TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[ysr567]

Does anyone know if for Browne Jacobson's direct TC they send you a test invite automatically or do they review first? haven't heard back since sending off my application.

 

[A worried graduate]

I don’t think you should assume a firm ‘doesn’t want you’. This whole process is super competitive, with some firms having just a 0.5% chance of securing a TC! Just because Baker McKenzie rejected you last year, doesn’t mean they will do the same this year. Besides, you wouldn’t know unless you gave it a shot and reapplied. I got rejected for one of their open days this cycle and I’m not letting that discourage me from applying for their DTC lmao. 🤣

To my understanding, Macfarlanes allow you to re-apply in the same cycle, if you got rejected for the VS after the application stage. I would double check this though just in case. If you can apply again, I’d say go for it! The firm seems really good! 🙂

BCLP is a shout tbh. They have a really good training contract and offer a lot of client and international secondments. If you are interested in real estate, BCLP is the best firm for that kind of work. I went to their Dec open day this cycle and liked the firm a lot.

I would also recommend applying to Stephenson Harwood (SH). They don’t have a minimum A-level requirement, their annual trainee intake is around 25, their NQ salary is £100,000 and they specialise in things like shipping, aviation and international trade. If that sounds interesting then I’d apply to them as well. 😎

I think social mobility and rare recruitment are different to mitigating circumstances. If for example you went to a comp state school, were eligible for free school meals, were the first generation in your family to attend university, come from a low income background, grew up in care, etc., you would be considered socially mobile, in which case firms would assess your A-level grades in the context they were achieved in. Mitigating circumstances is things like illness, bereavement and things beyond your control like the COVID-19 pandemic for instance. 🙂

I would say apply to any firm you are interested in, regardless of whether they have a minimum A-level requirement. I think firms are more concerned with performance at university than at school. If you are on track for a strong 2:1 or first, having lower A-level grades won’t matter too much. It would be more competitive for sure, but you have to give yourself a chance at least! Best of luck! 🤞​

Thanks a lot for this

It was more the fact that I seemed to get “auto-rejected” by Bakers as everyone else’s applications took two months.

Thanks for the information though about Macfarlanes as I will have to take a look at that.

BCLP I will take a good look at too.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Does anyone know if for Browne Jacobson's direct TC they send you a test invite automatically or do they review first? haven't heard back since sending off my application.

I'm in the same boat. I applied ages ago, but their email said they'll be reviewing apps, so I didn't want to annoy them.

 

[User5678]

Does anyone know if for Browne Jacobson's direct TC they send you a test invite automatically or do they review first? haven't heard back since sending off my application.

Hi, I do not think it’s automatic because I haven’t seen anyone hear back from them post app . Even if it is meant to be automatic, I think they will check eligibility and send the invites all together like wbd did!

 

[gazdgazd11]

Does anyone know what to expect from DWF AC?

 

[Pola123]

If it’s A-levels specifically you are concerned about, I got through BCLP this cycle with less than AAB. I’m also non-Russell group (although I don’t buy the whole RG thing anyway, my uni was better than most RG’s but technically isn’t one!)

The alternative is just don’t apply and never find out 🤷🏻‍♂️

Yh BCLP is quite good tbh. I did my placement year there from 2023 to 2024. Non reg from Northern Ireland and made it to the final stage for a tc. If your application is good and you’re interested in real estate you’ll be fine. Funny enough the interview is more strength based so barely any commercial awareness. That was what threw me off but it’s definitely worth a shot.

 

[ysr567]

Does anyone know if it's correct that we can apply to Macfarlanes for a direct TC if we were rejected for a vacation scheme after the situational test. I saw a couple people say so but haven't found anywhere on their website that says this.

 

[A worried graduate]

Yh BCLP is quite good tbh. I did my placement year there from 2023 to 2024. Non reg from Northern Ireland and made it to the final stage for a tc. If your application is good and you’re interested in real estate you’ll be fine. Funny enough the interview is more strength based so barely any commercial awareness. That was what threw me off but it’s definitely worth a shot.

They are a nice firm but what can I talk about other than real estate as that’s not on my radar

 

[Chris Brown]

They are a nice firm but what can I talk about other than real estate as that’s not on my radar

I think BCLP is also pretty good at Competition Law, M&A, Banking & Finance, Insurance and Dispute Resolution. I wrote about Competition, M&A and Dispute Resolution in my application (alongside Real Estate).

