TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Raquelle's Legal Drama]

Hi guys, I'm a penultimate yr non-law international student. I applied to 4 vac schemes and got a PFO from 3 and a rejection post-AC from 1 this year. I want to secure work experience for the summer to build my CV before applying to vac schemes next year, and was thinking of applying to consulting/finance/macro analysis summer internships bc i feel extremely lost and hopeless tbh. What do you think? I honestly feel like law is so competitive and want to increase my chances for next year

I would say go for it if you believe you can manage it/have a realistic chance at those diff internships - but keep in mind that if you're applying to law again next year this might be something the interviewers will question you about.

If experience is all you're looking for, there are actually still some vacation schemes open at the moment - they're not massive firm names, but they're commercial law vac scheme experiences nonetheless! You can find them on legal cheek's deadline tracker. Best of luck, I feel very much the same as you, I've very much given up however haha, I admire your strength to continue!~

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith hey I have an upcoming vs at a contentious firm, do you have any tips to prepare, thank you in advance

Hey!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!!

To prepare, I would focus on a few different things:

1. Understand their disputes work: make sure that you know their main practice areas (e.g. commercial litigation, arbitration, etc.) and the types of clients that they act for (or sectors, if relevant). Have a think about why disputes arise from a commercial perspective.

2. Commercial awareness: I would focus your commercial awareness preparation on considering current issues that could lead to litigation and how they impact clients. This might be regulatory changes, ESG, sanctions, etc.

3. Assessments: whilst I'm not sure how you would be assessed, for any case study or written task, make sure that you are clear, logical, and concise. Focusing on identifying the key issues and risks, and give recommendations and practical next steps that are beneficial from a client perspective. If you have to participate in a group task, show that you can argue a point calmly and respectfully, while also listening to others - emotions can run high, but it's important to try to not get 'lost' in the exercise!

I hope that helps - best of luck for the VS!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I’m looking for your advice. I had an interview for a TC today! They asked me about my current job, where I stated that I manage my own casework load of clients! Then they proceeded to ask: how can you be sure then you’ll be able to work within a team?

I said: even tho I have my own clients at work, the day to day job requires teamwork and collaboration with colleagues everyday. For example, last week a colleague was sick and I had to jump in to take her case . In order to work on her case I had to work with two different colleagues. By teamworking we got it submitted on time- collaborated effectively, asked questions etc. also, I was a sales assistant for years which required constant teamwork/ teamwork to boost sales targets. Also, i don’t just think of teamwork in work situations. I teamwork in my day to day life around my hobbies, teamwork is central to my hobbies. For example I participate in hyrox and I do that with a teammate. And I also do mooting competitions where teamwork is essential ( and I gave STAR example of teamwork moot)

Anything you would change? Thank you so much.

Hey!

First of all, congratulations on completing the TC interview!!

I would say that your answer sounds strong! You directly addressed their concern and gave a clear workplace example, which is exactly what they are looking for.

If I was to be super nitpicky (and these are more stylistic than substance-based), you could potentially refine it slightly by:

• Lead with reassurance: you could perhaps start with something like "although I manage my own caseload, none of my work is done in isolation...". This just helps clearly address their concerns at the beginning (but you have done so throughout the question, so this is a very minor point).
• Focus on 1-2 strong examples: your use of examples is good, and the colleague sickness example is particularly persuasive! If you are short on time, you could probably cut down on the number of additional examples and focus on the stronger ones.

Overall though, this is definitely not a weak answer as you showed collaboration, adaptability, and shared responsibility - all vital for effective teamwork!

Try not to overthink it if you can - I'm sure it went better than you think!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Reed Smith Spring VS offer!! Genuinely shocked. Thought I absolutely messed that one up and my WiFi disconnected three times during the interview... my face was bright red on camera for a solid 45 minutes. PM me if you've also received an offer— would be great to virtually meet people before the VS!!

Huge congratulations, that's amazing news!! I hope you take some time to celebrate

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, I am currently preparing my applicaiton ot Bevan Brittan and I am unsure how to approach this question : "The legal industry is constantly evolving, shaped by changes in technology, regulation, client needs and global events. Can you tell us about a recent development that you think will have an impact on the future of legal practice? How might this effect the way law firms work or the services they offer to clients? "

Is this a trend affecting the firm as a whole or could it affect a practice specifically.
@Abbie Whitlock do you have any advice ?

Hello!

I would say that you can approach this question either way - it doesn't necessarily have to be a firm-wide trend. You could:

• Discuss a macro trend that affects the whole profession (e.g. AI, ESG, increased regulation, etc.), or
• Focus on a development that affects a specific practice area - especially if it is relevant to Bevan Brittan's strengths

What generally matters more than the scope is that you:

1. Clearly explain the development (just briefly to give some context - what is changing and why it matters)
2. Link it to clients (how does this create risks and / or opportunities?)
3. Explain how firms will need to adapt (e.g. by investing in new expertise, different fee models, more tech integration, etc.)

As Bevan Brittan has a strong public sector focus, you might want to write about something that is affecting government bodies, healthcare providers or infrastructure clients. However, the more general ideas that affect the legal market as a whole will also work well if you can clearly show the last two points!

