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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
ive not heard of anything and I thought they were going to get back to us after the new years
Hey!
Thank you so much for your tips! I will definitely do some prep. I’m the same, I find the practice tests are nothing like the real thing!!
Thank you again!
Oh great so I'm just boring ahahahaomg are they just constantly handing out PFOs? I'm so scared ahhhhhonestly I feel like most people have amazing applications already and sometimes it comes down to which one resonates with grad rec more... imo (especially for the question on a topic that interests you)
28th October
Yes, they definitely were historically non-rolling, but the application has changed a lot this year so ig they have changed the process too! The deadline hasn't passed and they're clearly assessing and progressing candidates already so theyre defo rolling now. However, my AC is not until a week or so after the deadline, so there is still definitely a chance for those who applied after me
Just received Kirkland VI invite, anyone else heard back yet?
2 minutes before the deadline HAHA i think they are doing it in reverse order! my girlfriend got hers too and she applied the same time as me!not yet
Any tips on the WG for cleary?! happy to share insights on anything else!
kirkland vi and a girlfriend?
i see! thank you haha - I applied the day also so hopefully will hear back tomorrowww
Hi! I’m definitely not qualified to give advice but there isn’t anything in this application about you that can’t be inferred from your CV. You never say WHY the aspects that you mention about the firm and law appeal to you, just that you’ve fine things related to the field.Hi guys, I was unfortunately rejected from Willkie at the first stage
I thought I wrote a pretty solid app, could anyone critique it and see what might have been the issue? Thank you.
Q1 - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law.
Max 250 words
I am motivated by intellectually demanding environments where issues are complex and stakes are high. As a national-level debater, I thrived on analysing dense material under time pressure, anticipating counterarguments, and adapting strategy in real time. Alongside this, founding a small (redacted) business sparked a strong interest in commerce and how relationships shape business outcomes. Commercial law therefore appeals to me because it combines these interests, requiring lawyers to strategically analyse legal risks in achieving their clients’ commercial objectives.
My commitment to this career path has been consistent and long-standing. Before university, I interned in the corporate practice of (law firm), a leading (non-UK) full-service law firm. Despite having to relocate to another state, I seized this opportunity to gain practical experience and developed rapport with a partner by producing high-quality due diligence reports, ultimately securing a letter of recommendation. At university, a first-year scheme with (large US firm)–particularly a panel on cross-border project finance–highlighted how commercial judgement and contractual protections are essential to managing regulatory and investment risk. I later saw this in practice as a summer analyst at (Boutique PE fund), where reviewing investment covenants highlighted the importance of lawyers’ role in preserving investor confidence through the structuring of legal risk.
These experiences confirmed my interest in this field and motivate me to pursue a career at a leading global firm like Willkie, where I would be challenged to think creatively, navigate complex and interesting commercial contexts, and develop the judgment required of an effective commercial lawyer.
Q2 - Please explain why you are applying to Willkie.
Max 250 words
Firstly, I am drawn to Willkie’s dual strengths in transactional and contentious work, reflected in Chambers rankings for PE buyouts and investment funds, alongside Band-1 recognition in competition litigation and growing strength in arbitration and commercial disputes. Having topped my year in (finance module), I am attracted to Willkie’s integrated PE, finance and capital markets practices, which regularly work on innovative and impactful transactional mandates like Belfius Bank’s recent €500m sustainability-linked green notes issuance. Simultaneously, placing in the Top 8 of 120+ teams at the (University) Negotiation Competition–where success depended on distilling complex arguments and advocating persuasively under pressure–highlighted the appeal of contentious work. At Willkie, I could experience the top end of both areas, developing a holistic understanding of how lawyers structure, negotiate and contest deals and disputes.
Secondly, I am attracted to Willkie’s rapid growth and entrepreneurial culture. The London office has expanded at exceptional speed, doubling its lawyer headcount between 2017 and 2025 while delivering double-digit revenue growth year-on-year. As Hiral Jain noted at an Open Evening, this scale of expansion necessitates lean, high-leverage teams and an emphasis on junior responsibility. This environment suits how I work: at (Non MBB Consulting Firm), taking initiative and actively seeking feedback led to strong relationships and being entrusted to support a Director on a Third-Party Risk Management project. This reinforced the value of a self-starter mindset early in a career, and I am confident my proactive approach would allow me to thrive at Willkie.
