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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

W5690

Valued Member
Nov 4, 2019
106
9
I graduated in July and I'm currently a criminal law paralegal. I'm grateful to have a job even though I'm now finding it hard to translate it to commercial law 😭

EDIT: although the transferable skills are really good.
@Jessica Pearson Hello, as an aspiring criminal defence solicitor in London, would you have any recommendations for securing a paralegal role at entry level with a criminal law firm in London? That is something I am highly interested in and I am truly motivated, but I have never applied for any paralegal roles in criminal law yet and I 'only' completed a legal work experience placement with a criminal law firm in London and two mini-pupillages with criminal Chambers in London. I will also be undertaking this year two other legal work experience placements with criminal law firms in London and another mini-pupillage with a criminal Chambers in London.

Many thanks.
 
GOODWIN SPRING VAC I COULD CRY
OMFG GOODWIN SPRING VAC SCHEME!
slaughters vac scheme offer 😭😭😭
Goodwin vac !!! thought the ac went terribly
Goodwin Vac Scheme! 🎉
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Reactions: SoonToBeTrainee
I am delighted to announce that I’ve received my long-awaited post WG PFO from Orrick! Looking forward to absolutely nothing here!

For those interested, I applied 28 Jan, received the WG 10 Feb (1st batch), took the WG a couple of days later and got the PFO earlier today.

This is my 22nd PFO of the cycle. Can’t wait to add Ropes and Sidley to the list to make it 24…​
 

aliiiisonxooox

Star Member
Premium Member
Oct 31, 2025
38
116
Had DLA post AC feedback. Honestly gutted. 😭

They told me that the partner was super impressed w me for the motivation of the firm, but that I lacked structure ( it was a motivational and strength based interview, and they recommended me to use a very structured STAR. ) I did use STAR although not as structured as I would in a competency interview. 🥹

Positive feedback for the group, I took ownership and was able to interact well?

Presentation with partner- really good presentation, good commercial awareness, was able to pick up lots of points, lack of structure again. Although it has said not to use formal language so I didn’t give executive summary.. just gave an intro and moved on.

It’s really hard to comprehend that I failed because of the structure. They told me to be more succinct. English is my second language and sometimes it’s hard to express myself properly.

I’m really confused by lack of structure in both interview and presentation. Can someone help me how to improve on this? 🤧😊 thanks.
 

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The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

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