TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCLAuser2002]

Me during my interview with Gibson Dunn on Zoom: I love banks, credit cards...

 

[Shaky_Pete]

That feeling when you spend ages researching Bristows' practice areas and work, only to fuck yourself because you can't recall what its 'four values' are. 😭 Also, 60 seconds is ridiculously quick.

 

[trainee4u]

That feeling when you spend ages researching Bristows' practice areas and work, only to fuck yourself because you can't recall what its 'four values' are. 😭 Also, 60 seconds is ridiculously quick.

I've seen a similar question before, tbf.
It's always four values for some reason. Never three.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Me during my interview with Gibson Dunn on Zoom: I love banks, credit cards...

Wait did you get an interview already or is this a hypothetical.
If yes to the first one, when did you apply?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I've seen a similar question before, tbf.
It's always four values for some reason. Never three.

My four values are

1. Money
2. Moola
3. Cash
4. Um...and money

Thank you.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Wait did you get an interview already or is this a hypothetical.
If yes to the first one, when did you apply?

Haha I did get an interview, I applied 14 Nov

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

For those with Freshfields DTC AC's - Did you get an email confirming the details of your AC?

 

[supp…]

Anyone do the Eversheds AC today? Do dm me!

Hi, mines next week did you have yours? If so how was it??

 

[Samiksha Jain]

Anone got AC from Skadden?

 

[Samiksha Jain]

How is everyone prepping for Skadden interview? Any tips/advice? Slightly freaking out...!

its hard idk how to prepare for it. When is yours?

 

[Samiksha Jain]

Weil and Skadden

Oh my god congracts!!! when is your Ac for skadden?

 

[RSK]

For those with Freshfields DTC AC's - Did you get an email confirming the details of your AC?

yep; if you haven't received the email confirming details, it means that the time slot has already been allocated to someone else. You have to go back to the first email to double-check what slots are now available.

 

[johnsmith]

My bclp application defo got lost in the post… right ?

They are still doing the spring AC’s so depending on what you applied for I wouldn’t worry!

 

[johnsmith]

Hi everyone!

Just a random question- how does everyone view “work-life balance” once you get a TC? And yes I’m saying “once” cos we’re all going to get there!!!

Do you care about it? Do you think it depends on age? Are you picking firms based on their work-life culture? By age I mean someone in their early 20s/fresh out of uni vs 30s for example. But of course it depends on personal circumstances/responsibilities too

It’s something I have thought about a lot. I don’t think it is really based on age. It’s about the firm you join, whether they work across timezones and the general culture. Trainees seem to work hard but associates and up work just as hard hard but have more flexibility and earn more.

The way I have rationalised it is as long as your earning enough to live where your firm is as a trainee and then on qualifying you a) have a high chance of being retained b) get paid enough that working harder doesn’t end up at a level where being a qualified professional makes sense then it’s all good.

Whether it works for you personally is up to you. I’m married and my wife is supportive as it will help facilitate our family in future.

If you have no real commitments then just go for it if you want it and then judge where you’re at after qualifying. There is never a shortage of legal jobs in the UK as not enough people qualify and stay in the job, especially in specialist areas.