TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Hanzeeb]

@Abbie Whitlock and everyone. I have a first round interview for a paralegal position at an international law firm. Do you or anyone have any advice on how to best prepare/ what to expect. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any tips for the Ward Hadaway AC mine is coming up soon and I haven't done an AC in nearly two years! Starting to get nervous Also in general what is the best way to prepare for an AC (involves a group activity, written exercise and interview)

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite, that is fantastic news!! Totally understandable to be nervous, but I'm sure you'll do great

Whilst I don't have any specific Ward Hadaway AC insights, I have written a few previous posts on the tasks that you have outlined - I have quoted them below. If you have any follow-up questions, just shout - wishing you the best of luck!!

Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !

Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!

In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!

Group Exercise

• In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
• Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
• Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
• If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.

Case Study Interview

• You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
• Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
• They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
• Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
• If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change if X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.

I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.

At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.

Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!

Hey!

Congratulations on receiving the AC invite!! I've collated some general advice from a few of my previous forum posts which will hopefully offer some guidance - just shout if you have any follow-up questions.

Motivational Interview

When preparing for the motivational interview, I'd encourage you to have a think about the following beforehand:

• Be clear on why a US firm (e.g. lean teams, responsibility early on, client exposure, etc.)
• Then narrow it down to why this US firm - practice strengths, the type of deals that they work on, the office culture, and any recent matters that interested you
• Expect follow-up questions that test the depth of your knowledge on the firm / work (e.g. why corporation litigation vs disputes, why the London office, etc.)
• Be prepared to back up your motivations with examples from your past experiences - for example, if you discuss wanting to have a lot of responsibility early on, you can strengthen your answer by discussing a past experience where you found that you enjoyed this aspect.

Overall, I'd try to create a narrative that links your interests to the firm and its work, as well as your long-term career goals.


Written Exercise

• Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
• Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
• Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
• Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!

The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.

I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.

I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!

I've also previously created a post on client emails as a written exercise format - I have linked that here as well!


Group Exercise

• In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
• Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
• Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
• If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.

I hope that helps - wishing you the best of luck with the AC, and I'm sure you'll do great!!

Hey!

Congratulations on the interview invite!

I would say that a partner interview tends to be a hybrid type that emphasises your overall judgment and fit to the firm.

A few pointers that might help (from my experience with partner interviews):

• Technical questions, if any, will typically be quite high-level (e.g. spotting issues, weighing up risks, or explaining how you would approach a problem), rather than detailed law. It might help to practice strengths-based questions or scenario questions (i.e. "What would you do if..."), as these are likely to come up.
• There is usually much more emphasis on your motivations and commercial awareness, rather than competency questions (though there may still be a few of the latter) - e.g. why this firm, why law, and why you.
• They are often interested in how you think and communicate, rather than whether you know the "correct" answer. As long as you can explain your thought process in a clear way, you should be able to tackle any question (even if it is slightly unexpected!).
• I'd generally expect a more conversational style - the partners could probe your answers (which is completely normal, and doesn't mean you are wrong!), ask questions about your legal career / education so far, and discuss their own work at the firm.

If you can clearly explain your reasoning and show curiosity about the firm's work / clients, this should be exactly what they are looking for. Ultimately, you want to show that you are genuinely motivated to work at this specific firm, and that you would be someone that is great to work with.

I hope that assists, and best of luck with the interview!!

Hello!

Congratulations on getting the invite! Whilst I haven't completed the Ashurst written exercise, they will usually test your ability to communicate clearly and structure your arguments logically - similar to what you'd do as a trainee when drafting emails or internal notes.

I've outlined some previous tips that I always used when preparing for written exercises below:

• Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
• Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
• Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
• Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!

The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.

I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.

I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!

I hope that assists - best of luck with the written exercise, I'm sure you'll smash it!

Of course, no problem at all!!

Since client emails are such a common format in written exercises, it's definitely worth getting comfortable with how to approach them! A few things that I kept in mind when preparing:

Understand the Purpose and Audience

Before you start writing, clarify who you are writing to (e.g. a client, supervisor, or a colleague) and what information they need from you. The tone, level of formality, and structure will vary depending on whether it's an internal email or an email to an external client.

