TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[A worried graduate]

I got 4 above average and 1 average last year and didn’t but people with less did - hard to say what Mayer Brown places weight on!

Probably the CV/Background

 

[lawgal1908]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

 

[👩🎓]

Hiya!

I wanted to add to the fantastic advice given by @trainee4u. This is a great question to showcase your creativity and your understanding of the firm's key practice areas.

I'd start by researching the firm’s strengths. If the firm is known for life sciences, tech, or regulatory work (like Covington, for instance, a firm that asked this question in my second application cycle), then proposing a law around ESG disclosures in biotech, regulating generative AI, or data privacy reform would feel far more tailored than, say, real estate reform or changes to leasehold law. If the firm focuses more on private equity, funds, or restructuring, you might suggest reforms relating to these areas. By aligning your proposal with what the firm actually does, I think you’ll show commercial awareness and legal interests.

Second, I don't think you need to reinvent the wheel here. When I’ve answered questions like this in the past, I’ve looked at what leading think tanks or policy groups in sectors I’m interested in have proposed (often in the form of policy/law reform recommendations). It’s absolutely fine to build on something that’s already been suggested by the Law Commission, the courts, a government consultation, or a respected think tank. I actually think doing this can help ground your proposal a bit more and show that you’ve engaged with ongoing legal and commercial developments.

Third, in your answer, I think it also helps to demonstrate that you’ve thought about how your law would work in practice. So you'll want your answer to touch on such questions as: Who would it affect? Are there trade-offs to consider, like cost vs fairness or innovation vs regulation? A good answer shows that you’re not just interested in legal ideas but in how those ideas would land in the real world. Briefly reflecting on those tensions is a great way to show maturity of thought and an understanding of the broader policy landscape.

Finally, think about what the law you’re proposing says about you as an applicant. Does it show that you’re someone who thinks about fairness, innovation, sustainability, or risk? By picking a topic/reform that resonates with you, I think you can better reflect to the reader the kind of lawyer you want to be.

Good luck!

Thank you so much, this advice is really helpful moving forward.

 

[SeniorJunior]

TC offer post SVS with AG 🥳

 

[SamiyaJ]

TC offer post SVS with AG 🥳

Absolutely amazing!!! Congratulations legend 🫶🏾✨✨

 

[tc1999]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

Renege the VS - other candidates with no TC offers will be on the waitlist for that VS. Good luck with your TC

 

[theruleofno]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

Do the VS, you might enjoy it more and regardless you will build valuable skills and a professional network.

 

[A worried graduate]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

I'd be honest about it unless the American firm has no presence in HK as you might want to go back to them at some point.

Actually if you haven't took the TC then go for the Vac scheme if you feel you might prefer a London TC.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Renege the VS - other candidates with no TC offers will be on the waitlist for that VS. Good luck with your TC

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

 

[trainee4u]

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

It appears from tc1999's post history that they are on the waitlist for a VS, so there might be some self interest here....

 

[User5678]

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

I completely agree and came here to write this!
I understand it’s hard to get a tc but we should celebrate everyone’s achievements and we all will get there eventually. I don’t think not doing the vac scheme is good advise at all.

@lawgal1908 you have worked hard to get this and you should do the vac scheme regardless of accepting the tc offer or not especially because you mention that you want to get some work experience in UK. You might also end up liking the UK based firm and choose to accept a tc here (you never know🤷🏻‍♀️) And regardless it will only help you in future

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

First thing is to check the details of your offer letters. Either offer may specify a problem about accepting the other, e.g., "your vacation scheme placement is conditional on not accepting a training contract elsewhere."

Second its completely up to you to do both. You might consider not doing the VS if you're 100% certain you want to take the TC in Hong Kong. But there's no harm in accepting and no one can hold it against you, and its still worth doing if there's even a remote chance you'd accept the TC in the UK.

 

[summerk27]

Hi If anyone has any advice/knowledge about the IM Insight day and final interview please pm me x

 

[summerk27]

Has anyone heard from Blake Morgan/ PMC direct TC?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hi, does anyone have an idea how tariffs could impact the shipping/maritime industry?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[trainee4u]

Hi, does anyone have an idea how tariffs could impact the shipping/maritime industry?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

there's lots in google news:

tariff shipping - Google Search

 

[gazdgazd11]

there's lots in google news:

tariff shipping - Google Search

Thank you tbh should’ve opted for that 🫣

 

[EA95]

I need some help relating to the TCLA accelerator course. I have tried to enrol on the TCLA summer accelerator course, after receiving an email from Daniel, but it is now saying that I am unable to enrol because it is closed. Can anyone assist me in dealing with this, because I want to take this course? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

Unless there are terms in either your VS or TC offer that stop you from doing the vacation scheme because you have accepted the TC, you can choose to do the VS should you want to.

 

[bluescarf]

Hi everyone, what's the consensus on asking slightly controversial questions in interviews/at insight days/ACs? If the firm has some consistent issues being pointed out in reviews on glassdoor etc., is it really bad to ask? I.e. reviews say they don't care about employees enough, pay is below market rate for the amount of workload, etc. Should I keep quiet because I'd be grateful for any opportunity or should I be brave and question it? Haha