TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AReza]

Does anyone have any CMS AC insights, please? Any general tips on how to prep for the case study and group exercise are also very welcome!! TOA

 

[rrr]

@Ijustwanttobealawyer Okay. Thank you for your reply.

you've heard from them as in other than inviting you to the immersive assessment?

 

[rrr]

Did anyone else so the Mayer Brown immersive assessment? Can't seem to find people saying much. Need to know whether to cry.

 

[CharlieandLola]

Does anyone know whether you can apply for Sullivan & Cromwell DTC if you also applied for their vac scheme?

 

[WillKitchen]

I was asked an interesting question during a law firm interview recently, and I'd be curious to know how other people might approach it...

The question was along the lines of: "If you were asked to support a client that worked in an ethically controversial, but legal, business, would you say yes?" There was nothing more specific than this, and so we had an opportunity to talk it through in front of the interviewers.

Obviously, the right and sensible answer to this, for pretty much everyone, I guess, would be: "It depends". It depends on what the client does. Their business could be anything from family planning to online betting apps, advertising CBD to manufacturing nuclear missiles. Some businesses are much more "ethically controversial" than others, and people will draw the line in different places based on their own beliefs and values. So it depends on (1) the character of the client's business, (2) how we personally feel about that specific activity, and (3) - for bonus points! - how it might affect the reputation of our law firm, relations to other clients, etc.

Now, saying the above is a pretty good answer to give in an interview, I think. But the interviewers wanted more than "It depends"; they pushed for a "yes" or "no", and - given the lack of any further information in order to make an informed decision - I went for "no".

How would you have responded to this question?

I see the logic in asking it, and the choice of answer is probably less important than the thinking out loud that comes before it. But do law firms look for people who play safe (and say "no" when faced with insufficient info), or display a willingness to support clients from any legally valid business (and say "yes").

 

[helenaskelton]

Anyone else get a bit tired / burnt out when it’s super sunny and nice outside? I’ve completely stalled on all DTC apps as my vac scheme apps were all done and I honestly just wanted a break. I’ve made a start on DTC but just couldn’t bring myself to finish any. Instead I booked a holiday. Normally I spend my annual leave applying to stuff but for some reason now I’ve just decided to stop. Hopefully I’ll be a bit more motivated when I’m back LOL.

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

I was asked an interesting question during a law firm interview recently, and I'd be curious to know how other people might approach it...

The question was along the lines of: "If you were asked to support a client that worked in an ethically controversial, but legal, business, would you say yes?" There was nothing more specific than this, and so we had an opportunity to talk it through in front of the interviewers.

Obviously, the right and sensible answer to this, for pretty much everyone, I guess, would be: "It depends". It depends on what the client does. Their business could be anything from family planning to online betting apps, advertising CBD to manufacturing nuclear missiles. Some businesses are much more "ethically controversial" than others, and people will draw the line in different places based on their own beliefs and values. So it depends on (1) the character of the client's business, (2) how we personally feel about that specific activity, and (3) - for bonus points! - how it might affect the reputation of our law firm, relations to other clients, etc.

Now, saying the above is a pretty good answer to give in an interview, I think. But the interviewers wanted more than "It depends"; they pushed for a "yes" or "no", and - given the lack of any further information in order to make an informed decision - I went for "no".

How would you have responded to this question?

I see the logic in asking it, and the choice of answer is probably less important than the thinking out loud that comes before it. But do law firms look for people who play safe (and say "no" when faced with insufficient info), or display a willingness to support clients from any legally valid business (and say "yes").

I think it's important to think about the audience you are speaking to. If you're interviewed by a partner - remember, they are especially viewing the firm from a business/money-making angle (that's how they make money after all [PEP]) - so I personally wouldn't approach the question with personal feelings/prejudices. Of course, if the firm is very well known for their values of integrity or something then factor that into your consideration.

 

[Bread]

I was asked an interesting question during a law firm interview recently, and I'd be curious to know how other people might approach it...

The question was along the lines of: "If you were asked to support a client that worked in an ethically controversial, but legal, business, would you say yes?" There was nothing more specific than this, and so we had an opportunity to talk it through in front of the interviewers.

