TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[AlexWilliams]

Post AC anxiety really be worse than pre AC🫠

 

[TheGeek12]

Hello all,
Now, don't boo me for this thread but I did want to ask this question about my specific situation. I am doing a PGDL currently and I am applying to TCs but without any previous legal work experience to back it up. I just got a rejection for the Shoosmiths VS and I have a sinking feeling that my other VS will be rejected as well. If possible, I would like to get a TC this cycle and not wait until the next one. I have already considered my transferable skills from previous/current jobs and I have attended law fairs & events when I can. I am not sure what I could do to make my application stand out more - I am joining a pro bono law team and I am also trying to do some virtual work experience. Is there anything that I can/should do or is it something that I should just not bother with at this stage. For further info, the firms I am considering applying to for direct TCs are:
- White & Case
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Farrer & Co.
- Macfarlanes
- Kingsley Napley
- NRF
- BCLP
- Baker Mackenzie

 

[Mug Fan]

Hello all,
Now, don't boo me for this thread but I did want to ask this question about my specific situation. I am doing a PGDL currently and I am applying to TCs but without any previous legal work experience to back it up. I just got a rejection for the Shoosmiths VS and I have a sinking feeling that my other VS will be rejected as well. If possible, I would like to get a TC this cycle and not wait until the next one. I have already considered my transferable skills from previous/current jobs and I have attended law fairs & events when I can. I am not sure what I could do to make my application stand out more - I am joining a pro bono law team and I am also trying to do some virtual work experience. Is there anything that I can/should do or is it something that I should just not bother with at this stage. For further info, the firms I am considering applying to for direct TCs are:
- White & Case
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Farrer & Co.
- Macfarlanes
- Kingsley Napley
- NRF
- BCLP
- Baker Mackenzie

Do you have any non-legal (but still professional work experience)? This is my first cycle so I’m not an expert but most of these are not exactly “easy firms” to get into, even with work experience.

Regardless, there’s nothing stopping you from applying anyway. Gotta be in it to win it. And worst case scenario you’ll have a stack of applications to draw ideas from if you need to do another cycle.

 

[yk1906]

BCLP rejection for DTC yesterday

 

[TheGeek12]

Do you have any non-legal (but still professional work experience)? This is my first cycle so I’m not an expert but most of these are not exactly “easy firms” to get into, even with work experience.

Regardless, there’s nothing stopping you from applying anyway. Gotta be in it to win it. And worst case scenario you’ll have a stack of applications to draw ideas from if you need to do another cycle.

Yeah - I have a ton of non legal work experience that I have been drawing transferrable skills from in my application. I did think that these aren't "easy" firms but it seems hard to find firms that might be "easier" or less stringent if you know what I mean.

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

BCLP rejection for DTC yesterday

im so sorry for this. would you mind sharing when you had applied?

 

[yk1906]

im so sorry for this. would you mind sharing when you had applied?

Thanks! I appied on Feb 18th and submitted my test around 22/23rd

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hello all,
Now, don't boo me for this thread but I did want to ask this question about my specific situation. I am doing a PGDL currently and I am applying to TCs but without any previous legal work experience to back it up. I just got a rejection for the Shoosmiths VS and I have a sinking feeling that my other VS will be rejected as well. If possible, I would like to get a TC this cycle and not wait until the next one. I have already considered my transferable skills from previous/current jobs and I have attended law fairs & events when I can. I am not sure what I could do to make my application stand out more - I am joining a pro bono law team and I am also trying to do some virtual work experience. Is there anything that I can/should do or is it something that I should just not bother with at this stage. For further info, the firms I am considering applying to for direct TCs are:
- White & Case
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Farrer & Co.
- Macfarlanes
- Kingsley Napley
- NRF
- BCLP
- Baker Mackenzie

To be completely honest, if you don't already have a vacation scheme under your belt, and you're not a paralegal / career changer either, you're better off applying to vacation schemes. You have a good profile for vacation schemes, and you may get a DTC, but it's a better use of your time to apply for a vacation scheme. Most firms wanna see all applications and consider them holistically, so they don't say you need legal work experience for a DTC, but imo it'll be really hard to convince them without this.

Regarding the Shoosmiths rejection, it happens. This cycle I got a VS at a silver circle firm but got rejected post application from Dentons. Just keep applying.

 

[mfuturetrainee]

anybody waiting to hear back from bristows post first stage interview?