For example, if you are emailing a client, you want to ensure that they are able to understand any legal principles that you are outlining in your email. As such, it's important to make sure you write it in layman's terms and don't just recite the information given in the materials. However, if you are emailing a supervisor, I would focus on highlighting the most important pieces of information as you are effectively trying to save them time in going through the materials themselves. I would always aim to write in a professional way, and frame it like you would an actual email - such as a subject line and a closing sentence.

Use a Clear and Logical Structure

The main thing that I changed when approaching written exercises was making sure that I had a clear and logical structure. A good client email should be easy to follow. A simple structure could look like:

1. Opening: A brief, polite greeting and context for why you're writing (and what you'll be discussing in the email). If you're emailing a supervisor, it might be useful to include a short summary of your findings at the top (i.e. an early conclusion), and then go into more detail below.
2. Main Body: Summarise the key points or advice clearly and concisely, using short paragraphs. It might be appropriate to use headings and subtitles, especially if there is a lot of information. The goal is to make sure that the client can follow along, and that it isn't just a massive wall of text that is difficult to read.
3. Closing: End with next steps, an offer of assistance, or a polite sign-off (e.g. "Please let me know if you'd like to discuss further"). These elements distinguish an email exercise from a general report or memo, and shows that you are following the brief exactly! If you are emailing a supervisor, I would try to show some proactivity in the closing parts - such as offering to write a first draft of a document or client email.

Keep your tone professional and approachable

I would aim for clear, confident language without being overly formal (but still professional). This can be tricky, but phrases such as "I'd recommend..." or "It may be helpful..." strike a nice balance. Avoid overly technical language or long-winded phrasing - simplicity often conveys professionalism! As stated above, I would definitely avoid legal jargon if you are writing to a client, unless you are certain that a client would understand it.

Also remember that tone can shift slightly depending on the client's relationship with the firm. If you are told this information, a longstanding client might suit a warmer tone, whilst a first-time contact may call for a more formal approach. However, if in doubt, I would always go for a more formal approach - especially in a professional context!

Be precise and client-focused

Remember the purpose for why you are actually writing to the client, and tailor your response to the client's actual issue. I would avoid copying large chunks of background information from the brief (as the client will already have this information!) - instead, demonstrate understanding of their issue by reframing the key points in your own words and applying them directly to the client's situation. Make sure to keep your advice practical - clients care more about what they should do next than about the legal theory behind it. You might find it useful to use signposting phrases such as "In summary..." or "Based on the information provided..." to make your reasoning easy to follow. If there are uncertainties, I would make sure to address them but be reassuring - e.g. "Further details would be needed to confirm this position, but at this stage...".

Check for clarity and tone at the end

Before your time runs out, take a moment to review your email. I always found it helpful to read it aloud (if possible) or follow along with my finger - this helps you catch sentences that are too long, unclear, or sound abrupt. Look for opportunities to simplify, and if a sentence takes more than one breath to read, it's probably too long! Make sure your sign-off fits the context (things such as "Kind regards" or "Best wishes" usually work best). The graduate recruitment team / assessors will be looking for professionalism in formatting and presentation - consistent spacing, clear paragraphing, and correct spelling and grammar will all make a strong impression.

As a practical tip to practice: You could start by taking short case studies and draft sample emails that summarise your advice in 200-300 words. This helps you get used to organising your thoughts quickly and writing in a professional, accessible way.

I hope that helps!

Hello!

A few resources below that I used / might be useful:

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies (whilst this is a case study, instead of a written exercise, I found it super useful last cycle!)
• TCLA Written Exercises (a good way to practice if you are able to pay to access resources)
• Some law firms upload example written exercises online - I believe DWF has one available!

Hopefully they help as a starting point - best of luck!

 

[MZJxLadha]

BB VI done. Short but couple got me nervous I stumbled a bit rip

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

For SH Amberjack Assessment peeps that got a PFO, could you please share your scores? Thank you!