Obviously, the right and sensible answer to this, for pretty much everyone, I guess, would be: "It depends". It depends on what the client does. Their business could be anything from family planning to online betting apps, advertising CBD to manufacturing nuclear missiles. Some businesses are much more "ethically controversial" than others, and people will draw the line in different places based on their own beliefs and values. So it depends on (1) the character of the client's business, (2) how we personally feel about that specific activity, and (3) - for bonus points! - how it might affect the reputation of our law firm, relations to other clients, etc.

Now, saying the above is a pretty good answer to give in an interview, I think. But the interviewers wanted more than "It depends"; they pushed for a "yes" or "no", and - given the lack of any further information in order to make an informed decision - I went for "no".

How would you have responded to this question?

I see the logic in asking it, and the choice of answer is probably less important than the thinking out loud that comes before it. But do law firms look for people who play safe (and say "no" when faced with insufficient info), or display a willingness to support clients from any legally valid business (and say "yes").

I think that questions like this are less about the actual answer and more about how you reason your answer tbh

 

[a114]

I was asked an interesting question during a law firm interview recently, and I'd be curious to know how other people might approach it...

The question was along the lines of: "If you were asked to support a client that worked in an ethically controversial, but legal, business, would you say yes?" There was nothing more specific than this, and so we had an opportunity to talk it through in front of the interviewers.

Obviously, the right and sensible answer to this, for pretty much everyone, I guess, would be: "It depends". It depends on what the client does. Their business could be anything from family planning to online betting apps, advertising CBD to manufacturing nuclear missiles. Some businesses are much more "ethically controversial" than others, and people will draw the line in different places based on their own beliefs and values. So it depends on (1) the character of the client's business, (2) how we personally feel about that specific activity, and (3) - for bonus points! - how it might affect the reputation of our law firm, relations to other clients, etc.

Now, saying the above is a pretty good answer to give in an interview, I think. But the interviewers wanted more than "It depends"; they pushed for a "yes" or "no", and - given the lack of any further information in order to make an informed decision - I went for "no".

How would you have responded to this question?

I see the logic in asking it, and the choice of answer is probably less important than the thinking out loud that comes before it. But do law firms look for people who play safe (and say "no" when faced with insufficient info), or display a willingness to support clients from any legally valid business (and say "yes").

I'd probably go for yes tbh. Completely agree on reasoning per personal values, reputation etc.

Me personally I think I'd reach a point where if it's legal it's in play, it's not for us to apply a moral or ethical consideration to people's business, lifestyle or whatever. There'll definitely be exceptions but with the insufficient info like you say, I would generalise to a yes.

Not sure what the firm would go for, it's deliberately open to see the thought process I guess - in reality i'm sure they would care deeply about the firm's reputation but everyone has a number that could bend their values I think...

 

[summersun]

I was asked an interesting question during a law firm interview recently, and I'd be curious to know how other people might approach it...

The question was along the lines of: "If you were asked to support a client that worked in an ethically controversial, but legal, business, would you say yes?" There was nothing more specific than this, and so we had an opportunity to talk it through in front of the interviewers.

Obviously, the right and sensible answer to this, for pretty much everyone, I guess, would be: "It depends". It depends on what the client does. Their business could be anything from family planning to online betting apps, advertising CBD to manufacturing nuclear missiles. Some businesses are much more "ethically controversial" than others, and people will draw the line in different places based on their own beliefs and values. So it depends on (1) the character of the client's business, (2) how we personally feel about that specific activity, and (3) - for bonus points! - how it might affect the reputation of our law firm, relations to other clients, etc.

Now, saying the above is a pretty good answer to give in an interview, I think. But the interviewers wanted more than "It depends"; they pushed for a "yes" or "no", and - given the lack of any further information in order to make an informed decision - I went for "no".

How would you have responded to this question?

I see the logic in asking it, and the choice of answer is probably less important than the thinking out loud that comes before it. But do law firms look for people who play safe (and say "no" when faced with insufficient info), or display a willingness to support clients from any legally valid business (and say "yes").

During a VS last year the firm mentonied they were acting kind of like a Doctor and the client was the one choosing which decision to make (as long as it's legal obv) and so I took as that firm would have prefered a yes than a no to that question. The goal of a firm is to make money so I would keep that in mind. Also just like a criminal deserve a lawyer I (personally) have the view that everyone deserve legal representation. But personally I would not do a secondment to these types of businesses.
If a fim advertise itself as very environmentally friendly I might say no to matters than would go against the advertised value but that's pretty much it.
But as other people have mentioned I think your reasoning will be what matters the most.