 

[Kodak123]

Post AC anxiety really be worse than pre AC🫠

Honestly

 

[sibs23]

Hi @Amma Usman and all, I am looking for some advice as to how to structure my VI answer to "tell us about a commercial news story you're interested in / have read about". Whilst I didn't get feedback my VI this last year, I am convinced this answer let me down. I had too much to say in such little time. I think it was only 1 min 30 that I had. I was trying to explain the background (briefly), why I am interested, how it impacts stakeholders and linking back to the firm. Normally with my VI answers, I usually try to keep to 2 main points or 3 at a push with tht kind of time limit so that I don't feel rushed or flustered. Any advice on how to structure my answer and keep it focused would be very much appreciated! I really do not want to let myself down on this again.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Amma Usman and all, I am looking for some advice as to how to structure my VI answer to "tell us about a commercial news story you're interested in / have read about". Whilst I didn't get feedback my VI this last year, I am convinced this answer let me down. I had too much to say in such little time. I think it was only 1 min that I had. I was trying to explain the background (briefly), why I am interested, how it impacts stakeholders and linking back to the firm. Normally with any VI answer, I usually try to keep to 2 main points or 3 at a push so I don't feel rushed or flustered. Any advice on how to structure my answer and keep it focused would be very much appreciated! I really do not want to let myself down on this again.

I think you are trying to cover too much by over anticipating the question. You won’t need to link it back to the firm or how it impacts stakeholders unless the VI question specifically asks you to do this.

If the question is just tell us about a news story and why it interests you, you just need to summarise the story (pick out the key/most interesting parts) and explain your interest in it - it wouldn’t need any further detail beyond this.

 

[sibs23]

I think you are trying to cover too much by over anticipating the question. You won’t need to link it back to the firm or how it impacts stakeholders unless the VI question specifically asks you to do this.

If the question is just tell us about a news story and why it interests you, you just need to summarise the story (pick out the key/most interesting parts) and explain your interest in it - it wouldn’t need any further detail beyond this.

This is super helpful, thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[Tintin06]

Regarding direct TCs at US firms. Do you have to paralegal first? Wondering how realistic my apps are. Thinking Fried Frank, K&S, Paul Hastings. Anyone know non-paralegals get their TCs? Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Chris Brown]

Regarding direct TCs at US firms. Do you have to paralegal first? Wondering how realistic my apps are. Thinking Fried Frank, K&S, Paul Hastings. Anyone know non-paralegals get their TCs? Thank you very much in advance.

Most of the future and current trainees at Fried Frank that I have seen on LinkedIn all have had some paralegal experience. A few of them were paralegals for at least 2-3 years. I think these firms might expect to see professional or legal work experience in some form and it happens to be the most common one is to paralegal for several years. In your case you have multiple VS. If you also have other forms of work experience and employment, I think you would stand a chance for sure. To my knowledge, Fried Frank doesn’t have a VS. The only way to get a TC is through the DTC route. Paul Hastings have a summer work placement, but I think their TC recruitment is independent of it. Best of luck with your applications to these firms. 🙂​

 

[Tintin06]

Most of the future and current trainees at Fried Frank that I have seen on LinkedIn all have had some paralegal experience. A few of them were paralegals for at least 2-3 years. I think these firms might expect to see professional or legal work experience in some form and it happens to be the most common one is to paralegal for several years. In your case you have multiple VS. If you also have other forms of work experience and employment, I think you would stand a chance for sure. To my knowledge, Fried Frank doesn’t have a VS. The only way to get a TC is through the DTC route. Paul Hastings have a summer work placement, but I think their TC recruitment is independent of it. Best of luck with your applications to these firms. 🙂​

Thanks - yeah, we can hope so.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Regarding direct TCs at US firms. Do you have to paralegal first? Wondering how realistic my apps are. Thinking Fried Frank, K&S, Paul Hastings. Anyone know non-paralegals get their TCs? Thank you very much in advance.

To add a contrary one to Fried Frank, King & Spalding trainees don't necessarily have paralegal experience

 

[Mistral_23]

Does anyone know if Curtis gets back to applications?

I've been wondering the same. I applied at the end of January but haven't heard back yet. Have you heard from them since?

 

[MaryAra299]

I have restructured my answer all by myself, copied and pasted on AI detectors like contentai and originalai, and it's coming out as 100% human. However, in quillbot, it's still flagging at 56% ai. Will be grateful for any input on how to deal with it?

 

[Amiyrerose]

Hi,
is anyone applying to Ashurst, Farrer & Co and Macfarlanes here?