• 📅 Vacation Scheme Applications 2025–26

    Planning to apply for winter, spring or summer vacation schemes? Join our dedicated threads for support, deadlines, and discussion:

    Let’s make this your strongest application season yet 💼

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  1. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @BonanzaBih_! So beyond the usual general google browse, firm websites and firm LinkedIn pages, Chambers (UK, US, and Global) and Legal 500 research, I mainly used legal press resources. Essentially, I would go through each available legal press resource and type in the name of the relevant...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @AS24! Just to add to @Ram Sabaratnam's great response, I've copied bellow an answer I gave to a similar question asked by another user. For context, he asked more broadly about how he can individuate a firm's practice areas beyond just ascertaining whether they are reputable or not (using...
  3. Andrei Radu

    words of encouragement needed

    Hi @needatccccc! First, thank you for sharing your story - I have faced many rejections too, but I cannot imagine how frustrating it has to be to get as close to the finish line like you have. In this circumstance it's completely normal to feel disheartened and hopeless. However, as cliche as it...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @LawLawLawLawLaw! The short answer is that you should still apply mostly for vacation schemes. This is is what I advised even candidates who had more than one prior VS at large firms and/or many other legal work experiences. The reason is that the vast majority of firms either (i) recruit...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    @Jessica Booker will be able to tell you more about this, but I would definitely not worry about your grades situation. Showing consistent improvement is definitely valued and first year grades tend to be taken into account the least. Besides a very few number of firms which are well-known to...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @ellabasing! I would advise you not to keep them the same. Although getting an open day at Latham definitely involves one of the most competitive open day application processes, it is still significantly less competitive than getting on a vacation scheme. As such, recruiters generally hold...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @James Wakefield! I've taken a look and found a statement from HL explicitly stipulating that "Please note there are no restrictions on applying for the HL Lift Off programme alongside a Vacation Scheme. However, you cannot apply for two vacation schemes or a vacation scheme and training...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @member7830! I do not think there is any general policy for this situation, so whether you will be able to switch to another open day date will probably depend on each firm's/head recruiter's individual attitude. When in the same situation with an HSF open day, I decided to be flexible with...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @lawadvice_23, I think you should not worry to much. As @fingersarecrossed said, the fact that you went to Oxbridge and got an overall 2.1 means most firms will not care too much about some of your lower individual module grades. Maybe just keep an eye out for the few firms that are known to...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would just say advised on the 'dispute' between X and Y or on the 'settlement' of X and Y. I don't think this would qualify as a case if there were no court proceedings involved and the term 'deal' is closely associated with transactional mandates.
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I agree with @Jessica Booker's advice. The only situation when I would consider addressing the why commercial law element is if the question is formulated more broadly like 'Why do you want to be commercial solicitor at our firm?' and there is no independent 'Why law' section in the application...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @KBanana, I also agree with @Jessica Booker's advice that you should take the call. Even if you can't negotiate any flexibility around being available for the next 12 months, you will still be able to take leave for at lest 21 days, which should be enough to complete 1/2 vacation schemes at...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I don't think there's much you can infer from it unfortunately. They might have different timelines and processes for reviewing open days and VS applications and thus have not reviewed it yet. They also could have reviewed it and reached an outcome, but not have communicated it yet - sometimes...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    So as @Jessica Booker suggested, you can try doing the summer scheme as your employer might be fine with you taking leave at that point. If for some reason you do not think this will be possible, I would try to get the firm's graduate recruitment team and explain the situation. They may be able...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I don't think this will be an issue either as emails are normally what the systems use to link results to applications. That said, if you are worried about it, I think it's a good idea to contact the graduate recruitment team and just let them know of the issue. I can also attest that they have...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I agree with @Jessica Booker's response here. I'll also add that although the term 'technologies' is ambiguous, because of its association with "AI", I would assume it does not refer to everything and anything digital. Rather, I think it's likely it is referring to some of the newer developed...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    No, I don't think you necessarily have to find a challenge as well, since the question is phrased as "opportunities or challenges". However, if you want to to mention a challenge or two as well for the sake of symmetry of analysis, maybe you can consider the issue of market competition. On any...
  18. Andrei Radu

    How to write about retail experience on vac scheme application

    Hey @LH06, I think the structure you should employ is the usual STAR: Situation: Explain in one or two sentences what was the context in which you started this job. You can consider discussing any steps in an application process, the reasons which prompted you to apply for the role, how that...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    So while M&A and PE are big teams within the firm, White & Case is not particularly known for this, especially when compared to rivals like Latham and Kirkland. I think the biggest team teams of the firm which are also considered to be among the market leaders in their field in the City are for...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would try to find something more recent if possible - besides the firm's website, you might search for deals in the general legal press (particularly The Lawyer and Law.com may be useful) and on the firm's LinkedIn page. However, if you do not find a deal which is similarly unique/interests...

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