TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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.​

I’m very pleased to announce that after waiting an incredible 30 days, I’ve finally received the long-awaited PFO from Covington at 11:32am today.

Unfortunately this means Covington has failed to make it past 4th place on the league tables. I wish them the best of luck in the next cycle.

Anyway as it stands now this is the league table:

1st place - Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place - Freshfields (38 days) - CAUGHT UP
3rd place - Sidley (37 days) - RUNNER UP??!!
4th place - Travers (33 days) - HURRY UP??!!

I saw that the ultimate record holders on the forum are Gibson (165 days), Simmons (100-120 days) and Slaughters (80-90 days)…​

 

[privateequitywarrior]

Does anyone have any insights into SPB VI- London office? Happy to trade for info on other firms, I have HSF (AC +VS), White & Case (AC + VS), Weil (AC), Slaughters (AC), WFW (AC) and many other VIs
I did HSF and White & Case last year, for reference

 

[ACHat8r]

imagine my shock being at the gym scrolling through tiktok after my set and see a Covington PFO. I was having a lovely and productive Sunday morning. Who emails people on a Sunday

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock During an article exercise, whilst reading the extract, what questions are they likely to ask and what should we note down whilst reading through it

Hey!

In this sort of exercise, it is likely that they are testing how you think rather than your memory. Therefore, while reading, I would focus on structure and commercial impact rather than trying to memorise every detail.

Questions that they could potentially ask includes:

• Can you summarise the article in 1-2 minutes?
• What is the key commercial issue?
• Who are the main stakeholders and how are they affected?
• What risks and opportunities arise?
• How might this impact a law firm and its clients?
• What would you advise a client to consider and prioritise?
• Do you agree with the decision or trend outlined?
• What further information would you want to make X decision?

Therefore, when reading through it, I would make notes on:

• The core issue (i.e. what is actually happening)
• The parties involved
• The commercial driver (i.e. why is this happening - what changes in the market have caused this)
• The legal angle (i.e. regulatory changes, litigation risks, compliance, etc.)
• The wider impact (i.e. short term vs long term consequences)
• Any uncertainties or missing information that you can ask about in order to make a decision.

I would make sure to keep your answer logical and structured - they will want you to show commercial awareness and prioritisation, rather than technical expertise.

I hope that assists as a starting point!

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Is it true winter vac scheme are slightly easier to obtain then spring/summer? Or is that a myth lol

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

• 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?
• It is important for lawyers to understand a client's business and industry in which they operate. What do you do to stay commercially aware, and can you provide an example of how you have developed / demonstrated this in a real-world setting?

Any advice on how to approach either of these questions? Struggling to think of a recent development that's not generic and unsure on how to go about the second.

Hello!

I would say that for the first question, they're not looking for you to identify the "perfect" trend - instead, they want you to show commercial thinking in a structured way. I would avoid something that might be viewed as generic, such as "technology is changing the law", unless you can narrow it down slightly.

You could approach it as:

• Pick one specific, recent development at is affecting the future of legal practice (e.g. increased ESG disclosure requirements, integration of generative AI tools into professional services, etc.)
• Briefly explain what is happening and why it is happening now
• Discuss and analyse the impact on clients (e.g. cost pressure, regulatory risk, reputational concerns, etc.)
• Then, explain how this changes: how law firms operate, the skills that lawyers need, and the types of services that firms can expand into.

For the second question, they're testing that you understand how a business operates, rather than whether you read the news. I would structure it as:

• Briefly explain how you stay commercially aware (this could be FT, podcasts, firm insights, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Show how you read these sources - do you ask yourself about the opportunities and risks, and do you think about the regulatory / financial / reputational implications?
• Lastly, give one clear example of where you have applied this in practice (e.g. an interview, during work experience, within an extra-curricular activity, etc.)

They are looking for evidence that you don't just consume information from these sources, but that you can interpret and analyse it through a commercial lens.

I hope that assists!

