TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afraz Akhtar]

Debevoise is asking for a "Company/Organisation Referee". Does that mean everyone has to have an employer reference? Thank you!

Hi @Hopeful applicant it’s usually advised to have one academic and one professional reference (just so they can see both sides of your character). However, it’s not the end of the world if you can’t provide on. In fact, some people may not have had any prior employment, or an experience strong enough to generate a reference.

If you’re in the same boat, for now, I’d include another reference - for the sake of the application. As for when it comes down to contacting your referees (they usually get in touch with you first) at that stage you can change it or explain that you don’t have an employment contact for referencing and have opted to use another academic one.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

has Freshfields given out direct TC AC yet?

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

I hope Milbank’s SJT was not a waste of time, as the firm has already invited some people to ACs for the spring scheme

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I have a Forage question:

This year I completed 5 job sims (White & Case, Clifford Chance, Kennedys and Slaughter & May x 2). At the time I applied to CC's VS I had not done their Forage programme, and the email strongly suggested that applicants have a far better chance of success if they complete at least one. So after submitting I completed their Community and Pro Bono course. If I had done that first, the changes of making it to the next stage would have been (perhaps slightly) increased.

Now I am looking at Jones Day. They were not a firm I had considered before, but I had a great time at their LawCareersNet LIVE event in London and that changed my mind. Having completed 5 Forage sims already, the prospect of doing another is not particularly inviting. But I think that the firm would probably look more favourably on any candidate who had completed their programme.

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

@WillKitchen hey, 5 forage experiences is very good and more than enough for any firm.

Unless a firm has specifically put in their eligibility that they consider candidates who completed their Forage WE more favourably, I wouldn’t force myself to sit one in order to apply.

I don’t think firms are going to be prioritising candidates who completed their forage we, as that is not a measure of candidate performance and risks skewing their ROI analysis of Forage overall.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Guys do you think that for the Debevoise question below it is necessary to mention a deal that they have worked on?: Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? (Max 300 words)

Hello!

I'd say that the key thing they're testing here is commercial awareness and analysis, not whether you've picked a Debevoise deal. Therefore, I don't think it'll look bad at all if you choose a deal that they weren't involved in.

A good way to approach it could be:

• Briefly explain the deal
• Say why it interested you (e.g. the market context, strategy used, risks involved, scale, etc)
• Explain which side you'd represent and why, focusing on the commercial and legal challenges. This could involve discussing the commercial rationale, the challenges for each side, and what makes it interesting from a legal perspective and the work involved.

When choosing a side, I'd avoid framing it as "the good side vs the bad side". Instead, focus on why that side presents more complex, strategic, or interesting legal or commercial issues.

If you can utilise a Debevoise deal or naturally link the deal to Debevoise's strengths, that's a plus, but don't force it if it doesn't fit neatly

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Any new AC invites for Reed Smith? i did the SJT+VI on 8th December so it's almost been a month.. should I be expecting a PFO? Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith any insights?

Hello!

Unfortunately, I don't have any specific insights into when people can expect to hear back after completing the online assessment. If it is any consolation, I waited a month between completing my online assessment and receiving an AC invite, so I wouldn't make any assumptions yet! It may just be that it is taking slightly longer due to the holiday period

 

[Prudentia]

Does anyone know if the Milbank SJT written questions are mostly general (e.g., why Milbank/why commercial law), or more scenario-based?

Both.

 

[Prudentia]

I hope Milbank’s SJT was not a waste time, as the firm has already invited some people to ACs for the spring scheme

I thought they were reviewing applications after the deadline? I wasn't aware they were rolling.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu I have a question about tone in applications. I have always thought that a measured and more polished tone would be better because I don't want to sound like I'm entitled or aggressive/annoying, but now I'm questioning whether a more forceful/assertive tone is preferable in applications. Would love your thoughts.

Hi!

This is a tricky one, and I'm not sure there is necessarily one 'right' approach! I think it helps to reframe this slightly away from "polished vs forceful" and towards a clear and confident approach. A measured tone is absolutely fine (and sometimes is the safest option!), as long as it doesn't tip into being vague or too hesitant.

