TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock hi, i was just wondering how you would differentiate the structures of these two application questions for Paul Hastings? should we still use the evidence based approach for the 1st question (mentioning the skills and then using our experiences to support it)?

What skills do you believe contribute to the success of a solicitor? (200)

Why are your skills/attributes suited to a career at Paul Hastings? Why should we offer you a Training Contract? (200)

Hey!

These two are definitely quite similar, but I would approach them slightly differently.

For the first question, I would focus more broadly on the skills that make a successful solicitor in general (e.g. commercial awareness, communication, attention to detail, teamwork, resilience, etc.). I don't think you necessarily need to go fully evidence-based here, but it could be helpful to briefly reference your past experiences to show that you understand what these skills look like in practice!

For the second question, this is where I would take a more evidence-based approach. You should focus on a few key skills / attributes that you have, support them with examples from your past experiences, and then link them back to why they would make you a good trainee at Paul Hastings specifically. Therefore, I'd have a look at their unique features and think about the skills that might be more applicable to those. The "why should we offer you a training contract" element is really about demonstrating that you fit with the firm and can show the value that you would bring.

To summarise, I'd split it into:

1. Q1: broader discussion of the skills that make a successful solicitor
2. Q2: your skills + evidence of them + clear link to why you would succeed at Paul Hastings as a trainee

Best of luck with your application!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock I have a question about Stephenson Harwood's application. In Q3, it says "In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question." In my answer, I first outlined the challenge the firm will face, and then stated how the firm is well positioned to face the challenge with its expertise. May I know if the structure is fine? Thank you

Hello!

Yes, that structure sounds good to me! I'd say that outlining the challenge first and then discussing why Stephenson Harwood is well position to deal with it is a good way to approach the question, as it shows both your commercial awareness and that you have thought about the firm specifically.

If you have the space / word count, it can also be helpful to briefly mention why the challenge is particularly relevant to Stephenson Harwood (e.g. linking it to their key sectors, offices, or recent work). This way, you're not just identifying a general industry challenge but also showing that you understand how it could impact the firm and how its strengths position it to respond.

Overall, though, I'd say your structure sounds like the correct approach! Best of luck with your application

 

[mmm918]

Hello!

Yes, that structure sounds good to me! I'd say that outlining the challenge first and then discussing why Stephenson Harwood is well position to deal with it is a good way to approach the question, as it shows both your commercial awareness and that you have thought about the firm specifically.

If you have the space / word count, it can also be helpful to briefly mention why the challenge is particularly relevant to Stephenson Harwood (e.g. linking it to their key sectors, offices, or recent work). This way, you're not just identifying a general industry challenge but also showing that you understand how it could impact the firm and how its strengths position it to respond.

Overall, though, I'd say your structure sounds like the correct approach! Best of luck with your application

Thank you very much for your detailed response!

 

[carrotteacup]

Getting kind of worries about the radio silence from K&L Gates, been almost three weeks since the holding email and I applied deadline day last Jan. Anyone heard anything recently?

 

[roo4]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from DACB post vi for the London office for DTC (I did mine early Feb)

 

[hopingforamiracle]

has anyone heard a peep from Mishcon? any more AC invites?

 

[Futuretrainee002]

Hey!

In general, what I found most helpful when revising (both in my undergrad, and for SQE1) was to make sure that I actually understood the concept and didn't just remember the wording of it. By approaching it that way, even if they tested a slightly different variation of the topic, I could usually figure out how the law would still be applied (rather than panicking!). I also found it helpful to condense my notes into shorter summaries or mind maps so that I could see the structure of a specific topic, and visualise how the cases and principles worked together. As I understood the concept, rather than memorising the wording of the textbook, this meant that I had to go over it less - even if the initial step of ensuring I understood it took slightly longer!

For closed book exams, active recall really helped me for the memorisation side of things too (+ it is what I'm currently using for SQE2). For example, I use Quizlet a lot to test myself on key principles and cases, and they have a great Learn feature that I thought was a great way to switch up the way I was learning (alongside the flashcards). Additionally, one of the best ways to remember topics is to teach it to a friend or course mate, as explaining it out loud usually makes it very clear what you actually understand and what you still need to go over. Over time, this made the volume feel a lot more manageable as I could focus on the areas that I knew I was weaker in.

