Wtf is going on with all these law firms merging. Just seen that Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are gna merge together. What do they even have in common with each other. Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn is also an odd mixup. 😂
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
They can merge but cannot send us update on our apps 😞
Ignore these haters they’re just miserable lmao. We love your commentary it helps lift the mood on here during this stressful app cycle. 
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Latham Open Day PFO that I didn't even apply for...
"Thank you for applying for the open day with Latham & Watkins. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application.
After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we will not be progressing with your application at this time. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide personal feedback. However, we would like to offer some general guidance to support you with future applications:"
could rlly use some attention 2 deets Latham🥱
"Thank you for applying for the open day with Latham & Watkins. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application.
After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we will not be progressing with your application at this time. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide personal feedback. However, we would like to offer some general guidance to support you with future applications:"
could rlly use some attention 2 deets Latham🥱
The client demand of full service combined UK and US capacities. Odd mixup of practice areas but the common denominator is a lack of fleshed out practices in their relevant jurisdictions, unlike say that of FF or CC. Even HSF needed to expand if they were going to outpace with the market, and their entire business philosophy has been merge to conquere.
Apparently TW and Winston & Strawn have some actual synergies in their practice areas and focus.
HL and Cadwalader is really surprising to me cos I don't feel like HL particularly needs to merge and Cadwalader doesn't really fit their core strategy (regulated industries, lobbying in US, business + govt everywhere else), and I read the point about HL wanting to establish a stronger NY presence. But again, it doesn't quite fit their core strategy imo since they're really strong in regulatory practices and Cadwalader is like a classic M&A/Finance kinda firm. Also not Cadwalader spending the entire year claiming they're not looking to merge while haemorrhaging partners (iirc they lost their entire structured finance team to Orrick) lmao
Has anyone actually heard back post freshfields stage 2 for the VS? I’ve seen people say their friends have been invited to AC but I haven’t seen anyone personally say it 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
prep 2-3 points for basic motivational/competency qs + have experiences ready to discuss some stuff ab how ur resilient & all that. u could also j wing it like me sometimes methinks but not recommended
Thank youuu! Definitely celebrating tonight!Woooo!! Huge congratulations, you should feel super proud!! 🥳 🥳
I hope you take the time to celebrate this amazing achievement, and hopefully see you at the firm for the scheme!
If you don't mind me asking, I'm aware you went through the direct TC route, but do you have any idea what the conversion rate typically is for VS to TC at Reed Smith? Also generally any tips or advice for impressing on the scheme?
I did the VI today so it's still early days for me. I’ve heard they have a quick turnaround so maybe we should expect to hear back within a week of completing the VI?
Slightly random question but what times do firms generally back to people? I’m refreshing my emails like a madman these days but it just dawned on me that post 5pm they’re unlikely to send them since it’s out of office hours anyway lmao. Unless: has anyone received anything at random times from firms???
I know people who have done ACs for the vac scheme over the last few weeks
Never take your eyes off your emails haaha
I’m joking it tends to be anything from 8:30am - 6/7pm some firms send stuff at 10pm others on the weekend. Realistically you’re never safe from a law firm email.
Cadwalader were also entertaining another merger with someone else a little while ago no? I can see the drive for HL to want to compete with the NY boys but for Cadwalader to expand eastward makes little sense to me. Partners haven't voted on it yet so it could swing the other way. IIRC Shearman and Sterling were in a bit of merger limbo after their initial one fell through at voting stage, before A&O swooped in...
In November I had just checked into my hotel on a weekend trip to Amsterdam. I opened my email for reservation to find a fresh PFO from A&O that said some generic thing suggesting I revisit my motivations for being a lawyer. It was a Saturday at 2 p.m. ……
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