TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[SamiyaJ]

OH SAMIYA OUR HEAD OF PEACE RELATIONS!! 🕊️

CONGRATULATIONS 😍😍

I am shakingggg lmao!! Dw I will still be monitoring 😂😝

 

[SamiyaJ]

The biggest congratulations!! Always makes me so happy to hear news like this

Thank you so much 🤍🤍🤍🤍

 

[yasmars]

Omg this is the most amazing news ever!!! I am absolutely over the moon for you!!

Hi everyone,

So it’s time for an update…

HFW SPRING VS OFFER!! 🎉 My dream firm! I am over the moon and really hope I can convert it to a TC.

A massive thank you to you all and the team @ TCLA for your ongoing support, advice and positivity. I decided to go down this path in 2024 and had zero clue on where to start- no idea about vacation schemes/the gruelling process. You all genuinely had a role in my success.

It truly only takes one yes, and everyone will receive this sooner or later, so hang in there and never give up! 🫶🏾

 

[legal2001]

Hi, has anyone that was placed on the DLA Piper waiting list for the London Vac Scheme been offered a place? thanksss

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone,

So it’s time for an update…

HFW SPRING VS OFFER!! 🎉 My dream firm! I am over the moon and really hope I can convert it to a TC.

A massive thank you to you all and the team @ TCLA for your ongoing support, advice and positivity. I decided to go down this path in 2024 and had zero clue on where to start- no idea about vacation schemes/the gruelling process. You all genuinely had a role in my success.

It truly only takes one yes, and everyone will receive this sooner or later, so hang in there and never give up! 🫶🏾

Huge congratulations!!!! I'm so happy for you and I hope you celebrate well (+ the cake is a great start)!! 🥳 🥳 🥳

 

[floral.tcla]

is this weil haha

i'm also a little annoyed bc I would genuinely have preferred them to outright say they're not offering feedback or that we shouldn't expect a response any time soon. obviously feedback is really helpful regardless of when you get it, but it could've been so much more helpful if I got it before I did other interviews!

there are a few grad rec teams that I've found really unhelpful or even sometimes rude after rejection - and I specifically mean at final interview stages bc I completely get why they wouldn't care earlier. I fear this might be another, but it makes me feel a little better. I don't think it is particularly nice to leave people in the dark, especially when they've invested so much in an application process, so we haven't really lost out on too much!

omg not even… no that’s exactly it, it’s about managing expectations and it soured my perception of the firm further ngl so I’m treating it as something that happened for a reason. at other firms (MC), everything was communicated clearly and timely, which I appreciated, especially as you say, when you have other interviews!

ugh so sorry to hear you’ve had that experience, it’s not professional at all. exactly!!i think this can be more common than it should be unfortunately like I think someone even had to use a legal clause to get feedback and even with that legal requirement the law firm took 6 months lol

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock
Just had a quick doubt about a term
Have you ever talked about a Masters Service Agreement in an AC? I just came across the term and I was wondering if people use this in AC's or they just say Main contract/agreement?

Hey!

I have never come across that term before (and had to Google what it was!). In an AC, I don't think it is necessary to force that term. If the scenario clearly involves a long-term services arrangement, saying "Master Services Agreement" is absolutely fine. However, "services agreement" or "main agreement" is perfectly acceptable, and clarity matters far more than using technical terms

 

[summersun]

Hi everyone,

So it’s time for an update…

HFW SPRING VS OFFER!! 🎉 My dream firm! I am over the moon and really hope I can convert it to a TC.

A massive thank you to you all and the team @ TCLA for your ongoing support, advice and positivity. I decided to go down this path in 2024 and had zero clue on where to start- no idea about vacation schemes/the gruelling process. You all genuinely had a role in my success.

It truly only takes one yes, and everyone will receive this sooner or later, so hang in there and never give up! 🫶🏾

congratulations !!! That's amazing you really deserve it !!! Go get that TC !!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock , just needed some guidance on commercial awareness - How are AI, tariffs, private credit growth, ESG pressures, and geopolitical tensions reshaping the commercial landscape and affecting law firms?

Hi!

I would really encourage you to explore this through targeted research rather than looking for a specific or set answer - you gain a lot of skills in relation to commercial awareness when you can analyse and research individual stories! I would start by searching each theme alongside terms such as "impact on law firms", "impact on corporate clients", or potentially specific practice areas (e.g. AI and its impact on disputes).

It helps to look at a wide range of sources to gain a more holistic view - things such as the Financial Times, The Lawyer, BBC News, LittleLaw, and sites such as Investopedia. They will often analyse how trends like AI, tariffs or private credit are affecting the long-term strategy for firms, their hiring processes, and how they're growing their practice areas. Firm websites can also be really useful, particularly in the "insights" section. For example, I've just had a quick look at LittleLaw and can see this article on how CMS actually uses AI - it also discusses some of the biggest challenges firm face when implementing AI.

More generally, when you read, try not to just absorb the information. You should ask yourself: what does this mean for clients? Which practice areas benefit? Which might slow down and see less activity? How might firms adapt internally?

If you approach it this way, you'll build genuine commercial awareness rather than just memorising talking points, and it'll be much more beneficial in the long-run.

