TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[startupgeek]

Latham PFO

hey so sorry to hear that is this for spring or summer?

 

[Eudora]

DLA Piper TI invite, if anyone has any inisghts I would be very grateful!

Which office?

 

[DavidJC]

Just following on from the Bank of England announcing the interest rate cut, bringing the base rate down to 3.75% - from a commercial law perspective, what are the main legal and transactional implications of this move (for example, on financing arrangements, M&A activity, restructuring, or disputes)?

Additionally, how would you recommend discussing this development in interviews with commercial law firms in a way that demonstrates commercial awareness rather than just economic knowledge? What practical effects should I focus on?

Thank you for any help or insights lovely people! @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen

I'm not really an expert but, depending on what you consider to simply be economic knowledge vs commercial awareness, the most immediately applicable situations are increased transactional work because the cost of borrowing (i.e. most types of finance work) is cheaper, which means more deals and a potential for 2026 to deliver a more active dealmaking environment than this year (which was subdued because of tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, and now discussions of an AI bubble). So this can translate to the things you've mentioned re financing arrangements, M&A, restructuring debt to more borrower-friendly terms, generally speaking more investment because money that sits around (e.g. dry powder in PE) doesn't generate as much interest anymore.

I think that for commercial law firms, it's really about understanding who their clients are and how this would affect their clients, and in turn how it affects the law firm's workstreams, revenue etc. You could maybe even argue that the BoE cut interest rates because they trust that inflation is falling. This is a vote of confidence in the UK economy and current govt economic policies. This could maybe spur increased economic activity and growth, which in turn means that the UK might see more foreign investment.

That then opens up to things like maybe international trade in Akin/Mayer Brown, or competition/antitrust in many firms re FDI and national security rules, so these firms are well-positioned to get ahead and pitch for client work in these areas by preparing thought leadership pieces or selling their expertise to clients before they even know they need these services, which then introduces new workstreams to the business, hence more revenue and profit.

Just broadly speaking, "transactional activity" encompasses so many practice areas so it really depends on the specific firm's clients and strengths if you want to tailor it better as commercial awareness specifically in relation to that firm. These are my two cents really and I hope it helps, but I go back to the first bit I said about what you consider to be economic knowledge vs actual commercial awareness.

 

[legaleagle11]

Bakers and WFW VI! Does anyone have any insights to either? (both for London)

Happy to share Macs AC insights

 

[BobThebIlly]

Guys this is such a dumb QS but how do I pronounce “Weil”? I don’t wanna say “wail” in the VI if it’s incorrect or is it pronounced as “weel” 😭

 

[Bbhu19]

Guys this is such a dumb QS but how do I pronounce “Weil”? I don’t wanna say “wail” in the VI if it’s incorrect or is it pronounced as “weel” 😭

It’s pronounced while

 

[Harvey Specter]

Guys this is such a dumb QS but how do I pronounce “Weil”? I don’t wanna say “wail” in the VI if it’s incorrect or is it pronounced as “weel” 😭

It’s kinda like saying while but without the h so it becomes wile (Weil).​

 

[Bbhu19]

It’s kinda like saying while but without the h so it becomes wile (Weil).​

Isn’t the H in While already silent 😂😂

 

[Lord Sumption]

I'm not really an expert but, depending on what you consider to simply be economic knowledge vs commercial awareness, the most immediately applicable situations are increased transactional work because the cost of borrowing (i.e. most types of finance work) is cheaper, which means more deals and a potential for 2026 to deliver a more active dealmaking environment than this year (which was subdued because of tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, and now discussions of an AI bubble). So this can translate to the things you've mentioned re financing arrangements, M&A, restructuring debt to more borrower-friendly terms, generally speaking more investment because money that sits around (e.g. dry powder in PE) doesn't generate as much interest anymore.

I think that for commercial law firms, it's really about understanding who their clients are and how this would affect their clients, and in turn how it affects the law firm's workstreams, revenue etc. You could maybe even argue that the BoE cut interest rates because they trust that inflation is falling. This is a vote of confidence in the UK economy and current govt economic policies. This could maybe spur increased economic activity and growth, which in turn means that the UK might see more foreign investment.

That then opens up to things like maybe international trade in Akin/Mayer Brown, or competition/antitrust in many firms re FDI and national security rules, so these firms are well-positioned to get ahead and pitch for client work in these areas by preparing thought leadership pieces or selling their expertise to clients before they even know they need these services, which then introduces new workstreams to the business, hence more revenue and profit.

Just broadly speaking, "transactional activity" encompasses so many practice areas so it really depends on the specific firm's clients and strengths if you want to tailor it better as commercial awareness specifically in relation to that firm. These are my two cents really and I hope it helps, but I go back to the first bit I said about what you consider to be economic knowledge vs actual commercial awareness.

That’s amazing David thank you!!
Definitely will tailor that response to the firm’s clients and their key industry sectors too.

Appreciate the response.

 

[boots pharmacy]

sorry to ask. I wanna know if you got rejected despite passing the SJT? And is it for their spring VS?

Yes and yes.

 

[Amgrad]

Guys this is such a dumb QS but how do I pronounce “Weil”? I don’t wanna say “wail” in the VI if it’s incorrect or is it pronounced as “weel” 😭

Well, since the company is American, the office is London and the word is derived from German surname, you can pronounce either one. I think it's fine 🤣

American/Canadian: https://tophonetics.com/pronounce/zW5XeJPnZoQUmlpDO2szdHRo3Ehr/
British: https://tophonetics.com/pronounce/zW5XeJPnZoQUnlqTaGy8GxsIQkZr/

 

[shortypie90]

random question but is wearing a knitted jumper ok for a video interview?? a button-up is ideal obviously but i'm cold...

 

[WeGotThis!]

Oh same with Fieldfisher waitlist email. Madness View attachment 7485

And these are the same firms that say trainees need to demonstrate attention to detail and proofread their apps. Ironic!

 

[WeGotThis!]

An application question has the following question: "Which law would you change and why?"

I was wondering what is the structure that I should adopt for this answer and should I link it back to the firm's practice area or deals?

Thank you!☺️

 

[legallybrunette8]

Has anyone had a VI experience where they stuttered really badly throughout all the VI questions because of nerves, finished about 30 seconds early for each question, and still managed to get through? This just happened to me for Eversheds so I'm feeling kinda slumped about it - I somehow managed to get to their AC 2 cycles ago so that added some pressure onto me I feel

 

[Afuturetrainee]

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 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I know someone who has a vs offer for summer

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Thank you! I applied on 15th September

Congratulations darling. Spring or summer if I may ask?

 

[Trophy]

random question but is wearing a knitted jumper ok for a video interview?? a button-up is ideal obviously but i'm cold...

Yes.
Jumpers, fleeces, sweaters are all acceptable. You do not need to wear a suit.

 

[sjm251102]

Has anyone had a VI experience where they stuttered really badly throughout all the VI questions because of nerves, finished about 30 seconds early for each question, and still managed to get through? This just happened to me for Eversheds so I'm feeling kinda slumped about it - I somehow managed to get to their AC 2 cycles ago so that added some pressure onto me I feel

I got the Eversheds AC 2 cycles ago as well and in my VI back then I paused for about 20 seconds and said “sorry” out loud🤣🤣🤣 so don’t worry

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone had a VI experience where they stuttered really badly throughout all the VI questions because of nerves, finished about 30 seconds early for each question, and still managed to get through? This just happened to me for Eversheds so I'm feeling kinda slumped about it - I somehow managed to get to their AC 2 cycles ago so that added some pressure onto me

I'm soo sorry that happened.Terrified to do mine now😭
Was it really hard?