4,3,6,6 then mid on both intellects

 

[helenaskelton]

Anyone have insights for w&c VI? I have insights for Mayer Brown VI, Baker M VI, Shoosmiths SJT and AC for Sidley Jones Day Gibson Dunn and Sinclair Gibson

 

[Florencejones]

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite, that is fantastic news!! Totally understandable to be nervous, but I'm sure you'll do great

Whilst I don't have any specific Ward Hadaway AC insights, I have written a few previous posts on the tasks that you have outlined - I have quoted them below. If you have any follow-up questions, just shout - wishing you the best of luck!!

Thank you so much Abbie for your help!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock thank you for your continued help!!

Would you say it would be a good idea to email my supervisors prior to the vacation scheme, introducing myself and asking whether there are any steps they'd like me to take to prepare for the week?

For reference, I have two associates as supervisors and one trainee buddy. If emailing is a good idea, do you recommend contacting all three individuals?

Thank you in advance for your insight.

Hey!

Of course, no problem at all!

I think there will be mixed opinions on this, and personally I think it is a nice idea in principle, but I'd be a bit measured about it.

In most cases, supervisors won't expect (or need) you to reach out in advance unless you have been explicitly told to contact them by graduate recruitment. They'll usually be busy, and the scheme is already structured with the assumption that you will be onboarded and introduced to supervisors on day one. If you do want to send something, I would keep it very simple and brief. A short introductory email to your trainee buddy is probably the safest option - they are much more likely to reply and give practical tips in advance, and they might appreciate the initiative!

For the associates, I would generally leave it unless you have a specific question that you would like to ask. If you do email them, I'd keep it brief and wouldn't necessarily ask about any preparation you can do in advance - something along the lines of a polite introduction and that you are looking forward to working with them should be fine.

I think the key part is striking the right balance between being proactive and not overdoing it - you'll have plenty of time to make a strong impression once the scheme actually starts, and there might not be much specific prep you can do for your supervisor anyway!

Best of luck with the vacation scheme, I hope it goes well!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock and everyone. I have a first round interview for a paralegal position at an international law firm. Do you or anyone have any advice on how to best prepare/ what to expect. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Hey!

Congratulations on the interview invite!

For a first round interview, I'd say that the focus is likely to be less on technical legal knowledge and more on your motivation towards the firm/work and your ability to operate in a professional environment. However, I've found in past paralegal interviews that they can sometimes ask you some brief technical questions based on the area of law / practice area you are interviewing for - for example, I was asked about the difference between freehold and leasehold for a paralegal interview in a Real Estate team.

The key thing is to be very clear on your "why" for various questions - for example, why this firm specifically, why a paralegal role (rather than a training contract, at least at this moment in time), and what you are hoping to gain from the experience. I would try to reference things that have drawn you to the firm, such as its practice areas, clients, or anything distinctive about its work, and find a way to link this back to your skills and past experiences.

You will almost certainly get a few competency-style questions, so it is worth preparing a few strong examples that you can adapt to different questions. I always used to create a mini bank of my experiences, and I would make a note of the competencies and skills that I could discuss in each one - I found this was a useful reference point, and helped me ensure that I was talking about a wide range of experiences. In terms of what to prepare for, I'd think about times you've handled pressure, balanced multiple deadlines, worked in a team, or dealt with a challenging situation. It is important to keep your answers structured and focused, but not too rehearsed (which I appreciate is a tricky balance!).

It is also important to show that you understand what the role actually involves day-to-day, and why you are interested in it. It'll differ depending on what practice area you are interviewing for, but paralegal work will often include things such as document review, legal research, bundling, and general support for fee earners. I would therefore try to demonstrate that you are detailed-oriented, reliable, and organised, ideally with evidence from your past experiences.

In terms of commercial awareness, I don't think they'll expect anything too in-depth at this stage, but it is always helpful to have at least one recent legal or commercial story that you can talk about and, if possible, link it back to the firm's work or its clients.

