TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[j.a55293]

I've been placed on the waitlist for a vacation scheme. How likely is it that I'll be offered a spot? Has anyone had any experience with this in the past?

I've been offered a vac scheme from a firms waitlist

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I've been placed on the waitlist for a vacation scheme. How likely is it that I'll be offered a spot? Has anyone had any experience with this in the past?

I think it depends on how many people take up their VS offers with the firm initially. If a firm has 20 VS places, but only 15 people accept their VS offers, they might have 5 more places to give out, in which case it’s very likely that you can get offered a VS (if you are on the waitlist). I guess it varies among firms. ​

 

[lou1707]

does anyone know if Shoosmiths actually recruit through DTC?

 

[elena11]

I've had two VS offers!! (after years of applying and never making it past the application stage). But the schemes clash. The second firm called me up over a week ago to give me the offer but I told them that I couldn't do those dates due to a clash and they said they would see what they could do and they hung up. Is there any hope here? Should I follow up with them?

 

[CorporateLaw123]

Was this invite recent and if so for what office?

Hey, it was recent yes for the Cheltenham office

 

[bangarangbass39]

Stupid question but, how do people know what solution would work for a specific commercial challenge? Asking this with regard to commercial case studies.

I know examples could help with this, but

1) real life examples contain intricacies, which upon further examination might show the example as irrelevant.
2) they require a decent level of legal knowledge to be applied correctly

I’m a non law student, I know my legal knowledge is not the focus for commercial case studies, but I can’t help feel I’m lacking skills w/ regards to providing solutions.

Also I’ve recognised general comms news doesn’t help with certain firms we apply to. So my examples can only so far. Say I’m in an AC for a firm focused on SMEs and charities, examples from Apple Inc. can only be so applicable to a case study about a charity/social enterprise offering a product.

 

[jojo23]

I suck at VI’s but I would say that of all I’ve done, Reed Smith’s was the WORST so it won’t be worse than that if it helps.

Maybe I'm delusional, but I like to think that after every vi, it becomes a little bit easier or, I become a little better...

Reed smith however, you're totally right. Nothing can be as criminal as their vi

Sjt's however....

 

[jojo23]

I think everyone has heard back by now, so I think I can make this post: Willkie VS Offer!!! ​

Excuse me, sir, I was unfamiliar with your game
The generational run must studied

 

[legallyad]

Has anyone who did a second-stage interview last week heard back from MoFo yet? Thanks !!

 

[A worried paralegal]

Addleshaw Goddard PFO

Only two firms left now for me.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I've been placed on the waitlist for a vacation scheme. How likely is it that I'll be offered a spot? Has anyone had any experience with this in the past?

Waitlists will exist because there is a chance of a spot coming up as others either decline or renege on their offers.

Its really difficult to know what the chances are though as it comes down to so many variables, none of which are in your control.

 

[Amma Usman]

does anyone know if Shoosmiths actually recruit through DTC?

If it’s still open, I presume some slots will be available via this route. I also saw from the website this is available for many locations, so perhaps there is some flexibility on this too.

Just checked their retention rates from their site too, and the numbers range from 23-37 trainees recruited via a training contract, since 2019. It is likely some of these were via the direct TC route, though I cannot say this for sure.

FAQs

Q: When are the application dates & deadlines for an insight evening? We'll be hosting a suite of virtual insight events in Autumn 2026, which ...

www.shoosmiths.com

 

[Amma Usman]

I think everyone has heard back by now, so I think I can make this post: Willkie VS Offer!!! ​

 

[lou1707]

If it’s still open, I presume some slots will be available via this route. I also saw from the website this is available for many locations, so perhaps there is some flexibility on this too.

Just checked their retention rates from their site too, and the numbers range from 23-37 trainees recruited via a training contract, since 2019. It is likely some of these were via the direct TC route, though I cannot say this for certain.

FAQs

Q: When are the application dates & deadlines for an insight evening? We'll be hosting a suite of virtual insight events in Autumn 2026, which ...

www.shoosmiths.com

thank you Amma!

