TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Did anyone apply to Winston & Strawn? I just submitted the application but there isnt anything i've seen about the application process (ie watson glaser, VI etc)

I did submit it. Their process is a bit opaque ngl and they didnt ask for transcripts or anything so off my CV and their questions went

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

everyone talking about being done meanwhile I just submitted 4 apps and I am already planning on applying for paralegal jobs
also decided to forget k&l gates and do a dtc cause their questions were way to long for where i am at in my life rn

 

[M85672]

1 minute to go for the Cleary deadline, do we think I can draft the cover letter from scratch if I put my mind to it?

 

[trainee4u]

Today's tally:

04:45 Boodle
14:41 Ropes
17:04 Harbottle
19:14 Shoosmiths
20:25 Edwin Coe
21:21 Cleary
22:05 Brown Rudnick
23:13 Orrick
23:40 Stevens & Bolton
23:59 Winston & Strawn

Sorry no K&L Gates too many questions

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Vantage after freezing up before the deadline for the nth time

 

[TortillaTC]

Also I find it hilarious that Orrick’s Get Hired page on Chambers mentions that a “2.1 isn’t a deal breaker” HAHAHA excuse me?? I really hope it isn’t given that these are their academic requirements)

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

out of interest, has anyone here ever done a mini-pupillage?

 

[shroomie]

wait have cooley given out ACs?

no! this is from last year!

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

If Vantage has a million haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1000 haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1 hater it’s me. If Vantage has 0 haters it means I have left this world. If the world is against Vantage I am with the world, if the world is for Vantage, I am against the world

 

[trainee4u]

Also I find it hilarious that Orrick’s Get Hired page on Chambers mentions that a “2.1 isn’t a deal breaker” HAHAHA excuse me?? I really hope it isn’t given that these are their academic requirements)

Speaking of this, I saw someone with a first in LLB from Trinity Oxford selling application coaching on LinkedIn. Also has a training contract at a US firm, and got around 7 VS last year.... Anyway yeah for only £50/hour you can be coached on this.

And I'm thinking "you know the law prizes and having the best possible law degree from the best possible college at the best possible university might just be a key to your success as much as your leet application skills".

Some partner from Kirkland commented and was like "so, to clarify are you doing this for free, I'd love to help if so", and the reply was like "nooooooo, you must payyyyyyy".

 

[TortillaTC]

Ngl a quick scan on LinkedIn shows majority of their current and future trainees graduated with a 1st from Oxbridge/UCL/LSE/Durham…

It seems those of us who don’t fit into this mould will get an automatic PFO. They also want us to have legal experience of some kind lmao.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture. The student’s guide to careers in the law.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

I think so tbh. It was worth a try though. I also did their open day so a bit hopeful that my academics will be fine.

 

[trainee4u]

Ngl a quick scan on LinkedIn shows majority of their current and future trainees graduated with a 1st from Oxbridge/UCL/LSE/Durham…

It seems those of us who don’t fit into this mould will get an automatic PFO. They also want us to have legal experience of some kind lmao.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture. The student’s guide to careers in the law.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

I got confused and wrote about Yorick instead

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Speaking of this, I saw someone with a first in LLB from Trinity Oxford selling application coaching on LinkedIn. Also has a training contract at a US firm, and got around 7 VS last year.... Anyway yeah for only £50/hour you can be coached on this.

And I'm thinking "you know the law prizes and having the best possible law degree from the best possible college at the best possible university might just be a key to your success as much as your leet application skills".

Some partner from Kirkland commented and was like "so, to clarify are you doing this for free, I'd love to help if so", and the reply was like "nooooooo, you must payyyyyyy".

lol the way that's a friend of mine

 

[Maria56]

lol the way that's a friend of mine

Tell them they are a legend

 

[shadowbaklava]

I think so tbh. It was worth a try though. I also did their open day so a bit hopeful that my academics will be fine.

Their intakes allow them to be extremely picky. Your application needs to standout elsewhere but defo not a dealbreaker to have a 2:1.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

Lot of City firms have deadline in Feb, Browne Jacobson is today.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

These are the firms still taking VS apps but I’m not sure if they’re rolling or non rolling tbh:

Russell Cooke (deadline 6 Feb)
Simmons Bristol (deadline 15 Feb)
Bevan Brittan (deadline 17 Feb)
Michelmores Bristol/Exeter (deadline 17 Feb)
Brabners Liverpool/Manchester (deadline 26 Feb)
Faegre Drinker (deadline 28 Feb)
Pinsent Masons Dubai (deadline 1 Mar)
Moore Barlow (deadline 29 Mar)
Ashfords Bristol/Exeter (deadline 31 Mar)
Express Solicitors Manchester (deadline 17 May)​

 

[trainee4u]

These are the firms still taking VS apps but I’m not sure if they’re rolling or non rolling tbh:

Russell Cooke (deadline 6 Feb)
Simmons Bristol (deadline 15 Feb)
Bevan Brittan (deadline 17 Feb)
Michelmores Bristol/Exeter (deadline 17 Feb)
Brabners Liverpool/Manchester (deadline 26 Feb)
Faegre Drinker (deadline 28 Feb)
Pinsent Masons Dubai (deadline 1 Mar)
Moore Barlow (deadline 29 Mar)
Ashfords Bristol/Exeter (deadline 31 Mar)
Express Solicitors Manchester (deadline 17 May)​

Re PM Dubai

To be eligible for this programme, you must :

• Have a long-term connection to the Middle East (i.e. a long term resident or national of a Middle East country)
• Have full right to work in the UAE