TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCseeker101]

Have now received PFO with a "this should have gone out yesterday but our email system didn't work" apology

It amazes me that they sifted 600 applications in less than a week

 

[User5678]

It amazes me that they sifted 600 applications in less than a week

Literally my thoughts

 

[Tintin06]

It amazes me that they sifted 600 applications in less than a week

(A)I don't think it was impossible.

 

[Jessica Booker]

It amazes me that they sifted 600 applications in less than a week

I can vouch for the fact this is very possible even if only 1 person was screening! I have done double that in a week on my own anyway (and with no AI!!).

 

[SamiyaJ]

I can vouch for the fact this is very possible even if only 1 person was screening! I have done double that in a week on my own anyway (and with no AI!!).

Hi Jessica,

How did you handle it?! Do you miss any part of your “past life” when it comes to graduate recruitment?

 

[andrecsaa]

Investopedia can help with key terms. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/investment-fund.asp.

Chambers Student also explains practice areas.

Thanks! Actually, what I was really wondering is how the Finance seat works at White & Case and what kind of tasks trainees usually get.

Do trainees rotate across all Finance subgroups, or can they choose a specific seat like funds or finreg? And if they can, what kind of work do they usually do at White & Case? For example, due diligence in PE but not in funds or finreg, drafting of side letters or subscription documents for investors, etc.

I know that in the Capital Markets seat, W&C trainees work across all subgroups including DCM, ECM, and structured finance. But I could not find much about whether the mandatory Finance seat works the same way. I guess it doesn't, since some trainees put in the Linkedin investment funds as one of their seats, but it doesn't hurt to ask here.

Maybe @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu can share some insights from working in US firms or writing the PE guide.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,

How did you handle it?! Do you miss any part of your “past life” when it comes to graduate recruitment?

It was intense but I used to get into a routine with it and then was surprisingly okay if you had no distractions. Some applications do not take very long to review though, while others may actually need to be reviewed more than once.

I think a lot of what I miss I get through TCLA instead, so I am very fortunate in that respect. Also my consultancy work gives me more of the project style work I used to enjoy as a Graduate Recruiter.

I used to love all the travelling around the country when I was younger, and although I still do it occasionally, I do not miss doing 40+ events in 10 weeks like I used to for the MC firms I worked for. I think I would be exhausted now if you asked me to do that 😁.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks! Actually, what I was really wondering is how the Finance seat works at White & Case and what kind of tasks trainees usually get.

Do trainees rotate across all Finance subgroups, or can they choose a specific seat like funds or finreg? And if they can, what kind of work do they usually do at White & Case? For example, due diligence in PE but not in funds or finreg, drafting of side letters or subscription documents for investors, etc.

I know that in the Capital Markets seat, W&C trainees work across all subgroups including DCM, ECM, and structured finance. But I could not find much about whether the mandatory Finance seat works the same way. I guess it doesn't, since some trainees put in the Linkedin investment funds as one of their seats, but it doesn't hurt to ask here.

Maybe @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu can share some insights from working in US firms or writing the PE guide.

It may be best to connect with White & Case trainees via LinkedIn for this type of insight. Although I am sure @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam may have some useful insights into US firms more generally, if you are looking for W&C specific information on this, this may be better suited to those with experience at the firm.

I will see if Lawrence in our team has any insights to share too. He is off at the moment, but I will let you know once I hear back from him.

 

[SamiyaJ]

It was intense but I used to get into a routine with it and then was surprisingly okay if you had no distractions. Some applications do not take very long to review though, while others may actually need to be reviewed more than once.

I think a lot of what I miss I get through TCLA instead, so I am very fortunate in that respect. Also my consultancy work gives me more of the project style work I used to enjoy as a Graduate Recruiter.

I used to love all the travelling around the country when I was younger, and although I still do it occasionally, I do not miss doing 40+ events in 10 weeks like I used to for the MC firms I worked for. I think I would be exhausted now if you asked me to do that 😁.

