TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[EfficientBag123]

The radio silence from Reed Smith is cooking me. Do i just accept defeat?? Any other deadline apply-ers still waiting??

I don’t want to put you down or anything, but from my experience if you’re not receiving an invite to the next stage when everyone else is assuming it’s a non rolling basis, it’s unlikely you get progressed. Of course if it’s rolling then there is still hope though.

 

[johnsmith]

The radio silence from Reed Smith is cooking me. Do i just accept defeat?? Any other deadline apply-ers still waiting??

When did you apply?

 

[spamelinazoid]

When did you apply?

Deadline^ 19th Dec

 

[Harvey Specter]

The radio silence from Reed Smith is cooking me. Do i just accept defeat?? Any other deadline apply-ers still waiting??

Yup I’m still waiting for Reed Smith. I sent my app early hours on the deadline but I’m gna assume it’s a PFO now. ​

 

[solicitor_2028]

The radio silence from Reed Smith is cooking me. Do i just accept defeat?? Any other deadline apply-ers still waiting??

I applied on the deadline, same as I did last year and still progressed to the second stage, so I'm hoping for some good news this year too!

 

[Novaa]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie recruit
trainees primarily from the VS or is it split equally with DTC applicants?

Also has anyone got an understanding of the conversion rates for their VS?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie recruit
trainees primarily from the VS or is it split equally with DTC applicants?

Also has anyone got an understanding of the conversion rates for their VS?

VS. Last 2 years around 15 of their 40 trainees were from DTCs.

 

[EfficientBag123]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie recruit
trainees primarily from the VS or is it split equally with DTC applicants?

Also has anyone got an understanding of the conversion rates for their VS?

Baker McKenzie offered 40 TCs last round. They have 30 spots on both spring and summer vacation schemes. I assume that it’s probably 1/2 people on the vac scheme get a return offer and 10 people are offered direct TCs. Bare in mind this is just an estimate on my part, I may be wrong.

 

[Wagamamas]

VS. Last 2 years around 15 of their 40 trainees were from DTCs.

That’s a very good number.

 

[Novaa]

VS. Last 2 years around 15 of their 40 trainees were from DTCs.

Baker McKenzie offered 40 TCs last round. They have 30 spots on both spring and summer vacation schemes. I assume that it’s probably 1/2 people on the vac scheme get a return offer and 10 people are offered direct TCs.

Thank you both!!

Looks like I’ll be locking in and making sure this application gets finished. 😸

 

[elle woods]

💀 you know you've been engaging with the commercial law world way too much when you start writing Macfarlane(s) instead of McFarlane (family law)...

sigh time to go back and change my notes
...I didn't even apply to Macfarlanes 😭

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

If a firm asks for a company/organisation reference but you don’t think it’s appropriate to provide one, is it ok to provide two academic references

@Bread at this stage in the process, references aren’t really contacted. The majority of your application form is actually used as a data capture form that feeds into HR for future hires, ROI analysis, and DEI information.

It’s common to actually go through the entire process until offer of VS or TC without having any background checks - and even then - a third party screener will be in touch to conduct these.

As for your references in particular, I’m sure at that time, the firm or third party will be in touch to see if they’re still accurate/your top choices - so I wouldn’t worry about who you’ve selected too much at this stage.

It is encouraged to choose one of each, but that can be a discussion closer to the time e.g. you don’t want your current company to know that you’re applying elsewhere.

 

[fitzer401]

Latham & Watkins Summer Vac Scheme AC. Applied day before the deadline. ACs seem to be held throughout all of Jan - didn't see anything available for Feb onwards.

 

[nooreb]

Does anyone have any insights on the Withers SJT please?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Latham & Watkins Summer Vac Scheme AC. Applied day before the deadline. ACs seem to be held throughout all of Jan - didn't see anything available for Feb onwards.

Well in sir. I applied for spring and am yet to hear XD.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Dear @Afraz Akhtar how would you go about approaching this question: Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role. Max 300 words

Hey @Ronaldo04

This question is a great way of seeing what you’ve done outside the world of law which you can relate to your career - so we need to focus on aligning any key takeaways or skill development on what it means to be a solicitor in this field.

For 300 words, I would break this down into two paragraphs (one of interests and activities - having an activity lead off an interest; and another for any positions of responsibility)

When deciding which to use, think about what you can articulate that you’ve done in those situations e.g. if you were part of a society, can you articulate how this contributed to your teamwork capabilities.

Once you’ve decided on which examples to choose, make sure that you’ve then linked each answer back to the role in particular e.g. most legal work is treated as a project, so you’ll play a particular role within a wider team, and would need to manage expectations, communicate with others, delegate, etc.

 

[llblawstudent]

Does anyone have any insights on the Withers SJT please?

When did you apply and hear back btw?

 

[sadlawyer01]

girlfriend got latham AC!

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Well in sir. I applied for spring and am yet to hear XD.

Same! I don’t know whether to tell myself it’s a PFO given they’re handing out ACs for summer vac scheme

 

[abc124]

girlfriend got latham AC!

Omg congrats, is that for spring or summer?