 

[user55998384]

not sure if i am being rlly stupid but cant find Kingsley Napley's values - anyone have any guidance on this @Abbie Whitlock would be super greatful for any opinions

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any advice please on how to prepare for partner case study interviews using SWOT and PESTLE when answering questions? I feel like they're the most difficult interviews to prep for as they're so dependent on the case itself

Hey!

This is completely normal - they are definitely harder to predict, so it can be difficult to prepare for them! The key is remembering that they are not testing whether you "get it right", but whether you can analyse the case study in a structured and commercial way.

I wouldn't explicitly use the SWOT/PESTLE framework when answering, but instead use them as mental checklists to ensure that you cover everything.

WIth SWOT, it might help to quickly think:

• What are the client's key strengths and weaknesses?
• Where is the main opportunity in the scenario?
• What is the biggest threat (e.g. regulatory, financial, reputational)?

Then, I would focus on 2-3 of the most material points and prioritise - sometimes it doesn't make sense to list absolutely everything.

With PESTLE, I would use it to ensure that you haven't missed a big external factor (e.g. economic pressure, regulatory change, tech disruption). You won't necessarily need every category if it is not relevant. I'd say that the partners are looking to see the following:

• Can you identify the core commercial issue(s)?
• Can you prioritise risks?
• Can you give balanced advice?
• Do you understand how a lawyer adds value in a transaction?

You might not be able to give a definitive answer if there are areas that you would need further information, but it always helps to make a decisive answer where you can - even if you added a caveat of "...but this would depend on further information on X".

I hope that assists!

 

[trainee4u]

I agree that the common use of AI is sloppy but in my opinion if your able to use AI as a tool just like you would use Google or grammarly rather than use it to offload your thinking, it’s much more efficient then using your brain on its own, leading to some people being able to apply to 12 firms pass 9 first stage and get 4AC whilst some apply to 5 and get 4 pfo post app (hypothetically)

Definitely if you understand it very well, you can use it to generate more quality applications in less time.

However, my feeling is that the amount of very obvious (to me) slop you see on places like LinkedIn suggests that the average person doesn't use it well at all. I have done a lot of applications this year and last, and while AI has got much better since last year, it took me a while to realise that a lot of the stuff it was creating was formulaic and likely to be blindingly obvious to a person reviewing 2000 applications to a firm.

Some of the ways it works well is basic spag (without tone changes), asking it to check facts, perform research and provide sources and ideas, but on the whole the majority of people are going to use it to create slop.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

not sure if i am being rlly stupid but cant find Kingsley Napley's values - anyone have any guidance on this @Abbie Whitlock would be super greatful for any opinions

Hi!

From what I can see on their website, it looks like their values are:

• Teamwork & Respect
• Integrity & Fairness
• Understanding
• Commitment

I hope that helps!

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Definitely if you understand it very well, you can use it to generate more quality applications in less time.

However, my feeling is that the amount of very obvious (to me) slop you see on places like LinkedIn suggests that the average person doesn't use it well at all. I have done a lot of applications this year and last, and while AI has got much better since last year, it took me a while to realise that a lot of the stuff it was creating was formulaic and likely to be blindingly obvious to a person reviewing 2000 applications to a firm.

Some of the ways it works well is basic spag (without tone changes), asking it to check facts, perform research and provide sources and ideas, but on the whole the majority of people are going to use it to create slop.

Honestly, you’d think it would produce a very strong application answer, then when you realise how it works and what it produces, you can spot when it’s been used a mile off.

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Another question because I’m not sure how to post. So I’m a premium member does anyone have any insight how to find stuff about a client expanding his business in a different jurisdiction? So not M&A, just business expansion- like legal, commercial risk. Should this be in the premium forum about commercial awareness? Thanks

 

[user55998384]

Hi!