Intense! Well we’re very fortunate to have you and the rest of the team by our side throughout this journey 🫶🏾🫶

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

hi, does anyone know how wedlake bell is in terms of taking in trainees through DTC?

Hiya @RS Sanjanaa

Yes, Wedlake Bell definitely does consider direct training contract applicants seriously. I’ve known several career changers who weren’t able to do the vacation scheme (often due to scheduling issues and the inability to take sufficient annual leave) but were still invited to the assessment centre via the direct route. I know at least two people I know were successful through this path in the last cycle. That being said, it can be a competitive route, so I’d definitely recommend making your application as tailored as possible. If you feel you can put together a strong application that really speaks to the firm’s practice areas, I’d encourage you to apply. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Has anyone got pass the application stage for a TC if they have work experience but not a vac scheme/ paralegal role

Hiya @Babablacksheep

Absolutely, I think it’s completely possible to get through the application stage without having paralegal or vacation scheme experience. In my first application cycle, I was invited to interview at a range of firms, including Bird & Bird, Dentons, Farrer & Co, and Norton Rose Fulbright, even though I hadn’t yet done a vac scheme. What helped most was taking the time to deeply research each firm and tailor every application with care. I also found it much easier to write stronger applications during the direct TC cycle, partly because the deadlines were more spread out and there were fewer openings overall. That gave me space to focus properly on each application, rather than rushing to submit everything during the vac scheme rush.

Writing well-tailored applications is definitely a skill that takes time to develop, and many people (myself included!) struggle with it early on. But the more you do it, the clearer your understanding becomes (not just of how to position your own experience, but also of the firms you’re applying to and how they fit into the broader legal market). If you’re thinking about applying to firms with direct TC routes, I’d encourage you to do so. And if you’ve got any questions about specific firms or how to approach your applications, feel free to ask. Happy to help where I can! Good luck

 

[andrecsaa]

It may be best to connect with White & Case trainees via LinkedIn for this type of insight. Although I am sure @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam may have some useful insights into US firms more generally, if you are looking for W&C specific information on this, this may be better suited to those with experience at the firm.

I will see if Lawrence in our team has any insights to share too. He is off at the moment, but I will let you know once I hear back from him.

Thank you, Jessica.

You're correct, it is too much specific. I will reach out to the trainees I found on LinkedIn

I still have three months until the deadline to enhance my application with these insights.

 

[ad.]

Hi! I was just wondering what everybody’s personal thoughts and opinions are on this:
If you have got upcoming VSs, are you still applying to DTCs to hedge your bets or do you prefer to focus on preparing for and converting your VSs (and take some rest from applications as well)?

 

[apap033]

Hey, is this for the current cycle or previous?

Current. I did it for their placement, it's the same test.

 

[Tintin06]

Hi! I was just wondering what everybody’s personal thoughts and opinions are on this:
If you have got upcoming VSs, are you still applying to DTCs to hedge your bets or do you prefer to focus on preparing for and converting your VSs (and take some rest from applications as well)?

All depends on:

1) What are the VSs' conversion rates?
2) Are the DTCs rolling/non-rolling?
3) When are the Vacation Schemes happening?
4) How long would you have to write the apps?

I'd try to do both since it's not necessarily a given you'll convert the VSs.

 

[MaryAra299]

For those who have taken the mayer brown tests already or those who knows does it have numerical reasoning as well? Even though the email stated that it is just verbal reasoning and situation-based.

 

[MaryAra299]

For those who have taken the mayer brown tests already or those who knows does it have numerical reasoning as well? Even though the email stated that it is just verbal reasoning and situation-based.

 

[James Wakefield]

is the MB verbal reasoning timed?

 

[andrecsaa]

For those who have taken the mayer brown tests already or those who knows does it have numerical reasoning as well? Even though the email stated that it is just verbal reasoning and situation-based.

is the MB verbal reasoning timed?

No and no.