It’s worthwhile looking at Chambers & Partners to see which practice areas BCLP is ranked for and what Band each practice is in. For example, Real Estate and Planning are both ranked Band 1.

To my understanding, this means that BCLP is considered one of the best city law firms for Real Estate and Planning work. I have copied the link to the Chambers & Partners rankings below:

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Discover where Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP are ranked in the UK legal rankings. Visit Chambers and Partners to learn more.

chambers.com

 

[A worried graduate]

I think BCLP is also pretty good at Competition Law, M&A, Banking & Finance, Insurance and Dispute Resolution. I wrote about Competition, M&A and Dispute Resolution in my application (alongside Real Estate).

It’s worthwhile looking at Chambers & Partners to see which practice areas BCLP is ranked for and what Band each practice is in. For example, Real Estate and Planning are both ranked Band 1.

To my understanding, this means that BCLP is considered one of the best city law firms for Real Estate and Planning work. I have copied the link to the Chambers & Partners rankings below:

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Discover where Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP are ranked in the UK legal rankings. Visit Chambers and Partners to learn more.

chambers.com

I didn't think about the planning aspect. While it isn't on my radar either, I do have a little bit of experience that could beef the form up.

 

[bjelostan]

has anyone had a direct TC interview with mayer brown?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know if it's correct that we can apply to Macfarlanes for a direct TC if we were rejected for a vacation scheme after the situational test. I saw a couple people say so but haven't found anywhere on their website that says this.

Hiya @ysr567

Yes, I think you can do so. If you look through the eligibility section of their FAQ page, there's some helpful information about applying for the direct training contract in the same cycle. I'd definitely recommend applying, but would also encourage you to ensure that you've revised your application and tried to make some updates before doing so. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

They are a nice firm but what can I talk about other than real estate as that’s not on my radar

Hiya @A worried graduate

If you're less interested in their real estate offerings, I wanted to flag that BCLP also offers sector specific training contracts in financial services that might find interesting. You can find more information about that specific training contract here. Let us know if there's anything else you'd like more information on 👀

Best of luck with your application!

 

[A worried graduate]

Hiya @A worried graduate

If you're less interested in their real estate offerings, I wanted to flag that BCLP also offers sector specific training contracts in financial services that might find interesting. You can find more information about that specific training contract here. Let us know if there's anything else you'd like more information on 👀

Best of luck with your application!

I was thinking about that but wondered how I could sell myself for it as a fresh grad

Any idea what the cohort size is vs a traditional tc?

Thanks

 

[James Wakefield]

Do Ashurst take many trainees through direct TC?

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

does anybody know when HL plans on keeping its Acs for the direct TC route?

 

[Pola123]

I think BCLP is also pretty good at Competition Law, M&A, Banking & Finance, Insurance and Dispute Resolution. I wrote about Competition, M&A and Dispute Resolution in my application (alongside Real Estate).

It’s worthwhile looking at Chambers & Partners to see which practice areas BCLP is ranked for and what Band each practice is in. For example, Real Estate and Planning are both ranked Band 1.

To my understanding, this means that BCLP is considered one of the best city law firms for Real Estate and Planning work. I have copied the link to the Chambers & Partners rankings below:

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Discover where Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP are ranked in the UK legal rankings. Visit Chambers and Partners to learn more.

chambers.com

Yh the competition team has been on the rise for two years now. Two of the main drivers just left for hogan lovells though I think so I am not sure where that leaves them. But they did have a major cometition case in 2023. The DA and Royal Mail cartel case. Real estate Finance is also one of the best teams in the city if not the best tbh. The commercial litigation team is also rising up.

 

[A worried graduate]

Yh the competition team has been on the rise for two years now. Two of the main drivers just left for hogan lovells though I think so I am not sure where that leaves them. But they did have a major cometition case in 2023. The DA and Royal Mail cartel case. Real estate Finance is also one of the best teams in the city if not the best tbh. The commercial litigation team is also rising up.

Commercial Litigation is worth a look so thank you

 

[Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha]

Anyone heard back from Kennedys after the AC?

Also been waiting for Withers and MacFarlanes after the online assessment. How long does it usually take to get back

 

[James Wakefield]

Withers have only just finished interviews for the Summer Vac, and the Grad Recruitment team are now working on organising the spring scheme (I believe). It could be ages until they get back to people about direct TC.