TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ssch7]

Hey,

Has anybody heard from:

Stephenson Harwood
Charles Russell Speechlys
Russell Cooke
Shoosmiths (London)
Marriot Harrison
Simmons (Bristol)
Bevan Brittan ?

CRS gave out VI's a week or so ago

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For the AC, if the interview is strength based, do we need to bring up STAR? For example, if they ask me how I deal with a stressful situation? @Abbie Whitlock i would appreciate your insight! Thank you.

Hey!

For a strengths-based interview, I don't think it is necessary to explicitly structure your answer as "STAR", as this is better suited for competency questions.

Strength-based questions are usually more about how you naturally behave, what motivates you, and why you tend to do instinctively. This is slightly different from a typical structured competency answer. For something like "how you do you deal with a stressful situation", you could:

• Start with your natural approach (e.g. "I tend to prioritise quickly and break things into smaller tasks...")
• Briefly illustrate this with a short example (for this, you could potentially use a light STAR-style example)
• Reflect on why that approach works for you

Therefore, you are still giving evidence of your approach, but it should feel natural and reflective rather than a structured story.

I hope that assists!

 

[theconfusedlawyer]

CRS gave out VI's a week or so ago

Is this for the London or Guilford vacation scheme?

 

[summersun]

Is this for the London or Guilford vacation scheme?

London

 

[Legalfreak212]

WBD TI was so straightforward I almost think its a scam 😳

 

[kukubird]

GT PFO

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Russell-Cooke spring vac scheme video interview - any insights very welcome!

 

[Ernesto]

WBD TI was so straightforward I almost think its a scam 😳

How many questions?

 

[Legalfreak212]

How many questions?

4 I’m pretty sure! Mostly motivational

 

[law2026c]

Russell-Cooke video interview - any insights very welcome!

May I ask when you heard back Well done!!

 

[kukubird]

Today has been a whirlwind of emotions, 2 PFOs but I just got a call from MoFo about an interview!

 

[solicitor_2028]

does anyone know whether Brabners provides visa sponsorship for TCs?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Sidley and McDermott PFO. Gosh this cycle 😭😭

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Does anyone know if Orrick will send WG scores on request, and would this be an appropriate email to send?

Hi (Early career's name),

I hope you're doing well. My name is Kukubird and I have applied to the firm's summer vacation scheme.

I wanted to ask if it would be possible to know what my Watson Glaser score, this would be really helpful to know what revision / preparation methods are working.

Kind regards,

Most likely they won't like TW, Cooley, Cleary, and Winston.

 

[Shaky_Pete]

May I ask when you heard back Well done!!

Thanks! Yesterday.

 

[kukubird]

Most likely they won't like TW, Cooley, Cleary, and Winston.

Ah, okay thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi @Abbie Whitlock tysm for your help previously. Could I ask the best way to structure these questions? Since they’re a lot, just some bullet points will do! All 250 words each. Thank you in advance

Please explain why you want to be a solicitor & what about the role at Michelmores appeals to you the most?

At Michelmores we have 3 values: collaborative, commercial and creative - how do you think these values help us to ensure our long term success?

What value do you think solicitors add to a transaction, and why is this important for clients?

What are the key skills you have learnt from your extracurricular activities and/or work experience and why are these skills important for a legal career?

Hi!

Of course, no problem at all!

Happy to help - I'll set out how I would approach each question below.

Question 1 - Why you want to be a solicitor and why Michelmores

I would split this into two separate parts:

First half: why solicitor

• Start by outlining what genuinely draws you to the role (whether that is problem-solving, working with clients, intellectual challenge, etc).
• Provide a brief example that shows the above and confirms your interest (this could be from work experience, uni modules, part-time work, etc.)
• Keep your answer reflective overall - go beyond "I enjoy law", and discuss why the solicitor role specifically suits you

Second half: why Michelmores

• Give 1-2 specific differentiators that show you have researched the firm and understand its unique offerings (e.g. sector strengths, strategy, culture, client base, etc.)
• Link those to your interests (i.e. through past experiences) or your future career goals
• End with a sentence that ties your motivation for working as a solicitor and the firm together

Question 2 - How do collaborative, commercial and creative ensure long-term success?

I would structure this as:

• Briefly introduce your answer by recognising that values shape a firms strategy and culture
• Then I would take each value one by one and discuss how they ensure long-term success - for example, collaboration leads to stronger client relationships and retention, commercial awareness leads to a good reputation and advice that aligns with client objectives, and creativity leads to innovation and adaptability.
• Conclude by tying these all together and explaining how they create success together - for example, sustainable growth and a competitive advantage

Question 3 - What value do solicitors add to a transaction?

I would structure this in three main parts:

• Start by briefly defining the role of a solicitor in a transaction (e.g. not just drafting documents, but anticipating risk and enabling the deal)
• Explain 2-3 distinct types of value - this could be risk management, structuring and negotiation, process management (e.g. co-ordinating parties and managing timelines). For each point, explain how this will benefit the client (e.g. avoids disputes and protects reputation).
• Conclude by tying it back to what the client prioritises - essentially, show that solicitors add value beyond technical legal drafting.

Question 4 - Key skills from extracurricular / work experience and why they matter

I would generally avoid listing skills, and instead:

• Pick 2-3 strong skills that are transferable to the role of a solicitor
• For each, give a short example of where you developed it and explain why it is important for a solicitor (e.g. client management, attention to detail, resilience, teamwork, etc.)
• Conclude with a sentence that links the skills to the responsibilities that trainees have

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[8law]

hello is anyone able to provide insights into the mills and reeve ac, i can provide insights into other firms in return please pm me

 

[Legallywhatever]

Is anyone applying to grad solicitor apprenticeships?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Andrei Radu & @Abbie Whitlock
I hope you are well!
I have an AC in a couple of weeks and was wondering what the most crucial commercial matter/news currently to be aware of (for case studies)