You don't need to sound aggressive or too pushy to be assertive - assertiveness in applications can usually come from:

• Making clear choices (e.g. being specific about why this firm and why their work)
• Stating views without excessive hedging (e.g. "I am interested because..." instead of "I feel I could be interested in...").
• Backing points with reasoning and past experiences / examples.

A highly polished tone that takes ownership of your points and displays clear motivations usually comes across as confident, rather than entitled. Ultimately, a firm wants to see that you are sure of your career decisions and genuinely want to work at the firm, so having this confidence is a good thing. However, a "forceful" tone without substance and reasoning to back it up could come across as overconfident.

This is definitely an aspect I used to struggle with (both in applications and interviews), as I didn't want to be perceived as overconfident or cocky and give the wrong impression. However, I think altering your viewpoint and reframing it as confidence in your motivations and skills can really help - definitely don't feel afraid to sound certain when you can demonstrate how you have reached that certainty!

 

[yuhhhh]

Does anyone who's done a Latham AC this cycle have any insights? Happy to share VI/AC insights for other firms!

 

[Winter]

Does anyone who's done a Latham AC this cycle have any insights? Happy to share VI/AC insights for other firms!

Congrats !! Is this for spring/summer? and did you do the OD?

 

[AMullin]

Just a general comment- law firms who put their deadlines at 5/5:30pm on a Friday really don't want people already with full-time jobs applying do they...

Grad rec are unlikely to work weekends- just have the deadlines 23:59 on Sunday pls!

I feel the same when I need to do a SJT and VI within 5 days, just as I start my run of 5 12hr shifts, even when they aren't going to review the VIs for another month! 😂

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Any new AC invites for Reed Smith? i did the SJT+VI on 8th December so it's almost been a month.. should I be expecting a PFO? Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith any insights?

Heyy, I did mine in Nov, and I'm still yet to hear back, so I think they'll start responding from next week as some people who submitted their apps are yet to hear back about the SJT+VI. Let's keep our hopes up!! Wrong character but🤭

 

[TheGeek12]

Hello everyone. I trying to stop myself from having a bit of a panic. I have been trying to do Simmons SJT but I have been getting this error. Today is the deadline so I tried again and nothing. I have emailed but obviously I doubt that the recruitment team will be able to do anything tonight. Has anyone had the same/a similar experience?
Thanks!

 

[TheGeek12]

Any responses from Slaughter & May from anyone?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Hello everyone. I trying to stop myself from having a bit of a panic. I have been trying to do Simmons SJT but I have been getting this error. Today is the deadline so I tried again and nothing. I have emailed but obviously I doubt that the recruitment team will be able to do anything tonight. Has anyone had the same/a similar experience?
Thanks!
View attachment 7544

Unless you’re applying for the Bristol vacation scheme, the deadline was the 15th December.

 

[TheGeek12]

Unless you’re applying for the Bristol vacation scheme, the deadline was the 15th December.

No, I know but I submitted it ages ago. It seems like there was an error and I never received the SJT link on time so they sent it to me later. The deadline was today but obviously due to the holidays I was unable to get it touch with them when I realised the link was not working. I just sent them another email today.

 

[johnsmith]

Hello everyone. I trying to stop myself from having a bit of a panic. I have been trying to do Simmons SJT but I have been getting this error. Today is the deadline so I tried again and nothing. I have emailed but obviously I doubt that the recruitment team will be able to do anything tonight. Has anyone had the same/a similar experience?
Thanks!
View attachment 7544

Try the link in an incognito browser or clear your cookies and cache and try again - often find it sorts the issue. I can only ever review my applications via Vantage in incognito.

 

[TheGeek12]

Try the link in an incognito browser or clear your cookies and cache and try again - often find it sorts the issue. I can only ever review my applications via Vantage in incognito.

Tried in incognito browser, on different devices. None are working. It is also the amberjack SJT. I am assuming that there might be an error on their end. Fingers crossed they can fix it!

 

[Winter]

Tried in incognito browser, on different devices. None are working. It is also the amberjack SJT. I am assuming that there might be an error on their end. Fingers crossed they can fix it!

Check the precise email that the email for the SJT was sent to and enter that into the field, or if you were sent two SJT links (one may be expired). Otherwise, you may need to email Grad Rec.