TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu , I was wondering what you thought about this question

Q4 - What skills/qualities are most important for the next generation of lawyers and describe a time where you've demonstrated these. (Max 200 words)

Do you think it's one time for each skill? Or just one example for all the skills? Also, would you have any advice for the 'next generation' part of the q?

Thank you!

Hello!

For Q4, you don’t necessarily need a separate example of each skill. With only 200 words, it might be more effective to identify 2-3 key skills / qualities and then use one strong example that demonstrates all of them in action. This allows the graduate recruitment team to see how your skills interact in a real situation, rather than a list of disconnected mini-stories.

For the “next generation of lawyers” part, it helps you frame your answers around qualities that reflect how the legal industry is evolving. Things such as adaptability, commercial awareness, tech-literacy, cross-team collaboration, or the ability to learn quickly tend to resonate as firms are thinking about the future of the profession, not just what lawyers needed 10 years ago.

A good structure to follow could be:

1. Briefly identify the skills you think matter for future lawyers
2. Explain why they matter in the modern legal landscape (with reference to changes in the legal market / profession)
3. Give one concise example of when you have demonstrated those skills

This keeps it clear, focused, and (hopefully!) within the word limit. I hope that helps!