TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LawAspirer]

Eversheds PFO 🤣😂😅

 

[RJ Ruban]

Has anyone heard back for a CMS AC offer London

 

[nbjani]

Eversheds PFO. After that disaster of a test I’m not surprised 🫠

 

[applicant3000]

hey congrats on making AC, was this for the london office?

Yeah, a bunch of people had ACs in late November

 

[nbjani]

hi, when did you apply and hear back for the TI? also is it for the ldn office. I haven’t heard anything for a while so assuming a PFO lol

Hey! Yep for London

Did my WG on 24/11 and receive TI invite on 12/12. Fingers crossed and good luck!!

 

[johnsmith]

The Mayer Brown test has a VI??

Yes as they don't have application questions!

 

[BealMcAlly]

Yeah, a bunch of people had ACs in late November

Was this for Spring or Summer?

 

[Trophy]

Yeah, a bunch of people had ACs in late November

ohh wow i applied on the deadline! there goes my chances aha. good luck!

 

[applicant3000]

Was this for Spring or Summer?

As far as I know they onle have a summer scheme

 

[applicant3000]

ohh wow i applied on the deadline! there goes my chances aha. good luck!

They will probably have more ACs, so don't lose hope!

 

[BealMcAlly]

As far as I know they onle have a summer scheme

Yes, you're totally right. So many schemes, getting them mixed up.

This tells me they've filled their spots lol

 

[DavidJC]

Sigh Mayer Brown Automatic Test invite 😭 would anyone have any insights into the VI please? Same with Weil tbh

Just got the invite myself! Mayer Brown Grad Rec said it would be four questions, of which two have unlimited prep time and two have limited prep time, they all have two mins recording time. I think there was something about the order of these too but I can't quite remember. I was also told to expect the standard motivational questions, and the top tip was to not rush through the answer while the clock ticks down. They find it's almost never the content of the answer that trips people up at this stage, but the overall presentation instead

 

[Trophy]

quick question how are people's links WG scores looking? I have got the best score I have ever got with them but i got fairly mid in the evaluating arguments section whereas i normally perform the highest in that section. for context the first time i ever took WG i got 1 percentile LMAO and i got 80 on my most recent.

Currently on hold at 70% which means nothing tbh just patiently waiting

 

[charlieefinch]

quick question how are people's links WG scores looking? I have got the best score I have ever got with them but i got fairly mid in the evaluating arguments section whereas i normally perform the highest in that section. for context the first time i ever took WG i got 1 percentile LMAO and i got 80 on my most recent.

Currently on hold at 70% which means nothing tbh just patiently waiting

Hey, how do you see your links wg score? Was this for their vac scheme ?

 

[BM99]

quick question how are people's links WG scores looking? I have got the best score I have ever got with them but i got fairly mid in the evaluating arguments section whereas i normally perform the highest in that section. for context the first time i ever took WG i got 1 percentile LMAO and i got 80 on my most recent.

Currently on hold at 70% which means nothing tbh just patiently waiting

Assuming it's Linklaters, I only got 92 percentile, which I'm not sure if it's enough to progress.

 

[Trophy]

Hey, how do you see your links wg score? Was this for their vac scheme ?

Hi, I emailed their early careers, I got my results back 12 days after my initial email. it was for their DTC but everyone takes the same test and this thread is more active so thought posting here would be better

 

[A_ede]

What should we expect, look out for during written exercises on M&A? What are key issues to flag and more minor details? Any tips on answering these questions?

Hi,

My main tip on answering written exercises is to write very clearly and concisely. You want the person reading it to see that you have well-formulated and structured arguments. This is incredibly important because the knowledge aspect can be fixed, but the way you think can show a real insight into the way you approach problems. I would typically try and bring out three points/issues and discuss these in three separate paragraphs.

For me, the main issues to flag are typically surrounding warranties and indemnities. There are normally litigation issues or some reason why it is risky for a seller to acquire the business. Therefore, I would really emphasise preparing what warranties and indemnities are and how they can be used to help negotiate an M&A deal. For example, an indemnity can be used to promise the buyer compensation for a litigation case. Indemnities and warranties are negotiated in the Share Purchase Agreement (the SPA).

I would also know the difference between share sales and asset sales and what differences these can have on a deal. For example, for a share sale, the buyer has to take on the risks of the company but for an asset sale, the buyer only has to take on the risks associated with that asset.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

If it's alright, I've got a few questions about the Reed Smith process? I've been observing for a little haha, but this is my first post here so please let me know if this should be in a different thread.

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith after SJT/VI? I have applied for the winter scheme and I would've thought ACs would take place before Christmas?

Further to that, roughly how many people make it through to AC? How many vac scheme offers are made? What is success rate from a vac scheme? I've been told before it's roughly 50% through to blended assessment but I'm not sure if that's accurate? Also how many places are actually available on each scheme, as there is conflicting information on different websites.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, Reed Smith is by far my top choice firm, but I wasn't able to attend any open days to ask my questions. Any advice would be much appreciated!!! @Abbie Whitlock @RikPalmer-ReedSmith @ReedSmithBecca

Hi, yes, sure, I'll answer in bullet points below!:
- You wouldn't have been able to apply exclusively to the Winter Scheme, as it's one application to be considered for either scheme. We have been inviting candidates through the Assessment Centre already, but do have places remaining on the Winter Scheme, and candidates who successfully reach an early-mid Jan AC will still be considered for this.
We aim to respond to candidates within 1 month of completing the SJT/VI and have largely been doing this.
- We can't give specific information on this, but have approximately 15 places on each scheme. This varies each year as we don't have a strict number of AC or VS places, we progress people based on reaching an expected score.

 

[Trophy]

Assuming it's Linklaters, I only got 92 percentile, which I'm not sure if it's enough to progress.

yes Linklaters, 92 is a amazing score. I do believe that the capp test is held in higher regard than the WG as this is retaken if successful to the AC. Someone a while back got 99 percentile and was unsuccessful so as long as your capp assessment was good you'll be good

 

[TheLegalEdit]

quick question how are people's links WG scores looking? I have got the best score I have ever got with them but i got fairly mid in the evaluating arguments section whereas i normally perform the highest in that section. for context the first time i ever took WG i got 1 percentile LMAO and i got 80 on my most recent.

Currently on hold at 70% which means nothing tbh just patiently waiting

Honestly it’s really depends on your Capp test. They look at it together, you can pass the WG and not Capp and so you won’t progress if that happens.