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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
2 minutes before the deadline HAHA i think they are doing it in reverse order! my girlfriend got hers too and she applied the same time as me!not yetwhen did you submit your app can I ask?
Any tips on the WG for cleary?! happy to share insights on anything else!
kirkland vi and a girlfriend?
i see! thank you haha - I applied the day also so hopefully will hear back tomorrowww
Hi! I’m definitely not qualified to give advice but there isn’t anything in this application about you that can’t be inferred from your CV. You never say WHY the aspects that you mention about the firm and law appeal to you, just that you’ve fine things related to the field.Hi guys, I was unfortunately rejected from Willkie at the first stage
I thought I wrote a pretty solid app, could anyone critique it and see what might have been the issue? Thank you.
Q1 - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law.
Max 250 words
I am motivated by intellectually demanding environments where issues are complex and stakes are high. As a national-level debater, I thrived on analysing dense material under time pressure, anticipating counterarguments, and adapting strategy in real time. Alongside this, founding a small (redacted) business sparked a strong interest in commerce and how relationships shape business outcomes. Commercial law therefore appeals to me because it combines these interests, requiring lawyers to strategically analyse legal risks in achieving their clients’ commercial objectives.
My commitment to this career path has been consistent and long-standing. Before university, I interned in the corporate practice of (law firm), a leading (non-UK) full-service law firm. Despite having to relocate to another state, I seized this opportunity to gain practical experience and developed rapport with a partner by producing high-quality due diligence reports, ultimately securing a letter of recommendation. At university, a first-year scheme with (large US firm)–particularly a panel on cross-border project finance–highlighted how commercial judgement and contractual protections are essential to managing regulatory and investment risk. I later saw this in practice as a summer analyst at (Boutique PE fund), where reviewing investment covenants highlighted the importance of lawyers’ role in preserving investor confidence through the structuring of legal risk.
These experiences confirmed my interest in this field and motivate me to pursue a career at a leading global firm like Willkie, where I would be challenged to think creatively, navigate complex and interesting commercial contexts, and develop the judgment required of an effective commercial lawyer.
Q2 - Please explain why you are applying to Willkie.
Max 250 words
Firstly, I am drawn to Willkie’s dual strengths in transactional and contentious work, reflected in Chambers rankings for PE buyouts and investment funds, alongside Band-1 recognition in competition litigation and growing strength in arbitration and commercial disputes. Having topped my year in (finance module), I am attracted to Willkie’s integrated PE, finance and capital markets practices, which regularly work on innovative and impactful transactional mandates like Belfius Bank’s recent €500m sustainability-linked green notes issuance. Simultaneously, placing in the Top 8 of 120+ teams at the (University) Negotiation Competition–where success depended on distilling complex arguments and advocating persuasively under pressure–highlighted the appeal of contentious work. At Willkie, I could experience the top end of both areas, developing a holistic understanding of how lawyers structure, negotiate and contest deals and disputes.
Secondly, I am attracted to Willkie’s rapid growth and entrepreneurial culture. The London office has expanded at exceptional speed, doubling its lawyer headcount between 2017 and 2025 while delivering double-digit revenue growth year-on-year. As Hiral Jain noted at an Open Evening, this scale of expansion necessitates lean, high-leverage teams and an emphasis on junior responsibility. This environment suits how I work: at (Non MBB Consulting Firm), taking initiative and actively seeking feedback led to strong relationships and being entrusted to support a Director on a Third-Party Risk Management project. This reinforced the value of a self-starter mindset early in a career, and I am confident my proactive approach would allow me to thrive at Willkie.
My stats are: graduate, 2.1 from a target university (2.2 in first year, but mitigating circumstances related to physical health), various open days/1 first year scheme.
Also got rejected from Skadden at the first stage and HSFK at the app review stage
Would be really thankful on points to improve/change; am I missing anything?
All those rejections made me procrastinate instead of preparing for Weil test… Questioning if it’s worth with my profile, maybe it’s going to be a generic rejection again
First of all, I actually think your application is decent. Willkie is a particularly competitive firm- so your application doesn’t have to be bad to be rejected- just not good enough. But I am sure you are on the right track.Hi guys, I was unfortunately rejected from Willkie at the first stage
I thought I wrote a pretty solid app, could anyone critique it and see what might have been the issue? Thank you.
Q1 - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law.
Max 250 words
I am motivated by intellectually demanding environments where issues are complex and stakes are high. As a national-level debater, I thrived on analysing dense material under time pressure, anticipating counterarguments, and adapting strategy in real time. Alongside this, founding a small (redacted) business sparked a strong interest in commerce and how relationships shape business outcomes. Commercial law therefore appeals to me because it combines these interests, requiring lawyers to strategically analyse legal risks in achieving their clients’ commercial objectives.
