TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[beanss]

How long does it take for HL to get back post AC?

 

[33st_]

Yes

I emailed them but I’m assuming they’ll just say I have to withdraw my application

Seems the only possible outcome. Guess they must want to get TCs agreed pre-merger-completion in May. Frustrating nonetheless!
Good luck for your upcoming scheme.

 

[Lord Sumption]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that corporate lawyers generally work in four main areas:

• Advisory/Regulatory – would trainees mainly be updating clients on legal developments, doing legal research, and drafting advice?
• Contentious – would a trainee’s work involve assisting with litigation, preparing witness statements, supporting court preparation, and conducting legal research to develop arguments?
• Transactional – would trainees primarily draft and negotiate contracts? Also, in M&A deals, do trainees ever get involved in negotiating the deal price, or is that mainly handled by investment bankers?

I’d love to know if this is an accurate view of what trainees do in each area, or if there are other key responsibilities I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance!

 

[walterwhite]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that corporate lawyers generally work in four main areas:

• Advisory/Regulatory – would trainees mainly be updating clients on legal developments, doing legal research, and drafting advice?
• Contentious – would a trainee’s work involve assisting with litigation, preparing witness statements, supporting court preparation, and conducting legal research to develop arguments?
• Transactional – would trainees primarily draft and negotiate contracts? Also, in M&A deals, do trainees ever get involved in negotiating the deal price, or is that mainly handled by investment bankers?

I’d love to know if this is an accurate view of what trainees do in each area, or if there are other key responsibilities I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance!

I have to get more sleep - I thought the actual Lord Sumption was on TCLA for a sec

 

[AryanAgg]

Now I just need to find a resource to practice WG tests.

 

[Lord Sumption]

I have to get more sleep - I thought the actual Lord Sumption was on TCLA for a sec

Hey it's me:

 

[SueD]

Seems the only possible outcome. Guess they must want to get TCs agreed pre-merger-completion in May. Frustrating nonetheless!
Good luck for your upcoming scheme.

It will be interesting to see. TW has Easter and summer schemes so how will those fit in with the merger?

 

[walterwhite]

Btw does anyone know of some good resources to practice WGs? planning on consecutive all-nighters!!

 

[Shiv Lawy]

In-person AC at Trowers today.. not sure how to feel after that!

What makes you say this?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Sidley, Travers and Covington are probs gna break Milbank’s current world record for longest wait for a post app PFO. These are the league tables for longest wait post app I’ve got currently:

1st place: Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (35 days) - CATCHING UP???
3rd place: Travers (31 days) - RUNNER UP???
4th place: Covington (28 days) - HURRY UP???

I’d include FF on this list but that would be unfair cos they’d smash it out the park (took 62 days for my stage 2 adjustments and currently at 36 days post stage 2 job sim and VI).

Does anyone have any league tables of their own of firms that are taking a long time? I saw a post saying Simmons was at 100 days??!! I really want to have a stint in grad rec or HR lmao.​

 

[AryanAgg]

Sidley, Travers and Covington are probs gna break Milbank’s current world record for longest wait for a post app PFO. These are the league tables for longest wait post app I’ve got currently:

1st place: Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (35 days) - RUNNER UP
3rd place: Travers (31 days) - CATCHING UP?
4th place: Covington (28 days) - HURRY UP?

I’d include FF on this list but that would be unfair cos they’d smash it out the park (took 62 days for my stage 2 adjustments and currently at 36 days post stage 2 job sim and VI).

Does anyone have any league tables of their own of firms that are taking a long time? I saw a post saying Simmons was at 100 days??!! I really want to have a stint in grad rec or HR lmao.​

Need a Harvey specter in HR for the truth to be revealed early so the candidate can close or flip the chapter of that firm asap.

 

[trainee4u]

Sidley, Travers and Covington are probs gna break Milbank’s current world record for longest wait for a post app PFO. These are the league tables for longest wait post app I’ve got currently:

1st place: Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (35 days) - CATCHING UP???
3rd place: Travers (31 days) - RUNNER UP???
4th place: Covington (28 days) - HURRY UP???

I’d include FF on this list but that would be unfair cos they’d smash it out the park (took 62 days for my stage 2 adjustments and currently at 36 days post stage 2 job sim and VI).

Does anyone have any league tables of their own of firms that are taking a long time? I saw a post saying Simmons was at 100 days??!! I really want to have a stint in grad rec or HR lmao.​

Slaughters (November app) says "hi".

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Sidley, Travers and Covington are probs gna break Milbank’s current world record for longest wait for a post app PFO. These are the league tables for longest wait post app I’ve got currently:

1st place: Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (35 days) - CATCHING UP???
3rd place: Travers (31 days) - RUNNER UP???
4th place: Covington (28 days) - HURRY UP???

I’d include FF on this list but that would be unfair cos they’d smash it out the park (took 62 days for my stage 2 adjustments and currently at 36 days post stage 2 job sim and VI).

Does anyone have any league tables of their own of firms that are taking a long time? I saw a post saying Simmons was at 100 days??!! I really want to have a stint in grad rec or HR lmao.​

Gibson Dunn, September 4th 2025

 

[AryanAgg]

Gibson Dunn, September 4th 2025

This is some logbook of shame tier of performance.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

This is some logbook of shame tier of performance.

@Novaa your services have been called for. Have we put Gibson in the logbook of shame??​

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Gibson Dunn, September 4th 2025

Maybe they forgot, they rejected me 3 days post APP in dec hahahaha

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Maybe they forgot, they rejected me 3 days post APP in dec hahahaha

maybe they lost your app, no joke

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

maybe they lost your app, no joke

Is this a thing? 😂
Maybe a follow up email would be wise given it has been 162 days since i sent the application…

 

[lividowl03]

I have an upcoming spring vacation scheme in London and as part of the onboarding the firm has said they don't want finances to be a barrier to attending. So one of the questions asks us if we need additional financial support beyond the £500 per week, and to provide details on this.

I will be coming from Scotland. I have only had a quick look but accommodation for two weeks too will be well over £1000 it seems, and trains for me will probably be a few hundred. Then of course living costs too and it all adds up to quite a sum. I am also from a working class background with no family support, and will be going unpaid at my job for these two weeks.

Does anybody have any advice on basically asking for as much money as possible but in a professional and polite way haha? I don't wanna seem like a beg 💀

p.s: anybody know of cheap accommodation in London in April?

 

[Novaa]

This is some logbook of shame tier of performance.

@Novaa your services have been called for. Have we put Gibson in the logbook of shame??​

They were added yesterday on a probational basis, but I fear their position has now been sealed into the 2025/2026 logbook of shame!

The people have spoken!