I hope that assists!

 

[whywhy88]

Any news from Sidley for summer? The fact the next stage post-app is a telephone interview is lowkey stressful

 

[Maria56]

Still waiting on HL, Mischon, and Clyde..

 

[Bbhu19]

Hey!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!!

To prepare, I would focus on a few different things:

1. Understand their disputes work: make sure that you know their main practice areas (e.g. commercial litigation, arbitration, etc.) and the types of clients that they act for (or sectors, if relevant). Have a think about why disputes arise from a commercial perspective.

2. Commercial awareness: I would focus your commercial awareness preparation on considering current issues that could lead to litigation and how they impact clients. This might be regulatory changes, ESG, sanctions, etc.

3. Assessments: whilst I'm not sure how you would be assessed, for any case study or written task, make sure that you are clear, logical, and concise. Focusing on identifying the key issues and risks, and give recommendations and practical next steps that are beneficial from a client perspective. If you have to participate in a group task, show that you can argue a point calmly and respectfully, while also listening to others - emotions can run high, but it's important to try to not get 'lost' in the exercise!

I hope that helps - best of luck for the VS!!

Thank you

 

[sbbusybee]

does anyone know if paul weiss started sending out summer vac scheme acs yet?

@fTS3002 I note you gave this a thumbs up. Apologies for prying but have you received an AC invite?

 

[summersun]

Hello!

I would say that you can approach this question either way - it doesn't necessarily have to be a firm-wide trend. You could:

• Discuss a macro trend that affects the whole profession (e.g. AI, ESG, increased regulation, etc.), or
• Focus on a development that affects a specific practice area - especially if it is relevant to Bevan Brittan's strengths

What generally matters more than the scope is that you:

1. Clearly explain the development (just briefly to give some context - what is changing and why it matters)
2. Link it to clients (how does this create risks and / or opportunities?)
3. Explain how firms will need to adapt (e.g. by investing in new expertise, different fee models, more tech integration, etc.)

As Bevan Brittan has a strong public sector focus, you might want to write about something that is affecting government bodies, healthcare providers or infrastructure clients. However, the more general ideas that affect the legal market as a whole will also work well if you can clearly show the last two points!

I hope that assists!

Thank you very much !!!

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Hi guys, I'm a penultimate yr non-law international student. I applied to 4 vac schemes and got a PFO from 3 and a rejection post-AC from 1 this year. I want to secure work experience for the summer to build my CV before applying to vac schemes next year, and was thinking of applying to consulting/finance/macro analysis summer internships bc i feel extremely lost and hopeless tbh. What do you think? I honestly feel like law is so competitive and want to increase my chances for next year

Not to be debbie downer but all those other career paths you listed are also super competitive..even more so than law because people generally don't need to convert/qualify to apply so it's the first port of call for lost students.

It's genuinely worth getting any experience you can get in an office job and figuring out what you're good at before you go down those super competitive routes, often filled with Nepos and people who have wanted to do finance and nothing else since 16.

There are many ways you can build law related experience in the coming years you're only penultimate year. But applying for too broad a range of competitive fields risks burnout and demotivation which is what you don't want. Good luck

 

[CD20]

Hello!

This is a great question - aside from AI, I think some of the biggest challenges that you could do some further research on are:

• Talent Retention: there are changing expectations around work-life balance and flexibility, and firms need to adapt their recruiting processes to keep the top junior lawyers
• Client cost pressure: clients are price-sensitive and are increasingly looking for efficiency and alternative fee arrangements instead of the traditional hourly fee model
• Increased competition: particularly from US firms and alternative legal service providers. You could talk about the recent mergers that have happened in the legal industry, as this relates to this point!

I hope that provides you with a couple starting points to have a think about

Hi @Abbie Whitlock off the back of this, I wonder if you could also share what you think are the biggest challenges facing trainees specifically other than AI? I read that this can be a typical interview question. I’m thinking maybe work/life balance can be a big issue for trainees starting out in the profession but this isn’t really a topical challenge. I would say it’s always been a challenge.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thank you

 

[CD20]

got a holding email for browne jacobson

Hi, do you mind briefly saying what the email said? Didn’t get this! Thank you

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Is there a video element on the Marriot Harrison assessment please? Or was it just the usual tests?

Just the usual - their practise assessment is a good guide

 

[nicoledm]

Hi, do you mind briefly saying what the email said? Didn’t get this! Thank you

is holding email confirmation they received your app? or something else

Sorry guys it was Brown Rudnick not browne jacobson haha my bad!

 

[Mikeross750]

guys I got an AC coming up with Milbank and I know nish about finance am I cooked

 

[fTS3002]

@fTS3002 I note you gave this a thumbs up. Apologies for prying but have you received an AC invite?

Hey, no. I saw a message on the TCLA WhatsApp gc that someone received an invite on the 12th

 

[applicant457]

Anyone have tips for the HSF AC?

 

[Erin Brockovich]

Just wondering if anyone doing the Farrer AC has received a Zoom link yet or an answer to their confirmation of attendance?