My stats are: graduate, 2.1 from a target university (2.2 in first year, but mitigating circumstances related to physical health), various open days/1 first year scheme.
Also got rejected from Skadden at the first stage and HSFK at the app review stage
Would be really thankful on points to improve/change; am I missing anything?
All those rejections made me procrastinate instead of preparing for Weil test… Questioning if it’s worth with my profile, maybe it’s going to be a generic rejection again
has anyone heard anything from mishcon about the SJT? tbf it is probably taking them some timeeee to go through the chat-based interview if everyone wrote as much as me at least lol
First of all, I actually think your application is decent. Willkie is a particularly competitive firm- so your application doesn’t have to be bad to be rejected- just not good enough. But I am sure you are on the right track.Hi guys, I was unfortunately rejected from Willkie at the first stage
I thought I wrote a pretty solid app, could anyone critique it and see what might have been the issue? Thank you.
Q1 - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law.
Max 250 words
I am motivated by intellectually demanding environments where issues are complex and stakes are high. As a national-level debater, I thrived on analysing dense material under time pressure, anticipating counterarguments, and adapting strategy in real time. Alongside this, founding a small (redacted) business sparked a strong interest in commerce and how relationships shape business outcomes. Commercial law therefore appeals to me because it combines these interests, requiring lawyers to strategically analyse legal risks in achieving their clients’ commercial objectives.
My commitment to this career path has been consistent and long-standing. Before university, I interned in the corporate practice of (law firm), a leading (non-UK) full-service law firm. Despite having to relocate to another state, I seized this opportunity to gain practical experience and developed rapport with a partner by producing high-quality due diligence reports, ultimately securing a letter of recommendation. At university, a first-year scheme with (large US firm)–particularly a panel on cross-border project finance–highlighted how commercial judgement and contractual protections are essential to managing regulatory and investment risk. I later saw this in practice as a summer analyst at (Boutique PE fund), where reviewing investment covenants highlighted the importance of lawyers’ role in preserving investor confidence through the structuring of legal risk.
These experiences confirmed my interest in this field and motivate me to pursue a career at a leading global firm like Willkie, where I would be challenged to think creatively, navigate complex and interesting commercial contexts, and develop the judgment required of an effective commercial lawyer.
Q2 - Please explain why you are applying to Willkie.
Max 250 words
Firstly, I am drawn to Willkie’s dual strengths in transactional and contentious work, reflected in Chambers rankings for PE buyouts and investment funds, alongside Band-1 recognition in competition litigation and growing strength in arbitration and commercial disputes. Having topped my year in (finance module), I am attracted to Willkie’s integrated PE, finance and capital markets practices, which regularly work on innovative and impactful transactional mandates like Belfius Bank’s recent €500m sustainability-linked green notes issuance. Simultaneously, placing in the Top 8 of 120+ teams at the (University) Negotiation Competition–where success depended on distilling complex arguments and advocating persuasively under pressure–highlighted the appeal of contentious work. At Willkie, I could experience the top end of both areas, developing a holistic understanding of how lawyers structure, negotiate and contest deals and disputes.
Secondly, I am attracted to Willkie’s rapid growth and entrepreneurial culture. The London office has expanded at exceptional speed, doubling its lawyer headcount between 2017 and 2025 while delivering double-digit revenue growth year-on-year. As Hiral Jain noted at an Open Evening, this scale of expansion necessitates lean, high-leverage teams and an emphasis on junior responsibility. This environment suits how I work: at (Non MBB Consulting Firm), taking initiative and actively seeking feedback led to strong relationships and being entrusted to support a Director on a Third-Party Risk Management project. This reinforced the value of a self-starter mindset early in a career, and I am confident my proactive approach would allow me to thrive at Willkie.
My stats are: graduate, 2.1 from a target university (2.2 in first year, but mitigating circumstances related to physical health), various open days/1 first year scheme.
Also got rejected from Skadden at the first stage and HSFK at the app review stage
Would be really thankful on points to improve/change; am I missing anything?
I can sense bits do seem a little bit AI-like. Maybe they picked this up? Sorry if you didn’t use AI.
Secondly, and I agree with others here, I think your first answer doesn’t really say why commercial law for you personally. It’s quite difficult to justify why you want to work in commercial law, when you haven’t yet and don’t know what it’s like, but that’s the challenge we all face!
I’ve never seen this before but Milbank have sent me two msgs since I got the test invite to remind me to take the test, usually firms only email. Has this happened to other ppl too?
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