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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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Hi, just a question regarding answering Baker Mckenzie's questions (I've written a ton of apps this cycle and I think Baker's questions are some of the most difficult I've faced personally).
The question "Discuss how the role of a commercial lawyer is evolving in today’s business environment. Identify the key skills required and how you have demonstrated these", what would people recommend the best skills to talk about here? Was thinking one could be increasing need for commercial lawyers to be AI/tech-literate perhaps.
Usually with these "skills required to be a commercial lawyer" questions I always go with commercial awareness, attention to detail/ability to present large amounts of information intelligibly etc. However, the wording of this question implicitly asks for something that perhaps is a skill NOW required, as opposed to one that has always been required (like the former skills). So it has me slightly stumped.
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks
The question "Discuss how the role of a commercial lawyer is evolving in today’s business environment. Identify the key skills required and how you have demonstrated these", what would people recommend the best skills to talk about here? Was thinking one could be increasing need for commercial lawyers to be AI/tech-literate perhaps.
Usually with these "skills required to be a commercial lawyer" questions I always go with commercial awareness, attention to detail/ability to present large amounts of information intelligibly etc. However, the wording of this question implicitly asks for something that perhaps is a skill NOW required, as opposed to one that has always been required (like the former skills). So it has me slightly stumped.
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks
I mentioned AI literacy and progressed to next stage so go ahead!
Anyone have access to the newest zip law article for the impact on trumps tariffs being revoked?
Also very surprised but K&E are actually offering feedback post AC
Also very surprised but K&E are actually offering feedback post AC
Hi!
For the AC, if anyone could’ve told you one useful tip before, what would you want to know?
The tips I’ve acquired are: + bring a digital watch
Group: Don’t speak over people, don’t dominate, be respectful and smiley, don’t speak just for the sake of it ( have meaningful contributions); the teamwork has a shared objective, call people by names and make eye contact.
Case study: structure is key ( exec summary, intro, body, conclusion); body language; clear simple language, jargon- free; smile and eye contact. Read from the back to the front.
Interview: mine is a strength based and motivational. Research well the USP of the firm. Don’t use STAR as it’s not competency but stil use a smaller version of STAR? Smile, body language, strong eye contact. Ask meaningful questions at the end to engage with interviewers.
Is there anything else I should know?
Thank youuu ☺️🎉
For the AC, if anyone could’ve told you one useful tip before, what would you want to know?
The tips I’ve acquired are: + bring a digital watch
Group: Don’t speak over people, don’t dominate, be respectful and smiley, don’t speak just for the sake of it ( have meaningful contributions); the teamwork has a shared objective, call people by names and make eye contact.
Case study: structure is key ( exec summary, intro, body, conclusion); body language; clear simple language, jargon- free; smile and eye contact. Read from the back to the front.
Interview: mine is a strength based and motivational. Research well the USP of the firm. Don’t use STAR as it’s not competency but stil use a smaller version of STAR? Smile, body language, strong eye contact. Ask meaningful questions at the end to engage with interviewers.
Is there anything else I should know?
Thank youuu ☺️🎉
This reminds me of when I had an AC a couple days after the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 came into effect.
And I couldn’t tell if the company’s turnover would trigger a CMA review now or wouldn’t. Then I wrote the new threshold wrong. Then I realised when I was on lunch. So the first thing I did was apologise in my case study discussion.
WHEW WHAT A DAY 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I reckon they took so long to wait for other acs to finish to not give away candidates to competitors, genuinely wouldn't put it past them
For the AC, if anyone could’ve told you one useful tip before, what would you want to know?
this and just practice as much as you can but also as helpful as it is to know this, don’t underestimate the importance of getting into the right mentality - take a break a day before the interview, spend time with friends etc, and try to calm down so that ur personality shines through + so that you can think clearly
Hi, I have a direct TC at CMS lined up, but I got offered an assessment centre for a vacation scheme at Taylor Wessing. Any input on the cultures at the firms, and generally, if you'd recommend still doing the AC?
I can't tell you about Taylor Wessing but my friend is at CMS and loves it. Taylor Wessing has a stronger reputation but is more uncertain, I guess it all comes down to how much you love each firm respectively in terms of work (sorry, I know thats not super helpful)
Has anyone done the written task at Greenberg for the interview stage? Any insights would be really appreciated. I can trade for Reed Smith AC, Hugh James, Walker Morris and Kennedys! And for interviews CRS, V&E, Bird & Bird and Howdens
Only thing that came to mind is that taylor wessing is merging and firm culture post merger can change a lot, so might be smth to take into consideration if you are only going to taylor wessing over CMS for the culture
Hi everyone, I was invited to Hill Dickinson’s AC for the insight day/TC on Thursday for health and business services, despite only showing interest in the business practice area. Is anyone else in a similar situation? I plan on researching both sectors extensively for my prep, would this be the correct approach? Ty
This. TW split from most of their EU counterparts and is merging with a US firm, so if your draw was for instance, continental IP litigation, I imagine that’s no longer going to be the case. Winston and Strawn’s leadership is taking over management of the combined firm if I’m not mistaken, so I also imagine with that will come a change to both the culture and the work expectations.
If I was in your place, I’d honestly still do the vac scheme because why not, but if in order to do it, you’d have to give up your secured TC offer, then absolutely not.
Hi!
I'd say it is fine to mention an actor, as long as you can clearly explain why they are a leader and what you admire about their leadership. For example, you could highlight how they have built a brand, led projects, influenced public discourse, or used their platform strategically (like Emma Watson and her UN work, for example). This shows that you understand leadership goes beyond just corporate titles, and focuses on the skills that leaders possess.
I personally would avoid using an actor if your focus is more on their fame, or if you are struggling to link their qualities back to law. Additionally, I would avoid choosing someone controversial as you might find it difficult to justify it.
If you can clearly articulate the leadership traits (e.g. influence, strategic thinking, resilience) and briefly connect those to the qualities that are valued in commercial law, I think that is a strong approach!
If you are worried about choosing an actor for the answer, a business or political leader may feel "safer". However, the safest option isn't necessarily the strongest - the most impressive answer is the one that you can defend and explain confidently.
I hope that helps!
All great tips! If I could add one more to the case study portion, it would be to think of alternative arrangements and contrast them to show why your final solution is the right one. For a M&A case study I did, my interviewers gave me 10 minutes to present my thoughts before going into questions, and I used part of those 10 minutes to explain counter-arguments to my ideas and why they weren't necessarily the strongest. The partner said to me after that that pre-empted a few of their questions and showed good commercial thinking.
Good luck! You'll smash it
Above all make sure to show YOU and your personality and you will be so fine!
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