 

[Amma Usman]

I've had two VS offers!! (after years of applying and never making it past the application stage). But the schemes clash. The second firm called me up over a week ago to give me the offer but I told them that I couldn't do those dates due to a clash and they said they would see what they could do and they hung up. Is there any hope here? Should I follow up with them?

Congrats on both schemes. I have the tagged the rest of the team here as I’m sure they’ll have more thoughts on this - @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

any1 know when we should hear post AC from OC?

 

[lawyeringitout]

How long do spring VS firms usually give to accept a tc offer? if I have another vac scheme in the summer, can I still try it and decide or will I have to accept the spring offer immediately ? @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I've had two VS offers!! (after years of applying and never making it past the application stage). But the schemes clash. The second firm called me up over a week ago to give me the offer but I told them that I couldn't do those dates due to a clash and they said they would see what they could do and they hung up. Is there any hope here? Should I follow up with them?

I would definitely follow up with them to see if there are any alternative options the firm can provide to you.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How long do spring VS firms usually give to accept a tc offer? if I have another vac scheme in the summer, can I still try it and decide or will I have to accept the spring offer immediately ? @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

This can vary massively - some firms might only provide a few weeks, others may allow you to hold the offer until the end of the summer.

It is a very reasonable question to ask the Recruitment team during the scheme so you know how to manage this process.

 

[Amma Usman]

Stupid question but, how do people know what solution would work for a specific commercial challenge? Asking this with regard to commercial case studies.

I know examples could help with this, but

1) real life examples contain intricacies, which upon further examination might show the example as irrelevant.
2) they require a decent level of legal knowledge to be applied correctly

I’m a non law student, I know my legal knowledge is not the focus for commercial case studies, but I can’t help feel I’m lacking skills w/ regards to providing solutions.

Also I’ve recognised general comms news doesn’t help with certain firms we apply to. So my examples can only so far. Say I’m in an AC for a firm focused on SMEs and charities, examples from Apple Inc. can only be so applicable to a case study about a charity/social enterprise offering a product.

Nothing is a stupid question!

In my opinion, commercial acumen matters more in the application process than legal knowledge. Law firms don’t expect candidates applying to have so much legal knowledge because 1) though people taking law degrees all take the same qualifying courses, people subsequently take different courses over the 3 years, such as employment law and law in a digital world. This will mean that (given all things are equal), some people will have more knowledge on employment law matters in case studies, some will have more knowledge on the digital era as it applies to commercial law. Thus, it is commercial acumen that is tested more than legal knowledge. 2) They recognise that not everybody has a law degree, and you will still have the core foundational legal knowledge anyway by doing the PGDL.

Lastly, the way I see it… commerce comes before law. It is arguable that lawyers are business advisors, in addition to legal advisors.

In terms of which solution is best, I think it depends on how you argue it. However, if a scenario surely presents some red flags which can’t be justified, you may want to not go ahead with the deal (say, if it’s a proposed M&A transaction, for example). You could also make a statement like, “if X info is provided, then the deal could go through because Y. However, if it’s not, then perhaps the deal is not so feasible and another company could be acquired which suits more with the acquirer’s needs. Perhaps the money could also be invested into a new project instead, which the industry/company could benefit from!

On your last point, I believe news from companies like Apple can still be relevant, even in a case study focused on a charity or social enterprise offering a product. For example, if Apple is acquiring a subsidiary to expand its product line, this could be analogous to a social enterprise exploring partnerships to enhance or scale its own offering. Similarly, Apple’s approach to launching new products…such as how they assess market demand, set pricing, or build brand awareness…could provide useful insights for a charity looking to introduce a new product. It’s about applying the core commercial lessons in a way that makes sense for the scenario.

The point I am trying to make is to not overwhelm yourself with the amount of knowledge out there, and there are so many things to cover, so far as you back it up with reasoned opinions and established facts.