TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[vera.mekhonoshina]

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]

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.

 

[rosedunn]

for paul weiss would it be recommended to apply for both the vacation scheme and open day?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

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!!

 

[dannyp123]

for paul weiss would it be recommended to apply for both the vacation scheme and open day?

Apply Open Day first, then apply for the vacation scheme after the Open Day. Paul Weiss is non-rolling so no rush on the vac schemes.

 

[SemperParatus]

Slightly nervous about hearing back from the tcla willkie open day, really hope we can find out soon if we got in or not

 

[jojo23]

Slightly nervous about hearing back from the tcla willkie open day, really hope we can find out soon if we got in or not

Any idea when we will hear back?

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

has anybody heard back from sidley austin? I applied in the first week of August but I have heard nothing.

 

[Gabytorres_h]

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?

 

[noahsmiit01]

Any idea when we will hear back?

On 9th

 

[zara elles]

Might be a silly question, but should I really be tailoring my work exp section to each firm? I have never done this in the past as my work exp is really more a list of things I have done in each role rather than explaining the skills I've learnt in the role. Should I be looking at the competencies of each firm and tailoring my work exp for this? I just assumed this was only really needed in the questions tailored to each firm.

Also, am I okay to leave this section in bullet points (ofc they are full sentences), rather than paragraphs - I just felt it was easier to read this way since each point is an entirely different task.

 

[fffvfdsfv]

is it still worth applying for a&o or no (since its rolling)?

should i apply for the vs or the tc? ive already done two vac schemes (at a magic circle and silver circle) but also im going into my final year of uni

 

[Sachin Chandra]

Does anyone know if Latham does rolling apps for their Spring VS or if they at least look at apps before deadline but dont respond?

Non-rolling

 

[Sachin Chandra]

Hi @vera.mekhonoshina @ZNadeem
For the Sidley question : In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?
Would it be appropriate here to weave in examples of how you have demonstrated these qualities, or would that be straying too much from the question?

Also for the commercial news issue, is it okay to focus on a US-based issue or would it better to focus on a UK/EU issue?

Thank you!

I think better if UK/EU - but doesn't matter so much. More important is how well you understand (and can explain) the issue and how you justify your interest in it

 

[Bread]

When writing about commercial awareness topics, is it recommended that we discuss very current commercial trends or is it ok to mention a longer ongoing lawsuit?

 

[ZNadeem]

Might be a silly question, but should I really be tailoring my work exp section to each firm? I have never done this in the past as my work exp is really more a list of things I have done in each role rather than explaining the skills I've learnt in the role. Should I be looking at the competencies of each firm and tailoring my work exp for this? I just assumed this was only really needed in the questions tailored to each firm.

Also, am I okay to leave this section in bullet points (ofc they are full sentences), rather than paragraphs - I just felt it was easier to read this way since each point is an entirely different task.

Hi!

There’s no need to tailor your work experience section to each firm — I never did. Realistically, the competencies firms look for are broadly the same. The crux of a strong work experience section is to:

1. Provide a bit of context on the role.
2. Be detailed on what you actually did and how.
3. (Optional, depending on space) Briefly touch on the 1-2 skills you gained and how they’ll benefit you as a trainee.

I wouldn’t use bullet points — most firms prefer it in paragraph form, as it flows better and shows you can write professionally.

 

[ZNadeem]

is it still worth applying for a&o or no (since its rolling)?

should i apply for the vs or the tc? ive already done two vac schemes (at a magic circle and silver circle) but also im going into my final year of uni

Hi! If this is your only chance to apply to the firm this cycle, then yes — definitely submit. You’ve got nothing to lose, and if they want you, they’ll still progress your application.

Since you’ve already completed two schemes, you could go straight for the TC. That said, bear in mind that many firms tend to recruit primarily through their vacation schemes, so weigh that up when deciding.

 

[ZNadeem]

When writing about commercial awareness topics, is it recommended that we discuss very current commercial trends or is it ok to mention a longer ongoing lawsuit?

Hi! That’s perfectly okay. Longer ongoing cases or trends can work really well, especially if you can explain the wider implications and why they matter to clients.