Wishing you the best of luck with your exams - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Thank you for the response Abbie!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from Sidley post app? If you are can you react to this post with a ‘’. Officially on day 68 post app now lmao.​

 

[AryanAgg]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from Sidley post app? If you are can you react to this post with a ‘’. Officially on day 68 post app now lmao.​

Mishcon vs, slaughters non law dtc and linklaters dtc included

 

[Legalfreak212]

Omg passed Bristows partner interview! im onto the last stage! woah

Congrats!! Do you have any tips for the partner interview? I got invited today and I have mine on Friday

 

[Tiu]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from DACB post vi for the London office for DTC (I did mine early Feb)

I also never heard back from them

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

are most baker mckenzie vs offers for summer or spring? also does anyone have any idea about how many participants are going to be on each scheme

 

[User2640]

Hello!

Yes, that structure sounds good to me! I'd say that outlining the challenge first and then discussing why Stephenson Harwood is well position to deal with it is a good way to approach the question, as it shows both your commercial awareness and that you have thought about the firm specifically.

If you have the space / word count, it can also be helpful to briefly mention why the challenge is particularly relevant to Stephenson Harwood (e.g. linking it to their key sectors, offices, or recent work). This way, you're not just identifying a general industry challenge but also showing that you understand how it could impact the firm and how its strengths position it to respond.

Overall, though, I'd say your structure sounds like the correct approach! Best of luck with your application

Hi Abbie,

Please can I ask what are the challenges law firms themselves (or SH specifically) typically face? I can usually only think of the challenges their clients face, and it's just law firms help them navigate those issues.

Thank you!!

 

[anjali20]

Does anyone have any insights for the Faegre Drinker interview?

 

[elizabethkate]

Take your annual leave. I’d recommend against telling them you have a vac scheme, it’s against the terms of some employment contracts to undertake work whilst employed elsewhere and they may not let you do the scheme.

But if they find out, and you've breached the terms of the contract, that makes me nervous

 

[Jessica Pearson]

@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.

Heyy,
Honestly, you have more criminal law experience than I do when I applied. I would recommend applying to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) as they are actually entry level (they're looking for people willing to learn). With regards to the defence side, I would say tailor your CV and cast a wide net. Sorry if this isn't the best of advice but this is the only criminal law role I applied for, so I don't really have much advice on it

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie,

Please can I ask what are the challenges law firms themselves (or SH specifically) typically face? I can usually only think of the challenges their clients face, and it's just law firms help them navigate those issues.

Thank you!!

Hi!

For a firm such as Stephenson Harwood, I would perhaps consider issues such as:

• Talent attraction and retention - law firms have to compete heavily for top graduates, associates and partners. Retaining talent is a challenge (and there are plenty of cases of top partners moving laterally!), particularly as priorities continue to shift (e.g. better work-life balance)
• Technology and AI - the rise of legal tech and AI is changing how legal work is delivered. Firms will need to invest in technology to remain competitive whilst also ensuring that the quality of their work and advice remains the same (or better!).
• International competition and market position - many firms operate in the same key sectors, and therefore need to find ways to differentiate themselves and maintain strong international connections. You could potentially link the recent increase in law firm mergers, particularly with US firms, as evidence of this!
• Client expectations - clients increasingly expect greater efficiency, alternative fee arrangements (i.e. not using the hourly billing model), and more commercial advice. This means that firms must deliver value while still maintaining profitability, otherwise they may lose clients to other firms.

I hope that gives an overview of a few different topics you could talk about!

 

[SlippinJimmy]

Hi guys, I have an AC with Orrick coming up and wanted to ask if anyone had done it before and remembers the format. It is from 930am to 430pm, and the only components they told us are an individual handwritten exercise, and a group exercise. There is no interview portion. Apart from lunch and networking with trainees, it seems like a really long time. If anyone knows the schedule of the day, I'd really appreciate it! Always helps to soothe the nerves when I know what to expect for the day's activities

 

[alanshore]

Has anyone received an update for Hogan Lovells Launch Pad?

 

[lawyersum]

TFL WHY HAVE YOU SCHEDULED TUBE STRIKES FROM 21-24 APRIL - SPRING VAC SCHEME DATES!!! What do we do mannnn