Finally, I wouldn't underestimate how much they are assessing whether you would be pleasant and easy to work with. I conducted a few paralegal interviews during my placement year, and being personable and engaged can make such a big difference and leave a really strong impression!

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[TCComingSoon]

Anyone not heard from SH post VI.

 

[Hanzeeb]

Hey!

Congratulations on the interview invite!

For a first round interview, I'd say that the focus is likely to be less on technical legal knowledge and more on your motivation towards the firm/work and your ability to operate in a professional environment. However, I've found in past paralegal interviews that they can sometimes ask you some brief technical questions based on the area of law / practice area you are interviewing for - for example, I was asked about the difference between freehold and leasehold for a paralegal interview in a Real Estate team.

The key thing is to be very clear on your "why" for various questions - for example, why this firm specifically, why a paralegal role (rather than a training contract, at least at this moment in time), and what you are hoping to gain from the experience. I would try to reference things that have drawn you to the firm, such as its practice areas, clients, or anything distinctive about its work, and find a way to link this back to your skills and past experiences.

You will almost certainly get a few competency-style questions, so it is worth preparing a few strong examples that you can adapt to different questions. I always used to create a mini bank of my experiences, and I would make a note of the competencies and skills that I could discuss in each one - I found this was a useful reference point, and helped me ensure that I was talking about a wide range of experiences. In terms of what to prepare for, I'd think about times you've handled pressure, balanced multiple deadlines, worked in a team, or dealt with a challenging situation. It is important to keep your answers structured and focused, but not too rehearsed (which I appreciate is a tricky balance!).

It is also important to show that you understand what the role actually involves day-to-day, and why you are interested in it. It'll differ depending on what practice area you are interviewing for, but paralegal work will often include things such as document review, legal research, bundling, and general support for fee earners. I would therefore try to demonstrate that you are detailed-oriented, reliable, and organised, ideally with evidence from your past experiences.

In terms of commercial awareness, I don't think they'll expect anything too in-depth at this stage, but it is always helpful to have at least one recent legal or commercial story that you can talk about and, if possible, link it back to the firm's work or its clients.

Finally, I wouldn't underestimate how much they are assessing whether you would be pleasant and easy to work with. I conducted a few paralegal interviews during my placement year, and being personable and engaged can make such a big difference and leave a really strong impression!

Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!

Thank you so much!!

 

[nicoledm]

@Abbie Whitlock

Hi Abbie! Hope you're doing well!

I have an upcoming AC where we have to do an intray exercise. I've never done one of these before, and I'm not 100% certain about how to prepare for it and how to approach it in the AC, I was wondering if you have any tips?

Thank you!

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hey! Is the Video Interview element automatic for Perkins Coie Vacation scheme?

 

[MZJxLadha]

Hey! Is the Video Interview element automatic for Perkins Coie Vacation scheme?

Yes, it’s new for this year. One question

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite, that is fantastic news!! Totally understandable to be nervous, but I'm sure you'll do great

Whilst I don't have any specific Ward Hadaway AC insights, I have written a few previous posts on the tasks that you have outlined - I have quoted them below. If you have any follow-up questions, just shout - wishing you the best of luck!!

Giving you a dragon egg for Easter, in accordance with the gifting guidelines of Westeros!

 

[alanshore]

Has anyone done DLA Piper's Law Unlocked event before? Would you say it's worth it to attend?

 

[CupOfTea17]

BB VI done. Short but couple got me nervous I stumbled a bit rip

Hey! I hope it well! I am about to do mine but I was just wondering whether there were any commercial based questions. I.e. tell us a news story you think might impact the firm
Obviously no worries if you don't want to share!
I hope you hear good news )

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hi everyone and hi @Abbie Whitlock. Thanks for your help to my previous question, it was very insightful.

