TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

vera.mekhonoshina

Distinguished Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2023
51
41
Hello, to answer the question "what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?" what would u recommend? I have researched and all I can find is AI etc
Hi @Kakaboo,

The breadth of this question can definitely make it more challenging to direct and streamline your research. Here are some other ideas that might inspire you.

  • Recent changes to legislation. Is there a new statute or regulation coming into effect that may affect businesses in that particular sector?
  • Specific events within the sector. For example, has there been a deal of an unusually large size/ value? How might this affect other players in the market?
  • Growing/ declining popularity of specific products or services within a sector, or even the creation of new products/ services. How may this affect the provision of law firm services within that sector?
  • Geopolitical events. Think tariffs, sanctions, disruptions of trade routes, etc.
I would also reiterate the importance of actually explaining why you would consider your chosen point to be the biggest opportunity for the sector. It is this explanation that will demonstrate the depth of your understanding!

Good luck :)
 

vera.mekhonoshina

Distinguished Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2023
51
41
I would really encourage you to have a deep dive into the firm's thought leadership on their website. Choose a sector, and look at all the recent reports, articles etc that the firm have written, you will likely find something other than AI to write about (I hope!). If you want to keep with the AI theme, you can frame it around the impact of technology in that sector (if it wasn't common in that sector before). But yeah, really have a look at the firm's website to find a nuanced and tailored commercial development to talk about. Hope this helps
This is good advice, @lawyersum! This is absolutely correct - often, you can identify the issues a law firm 'cares about' the most by seeing what thought leadership articles it has published within a specific sector.
 

FutureTraineeMaybe

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Feb 15, 2024
131
116
Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe,

You are absolutely right!

If I were answering this question, I would definitely provide specific examples of how I demonstrated these qualities. However, I would make sure to first explain why I believe a particular quality makes a successful lawyer, as this is the core of the question.

Given that you are applying to train at the London office, I would recommend focusing on issues that will affect London/ UK-based clients and therefore the firm. It doesn't necessarily mean that the issue has to come from the UK, but it would look best if it has direct relevance for the London office's clients.

Hope this helps!
Thank you!!
 
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Gabytorres_h

Standard Member
Premium Member
Aug 2, 2025
8
13
Hi, I have sent my Paul Weiss application as a joint form for their open day and vacation scheme. After reading this forum, I realised that they prefer separate forms (I don't know why they would allow it in the form). Should I withdraw my application and send it separately? If I do so, can I use the same answers? Can you apply to both their spring and winter VS? Can anyone help me, please?
 

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