TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jess, I'm sure this probably varies between firms, but generally does it matter which order you complete your seats in? Say for example you are interested in a specific practise area (for eg. intl arb) that's relatively large at the firm, does it matter if you complete the seat as a first-seat or a last-seat trainee in terms of likelihood to get a NQ role in that practise area? Or is this not a factor?

Ideally any preferred seat would be done between 6-18 months during your training contract. You really want the first six months to settle into the firm, and qualification processes can start at around 18-20 months into a TC.

However, I have seen plenty of people qualify into the seat they say in first or last.

 

[Mathlaw432]

Has anyone heard back from Covington post AC? I've heard that some PFOs' have been sent out but wonder if anyone has heard anything

 

[Mathlaw432]

I have seen one person on this forum that has received a SVS offer from Covington post AC. 🙂​

Looks likes it's a PFO then

 

[SamiyaJ]

To my fellow cohorts still waiting to hear back from PW post SJT… what are we thinking? PFO or there’s a chance AC invites are still going out?

 

[tcfighterrr]

my friend just got the Hogan Lovells AC invite for the summer. I feel like they might have sent the bunch out today?

 

[PFOenthusiast]

Osborne Clarke in-person assessment centre!

 

[OliverTwist]

Can anyone that applied to Mishcon for the Spring scheme remember what intake it is for, and if there was a 2026 option?

 

[_microwaved]

To my fellow cohorts still waiting to hear back from PW post SJT… what are we thinking? PFO or there’s a chance AC invites are still going out?

Looks like a PFO- I applied for the Spring VS and haven’t heard back.

 

[Ruth A]

Looks like a PFO- I applied for the Spring VS and haven’t heard back.

To my fellow cohorts still waiting to hear back from PW post SJT… what are we thinking? PFO or there’s a chance AC invites are still going out?

I would wait till the end of the week, looks like they are staggering them. Many received PFO’s weeks before and ppl received invites yesterday too

 

[NJS]

Quite motivating seeing people move forward for firms you want to be at (saying this as a first-cycle person aware that people may probably not feel the same lol)

Get to your 3rd and tbh it feels 💩

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

my friend just got the Hogan Lovells AC invite for the summer. I feel like they might have sent the bunch out today?

Does this mean the rest of us are likely to get PFO's or does HL stagger invites?

 

[legaldruid]

Foot Anstey Achieve Vacation Scheme offer! I'm in shock, I thought I was rejected for sure!!!!

 

[Bread]

To my fellow cohorts still waiting to hear back from PW post SJT… what are we thinking? PFO or there’s a chance AC invites are still going out?

Idk but I wish they'd get on with it 😩 Clinging onto a shred of hope is even more painful atp

 

[Adithi]

Has anyone else heard from linklaters?

 

[missTCLA]

Hi guys, does anyone have advice for white & case HR/associate interview? (This is not for London TC/VS but I am assuming the questions will be similar) Thank you.

 

[ashwright]

Question for those who prefer US firms to UK/international firms:

One stereotype I have heard of US firms is that their leaner teams/more recent establishment in London means that training is not as structured as at MC/other firms.

Having done a little research, I understand that this is an oversimplification, if not a misconception. I understand that US firms might approach training differently in the sense of having a more hands-on approach, perhaps as a result of leaner teams. Having a hands-on approach is not necessarily a bad thing - in fact, it can be very good! Being put in the deep end can sometimes force you to swim.

On the flip side, I do appreciate that having close support from the early stages is very helpful. To continue the metaphor, there is still a chance you'll need some armbands.

My question is as follows: in general (or even in reference to specific firms), how do the US firms provide learning support to trainees? How does the support compare to other firms? I'm guessing that leaner teams means you have greater opportunity to built personal rapport with senior lawyers, but that still depends on the luck of the draw (e.g., senior lawyers having the time/desire to support you).

For @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu and anyone else with insight
Thank you

 

[a3736y]

@Jessica Booker or anyone who can help: I passed my SQE2 exams today and am wondering whether I need to update the grad rec on this. I have some apps that I sent out before receiving my results. I also have a last stage VS interview with another firm next week. Is it worth emailing all the firms I have applied to so far?

 

[lillypad321]

FOOT ANSTEY OFFFFFFFFFERRRR

 

[legal18]

Would personal motivation questions cover competency-based questions?

 

[sp123]

FOOT ANSTEY OFFFFFFFFFERRRR

Congrats! Was this the achieve or aspire scheme?