TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Back to say I sadly got a Sidley PFO..,after going to an insight day yesterday LMAO

Hate to be that one guy right now but was this post app or TI and was it Spring or Summer? Did yous apply early or closer to the deadline?​

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Back to say I sadly got a Sidley PFO..,after going to an insight day yesterday LMAO

Really sorry to hear that, may I know when did you submit your app? Mine was sent in October and radio silence 😭

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Burges Salmon PFO post AC really upset as I really liked the firm

 

[helenaskelton]

Would love some advice. I recently emailed a firm post AC to ask about whether I’d got the VS, and I said I’d got an offer from elsewhere (they had said if this happened you could email them to speed up the process etc). They said they’d respond by the end of this week. Not much time left and they still haven’t messaged. Can I assume PFO?

 

[dednedred]

Burges Salmon SVS!

 

[kukubird]

Sidley summer PFO post app, applied 6th Jan

 

[lawyersum]

Lewis Silkin email saying we should hear back ‘early next week’

What was the wording of the email?

 

[elizabethkate]

lewis silken holding email but i spelt their name wrong throughout so why cant they just reject me now? pls

 

[yasmars]

Oh I thought they were like Fieldfisher 🤣

If they didn't send you a holding email, it could be (with examples of firms) :
• Firms haven't reviewed your app yet, it really depends on when you submitted your app (Gibson Dunn, Sullivan & Cromwell)
• Firms won't progressed you further (Cooley, Slaughter and May)

Tbh I doubt they haven’t reviewed all apps yet

 

[Dannie]

When can we expect to hear back from W&C post interview...

 

[legallybrunnette]

Sidley PFO. At least I got a reply, I had been waiting for agesssss

 

[elizabethkate]

i haven’t heard from b&b post AC, do you think it’s Pfo then?

 

[yasmars]

What was the wording of the email?

“Thank you for applying to Lewis Silkin.



We wanted to let you know that we are currently running slightly behind schedule with our review process. We’re working through applications as quickly as we can, and we expect to be in touch with an update early next week.



Thank you for your patience, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime.”

 

[elizabethkate]

BIRD AND BIRD SPRING VAC SCHEME OFFER !!!

congrats!!! when did u do ur AC?

 

[trainee4u]

“Thank you for applying to Lewis Silkin.



We wanted to let you know that we are currently running slightly behind schedule with our review process. We’re working through applications as quickly as we can, and we expect to be in touch with an update early next week.



Thank you for your patience, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions in the meantime.”

yeah i got this too; I can only reason that those who've not received it are already in either a "yes" or "PFO" pile

 

[Jennifer2003]

congrats!!! when did u do ur AC?

Jan 21st!

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Hey!

I'm not too knowledgeable on these areas myself, so my advice would be quite general! However, when I was starting to learn more about specific areas my starting point is usually Investopedia. For example, I've had a look for posts on Funds and Private Credit and have found:

• Private Credit vs Private Equity: What's the Difference?
• Fund: Definition, How It Works, Types and Ways to Invest
• What Investors Should Know About Investing in Private Debt

If videos are what work best for you, I would definitely have a look at YouTube and search things such as "How private equity works", "What is private credit", "How a fund is structured", etc. When I was preparing for an interview at a PE-focused firm last cycle, I found this video from TCLA really helpful as an introduction: "What Private Equity Lawyers Actually Do? - with Bernie Rivard"

In a case study, they are usually testing:

• Can you spot key risks?
• Do you understand the client's overall commercial objective?
• Can you think commercially and offer practical solutions?

For example, in an M&A case study, you need to think about what the buyer is actually trying to achieve and what are the main risks to highlight in due diligence. For PE, this might be how the fund will exit and what could impact returns from the investment. Lastly, for private credit, you would want to consider what the lender would be worried about (e.g. repayment, security, etc.).

A simple structure that might help you as you approach these exercises is:

1. What is the client's goal?
2. What are the main commercial risks?
3. What would you prioritise as their lawyer?

Try to focus on keeping it logical and commercial - they won't be expecting you to address the technical complexities of an LBO model, but rather to show that you understand the client's objective, can identify the key commercial risks, and can think practically about how a lawyer would help protect the client's position.

I hope that helps!

Thanks Abbie, this is quite helpful!

 

[Arv_329]

Anyone know what Slaughter holding email means?

 

[ssch7]

Forsters reserve list, hill Dickinson pfo

reserve? what did they say?

 

[casual_Lawyer]

Anyone else still waiting to hear back from Trowers & Hamlins?

Received AC offer on the 5th February