I have another Question: how old does a competency interview example can be. For example, tell me about a time you worked within a team. My example is very valuable from a moot competition, but it is about 4 years old. I only have worked 1 legal paralegal job- so I used this one for many competency wuestions, I’m trying to have varied examples as the feedback I got given before as that I keep using the same examples. Would 4 years old example be too old? ( they don’t know I’m not telling them I just say I participated in uni @ moot competition)

And also, how long would you recommend spending on a question? I always get told I’m not too concise. And I need to be more specific. So would 1 minute 30 seconds be good, or should I cut it to 1 minute?

Thanks in advance

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock

Hi Abbie! Hope you're doing well!

I have an upcoming AC where we have to do an intray exercise. I've never done one of these before, and I'm not 100% certain about how to prepare for it and how to approach it in the AC, I was wondering if you have any tips?

Thank you!

Hi!

I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too! Congratulations on the AC invite, that is amazing news!!

I haven't actually completed an in-tray exercise before either, but I've had a look online and I'll share how I would personally approach this sort of exercise!

For an in-tray exercise, the firm is essentially testing how you manage a busy inbox as a trainee - therefore, things like prioritisation, attention to detail, commercial awareness, and communication will all be key traits that you'll want to display.

In terms of preparation, I would try to practise by quickly reading and extracting key information from documents or emails, and then making decisions based on that. You don't necessarily need legal knowledge, but I do think it is important to be comfortable identifying what is urgent vs important, spotting risks, and thinking about logical next steps.

On the day, my approach would be to:

• Read everything once through fairly quickly to get the overall picture
• Then go back and prioritise tasks accordingly (for example, urgent / time-sensitive / client-facing first)
• Be clear and structured in any responses - even things like bullet points could work if they are concise and logical
• Always explain the reasoning briefly if the format of the assessment allows it (e.g. why something is prioritised or why a risk has been flagged).

I would also keep an eye out for small details, such as deadlines, attachments, or any inconsistencies - firms might use these to test your accuracy and attention to detail.

Ultimately, I think it is important to try not to overthink it, as they'll be looking for a sensible and structured approach, rather than perfection.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Giving you a dragon egg for Easter, in accordance with the gifting guidelines of Westeros!

Is it bad that I had to Google what Westeros was....

I am honoured, thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone and hi @Abbie Whitlock. Thanks for your help to my previous question, it was very insightful.

I have another Question: how old does a competency interview example can be. For example, tell me about a time you worked within a team. My example is very valuable from a moot competition, but it is about 4 years old. I only have worked 1 legal paralegal job- so I used this one for many competency wuestions, I’m trying to have varied examples as the feedback I got given before as that I keep using the same examples. Would 4 years old example be too old? ( they don’t know I’m not telling them I just say I participated in uni @ moot competition)

And also, how long would you recommend spending on a question? I always get told I’m not too concise. And I need to be more specific. So would 1 minute 30 seconds be good, or should I cut it to 1 minute?

Thanks in advance

Hey!

I'm glad I could help!!

On your first question, I would say that an example from 4 years ago is absolutely fine. The main thing that the interviewer will care about is the quality and relevance of the example, particularly in relation to the question being asked, not when it happened. A moot competition is a great example for competencies such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, so definitely don't feel like you can't use it just because it is older!

The feedback that you have had about varying your examples is important (and I've received similar in the past), as even if one example is strong, using it repeatedly can limit how much your skillset is showing. I would try to build a small "bank" of 4-6 examples that you can rotate between - for example, your paralegal role, the moot, maybe something from university, extracurriculars, or any non-legal work. It is completely fine if not all of them are legal - most of my interview examples are from when I worked at Subway! Firms care more about the competency than the context, so I would focus on the reflections you can make from those experiences.

On timing, I'd say that 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds per answer is a good target. If you have been told to be more concise, I'd aim closer to 1 minute (as you might end up speaking a little longer anyway) and focus on being sharp and concise, rather than detailed. A structure that might help is:

• Brief context (a few sentences)
• What you specifically did (this should be the bulk of your answer)
• Clear result + what you learned (i.e. what reflections and insights did you gain)

Ultimately, the interviewer might ask follow up questions, which gives you a chance to go into more detail!

I hope that helps!!