TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[174Tess9y3]

was not expecting this:


Dear trainee4u,

Thank you for your interest in joining Winston & Strawn. We are delighted that you are considering embarking on your training contract with us, and we appreciate the time and effort involved in the application process.

ok right right get to the PFO, come on get it over with.

keep reading

We would like to inform you that the 2026 graduate recruitment cycle will now involve a Spring Vacation Scheme, which will replace the Summer Vacation Scheme

ok yeah yeah whatever, PFO where!?


We are delighted to inform you of your successful progression to the next stage of our recruitment process. We invite you to complete the online Watson Glaser test. The testing window will run from the 13th to the 18th of February (closing at midnight).

Please find below some basic instructions for completing the test:
• The test is 30 minutes in duration and 40 questions in length.


Ok not a PFO!

And a proper licensed W-G, not one of those off-brand ones some firms get from Temu. (ok so this is the 30 minute version so not the 100% full fat All-American gun-toting yippie kay-ay 80-question one, but not bad.)

I just got the same email. Quite annoyed as I have already accepted an offer for a scheme on those exact dates

 

[ADhillon01]

Winston & Strawn WG

Think this was selective, applied deadline.

 

[nicoledm]

winston and strawn switched the summer scheme to a spring one ??

 

[msclm]

OMGGG Sidley partner interview (heard 4 days post TI)

Awesome! Feel free to reach out.

 

[trainee4u]

Was the Winston WG selective or automatic?

Not 100% sure, but last year I was PFOed with no WG.

 

[lawcool]

winston and strawn switched the summer scheme to a spring one ??

Little worried as this is when my exams are :/

 

[174Tess9y3]

winston and strawn switched the summer scheme to a spring one ??

Yes, according to their email

So annoying that they decided that so late in the application cycle

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

With so many firms undergoing mergers rn, how will that affect trainees, future trainees, and in particular, NQ retention and salaries?

 

[trainee4u]

Yes, according to their email

So annoying that they decided that so late in the application cycle

I wonder if it relates to the merger with TW?

 

[lawcool]

I also love how the WS email is just the firms name

 

[trainee4u]

I also love how the WS email is just the firms name

also no sender name, just the email address

 

[Hopeful applicant]

I'm a bit stuck on how to answer this question what 3 skills makes a good commercial trainee, how would this differ from what 3 skills makes a good trainee?

would not deep it - probably commercial awareness is just one of the skills you have to mention

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Pennington Manches Cooper AC (online) for Oxford office

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

The little floating hearts for Valentines Day are so cute!!

 

[Hopeful applicant]

With so many firms undergoing mergers rn, how will that affect trainees, future trainees, and in particular, NQ retention and salaries?

it depends but generally the salaries should move towards that of the bigger office (which in the UK is usually the UK firm's, lower salary). NQ retention can likely drop. To use A&O Sherman as an example: first retention post-merger: 66%, compared to the previous being between 77-92.5

Its important to note though that while the drop can be attributed to integration challenges/seat mismatches, another part of it can come from trainees, who fear uncertainty and/or feel like they did not get what they bargained for (usually those who trained at the smaller office)

https://www.thelawyer.com/live-trainee-retention-2026-ao-shearman-kicks-things-off/?failed-login=1

 

[Unknowncabbage]

With so many firms undergoing mergers rn, how will that affect trainees, future trainees, and in particular, NQ retention and salaries?

I don't see trainee intakes dropping to be honest. If anything, combining cash flows, profits etc means that firms will have more money. Obviously, with NQ positions, initially, it is likely to reduce as 1) there will be a lot of overlap + unnecessary amount in certain practice areas and 2) a lot of Associates and even Partners may simply choose to leave as they may not 1) like the merger in the first place 2) think they can get better opportunities elsewhere. In short, there are so many competing factors at play, and ultimately it is going to very firm specific and based on the market conditions at the time.

 

[AryanAgg]

Watson glaser invite for WS!

 

[uraijom]

has anyone heard anything from the freshfields london-asia programme?

 

[lucy_p]

Winston & Strawn WG
Any one know if it’s automatic?

 

[ADhillon01]

Winston & Strawn WG
Any one know if it’s automatic?

Think it was selective
the Spring dates are a bit intense for me though. Do we know what the next stage after WG is?