TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

@vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. (250)

Hi, this is one of the application questions for Hogan Lovells. I was wondering if we need to link back our experiences and skills to specific things relating to the firm where it might be helpful? How would you recommend structuring this answer?

Hey!

I think that the question is a really good opportunity to show a bit more of yourself beyond work and study. It's less about having some huge achievement, and more about showing how everyday experiences have helped you build skills that matter in a trainee role. Activities such as being part of a sports team, volunteering, or organising a society event can all work well if you can link them back to what you learned.

A structure that I would usually use is:

• What you did - the activity or experience.
• What you learned - the key skills that you built (teamwork, resilience, communication, organisations, etc.)
• Why it matters - how these skills will help you as a trainee solicitor

For example:

"In my role as secretary of the university magazine, I was responsible for organising meetings, managing deadlines, and keeping communication clear between the editorial team and the design time. This meant balancing different priorities, resolving last-minute issues, and making sure that the magazine stayed on track to meet publication deadlines. Through this, I developed strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team under pressure. These are directly relevant to life as a trainee, where clear communication, teamwork, and the ability to manage competing demands are essential"

You don't need to link it back to Hogan Lovells directly, but thinking about the kind of qualities that they value in their trainees can help you frame your answer in the right way.

I hope that assists

 

[e_turbo2]

Yesterday hogan lovells had 4 questions in their wvs application now suddenly they have 2? Am I hallucinating 🤣 or did they suddenly change it

It is 2 questions.

 

[TCLA0322]

Hi, I'm sorry about the rejection I havent heard back yet, can I ask which one you applied for?

5th Sept;
for the next week's open day

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I've just been invited to the Jones Day AC which includes a group exercise and a case study interview. If anyone has any tips or insight into how best to prepare and succeed on the day I would really appreciate it!

Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !

Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!

In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!

Group Exercise

• In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
• Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
• Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
• If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.

Case Study Interview

• You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
• Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
• They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
• Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
• If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change if X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.

I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.

At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.

Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!

 

[Kakaboo]

Does anyone have any tips on how to deeper research firms? I cant seem to find much apart from whats on their webiste etc

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

what law firms have no grade requirement

Hello!

Most firms will have a 2:1 or above minimum requirement at degree level, but mitigating circumstances are taken into account if applicable. There are a few firms that state they do not have minimum academic requirements, such as:

• Irwin Mitchell
• Browne Jacobson
• Lewis Silkin
• Osborne Clarke
• Bevan Brittan (if you have three years' relevant commercial work experience, you do not necessarily need a 2:1)

There are also some firms that don't have any A-Level requirements, such as:

• Ashurst
• BCLP
• Macfarlanes
• Womble Bond Dickinson
• Gowling WLG
• PwC
• Reed Smith
• Browne Jacobson
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Milbank
• Akin Gump
• Davis Polk

There are likely to be more than those on this list! If unsure, I would check the firm's FAQs page or email the early careers team to confirm

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie, do you recommend we should pick a relatively recent article, in the last 6 to 12 months and not further than that?

Hi @lawyersum !

Yes, I would pick a relatively recent article if possible - within the last 12 months. This demonstrates that you're keeping up with current developments at the firm and within its client sectors.

However, if there's a slightly older article that's still highly relevant (e.g. has had a lasting impact or is still being talked about), you could use it as long as you explain why it remains important for the sector

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anybody know if DLA Piper sponsors visa's for trainees in their Birmingham officer?

From their website, it states that they are unable to sponsor visa's for their summer internship programme. However, they state that they will sponsor you for a visa if you are successful in receiving an offer to join as a trainee solicitor.

As this doesn't specify that this is exclusively for London, I would assume that this applies across their offices. However, it might be worth emailing the early careers team to confirm

 

[c3alg]

Has anyone not heard from Sidley yet (WVS)?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any tips on how to deeper research firms? I cant seem to find much apart from whats on their webiste etc

Hi @Kakaboo !

I completely understand what you mean - it can be difficult to know where to get information from, as a lot of it seems surface-level. A few things that I used to help me dig deeper are:

• Legal News Sites (Legal Cheek, The Lawyer, Law.com, RollOnFriday) - they often cover deals, cases, or firm culture that you won't necessarily find on the official site.
• Chambers Student / Lex 100 Profiles - these are great for hearing what trainees actually say about their experiences.
• Press Releases and Client News - most firms will announce big transactions and cases that they are involved with, as well as strategic moves that they are making to remain competitive. This is great for giving you a sense of the sectors that they are active and leading in.
• LinkedIn - following the firm and its lawyers is great for spotting what they're proud of and how they position themselves. If you are researching for an interview / AC, it might be appropriate to reach out to a trainee or future trainee to see if they can offer any advice.
• Podcasts, webinars, and open days - a lot of firms will host these now (either in-person or online), and they give you more information on a firm's culture and priorities.
• Networking - if you can, reach out to current trainees and attend virtual law fairs. Hearing personal experiences gives you insights that you might not find online.
• AI (within reason) - it can be a useful starting point for researching a firm, as it can quickly pull together relevant resources. Always make sure to double-check the information (by finding the information on a reputable source afterwards) before relying on it to make sure it is accurate and relevant.

The trick is to combine what the firm says about itself (i.e. on its website) with how it is perceived in the market and what their people are talking about!

 

[Vakil]

Has anyone not heard from Sidley yet (WVS)?

