TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnsmith]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I think it’s worth remembering they are often quite junior in their roles and may not be quite as confident as you might expect in social situations. Quite a few I’ve seen at events only started their training contract in September, and have recently graduated - adjusting to full time work is tiring whilst learning lots of new things and having particular experiences for the first time!

They do work long hours though too, as do many working at top commercial outfits, as that’s the reality of the big salaries, so some signs of fatigue are likely.

You’ll probably feel the same if you end up in their shoes 😅

 

[Sharkfin]

Anyone know what to make of Mischon's chat-based screening interview?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Anyone know what to make of Mischon's chat-based screening interview?

I was just going to ask this 😂

 

[firmfirm]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I used to think US firms generally had worse cultures, but after attending a few open days I’ve realised the vibe really depends on the firm.

At one US firm, a trainee was quite rude and grad rec seemed blunt, which put me off applying. At another, both the trainees and grad rec were friendly, which completely changed my view.

I’ve noticed that when grad rec is friendly, the trainees usually reflect that energy. And it makes sense because trainees interact with grad rec a lot during their training and often adapt to their vibe to fit in. That’s why I think it’s so important to also pay attention to how grad rec treats people, because it says a lot about the firm’s overall culture.

 

[lawyersum]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I've seen this as well. But I take it as my reminder to literally not be so stressed out about joining these firms. Don't get me wrong, have your goals and aspirations as we all do, and commercial law is a very good platform for career development, networking, travel etc, but at the end of the day, it's a job, so don't spoil your health over it. Your 2-year TC could just be a springboard for you to go on to do something much more valuable for the world lol. We need more socially conscious people rather than more secondary PE funds.

I used to think US firms generally had worse cultures, but after attending a few open days I’ve realised the vibe really depends on the firm.

At one US firm, a trainee was quite rude and grad rec seemed blunt, which put me off applying. At another, both the trainees and grad rec were friendly, which completely changed my view.

I’ve noticed that when grad rec is friendly, the trainees usually reflect that energy. And it makes sense because trainees interact with grad rec a lot during their training and often adapt to their vibe to fit in. That’s why I think it’s so important to also pay attention to how grad rec treats people, because it says a lot about the firm’s overall culture.

This is so important as well. Meet firms, even if its for 5 minutes at a packed networking event, you will learn a lot from the way they interact with candidates. Although, I have found that US firm trainees tend to be the most disillusioned. Really nice firms I've recently met are WFW, Bristows, Bird & Bird, Taylor Wessing, OC.

 

[c.t.tc]

I was just going to ask this 😂

Have you received the link/email for it?

 

[Amgrad]

I've seen this as well. But I take it as my reminder to literally not be so stressed out about joining these firms. Don't get me wrong, have your goals and aspirations as we all do, and commercial law is a very good platform for career development, networking, travel etc, but at the end of the day, it's a job, so don't spoil your health over it. Your 2-year TC could just be a springboard for you to go on to do something much more valuable for the world lol. We need more socially conscious people rather than more secondary PE funds.

This is so important as well. Meet firms, even if its for 5 minutes at a packed networking event, you will learn a lot from the way they interact with candidates. Although, I have found that US firm trainees tend to be the most disillusioned. Really nice firms I've recently met are WFW, Bristows, Bird & Bird, Taylor Wessing, OC.

Ah.. I'll be joining Taylor Wessing Open Day tomorrow, I'll be expecting a smile and prepare a warm smile for them too! 🙂

Also, I do agree, I have list of firms which have straight A* & A on Legal Cheek's score card across all 10 aspects, they are:
• DLA Piper
• Taylor Wessing
• Charles Russells Speechlys
• Burges Salmon
• Shoosmiths
• Harbottle & Lewis
• Brabners

These firms are worth applying if you look for their cultures over the steep learning curve, leadership, and career development like US firms.

There are some firms that are still unknown about their scorecard as they're not listed on Legal Cheek:
• Skadden
• Orrick
• Covington
• VWV
• McDermott Will & Schulte
• HG

For this list, I suggest to attend their open days or events at AllAboutLaw if you want to get to know them better..

 

[johnsmith]

Anyone know what to make of Mischon's chat-based screening interview?

Think it sounds quite cool! More natural than some of the questions and contextualised to you more.

 

[Singh241]

Any updates on PW WVS after the first batch of AC invites?

 

[elizabethkate]

have people heard back from mishcon?

 

[kripa.26]

Has anyone received updates from White & Case post WG (WVS) or Weil post application ?

 

[J1234]

I have my Dechert written exercise tomorrow - any insights or advice on how to prepare would be greatly appreciated!

 

[a0]

Does passing DLA's WG mean you've made it to the next stage in their application process or can you still not be progressed?

 

[c.t.tc]

have people heard back from mishcon?

I'm slightly confused too since I haven't received the test but it is supposed to be automatic for everyone

 

[Kakaboo]

What are the questions?

They tell you at the open day

 

[elizabethkate]

I'm slightly confused too since I haven't received the test but it is supposed to be automatic for everyone

yeah confused! i hope i made it through

 

[Kakaboo]

If I haven’t heard back from Ashurst post application is that a rejection?

 

[c.t.tc]

yeah confused! i hope i made it through

It might be to do with when applications were submitted - when did you submit yours?

 

[themilleniumemperor]

Hi guys! Lots of people asked me about the Macfarlanes Simulate assessment, and while I will not breach the intregity guidelines issued, I can give you guys some general advice.
1. If you enjoy problem-solving, this is a great assessment for you! I personally found it quite challenging but quite exciting and rewarding, so you should just go in with your thinking caps on.
2. Be sure to have your commercial awareness READY, get used to using commercial and analytical jargon in your every day life, it WILL really help you.
3. This assessment is AI proof, so if you're trying, don't even. You should not anyway, but seriously don't.
4. This assessment is a great opportunity for you guys to re-evaluate whether commercial law is for you or not, more than the other assessments I've done. So do try to absorb as much as possible from it and come to your own conclusions.

That's basically it! Be proud that you made it to this stage (that's what I'm trying to do, I don't think my assessment went particularly well ) But it did motivate me to continue applying!

Thanks for the insight! Where there any regular motivation questions or questions that had nothing to do with the fictional material that they gave you? Or were all questions based purely in this simulated fictional setting?

 

[johnsmith]

I'm slightly confused too since I haven't received the test but it is supposed to be automatic for everyone

They advised on the open day if you’d applied already that it wouldn’t be automatic but would be coming out imminently!