2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[Sam7051]

Has anyone heard back from L&W?

 

[Sam7051]

Might be too early but has anyone heard back from Ince following the VI?

No but waiting nervously haha!!

 

[Sammie]

Has anyone heard back at all for the Latham TC app yet?

Has anyone heard back from L&W?

Was literally about to ask the same question! For the TC right? I wonder whether any ACs will happen in August or more likely in the Autumn...

 

[A M]

Has anyone heard back at all for the Latham TC app yet?

Was literally about to ask the same question! For the TC right? I wonder whether any ACs will happen in August or more likely in the Autumn...

I am not sure if they take many people from their Direct TC route because they clearly mention it on their website that they prefer to fill TC spot from VS.

 

[TC fiend]

Has anyone heard back at all for the Latham TC app yet?

Was literally about to ask the same question! For the TC right? I wonder whether any ACs will happen in August or more likely in the Autumn...

Waiting as well! Applied the day before the deadline LOL. Fingers crossed for news soon. Their summer vac scheme just wrapped up last week so I imagine they're making TC offers to that group first and waiting to hear back before reaching out to direct TC applicants. They are indeed more inclined to take people from the VS, but have been known to take people from the direct route as well so here's hoping....

AC's likely in the fall by my math....

 

[A M]

Waiting as well! Applied the day before the deadline LOL. Fingers crossed for news soon. Their summer vac scheme just wrapped up last week so I imagine they're making TC offers to that group first and waiting to hear back before reaching out to direct TC applicants. They are indeed more inclined to take people from the VS, but have been known to take people from the direct route as well so here's hoping....

AC's likely in the fall by my math....

True! All we can do is hope now.

 

[JayC]

Waiting as well! Applied the day before the deadline LOL. Fingers crossed for news soon. Their summer vac scheme just wrapped up last week so I imagine they're making TC offers to that group first and waiting to hear back before reaching out to direct TC applicants. They are indeed more inclined to take people from the VS, but have been known to take people from the direct route as well so here's hoping....

AC's likely in the fall by my math....

May I ask how they would make decisions in time to arrange and pay for GDL or LPC if they hold ACs in the fall?

 

[TC fiend]

May I ask how they would make decisions in time to arrange and pay for GDL or LPC if they hold ACs in the fall?

No clue. For applicants who have a law background / have done the GDL, I think it's fine cos they only have the LPC to do as well. And even if you still have to do the GDL, you can start it in January as well.

Ultimately I have no idea but if they still have to send out VI invites, assess those, and then organize ACs, and THEN organize interviews, that would take you well into September at LEAST....

 

[N.9]

Hi all, I thought I'd make a post re. my journey as I've pretty much been on TCLA since I became serious about a career in commercial law. Not too long ago I was offered a direct TC with Goodwin Procter and today have received the official letter. I am so thankful to each and everyone on here I've received help and advice from because I can guarantee I wouldn't have got it without TCLA. And of course, thank you to Jaysen for creating this incredible platform.

University wasn't even a path I had envisioned for myself growing up because I wasn't the best at school, largely due to seeing domestic violence, alcohol abuse, financial strains behind closed doors, and also not having the best friendship group. Only after going to a sixth-form out of town and surrounding myself with better people I realised the opportunities available. It's been a hell of a ride since but I just wanted people with a similar background to not feel like their background determines where you end up, no matter how out of place we may feel at times!

Also, wanted to drop this below to hopefully help motivate people to make the last push for the 31st deadline. This was following a rejection post-vac scheme. I did say I wasn't expecting to hear back for a while but I didn't think it would be 7 months later in February 2021 😂 Regardless, it shows it really can be worth applying if you can, even to firms with a small intake!

Happy to help anyone with anything so just pop into my DM

So that's countless applications, 6 ACs, 1 Vac scheme and 1 TC. More than anything, man am I relieved 😂



View attachment 3480

I'm proud of you. Congratulations!

 

[Anon 11031]

Hi all, I thought I'd make a post re. my journey as I've pretty much been on TCLA since I became serious about a career in commercial law. Not too long ago I was offered a direct TC with Goodwin Procter and today have received the official letter. I am so thankful to each and everyone on here I've received help and advice from because I can guarantee I wouldn't have got it without TCLA. And of course, thank you to Jaysen for creating this incredible platform.

University wasn't even a path I had envisioned for myself growing up because I wasn't the best at school, largely due to seeing domestic violence, alcohol abuse, financial strains behind closed doors, and also not having the best friendship group. Only after going to a sixth-form out of town and surrounding myself with better people I realised the opportunities available. It's been a hell of a ride since but I just wanted people with a similar background to not feel like their background determines where you end up, no matter how out of place we may feel at times!

Also, wanted to drop this below to hopefully help motivate people to make the last push for the 31st deadline. This was following a rejection post-vac scheme. I did say I wasn't expecting to hear back for a while but I didn't think it would be 7 months later in February 2021 😂 Regardless, it shows it really can be worth applying if you can, even to firms with a small intake!

Happy to help anyone with anything so just pop into my DM

So that's countless applications, 6 ACs, 1 Vac scheme and 1 TC. More than anything, man am I relieved 😂



View attachment 3480

Incredible work - I'm so happy for you!

 

[Georgina Evans]

I don’t think there is anything you can do. They have clearly delayed for a reason and would have considered other options like an email or someone else calling you if that was appropriate/feasible.

These type of things happen all the time unfortunately, and especially with things like Covid, disruption can happen far too quickly. I would focus on putting your attention elsewhere for the time being and waiting until the call next week.

Thanks Jessica appreciate the advice!

