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Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
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Register on Zoom →How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
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Register on Zoom →How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
Search results
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
A lot of people from minorities don't want to be wheeled out more to be honest. They tend to get proportionately overused in the first place, not just by Grad Rec but by the firm more generally. That doesn't just apply to Grad Rec, but trainees/associates/partners too - I have lost count of how...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,209
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Well with a compliment like that, that's made my Valentines day (beats the card my Mum sent me anyway).... 🤣 I know we are considering getting more firms involved with TCLA. I think it is just a tricky thing for law firm's GR teams to commit to. It's not necessarily just down to time...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,206
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Had plenty of non-white colleagues/contacts in my time and know of enough at the moment that would suggest a fairly healthy representation. Plus I think a bit like gender, people possibly wrongly assume people's race on some occasions.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,200
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Very curious to know what a stereotypical GR look is....- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,196
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Of course, please do. Given this is something outside of the norm, happy to correspond via PM on this occasion.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,195
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Do you mean more people like Paul or Gemma, or people like me who are no longer tied to firms?- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,194
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
There are a few out there and I know of at least two non-binary Grad Recruiters in law too. HR careers tend to be more female dominated though. Men tend to be more on the supplier side of Early Careers (e.g. people like Jaysen!).- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,182
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
If you email them to ask, they are only going to come back and say no it won't impact your chances, even if it was to impact (which I don't think it will). Remember a lot of the preparation needed for an AC is already done, You researched the firm when you applied, you have been building your...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,175
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Most likely, no. At best you might get some time off in lieu when you work particularly long hours/weekends though (at the discretion of your team leader). The pay is in part to reflect your hours. If you are entitled to a bonus, your bonus may also partly reflect the hours you have worked too...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,172
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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GDL Needed?
It technically is the case now that you don't need to do the GDL to qualify as a solicitor in the UK if you don't have an English qualifying law degree. However, many firms are still asking prospective trainees who haven't studied English law to do the GDL as a prep course for the SQE.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #7
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I haven't been one but recruited for HM Treasury for these roles so might be able to provide some insight.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,165
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Assessment centres - weekdays or weekends?
Highly unlikely to be at the weekend as they would struggle to find lawyers/HR staff to work outside of their contracted hours. Increasingly law firms are running their assessment centres or interviews virtually though, and even with lockdown ending, many firms can see the benefits of offering...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #2
- Forum: Interviews Discussion
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3 vacancies at 3 different offices - same firm - can I apply to all 3?
There might be some basic competency questions asking you to talk about times you have developed a particular skill set too. With the why firm, try to break down what is important to you in your career or at this early stage what you are inquisitive to learn more about and how the firm can...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #8
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I have heard so many firms’ names pronounced incorrectly, even firms you think would be easier to say. It is something that can easily be corrected, so it won’t be a deal breaker necessarily.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,153
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Should I reach out to interviewers after a successful AC, and how should I decide whether to go for Spring or Summer??
First of all, a massive congratulations on securing a VS with a US firm. 1) if you are going to reach out to them, I’d contact all of them - it would be slightly odd to leave people out. It isn’t necessary to contact them though, and I only recommend it really if you are given their email...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #2
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
You could ask them if they offer alternative dates too, but it’s most likely they will clash at some point over the summer with the other schemes. There are only so many weeks over the summer and firms only tend to start their schemes late June and end them mid August, typically because so many...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,142
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
This happens all the time with law firms. They are having this conversation with people every cycle, so the firm will be very used to having this conversation. Explain you have multiple schemes and that you are seeing whether firms can offer alternative dates. Firms are used to people having...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,139
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
As this is the only way we have to search the forums for content too, if there is nothing on there, we won't be able to find it either. The only content I can see that is not on the forums that we have is this information from 2018 but I am pretty sure this is replicated on the Pinsent Mason's...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,110
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Hi @GXA123 - if you are looking for specific threads/content, my advice is to use the search function on the forums and then use the "search title only function" option to find relevant threads- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,108
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Just a reminder, we are looking for for some responses to the starred threads. I’d encourage you to post your thoughts, especially to the music royalties thread - your analysis is likely to be far better than mine. More details here...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #14,101
- Forum: Applications Discussion