TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[norothrow324]

Email from NRF:

We wanted to take a moment to update you on our current recruitment plans. After careful consideration, we have decided not to open our direct training contract window this year. We appreciate your understanding and continued interest in our firm. Please keep an eye on our website for updates about our 2025/2026 application windows.

 

[Raspberry44]

Guys, really sad news but apparently NRF

Email from NRF:

We wanted to take a moment to update you on our current recruitment plans. After careful consideration, we have decided not to open our direct training contract window this year. We appreciate your understanding and continued interest in our firm. Please keep an eye on our website for updates about our 2025/2026 application windows.

I can’t describe how gutting that feels. It was up on the website?

 

[Chris Brown]

Guys, really sad news but apparently NRF

I can’t describe how gutting that feels. It was up on the website?

It might be that they recruited heavily from the WVS and will do the same from the upcoming SVS. After SVS they will have probably filled up almost all their TC spaces and so don’t feel it is necessary to have a DTC route this year. 😞​

 

[SamiyaJ]

How long does it take to complete the Mayer Brown assessment?

 

[trainee4u]

How long does it take to complete the Mayer Brown assessment?

about one hour.

 

[SamiyaJ]

about one hour.

Thank you!

 

[Zaidoz10]

Almost been 6 weeks since I did the VI for Goodwin.. I can’t wait anymore just PFO me already 😭😭😭😭

Submitted the app two months ago and still haven’t heard back. Love it here.

 

[Raspberry44]

It might be that they recruited heavily from the WVS and SVS and filled up almost all the spaces and so didn’t feel it was necessary to have a DTC route this year. 😞​

Yes I am sure they had their reasons. I think its a shame that grad recruitment still had the dates up and never responded to both of my emails.

This is the sort of stuff that reminds me how cutthroat- and to be frank, humbling it is to apply for TCs. I mean here we are working like dogs day and night trying to achieve this one thing with a high chance that your interests, your concerns, your drive, your ability...might never be acknowledged? You can put your whole soul into this thing but at the end of the day there is no guarantee you'll get it. Heck there's no guarantee you might get a response from a query.

Nonetheless, there are still other applications open, and of course NRF is still there next year but - I just wanted to bring light on how disappointing these news were.

Stay strong to all the aspiring solicitors out there, and just know we're all gonna be a bunch of strong characters after this!

 

[Joey green]

My friend told me he received a PFO from PW less than 10 minutes ago so I suspect there are more to follow soon

 

[SS21]

Yes I am sure they had their reasons. I think its a shame that grad recruitment still had the dates up and never responded to both of my emails.

This is the sort of stuff that reminds me how cutthroat- and to be frank, humbling it is to apply for TCs. I mean here we are working like dogs day and night trying to achieve this one thing with a high chance that your interests, your concerns, your drive, your ability...might never be acknowledged? You can put your whole soul into this thing but at the end of the day there is no guarantee you'll get it. Heck there's no guarantee you might get a response from a query.

Nonetheless, there are still other applications open, and of course NRF is still there next year but - I just wanted to bring light on how disappointing these news were.

Stay strong to all the aspiring solicitors out there, and just know we're all gonna be a bunch of strong characters after this!

ngl direct TC seems like such an afterthought for most firms
v annoying for those of us who have already graduated and are in full time work and can’t take time off to do vac schemes… so much for DEI
I did 1 VS back when I had an understanding employer but didn’t convert and now it just feels like I blew my one shot lmao

 

[lawelmo]

ngl direct TC seems like such an afterthought for most firms
v annoying for those of us who have already graduated and are in full time work and can’t take time off to do vac schemes… so much for DEI
I did 1 VS back when I had an understanding employer but didn’t convert and now it just feels like I blew my one shot lmao

Really frustrating when these firms have social mobility schemes too… I’ve been employed since I was 16, VS schemes have never been accessible for me! I was asked in a final interview why I had never done one - I don’t think they liked my answer as I didn’t get the TC!

 

[Anissa]

Has anyone that applied to Curtis recently heard back? I submitted my app 2 weeks ago and now it’s 5 days past deadline, no confirmation email or anything. I understand that they don’t inform unsuccessful applicants, has anyone been succesful?