 

[N.9]

Hi everyone, I'm working on the Macfarlanes app. atm and I'm in a bit of a predicament with one of the questions:

'YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Please provide details of 1-3 achievements or activities that demonstrate the qualities we look for in a Macfarlanes trainee. You may include both academic and non-academic achievements.'

So, the question includes activities, but its focus is on achievement. One of the achievements I'd like to use is one with a teamwork/collaborative focus, but my most recent example of such isn't really an 'achievement' - it's merely we (as a team) achieved what was asked of us; there is no tangible achievement, such as if I used an example like a uni presentation in which we were awarded a first. I don't want to use the latter example, because it was 5 years ago, and another example I could use which does have a tangible outcome/achievement (procuring a successful verdict for a client in a criminal case) was also 5 years ago.

Do you think I can use the first example (which occurred this year) and relates to a complicated commercial case despite it not having an 'achievement' element? Or is it better to use an example that does, despite them being so long ago?

Any thoughts appreciated, and would love @Jessica Booker 's opinion too!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I'm working on the Macfarlanes app. atm and I'm in a bit of a predicament with one of the questions:

'YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Please provide details of 1-3 achievements or activities that demonstrate the qualities we look for in a Macfarlanes trainee. You may include both academic and non-academic achievements.'

So, the question includes activities, but its focus is on achievement. One of the achievements I'd like to use is one with a teamwork/collaborative focus, but my most recent example of such isn't really an 'achievement' - it's merely we (as a team) achieved what was asked of us; there is no tangible achievement, such as if I used an example like a uni presentation in which we were awarded a first. I don't want to use the latter example, because it was 5 years ago, and another example I could use which does have a tangible outcome/achievement (procuring a successful verdict for a client in a criminal case) was also 5 years ago.

Do you think I can use the first example (which occurred this year) and relates to a complicated commercial case despite it not having an 'achievement' element? Or is it better to use an example that does, despite them being so long ago?

Any thoughts appreciated, and would love @Jessica Booker 's opinion too!

Yes - perfectly fine to use the first example. There is still an achievement in there.

 

[N.9]

Yes - perfectly fine to use the first example. There is still an achievement in there.

Thanks very much, Jessica!

 

[jan28]

I'm proud of you. Congratulations!

Thank you so much!

Incredible work - I'm so happy for you!

Thank you Massive congratulations to you too!

 

[karinny]

Has anyone done the Kennedys final partner interview for the training contract (and SQE)?

Not really sure what to expect, this will be my second strengths based interview with them and I found the first one quite hard (I'm surprised I even made it past that stage) but would love to hear of any previous experiences!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi everyone. For my upcoming AC I have to give a presentation on a fairly niche topic (in light of Brexit, should Scotland be able to have another referendum & what should the questions be). I know that I'll have to state my opinion, present both sides of the argument & back up mine, answer the questions and relate it back to the firm, but does anyone have any other suggestions on the structure? Any help is appreciated

My main suggestion is not to overcomplicate it - these sorts of presentations are best kept straightforward and simple, with plenty of signposting and a clear, easy to follow line of argument with some nuance in analysis. Bear in mind time constraints, practise speaking to time and build in time for interruptions if necessary, research well but equally don't drown yourself in data.

Remember that, even though you have to come to a conclusion, you should avoid being enormously political here - easy for me to say that, it's one of the debates I'm absolutely the most passionate about - but you need to bear in mind your assessors may fall on either side of the debate and, frankly, you don't want to give someone an excuse not to assess you in a good light.

Finally, remember to relate key points back to the firm - it's easy to get caught up in the politics and arguments, but if you forget the law firm part you're making yourself fight a massively uphill battle.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi everyone, I'm working on the Macfarlanes app. atm and I'm in a bit of a predicament with one of the questions:

'YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Please provide details of 1-3 achievements or activities that demonstrate the qualities we look for in a Macfarlanes trainee. You may include both academic and non-academic achievements.'

So, the question includes activities, but its focus is on achievement. One of the achievements I'd like to use is one with a teamwork/collaborative focus, but my most recent example of such isn't really an 'achievement' - it's merely we (as a team) achieved what was asked of us; there is no tangible achievement, such as if I used an example like a uni presentation in which we were awarded a first. I don't want to use the latter example, because it was 5 years ago, and another example I could use which does have a tangible outcome/achievement (procuring a successful verdict for a client in a criminal case) was also 5 years ago.

Do you think I can use the first example (which occurred this year) and relates to a complicated commercial case despite it not having an 'achievement' element? Or is it better to use an example that does, despite them being so long ago?

Any thoughts appreciated, and would love @Jessica Booker 's opinion too!

I agree with Jess that this example is absolutely fine. Achievements aren't always big, shiny, gold-plated blockbusters - in a commercial law setting, achievements aren't always spectacular either - an achievement might be helping an associate deliver a letter on time, filing a bunch of documents correctly etc. Applications are all about proving that you're a safe pair of hands for the firm - a safe investment. Often, that's shown through nothing more than consistent quality in what you do.

 

[N.9]

I agree with Jess that this example is absolutely fine. Achievements aren't always big, shiny, gold-plated blockbusters - in a commercial law setting, achievements aren't always spectacular either - an achievement might be helping an associate deliver a letter on time, filing a bunch of documents correctly etc. Applications are all about proving that you're a safe pair of hands for the firm - a safe investment. Often, that's shown through nothing more than consistent quality in what you do.

Thank you very much, Jacob - you're right, it all holds true. I'll try to remember that going forward too!

 

[james134]

No but waiting nervously haha!!

haha same, just hoping for the best