicant3000]

Has anyone heard back since Simmons ACs? I know it's still early days

 

[SamiyaJ]

Would really appreciate if anyone who’s done Clyde & Co VI before to PM me please!

Really struggling with prep (hate VIs so much) and would be super grateful for any sort of guidance thank you

 

[Chriss]

i just realised i wrote Latham and Watkins instead of Latham & Watkins. instant rejection right?

 

[user55998384]

Does anyone know what the HSFK test benchmark is? I got 2 moderate 2 weak and 1 good, and 1 technical expertise that said I was balanced and had both + and -. This was a ridiculous test

hey idk what the benchmark is but you only have to meet the minimum - they dont assess your score - also did you recieve test feedback immediately?

 

[whywhy88]

For those who progressed to DLA Piper’s TI, how long after being told your application was being considered for the next stage did you get the invite?

 

[A worried paralegal]

Hey! I think the best way to approach these questions is to treat them like mini personal statements. I would keep them personal and tailored to DLA Piper, and reflective of your own experiences when you can.

Here is how I’d break it down:

Personal Experience and Motivation for Law

This question is asking you to go beyond generic motivations (like problem-solving or liking to debate) and focus on something that genuinely developed your interest. This is ideally something that you personally experienced or were actively involved in.

The typical structure I would follow is:

1. Briefly explain the context - what was the experience, and why was it relevant?
2. Reflect on what you realised from this experience - did it change your perspective? Did it spark an interest in a distinct area, such as regulation?
3. Link this to your long-term career ambitions - how did it lead you to pursue a career in law? Why does DLA Piper align with that?

This doesn’t have to be a legal experience! It could be something like helping someone navigate complex systems, a moment that taught you analytical thinking, or a personal situation with a legal element. The main thing is that you have to clearly link it back to your motivation for law!

DLA Piper Insights Article

This is your opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and understanding of the firm’s work, and how your interests align.

I would structure my response using the following:

1. Choose an article on a client sector that you find interesting - this should ideally be something that overlaps with your genuine interests and your background (e.g. emerging tech, ESG, healthcare etc.)
2. Summarise the main points of the article in your own words - this should be brief, but show that you understand the commercial and legal implications
3. Explain why this topic resonates with you - what does it tell you about the evolution of the legal industry? What part of it excites you? Does it relate to something you have studied or explored in another setting?
4. Link to DLA Piper - think about the firm’s international reach, sector focus, innovation, or work with leading clients. How does this article show the kind of work that you’d be interested in working in?

I would avoid picking a random article - choose something that you have a genuine interest in, and clearly explain why that is and how it links to your future career.

I know that there aren’t a lot of words available due to the word limit, so you should aim to be as concise as possible. Hope this helps!

I know this is a bit old but I was having a look at DLA's questions.

Would you say that the article for Q2 has to refer to a specific sector or can I pick any article and discuss an industry trend?

 

[A worried paralegal]

For those who progressed to DLA Piper’s TI, how long after being told your application was being considered for the next stage did you get the invite?

Is it not worth applying then or are these TIs just for London?

 

[x_law2004]

anyone heard from pinsent masons or gowling?

 

[CuriousTrainee]

Is it not worth applying then or are these TIs just for London?

I would assume that this is just for London since the deadline was 21st of November. So for regional, would definitely say it's still worth applying

 

[CuriousTrainee]

anyone heard from pinsent masons or gowling?

I thought gowling don't let us know until 12th of Dec? That was in the email after doing the Arctic Shores test.

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on Simmons VI / assessment? I am happy to provide insights on other firms like Mayer Brown, Bird & Bird, FF, and A&O AC!

 

[johnsmith]

for the other experiences section can we then just list other experiences in bullet points or pick maybe 2 of those other experiences and have bullet points/prose for each?

I think generally the advise is prose for nearly all firms but sorry I don’t actually remember their personal feelings on this

 

[Bbhu19]

Hi

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on Simmons VI / assessment? I am happy to provide insights on other firms like Mayer Brown, Bird & Bird, FF, and A&O AC!

pm

 

[ali-k]

hello, can anyone help on this... is it a good idea to include a future vac scheme in the "work experience" section for other law firms? if it would benefit me of course i would want to include it but i am unsure if it just comes off as arrogant and gives a bad impression