My commitment to this career path has been consistent and long-standing. Before university, I interned in the corporate practice of (law firm), a leading (non-UK) full-service law firm. Despite having to relocate to another state, I seized this opportunity to gain practical experience and developed rapport with a partner by producing high-quality due diligence reports, ultimately securing a letter of recommendation. At university, a first-year scheme with (large US firm)–particularly a panel on cross-border project finance–highlighted how commercial judgement and contractual protections are essential to managing regulatory and investment risk. I later saw this in practice as a summer analyst at (Boutique PE fund), where reviewing investment covenants highlighted the importance of lawyers’ role in preserving investor confidence through the structuring of legal risk.
These experiences confirmed my interest in this field and motivate me to pursue a career at a leading global firm like Willkie, where I would be challenged to think creatively, navigate complex and interesting commercial contexts, and develop the judgment required of an effective commercial lawyer.
Q2 - Please explain why you are applying to Willkie.
Max 250 words
Firstly, I am drawn to Willkie’s dual strengths in transactional and contentious work, reflected in Chambers rankings for PE buyouts and investment funds, alongside Band-1 recognition in competition litigation and growing strength in arbitration and commercial disputes. Having topped my year in (finance module), I am attracted to Willkie’s integrated PE, finance and capital markets practices, which regularly work on innovative and impactful transactional mandates like Belfius Bank’s recent €500m sustainability-linked green notes issuance. Simultaneously, placing in the Top 8 of 120+ teams at the (University) Negotiation Competition–where success depended on distilling complex arguments and advocating persuasively under pressure–highlighted the appeal of contentious work. At Willkie, I could experience the top end of both areas, developing a holistic understanding of how lawyers structure, negotiate and contest deals and disputes.
Secondly, I am attracted to Willkie’s rapid growth and entrepreneurial culture. The London office has expanded at exceptional speed, doubling its lawyer headcount between 2017 and 2025 while delivering double-digit revenue growth year-on-year. As Hiral Jain noted at an Open Evening, this scale of expansion necessitates lean, high-leverage teams and an emphasis on junior responsibility. This environment suits how I work: at (Non MBB Consulting Firm), taking initiative and actively seeking feedback led to strong relationships and being entrusted to support a Director on a Third-Party Risk Management project. This reinforced the value of a self-starter mindset early in a career, and I am confident my proactive approach would allow me to thrive at Willkie.
My stats are: graduate, 2.1 from a target university (2.2 in first year, but mitigating circumstances related to physical health), various open days/1 first year scheme.
Also got rejected from Skadden at the first stage and HSFK at the app review stage
Would be really thankful on points to improve/change; am I missing anything?
I can sense bits do seem a little bit AI-like. Maybe they picked this up? Sorry if you didn’t use AI.
Secondly, and I agree with others here, I think your first answer doesn’t really say why commercial law for you personally. It’s quite difficult to justify why you want to work in commercial law, when you haven’t yet and don’t know what it’s like, but that’s the challenge we all face!
I’ve never seen this before but Milbank have sent me two msgs since I got the test invite to remind me to take the test, usually firms only email. Has this happened to other ppl too?
- Feb 17, 2018
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I wondered if it's created them way more work than that expected!
oh totallyyy they should have added like a word count limit or at least indicated how long they wanted answers to be (it had a little message to keep answers brief but it never said how brief lol)
100% their faces dropped seeing nearly everyone spend 2+ hrs on a "45 min" test
I’m logged in but cannot see the live chat
Hi, has anyone heard back from Freshfields post second stage? I made my application in November and completed the tests in late November-early December
Thank you so much!Hi @floral.tcla
For more general VI advice, feel free to have a look at the link below:
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
milbank ac ! relatedly- when vac schemes clash what are firms’ general response for moving to a scheme later in the year? I know this will vary firm to firm but does anyone have any idea?www.thecorporatelawacademy.com
From what you have said, it seems like the questions will be situational and will focus on assessing particular competencies through each situation.
In relation to your question regarding how the firm will distinguish between candidates, the firm will probably be looking at (1) how you think logically to identify the issues and overcome the specific situation in question and (2) how you deliver your answer i.e., speaking clearly, concisely and following a structure to ensure the listener can easily follow your thought process.
On a side note, I always found that there is generally no right or wrong answer as long as you stick to the issues highlighted in the question and the SRA's guidelines i.e., maintaining client confidentiality etc. For me, being creative and unique in your approach always helps stand out.
Best of luck! 👍
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