TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Tattyasha]

W

White and Case is Rolling??

Yes. Very much rolling. Confirmed on their website

 

[Alturistic whale]

@Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen Hey Team, with Jess now gone, who am I best to message if I have a mitigating circumstances question?

 

[DavidJC]

I'm struggling to structure my answer to 'What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley' in 300 words for their open day. I'm mainly drawn because of their life sciences sector (I'm a biochemistry student) and the range of transactional work they do with life sciences companies, but of course a lot of firms have a strong life sciences practice and I am struggling to explain why specifically Cooley's life sciences sector. I am also worried about focusing on one sector too much, and making it sound like I am not interested in anything else they do. I also don't know how much to write about the training/culture/diversity, or if i should instead focus on another practice instead of training?

I'm not sure if I would be of much help, but I just wanted to highlight that I'm struggling with this too as everyone I've met from Cooley has been contagiously lovely which makes me want to apply but I'm personally not really interested in their sectors so it's a challenge to draw any personal link to the work they do.

It is ultimately an Open Day and the point is very much to find out more about them so I wouldn't worry too much about focussing more on one sector. However, do also try and sprinkle in some amount of "why law" given your non-law background because this is probably an implied part of the question too.

I would say that it's great to highlight your interest in the life sciences sector, maybe look for specific clients and deals which you can relate to (remember to be as specific to London as possible as well) on their website, Legal 500/Chambers, or the many profiles out there (Legal 500 Future Lawyers/Chambers Student/Legal Cheek/TCLA). It might also help you identify if there's a specific part of the market they operate in e.g. listed companies, emerging companies, mid-high value companies etc.

You could also cover their small trainee intake and how it translates to collegiality, early responsibility, and more on-the-job training too. I know they're very active in the VC space and work directly with many founders too so if there's something that you could link to that, I think it would be good.

 

[confusedbird]

Hi guys,

Quick question - I was recording the VI for NRF and someone in my building decided to start work and bang a rope against my window. This was very audible in my VI responses so I waited and took longer than necessary to respond to the questions and even re-recorded one. This made me exceed the recommended 5 min prep time

Would you recommend contacting grad rec and letting them know? or is the 5 min prep time not something that is taken seriously?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

HL Job Sim invite 😀

Congrats! May I know when you submitted your initial application?

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard back from HL after the second sjt - the job sim one

 

[Jennifer2003]

I'm not sure if I would be of much help, but I just wanted to highlight that I'm struggling with this too as everyone I've met from Cooley has been contagiously lovely which makes me want to apply but I'm personally not really interested in their sectors so it's a challenge to draw any personal link to the work they do.

It is ultimately an Open Day and the point is very much to find out more about them so I wouldn't worry too much about focussing more on one sector. However, do also try and sprinkle in some amount of "why law" given your non-law background because this is probably an implied part of the question too.

I would say that it's great to highlight your interest in the life sciences sector, maybe look for specific clients and deals which you can relate to (remember to be as specific to London as possible as well) on their website, Legal 500/Chambers, or the many profiles out there (Legal 500 Future Lawyers/Chambers Student/Legal Cheek/TCLA). It might also help you identify if there's a specific part of the market they operate in e.g. listed companies, emerging companies, mid-high value companies etc.

You could also cover their small trainee intake and how it translates to collegiality, early responsibility, and more on-the-job training too. I know they're very active in the VC space and work directly with many founders too so if there's something that you could link to that, I think it would be good.

This is really helpful thank you so much!

 

[TortillaTC]

Anyone that has got the first HL test who applied on 29 September or after?

 

[johnsmith]

Congrats! May I know when you submitted your initial application?

Sure - 23rd Sept, completed my test on the 27th.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

HI @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock,, for this question for W&C

"Discuss a deal that White & Case has advised on in the last two years."

What do you think the word "deal" refers to here? Is it just on any matters they have worked on, including IPO's, Litigation cases and M&A, or is it just deals in the context of general M&A?

 

[applicant457]

Have all NRF VIs been given out? should I assume PFO with 4332 in arctic shores?

 

[amayad2004]

does anyone have any insights on the freshfields assessment!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Sure - 23rd Sept, completed my test on the 27th.

Thanks! Guess there'll be some wait then

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Should being an advisor in your university's legal advice clinic fall under work experience or extra curriculars

 

[msclm]

Invited to Sidley parter interview (post HR interview)!

 

[fta2024]

HL Job Sim invite 😀

congrats! is this the Online Immersive Assessment?

 

[zara elles]

Anyone that has got the first HL test who applied on 29 September or after?

I applied 2 mins before the deadline (bad I know) and got the test the next working day

 

[zara elles]

I have put down I have a neurodiversity on my applications. A firm is asking for proof - however I dont really feel comfortable sharing the full 30 page diagnostic report. Does anyone have any past experience of this/ know whether it would be acceptable in just providing a screenshot of the conclusion paragraph?

 

[johnsmith]

congrats! is this the Online Immersive Assessment?

It's not, it's the next stage, which is the Job Simulation Assessment.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock , I was reapplying to Reed Smith - but last year, I listed their Diversity and inclusion as one of the reasons. would you recommend changing that this year? - as RS has changed ED&I to Culture & Engagement.
I'm also not sure if their affinity groups exist anymore in the UK as they have been removed in the US.
If you could provide any clarification on this, I would be very grateful!