TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NJS]

Hi all! I did a vacation scheme last summer but unfortunately did not get the training contract. I have an interview tomorrow with a firm for a WVS and am anticipating a question around the vac scheme I completed and why I did not get the training contract. I was wondering what the ideal approach is to answer this question as I didn't receive a ton of (useful) feedback on my previous vacation scheme. Essentially, I made some attention to detail mistakes on a markup exercise and in my interview scored 4/5 out of every category instead of 5/5 (with no qualitative feedback on the latter!).

Best approach is to be honest, don't lie, they will tell, and then say how you are developing on that feedback to ensure you don't make the same mistakes next time

 

[hmarsden]

hi, have you done the VI?

They've not contacted me yet about anything since I submitted my original application. Kind of why I'm stressing haha as just left in the dark and obviously the first one is in a week!

 

[Victor87]

Hiya @Victor87

When it comes to preparing for AC case studies, I highly recommend checking out this excellent thread: Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies. It was a lifesaver for me and provided great insights that made a real difference in how I approached case studies and preparing for them.

You don't need too much material to start practising the skills assessed during case study interviews. One game-changer for me was practicing SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) analyses every week. At first, these frameworks might feel a bit formulaic, but with practice, I started to get a hang of how to present my points in less contrived way. In my own case, I'd practice these by using weekly Financial Times articles. The articles were generally short and practice allowed me to break down complex information quickly, organise my thoughts, and structure my verbal and written responses in a logical, thorough way that interviewers eventually came to appreciate.

Overall, it's important to remember that interviewers aren’t assessing your technical legal skills so much as your ability to communicate effectively, reason in a structured way, and demonstrate commercial awareness.

Thanks so much Ram this is extremely helpful!

 

[bella98]

What sort of test is Taylor Wessing test?

It's Critical Thinking (basically similar to Watson Glaser) and then an additional separate part on verbal reasoning (questions like True, Probably True, Insufficient Data, Probably False, and False).
If you get the test they'll give you access to Assessment Day. If you go to the "Critical Thinking" section on the platform, you can practice the exact same format of their test. It was harder than a normal WG imo 😥 it's also timed just like the practice ones.

 

[bella98]

Not necessarily VS but has anyone heard back from Bristows for the IP workshop yet? Thanks in advance, I'm stressing <3

Others and I received a VI on Tuesday 🥹

 

[Audric_T]

If a WG wasn’t timed, I was free to take my time… right? I didn’t take that long honestly but it wasn’t as quick in comparison to when I have seen a timer

So i have accommodations for time (extra time) but still always complete the wg within 30 min therecruiters have told me even untimed that can be a deciding factor

 

[0livia.pope]

So i have accommodations for time (extra time) but still always complete the wg within 30 min therecruiters have told me even untimed that can be a deciding factor

Interesting!! Thanks for this

 

[unknownnn7372]

what is the pwc online test like

 

[Tcvspfo]

Th

Yes I received this a few weeks ago

Thank you mate and good luck on the AC.

 

[Tcvspfo]

PWC VI! Any insights?

Will pm you about any insights

 

[saminoriya]

Ashurst PFO after 2 months of waiting

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Ashurst PFO after 2 months of waiting

same I applied the week it opened and just got rejected.. what a waste of time

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I'm assuming we can't apply for their spring/summer now?

 

[Amma Usman]

Describe how you think the innovative developments taking place in the legal industry will change the role of a commercial lawyer at Dentons. Please outline your research and reference the sources you used to inform your opinion. Max 250 words

How should i structure the answer to this question and how should I go about the referencing part of the question?

Hey @-legal- ,

Thanks for the question!

Initially, I assumed “innovative developments” would mean focusing solely on technology, particularly AI. But as with any law firm application question, it’s essential to unpack the wording carefully. Here, “innovative developments” could encompass everything from the impacts of AI to the evolution of legal services and shifting client needs. Off the top of my head, here are a few innovative developments shaping commercial law at firms like Dentons:


1. AI and Automation: This is a major development that’s reshaping the way lawyers work. While many candidates might mention AI, it’s important not to over-focus on it but to recognize its broader impact. AI tools streamline routine tasks, particularly in contract review, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value work. Dentons’ recent release of an AI-powered contract review bot is a perfect example of this innovation in action. Tools like ThoughtRiver and Kira are also widely used across firms to quickly sift through volumes of contracts and flag risks, which is an area Dentons has invested in heavily. Such advancements let commercial lawyers dedicate more time to client-facing, strategic work, ultimately contributing to long-term revenue growth. See the [full article on Dentons’ AI bot](https://www.dentons.com/en/about-de...s-launches-ai-powered-contract-automation-bot) for more on this.


2. Sector-Specific Client Expansion: An interesting development is the shift in client focus, especially with private equity houses investing in sectors like retail and healthcare. This has significant implications for commercial lawyers, as it requires them to gain in-depth knowledge of these specific industries, adapting to a range of new challenges and regulatory frameworks. For instance, advising on compliance or intellectual property in the healthcare sector demands specialized expertise that wasn’t as central for commercial lawyers before. As firms like Dentons expand their client base across these sectors, commercial lawyers are expected to develop an increasingly broad set of skills and become well-versed in emerging industries.


