TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[alphabravocharlie]

@Andrei Radu how do you priories tasks in an inbox tray exercise. E.g how would you rank client work a review meeting and a meeting on changes in legislation that were all overlapping. Also for sjt deadline rankings how should you prioritise. When should you push back a deadline/ when should you ask team for help?

 

[LawAspirer]

If someone has Goodwin insight, please let me know 🙏

 

[BealMcAlly]

I've just submitted an application for Milbank but it didn't have any application questions. Does anyone know what the next steps are? Is an invite to an online test automatic?

Here's the brochure.

I think it is implied the critical reasoning test is automatic. Hard to tell for sure.

 

[TortillaTC]

I haven’t got the Goodwin VI - is it a PFO now?

 

[maylawwww]

Hi! can anyone provide insights into the Bird & Bird AC? Can provide insights into Links AC, TW AC, HFW AC, or Ashurst WE in return!

 

[applicant457]

Some people received an HFW AC invite, but I haven't. Do you know if they are sending out more or does this mean I'm automatically rejected?

 

[maylawwww]

Some people received an HFW AC invite, but I haven't. Do you know if they are sending out more or does this mean I'm automatically rejected?

No, from my experience last cycle HFW is fully rolling and releases their ACs staggered so they will certainly release more! Can I ask when these people heard from them?

 

[BealMcAlly]

I just turn off my camera in the non-recorded elements of tests to avoid this. Some of these budget and stats questions, I am oddly changing seat position every minute checking my working out - I do not need them seeing that haha

Have you progressed past this stage before despite covering/turning off your camera? About to do my amberjack for Reed Smith and I really don't feel like being on camera today hahah

 

[jojo23]

I just turn off my camera in the non-recorded elements of tests to avoid this. Some of these budget and stats questions, I am oddly changing seat position every minute checking my working out - I do not need them seeing that haha

Any time a math question comes on screen they see me laughing (and maybe crying) for a good solid 5 mins before hail mary-ing an answer (I cant do maths).
As for the rest of the test.. if they actually watch it, they probably just see and hear me singing 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

[strollinthepark]

hello does anyone have any insights into bird & bird ac?

 

[WillKitchen]

Has anyone completed the Paul Hastings open day VI?

I've not seen a VI for an open day before, so it will be interesting to know what kind of specificity they're looking for at this stage. I honestly just want to visit the open day to say hello, meet staff and find out more about the kind of work they do, but perhaps they may want more research in evidence at this stage?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

PM me please if you have insight into Bird & Bird AC and DLA Piper AC

Thank you!

 

[cb6056]

Please could anyone with insights for Macfarlanes AC pm me - I'd be really grateful, thanks

 

[tcappps123]

If anyone has any insights for Goodwin VI (or for VI's in general) I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Harvey Specter]

My mind has gone completely blank. For AllHires apps, where it asks for us to enter work history in chronological order (most recent first), is this from the start date, end date or both? I’ve looked at my other apps but it lowkey looks like my entries have been mixed up lmfao. Does anyone have an idea of how work exp should be added?​

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

My mind has gone completely blank. For AllHires apps, where it asks for us to enter work history in chronological order (most recent first), is this from the start date, end date or both? I’ve looked at my other apps but it lowkey looks like my entries have been mixed up lmfao. Does anyone have an idea of how work exp should be added?​

@Harvey Specter it should be added in order of earliest to latest - so from when you first started.

 

[AS24]

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, did you include why commercial law in your cover letter?
Hello @Afraz Akhtar, I am applying to Perkins Coie, and their website states,"

• Cover letter including your response to the following questions:
  • What attracts you to the Legal Business Analyst program?
  • What is a recent story in the news that could have an impact on a Perkins Coie client, and what could that effect be?

Do you think I should include why commercial law? How should I structure my cover letter?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone heard from Dentons post assessment? I did the assessment at the beginning of Dec, I think some people on here were invited to VI. Anyone had a PFO?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, did you include why commercial law in your cover letter?
Hello @Afraz Akhtar, I am applying to Perkins Coie, and their website states,"

• Cover letter including your response to the following questions:
  • What attracts you to the Legal Business Analyst program?
  • What is a recent story in the news that could have an impact on a Perkins Coie client, and what could that effect be?

Do you think I should include why commercial law?

Hi @AS24 I haven’t applied there before, so others may be able to answer this more directly, however I would still encourage a paragraph on why commercial law.

I think their suggestions are just to ensure you at the very minimum cover those two topics, but the onus is still on you to cover the rest.

Remember, you are selling yourself, so motivation is a strong part of that. I’d therefore tie in why commercial law with the why LBA programme as one part of the cover letter.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Akin telephone Interview!!! What to expect guys did anyone do it?