TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[xMontmorency]

I have an AC coming up with bird and bird and was wondering if anybody has a recommendations for commercial awareness podcasts/podcasts that would help me keep on top of it? Currently battling my diss and don’t have the time to get really deep into reading articles but listening to a podcast would help, I’ve just no idea what to pick! I tried the FT news briefing but couldn’t understand what half of it meant or how it could apply to law! Any advice would be appreciated

Search up a law firm on spotify. They all have podcasts. Scroll their recent releases until you find one either on an area of law that interests you, you understand based on the title, or which fits the specialisms of the firm you're interviewing at.

For instance, Bird & Bird have some recent podcasts on energy market regulation, safeguarding in sports and AI.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Ooooof, finally it’s Monday tomorrow and we are all going for start hearing back from firms (i am very anxious and very relieved)

 

[gmmd1012]

That is actually really reassuring, I do not like VIs at all! If you don't mind me asking, are there any commercial questions? I am prepping those just in case. Thanks in advance!

hi, did you ever get a response to this? I am wondering whether to properly and in depth prepare commercial awareness responses too!

 

[radssss]

hi, did you ever get a response to this? I am wondering whether to properly and in depth prepare commercial awareness responses too!

Yes me too! I’ve prepared one topic and its relevance to the firm anyways but it’ll be beneficial to know if I should focus on this a bit more! Thank you

 

[EfficientBag123]

What’s a DA if u don’t mind me asking

Degree apprenticeship!

 

[johnsmith]

I have an AC coming up with bird and bird and was wondering if anybody has a recommendations for commercial awareness podcasts/podcasts that would help me keep on top of it? Currently battling my diss and don’t have the time to get really deep into reading articles but listening to a podcast would help, I’ve just no idea what to pick! I tried the FT news briefing but couldn’t understand what half of it meant or how it could apply to law! Any advice would be appreciated

All you need to know about the city is a great book for understanding terminology and how things like interest and bonds work in a practical sense - highly recommend it even if some of it will be a little outdated

 

[TCGrad1642]

Just submitted Akin! Does anyone know if the online test will be automatic or after grad rec review?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

anyone got any insights into travers as a firm? Finding it hard to compile a definitive research profile for the firm, a lot harder than it has been for other sc and mc firms

@Ferran_ I also struggled with this initially, I think on face value (at least from resources that are available to the public) it is often very difficult to differentiate some firms from others. Like sure, they have a particular expertise in PE but which top firm doesn’t?

In instances like this, I began looking into what made their “common” attributes different. So, this went beyond looking at their top practice area, and instead researching into deals they’ve worked on, or clients they’ve worked with within that department - to see if there was a pattern e.g. specific sector knowledge/reputation, a focus on certain elements of a PE deal such as exit strategies etc. In doing this I managed to identify a sector within PE that was a key focus for many during Covid but lacked investor confidence, and detailed how TS were able to navigate the potential shortfalls to implement innovative exit strategies to ensure the fund was not only successful, but surpassed expectations.

You can realistically achieve this with most practice areas across many firms if you allow yourself to go beyond what Chambers & Partners classifies as “Top Tier”.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Just submitted Akin! Does anyone know if the online test will be automatic or after grad rec review?

They said at their open day that it’s not automatic so they’ll review your app first then send it if your app was successful.​

 

[anjali20]

Does anyone have any insights on how to prepare for Jones Day first stage interview?

 

[llblawstudent]

Does anyone have any insights on how to prepare for Jones Day first stage interview?

Was this for spring/summer? When’d you apply/hear back btw?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hi everyone,

Currently working on the PMC application and was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to approach this question:

PMC has offices in several locations. How do you think our office locations support our work and client relationship and how could this be improved? Consider a new office opening or practice area expansion/addition. (250 words)

I’m considering focusing on one of PMC's strong sectors (like Shipping) and their London and other global offices, then suggesting a new office in an emerging market. I don’t think I would have enough words to cover multiple sectors and all regional offices as well.

Does anyone have advice on how to make the explanation of how existing offices support client relationships more specific and concrete? I’m worried that simply mentioning local market knowledge or real-time support might be too general?

Many thanks!

Rory.

Hey @rjh2001 it’s a good start to focus on their strong sectors and suggest a new office in an emerging market – to be honest, it’s probably how I would approach the answer too, and I agree it is best to focus on one sector/office location here. As for the explanation as to how their office locations support their work and client relationships, you’re right that the reasons you provided are general but they are true and most likely the key reasons many firms actually do this to begin with (other than tax efficiency).

However, even with general points I think you can still shape your answer to become more specific to PMC, I would focus on where it is their office locations are – Piraeus and Antibes are very specific cities, that other firms who have a shipping focus may not have a presence in. What is it about these locations that made it a prime spot for PMC? Leverage that sort of analysis to think about how this is benefitting their workstreams and client relations.

 

[flamingocelot]

How many applications have people aimed for in total for this cycle? Worried i'm not doing enough!!

 

[Harvey Specter]

How many applications have people aimed for in total for this cycle? Worried i'm not doing enough!!

I’ve sent around 20 apps so far and have around 6-7 more that I’d like to send by Jan 31st. These are all mostly for VS except for a few DTCs.​

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone know if Watson Farley Williams mind WFW in applications just to save word count? If so, is it 'WFWs' or 'WFW'?

 

[radssss]

Anyone know if Watson Farley Williams mind WFW in applications just to save word count? If so, is it 'WFWs' or 'WFW'?

They do not mind and it’s WFW!

 

[radssss]

How many applications have people aimed for in total for this cycle? Worried i'm not doing enough!!

Don’t worry! It really depends on what works for you. I know people who only do up to 10 apps in total, fully focus on its quality and get a tc and then there are people who do 20-25 to have more options or to be safe. I also know someone in my university who did 52 apps and got 1 tc offer in the end. I’m planning to atleast do 35-40 apps (keeping in mind quality is great for my top choice firms but also sending quick apps for few firms on deadline days or 2 days before deadline day because I have nothing to lose) this cycle as I’m trying to figure out what works best for me.

 

[RowdtoTC2026]

Hello,

Progressed to DLA's TI, any insights or tips would be appreciated

 

[anjali20]

Was this for spring/summer? When’d you apply/hear back btw?

Summer and I applied + heard back in November!

 

[Morris123]

Anyone have any advice for the Hill Dickinson VI/ Amberjack assessment?