Best of luck!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any advice for an interview where 'The questions asked will be strength and scenario-based rather than traditional competency-based questions.'?

Hey!

I have written a few posts on this previously - I have quoted them below! I hope that they are a useful starting point in your preparation, but do feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. Best of luck with the interview!!

Hi!

Just to add to Andrei's advice, I thought I'd share my past experiences with strengths-based interview questions!

For these types of of questions, the important element is to answer truthfully and be yourself. They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm. In preparation for the interview, I would make a note of what your key strengths are, and how they align with the skills needed to be a trainee (and what the role involves).

If you are given a hypothetical scenario, I'd talk the interviewer through each step that you would take to address the situation, and how you would use your personal strengths to aid you in handling anything that comes up.

Additionally, I've also found that the questions can be reflective in nature and may ask you specific questions about your way of workings. For an interview I did on a vacation scheme, I was asked "What type of person are you under pressure?" (which definitely threw me off!). There isn't necessarily one right answer here, and I would take a moment to actually think your answer through and consider how you usually approach these situations. It might be helpful to reflect on your past experiences and weave these into your answer, so that the interviewer can see that you are rooting your answer in concrete examples.

I hope that helps!

Hello!

This is a great question, as situational questions are slightly different to competency questions. I wouldn't say that there is a fixed framework like STAR, but the structure that I would follow is:

1. Clarify the goal / objective - what you are trying to achieve overall. This could be meeting a deadline, managing multiple tasks, supporting a client, etc.
2. Key considerations - show your judgment by flagging the factors that would be most important based on the situation: e.g. the parties involved, urgency, the level of risk, firm / client priorities, and any ethical or confidentiality issues. This will be adapted to whatever situation you are given.
3. Outline your actions - walk the interview through what you would actually do, step-by-step, in a logical order. This should be the core of your answer, and you should give a brief explanation as to why you are taking each step.
4. Communication - in relation to the above, make sure to explain who you would speak to and how (e.g. team members, supervisors, clients) - communication is a really important skill in a firm, and showing that you appreciate this is key!
5. Outcome and reflection - I would end your answer with the intended outcome and, if relevant, you could explain how you would learn from the situation and what you would do to prevent it happening again, etc.

I would aim to sound practical and collaborative overall, rather than trying to reach the perfect outcome. Firms will want to see that you can make a sensible judgment call and communicate clearly if mistakes or issues arise, rather than trying to show that you would handle everything alone!

I hope that assists!

Hey!

I'm doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!

That is a great question! I would always recommend checking out this list of Training Contract Interview Questions from TCLA, as it is very comprehensive (though I wouldn't try to prepare for every question!) and should give you an idea of what to expect. From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would say that the Character and Personality section and the Scenarios and Ethical questions are most similar.

I have also found a list from Prospects, who list the following as potential questions:

• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• What energises you?
• How would your close friends describe you?
• Do you most like starting tasks or finishing them?
• Do you prefer the big picture or the small details?
• Describe a successful day. What made it successful?
• What are you good at?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What did you enjoy studying at school or university?
• When did you achieve something you're really proud of?
• What do you enjoy doing the least?
• Do you find there are enough hours in the day to complete your to-do list?
• What tasks are always left on your to-do list?
• How do you stay motivated?
• How do you feel about deadlines?
• Have you ever done something differently the second time around?
• Do you think this role will play to your strengths?

Overall, there isn't generally a right or wrong answer for strengths-based questions - I would focus on being transparent and honest, and include examples to back-up and illustrate your points.

Best of luck with the interview!!

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!

 

[TCTC]

Guys does anyone know if it is acceptable to wear a cardigan for an interview? I do not have a blazer!

Edit: I forgot to ask them what the dress code was and I think it is a bit late now.

Whilst looking very professional is important I’ve worn sweaters to a few interviews and still ended up receiving an offer. If what you’re saying is strong details like what you’re wearing become small in the grand scheme of things. Just focus on presenting your best self through what you say and you’ll be fine!

 

[cjaspiringlawyer23]

Anyone have any advice for Winston & Strawn partner interview? Its my first application cycle so I don’t have much idea what to expect from this? I’ve had a few interviews so far but they have been fairly competency based, I feel like this will be more commercial/ specific about the firm and their specialisms? Any advice very much appreciated!

 

[Florencejones]

For anyone still waiting to take the Browne Jacobson test, I just completed it. The 3 written questions after the SJT are very long and detailed IMO so def make sure you have enough time to complete it before the deadline. My amberjack score was 7, 9,9 but not sure how the mark the written questions

Cry I submitted one and was preparing the second which I thought was the last one can't believe there's three

 

[jacksollaf]

Can't believe i'm saying this, but I sent a cold email out of boredom to the CEO of a US law firm, with my CV attached as if he'd answer. He responded and I now have an interview tomorrow with a partner located in New York; feels surreal but hoping that leads somewhere

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Cry I submitted one and was preparing the second which I thought was the last one can't believe there's three

My stomach dropped when the third one popped up, I really thought I was finished 😭

 

[Florencejones]

My stomach dropped when the third one popped up, I really thought I was finished 😭

At least I'm prepared I'd have been the same 🥲