From what I can see on their website, it looks like their values are:

• Teamwork & Respect
• Integrity & Fairness
• Understanding
• Commitment

I hope that helps!

ah thank you so much idk how i missed that!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi - specific question here:
"
Please provide details of any additional posts of responsibility that have not been caputured in your Work Experience information (e.g. at school, university, or elsewhere) and your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests:"

I read this two ways: one which asked me to provide main extra-curricular activities, and one which didn't. The form didn't have space to add extra-curricular activities. I find the punctuation quite ambiguous - it could be asking to provide posts of responsibility that have not been captured in (work experience and extra-curriciulars), or posts of responsibility that have not been captured in work experience in addition to main extra-curricular activities.

(Bevan Brittan)


Unrelated but this was funny af when the sight for LP didn't load:
View attachment 8005

Hey!

I can see why the wording feels awkward I would personally approach it as the second interpretation, and the structure suggests they're asking for:

• Positions of responsibility not already included in your work experience section (e.g. committee roles, mentoring, etc.), and
• Your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests.

Therefore, even if you didn't hold a formal "position" in an activity, you can still briefly mention it as part of the extra-curricular/leisure element

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For AC’s, group presentation- does it matter if you are 4 people in a group, whether you speak first, or second or last? For example, how can I make sure that I will be able to speak the second? I don’t wanna be last.. cause it looks bad doesn’t it? Does anyone have any insight on this?

Hey!

I don't think it matters whether you speak first, second or last - the assessors will be looking at:

• The quality of your contributions
• The overall clarity and structure
• Your commercial reasoning
• How you work in a team (e.g. whether you listen, build on others, and manage time well)

Speaking last doesn't look bad. In fact, if you summarise well and respond to earlier points to bring together the answer in a logical way, it can look very strong!

Trying to "secure" second place could actually backfire if it looks forced or overly strategic - you might be viewed as not working well in a team if you are overly stubborn on a specific slot. A more natural way to approach it is:

• Suggest early on: "Shall we quickly decide who covers which section?"
• Volunteer for a section that you feel confident in
• If no one coordinates, stepping up to structure the order for your team can show leadership

Remember that they are assessing how you operate in a team - therefore, a calm and thoughtful contribution at the end is far better than a rushed or generic one in the middle

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Another question because I’m not sure how to post. So I’m a premium member does anyone have any insight how to find stuff about a client expanding his business in a different jurisdiction? So not M&A, just business expansion- like legal, commercial risk. Should this be in the premium forum about commercial awareness? Thanks

Hi!

Apologies if I am misunderstanding your question, but you can find recent commercial news stories in TCLA Academy as a Premium member - if you click on the 'Revise' section, you can filter based on date, firm or topic. I hope that assists!

 

[PrayingforaTC2026]

Is it true winter vac scheme are slightly easier to obtain then spring/summer? Or is that a myth lol

I don't think so! I've heard a few grad rec members saying that Winter tend to receive less applications just because it often falls during term time so 1) international students can't apply, and 2) many students choose not to regardless because it's probably a bit too much with uni/you'd have to miss a lot of work. That said, the quality of applications received for winter VSs tends to be higher because its usually graduates and/or career changers that apply who often come with more experience, degrees already completed, and just usually more time/knowledge on how to navigate the application process.

 

[Novaa]

Hi!

Apologies if I am misunderstanding your question, but you can find recent commercial news stories in TCLA Academy as a Premium member - if you click on the 'Revise' section, you can filter based on date, firm or topic. I hope that assists!

Omg I did not know this existed?? Ohh let me bookmark this!!

Thank you Abbie!

 

[nonliquetagain]

I don't think so! I've heard a few grad rec members saying that Winter tend to receive less applications just because it often falls during term time so 1) international students can't apply, and 2) many students choose not to regardless because it's probably a bit too much with uni/you'd have to miss a lot of work. That said, the quality of applications received for winter VSs tends to be higher because its usually graduates and/or career changers that apply who often come with more experience, degrees already completed, and just usually more time/knowledge on how to navigate the application process.

Agreed - also think that the only unis that don't have class during winter vac scheme timings are oxbridge, so those intl students are the only intl students that apply which doesn't really help with competitiveness haha

 

[username10341034]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock i have a video interview to complete and I’m not very strong at these. There is only one question. Please could you help with some tips on how to prepare for it? Thank you!