3. Alternative Legal Services and Flexible Delivery Models: Another innovative trend in the legal industry is the shift toward alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) and flexible delivery models. Dentons’ own Nextlaw Labs, an innovation hub, exemplifies this shift, as it allows Dentons to explore new service models and leverage technology to provide more efficient, cost-effective solutions. This means that rather than handling high-volume, low-complexity work directly, commercial lawyers at Dentons might collaborate with ALSPs or tech-driven platforms to provide faster, more scalable solutions. This model is gaining traction as clients seek more agile and affordable options, transforming the lawyer’s role from direct service provider to strategic overseer of tech-enabled solutions.


4. Data Analytics and Predictive Insights: The use of data analytics is becoming another critical tool in the commercial lawyer’s toolkit. AI-driven platforms such as Luminance and Kira use machine learning to perform tasks like due diligence, risk assessment, and document review with incredible speed and accuracy. By using these tools, commercial lawyers can draw predictive insights from past data to assess contract risks or likely litigation outcomes, for instance. Dentons could see this technology enhancing decision-making, allowing lawyers to provide clients with data-backed strategies and solutions more quickly and with greater precision than ever before.


So its clear that each of these developments are redefining the role of commercial lawyers at Dentons. It’s no longer just about delivering legal advice; it’s about adapting to a rapidly evolving landscape of client demands, leveraging new technologies, and providing industry-specific insights across diverse sectors.


In terms of structure, adopting a paragraph for each point and hitting the nail on the head, addressing each of the points the question asks, will be a great starting points. Also ensure to reference any sources as the question also wants to dig out your research skills.


Hope you found this useful!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Amma Usman and @Ram Sabaratnam

Apologies for disturbing you, but your last tips were so good that I finished two apps in one day, so much food for thought.

I am planning my application for the Hogan Lovells vacation scheme and I have some doubts regarding their commercial awareness question.
'Please tell us about a commercial news story you have recently been following. How might it impact Hogan Lovells' (HL) clients?'

Do you think I need to mention how HL can help them?

Thank you in advance for your continued help, it is greatly appreciated.

Hey @AS24,

Thanks for the question. We’re glad you’ve found the tips useful!

Given the word count of most application questions, I would say focus less on how HL can help them, although it will certainly be beneficial to do so. You should ideally go deep into the impact on HL’s clients. Another point is that any candidate isn’t expected to know exactly how a law firm will address these commercial issues as all this will become apparent on the job. However, if the word count permits, you could touch on general methods HL could employ to deal with the issue, whether this is investing in new experienced personnel to advise tech giants more efficiently and accurately. This is presumed that the commercial issue in question is in relation to the rising complexities surrounding emerging technologies and upcoming regulations in that sphere.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, for my Gowling application, would it be better to write about my legal work experience (full time jobs) rather than talk about vac schemes which are more recent than some of my work experience? I guess there is no right or wrong answer. I am leaning towards talking about my work experience but it feels strange not to include any of my VSs.

Hey @sibs23 , I would recommend definitely including both past vacation schemes and full-time jobs. Law firms really value direct vacation scheme experience as well as other roles. The benefit of including vac schemes is that it shows a direct expsoure to similar law firms and commercial law at large. Even if those other experiences may be within commercial law, including all experiences shows a breadth of exposure and positions you as a candidate well-versed in navigating law firms/other industries/niches.

 

[Amma Usman]

Are we likely to be asked about the US election and how it might impact the UK in our law firm interviews? I understand it will depend on individual firms (maybe US/non-US) but in general, is it likely?

Hey @KSV , It’s a possibility for sure. However, my general approach is to not engage in political discussions in interviews unless asked.

 

[Chelsea101]

Hi guys, does anyone have any tips for managing pre-ac jitters and anxiety? Really don't want it to affect my performance too much. Thank you so much

 

[Amma Usman]

Question for Jessica or any of the forum helpers here - If I have not previously done a vacation scheme, is it still worthwhile sending out some direct TC applications, as right now my circumstances make attending vacation schemes quite difficult?

Hey @Apple , you can certainly apply for direct TCs. You are right in suggesting that law firms have traditionally gone ahead with recruiting direct TC candidates from those who have already completed vacation schemes. However, this is in no way a prerequisite to a TC offer via the direct route. I know many candidates who have succeeded in such an approach. The point worth mentioning though, is that you will need to spend time with direct TC applications to ensure your motivations and competencies are strongly conveyed.

 

[BillSikes]

It's Critical Thinking (basically Watson Glaser) and then an additional separate part on verbal reasoning (questions like True, Probably True, Insufficient Data, Probably False, and False).
If you get the test they'll give you access to Assessment Day. If you go to the "Critical Thinking" section on the platform, you can practice the exact same format of their test. It was harder than a normal WG imo 😥 it's also timed just like the practice ones.

Agree it is harder. I smash WG - but somehow seem to fail critical thinking.