🙋‍♂️

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Application to the Gibson Dunn Summer Vacation Scheme 2026 - Capptivate Law Assessment On Hold". Thank you for your application for a place on the Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme 2026 and for completing our Capptivate Law Assessment. Please note, you should have already received your feedback report following the completion of your assessment. We just wanted to let you know that we will be reviewing your application and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have further update. As you are aware our programmes are highly competitive so please do bear with us. Thank you for your patience. ​

​

Did anyone else just receive this from Gibson Dunn? Haven't gotten any feedback report. Has anyone gotten theirs?

 

[Chriss]

Application to the Gibson Dunn Summer Vacation Scheme 2026 - Capptivate Law Assessment On Hold". Thank you for your application for a place on the Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme 2026 and for completing our Capptivate Law Assessment. Please note, you should have already received your feedback report following the completion of your assessment. We just wanted to let you know that we will be reviewing your application and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have further update. As you are aware our programmes are highly competitive so please do bear with us. Thank you for your patience.​

​

Did anyone else just receive this from Gibson Dunn? Haven't gotten any feedback report. Has anyone gotten theirs?

yeah i just got it and i also got no feedback report

 

[applicant457]

Guys is it worth applying for the Macfarlanes dinner given applications are rolling for the vac scheme anyway?

 

[c.t.tc]

Has anyone had the Taylor Wessing test meant to be sent today come through yet?

 

[Shahenshah]

Application to the Gibson Dunn Summer Vacation Scheme 2026 - Capptivate Law Assessment On Hold". Thank you for your application for a place on the Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme 2026 and for completing our Capptivate Law Assessment. Please note, you should have already received your feedback report following the completion of your assessment. We just wanted to let you know that we will be reviewing your application and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have further update. As you are aware our programmes are highly competitive so please do bear with us. Thank you for your patience.​

​

Did anyone else just receive this from Gibson Dunn? Haven't gotten any feedback report. Has anyone gotten theirs?

Yes, same, no feedback report

 

[Ronaldo04]

Hello guys, just wanted to ask, in the why commercial law question, can I say that I solidified my interest when attending an open day at ...., even though the Open day is at another firm, not the one I am currently applying to?

 

[cheeseontoast]

Does anyone know whether what are the deadlines for DLA Piper's vac scheme and whether they are rolling? I couldn't find those information on their website and they didn'y mention it on their brochures (

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Hey,

Here are my main tips for each:

Group Exercise:

• Work with your group. Don't be the odd person out that doesn't work in a team. Working together improves the quality of your response to your assessors - many is always better than one. You can bounce ideas off each other, and learn so much. Any employer would prefer to work with, and hire people that know how to work well as a team.
• If you know the subject matter of the exercise, then research well on it. If not, keep up on any general commercial trends, as I am very sure that one of them will pop out, or at least you could weave it in somewhere.

Case Study Interview:

• Practice common case study types - corporate, M&A, article discussions on trendy topics, etc. Know these concepts well. It's okay if you don't know everything - law firm's don't expect you to at this stage. Ask questions in your interview if you need to. Engage in a thoughtful discussion, like asking YOUR interviewers what THEY think about a particular topic. Obviously only do this once you've answered the question they asked you about to the best of your ability.

Best wishes, and congrats on the invite. Let us know if you have any more specific questions

Congrats on the AC invite – that’s a huge step!

Group exercise tips

• Collaborate, don’t compete – build on others’ points, encourage quieter teammates, and keep the group moving towards consensus.
• Listen actively – respond to what’s been said instead of just waiting for your turn.
• Be concise & balanced – make several short, relevant contributions rather than dominating with one long speech.
• Stay positive – keep your tone polite, professional, and solution-oriented.
• Expect a mix of prep, discussion, and maybe presentation/role-play. Even if there’s a commercial element, they’re really testing how you engage as part of a team.

Case study interview tips

1. Communication – explain your thinking clearly; use PEA (Point, Evidence, Analysis).
2. Attention to detail – scan the documents carefully; small details often matter.
3. Confidence under pressure – stay calm, speak clearly, and if unsure, think out loud.

How to prep:

• Review key legal basics (contract, commercial law).
• Practise timed case studies – focus on spotting issues, structuring your analysis, and presenting logically.

During the interview:

• Structure your answers clearly (PEA).
• Engage with the interviewer.
• Stay concise – they value clarity and efficiency.
• If stuck, show your thought process rather than freezing.

Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !

Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!

In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!

Group Exercise

• In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
• Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
• Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of our progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
• If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.

Case Study Interview

• You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
• Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
• They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
• Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
• If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change of X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.

I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.

At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.

Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!

@Amma Usman @Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Thanks so much for all of your advice!!

 

[ZNadeem]

Guys is it worth applying for the Macfarlanes dinner given applications are rolling for the vac scheme anyway?

Hi! I’d say it can definitely be worth applying for the Macfarlanes dinner. Firms usually factor in the timing of their introductory events when looking at applications, since they know lots of candidates will want to attend first and then apply. Attending the dinner could give you useful insights into the firm’s culture, practice areas, and training, which you can then use to strengthen your vac scheme application.

So, if you think you’d genuinely benefit from it — e.g. by making connections with trainees/associates and picking up examples to reference in your application — I’d suggest going for the dinner and then submitting your vac scheme application afterwards. It’s less about speed and more about quality, so waiting a little while to write a stronger, better-informed application can actually help.