Heyy, have you received any news yet ?? I haven't received any confirmation email either and I submitted my application on the 30th ...

 

[tomofsiobhans]

Hi! Does anyone know if a firm, upon making a TC offer, would ever demand 1st class grades as a condition for retaining the TC? Thinking about those who weigh academic performance heavily ie. SullCrom, Slaughters. @Jessica Booker or anyone else with insights, your input would be much appreciated

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi! Does anyone know if a firm, upon making a TC offer, would ever demand 1st class grades as a condition for retaining the TC? Thinking about those who weigh academic performance heavily ie. SullCrom, Slaughters. @Jessica Booker or anyone else with insights, your input would be much appreciated

I have never seen a firm stipulate a candidate needing first class grades or even a first class overall degree average. The highest I have seen as a requirement is a high 2:1 (68%) average (Cleary Gottlieb). I think a few firms like Jones Day and Slaughter and May ask for a strong 2:1 (65%+). Most firms look for a 2:1 so would expect that would be the condition for retaining the TC, as is passing the LLM SQE (1 & 2).​

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

Hi, does anyone know how many TC offers does Paul Hastings give out? also, do they primarily hire from their summer placement scheme?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! Does anyone know if a firm, upon making a TC offer, would ever demand 1st class grades as a condition for retaining the TC? Thinking about those who weigh academic performance heavily ie. SullCrom, Slaughters. @Jessica Booker or anyone else with insights, your input would be much appreciated

I don’t think I have heard of a firm making the offer dependent on achieving a first. It’s not to say that there aren’t firms out there that do, but I think if they did, they would be saying it was a requirement when you apply. It would be a lot easier to stop people from applying if they didn’t have a first than trying to put it as a term at the offer stage.

 

[Raspberry44]

ngl direct TC seems like such an afterthought for most firms
v annoying for those of us who have already graduated and are in full time work and can’t take time off to do vac schemes… so much for DEI
I did 1 VS back when I had an understanding employer but didn’t convert and now it just feels like I blew my one shot lmao

Exact same thing here. It’s a bit annoying though, cause I really thought having a VS under my belt would make me shine for a direct TC Route and I’m yet to have an offer.

But, it’s fine! We have not blown our shots, we will make it eventually if we keep pushing!

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi, does anyone know how many TC offers does Paul Hastings give out? also, do they primarily hire from their summer placement scheme?

I think Paul Hastings (‘PH’) recruit around 12 trainees a year. I don’t know for sure whether the summer placement scheme leads to a TC offer or whether they are two separate applications, although I imagine if someone did complete the placement scheme it would help them stand out in their DTC application. I asked a similar question about PH a while ago, and this is what @Ram Sabaratnam said:
​

Hiya @Chris Brown

Based on discussions with Paul Hastings future trainees, last year was the first time they ran the work experience scheme. I'm told they interviewed a lot of direct TC applicants as well. It seems like they may allow people to reapply for the direct TC if they weren’t successful via the vac scheme, since the work experience scheme was more geared towards candidates with less legal work experience. It's also possible they could like you but decide to interview you straight for the TC instead.

Historically, they've reviewed applications on a non-rolling basis. However, this might have changed and I’d recommend contacting the graduate recruitment team for confirmation.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[tomofsiobhans]

I have never seen a firm stipulate a candidate needing first class grades or even a first class overall degree average. The highest I have seen as a requirement is a high 2:1 (68%) average (Cleary Gottlieb). I think a few firms like Jones Day and Slaughter and May ask for a strong 2:1 (65%+). Most firms look for a 2:1 so would expect that would be the condition for retaining the TC, as is passing the LLM SQE (1 & 2).​

I don’t think I have heard of a firm making the offer dependent on achieving a first. It’s not to say that there aren’t firms out there that do, but I think if they did, they would be saying it was a requirement when you apply. It would be a lot easier to stop people from applying if they didn’t have a first than trying to put it as a term at the offer stage.

Thanks Chris and Jessica!

 

[Kodak123]

Anything from Greenberg?