TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Novaa]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz!!

I’m writing out a “Why Commercial Law?” question and was thinking of mentioning a task I worked on and how that strengthened my interest in commercial law.

Is that okay to do, as long as I don’t mention who the client was and keep it focused on the general task and the legal topic involved? I think an article on it has since been published by the firm, so I’m assuming it’s okay, but wanted to check

 

[Novaa]

Hi that happened to me a couple years ago and I was able to redo my application and ultimately got the VS so I wouldn't worry about it.
I think grad rec understands that IT isn't always very clear and it must happen more than we know.

OMG WAIT IDK HOW I MISSED THIS BUT CONGRATS ON GETTING YOUR TC!!

 

[Novaa]

Wait, does anyone know how much weighting Ashurst Perkins Coie put on each part of this question:

“What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and why have you applied to Ashurst Perkins Coie?”

Like, should the main bulk be “why commercial law” or is it more of a 50:50 split? Because idk my “why commercial law” is a chunky journey

 

[hiiiiiyah]

has anyone heard back from the STB autumn vac scheme yet

Got an interview invite yesterday, applied mid-august

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hey, I have a quick question. For a video interview, if a firm asks me, "Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at X firm?" do I also have to detail my motivations for wanting to pursue commercial law?

Thank you!

Hi, here I would say no, this question is more so tailored to be a why firm question and as such detailing why being a commercial lawyer there is better for you than anywhere else !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz

Hope you’re doing well.

I’m applying to Ashurst Perkins Coie for their WVS and wrote about a litigation matter that mainly involved their EU office as opposed to its London one. The deal strongly aligns with my interests but I’m worried that including this may not go well with the London grad rec team. Do you think I should keep it or remove the deal?

Thanks in advance!!

Hi, thank you and likewise!

Honestly I had that issue before about a US-based deal for a London office, I get the worry. I would say this depends on what mainly means. If London still played a good part in it, then maybe it would be okay. But that's still a little risky. If the EU office did essentially the whole thing (or the vast majority), I would try find another case. I know that's really frustrating and it can be hard to find another, but I personally would say it's safer as there is a chance they could just cut it straight away upon seeing it references not their work.

I know this isn't exactly the same but I've heard of someone saying in an interview, upon being asked "What client of the firm would you wanna work with most", saying a client that primarily works with NYC office rather than London, the interviewers were quite displeased. So, to be safe, I would try find another. Hope that helps !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

hello everyone, for latham what did you guys write for work experience ? like do you just describe what you did or should you speak about the firm in some way? like how your work links to what the firm is good at or something

also should we use bullet points?

thanks in advance

I didn't apply to Latham but it would probably be the same as for other firms. I focused on what I did and didn't personally tailor it to any firm. Maybe at some points I linked it broadly to commercial law but not much more than that. And I used full prose rather than bulletpoints.

However, I have seen people do it completely differently so to some extent it is personal preference. That's just my own one haha.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

I was looking at the application for a firm and accidentally pressed submit. I emailed grad rec to withdraw the application, as I want to apply properly. Are they gonna think I'm an idiot and not take my proper application seriously? (assuming they're willing to withdraw the first one)

Hi, don't worry about it, I'm sure you're gonna be fine ! IT is always gonna be IT. I very much doubt they'd remember you. I remember I emailed a firm of mine about a stupid issue in work experience and they just said they would note it and thanked me. I thought I'd be cut for sure, and I ended up getting a VS there !!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

@Antoni Trochimowicz hi, how would you recommend structuring this answer for Jones Day?

What makes you a good candidate for a training contract at Jones Day? Your answer should be reflective of your skills and personal experience. (300)

Hi, I feel uniquely qualified again hahah, Jones Day was one of the firms I got a Vac at! The way I personally structured it:

Three paragraphs, each focusing on one clear skill of mine. Each paragraph, I would start it off with the skill. Then followed by a short anecdotal story of me showing that skill, could be in a work experience. Then I linked it to a specific thing about Jones Day. Then ended off the paragraph on how that experience taught me what I would do in a situation relating to that specific thing about Jones Day. (3x)

I'm sure there's plenty of other ways to structure it but that's just how I did it personally!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz !

I was recently asked this in a first-stage interview: why are you applying for a vac scheme rather than the direct TC?

What’s the best way to answer this going forward?

Thank you and have a great weekend ahead!

I think a lot of it is personal, why is it that you are applying for the vacation scheme? However, if I was going to give my two cents what I would say is the 'right'/'best' answer is:

- wanting to experience the culture at the firm to be absolutely certain this is the firm you'd want to spend at least the next two years (and hopefully longer at) --> no better way to learn about the firm rather than that.

- wanting to learn more and experience more of the career --> building self confidence and just overall knowledge about the job.

- enjoy working & would find the experience valuable to be surrounded by experts in the field etc.


(The last two are kinda similar).

Nevertheless there's plenty of points as to why to, I'm sure most would be good. I think the firm might have just genuinely been curious rather than tricking you. Hopefully that helps !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

hi @Antoni Trochimowicz , i forgot to put my mc on an app form and have submitted. do you think its fine o email grad rec to ask them to input it form their side?

Hi, I'm not quite sure what you mean, I apologise. Are you referencing mitigating circumstances? If so, sure I would email them, I'm sure the firm will be very receptive !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz!!

I’m writing out a “Why Commercial Law?” question and was thinking of mentioning a task I worked on and how that strengthened my interest in commercial law.

Is that okay to do, as long as I don’t mention who the client was and keep it focused on the general task and the legal topic involved? I think an article on it has since been published by the firm, so I’m assuming it’s okay, but wanted to check

Yes for sure, that's one of the better examples/evidence to use when supplementing that question!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Wait, does anyone know how much weighting Ashurst Perkins Coie put on each part of this question:

“What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and why have you applied to Ashurst Perkins Coie?”

Like, should the main bulk be “why commercial law” or is it more of a 50:50 split? Because idk my “why commercial law” is a chunky journey

Hi, I personally don't know exactly what they're expecting but I'd guess it would be a 50:50 or even a 40:60. But I'm sure 60:40 would work too.

 

[flower1]

Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer? 300 words
Why would you choose to train at Latham & Watkins over another firm? 300 words

Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application 300 words.

Is this the same for this year too? Because on the application portal, I couldn't find the questions