TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Denver]

Hi if I apply to Freshfields tomorrow can I apply again in September?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi if I apply to Freshfields tomorrow can I apply again in September?

Looks like it as it says once in an academic year

 

[Noodles]

Anyone here is a future Macfarlanes trainee or vac schemer? Would like to ask some questions Thanks.

Have you heard from them re this application cycle?

 

[M0M007]

Have you heard from them re this application cycle?

Noo, I just wanted to ask some questions. I believe it is a non-rolling basis so we will hear after the deadline.

 

[Jolivem]

Yes there is a section that asks for your degree name and write all your modules and at the bottom of that page is please upload your personal statement in a word or pdf format. Hope that help

Thank you. Also, I was wondering if I should include my postgraduates modules and grades (master) or is it just for the llb ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you. Also, I was wondering if I should include my postgraduates modules and grades (master) or is it just for the llb ?

Yes - I would include all of your grades.

 

[islasorna]

@Jessica Booker I have a done the Scottish Legal Diploma but am thinking of applying to some English firms - where on the application should I mentioned the diploma as a qualification, if at all (I know it won't really count for anything)? And should I mention why I'm applying for an English firm in the first place after obtaining the Scottish diploma?

Thanks

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

I feel like we discuss queries around application questions quite often, however, I was wondering if anyone has any tips or pointers on wording the work experience section in a way that identifies the key responsibilities and lessons learnt? Any examples from successful applications could be very useful.

 

[futureTS2025hopeful]

Goodwin Post VS TC offer anyone?

 

[Ali A]

If the Freshfields deadline is 13th July, does that mean tonight at midnight or you can apply tomorrow also?

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Does anyone know if Weil have a meaningful direct TC intake?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I have a done the Scottish Legal Diploma but am thinking of applying to some English firms - where on the application should I mentioned the diploma as a qualification, if at all (I know it won't really count for anything)? And should I mention why I'm applying for an English firm in the first place after obtaining the Scottish diploma?

Thanks

Yes - I would mention it as it is important to account for the time you have dedicated to it.

It will also be important to explain why you have either now decided to pursue a career in England/Wales, rather than in Scotland or why you decided to do the diploma anyway, knowing it wouldn’t help you with the English qualification route.

 

[kmo20]

Does everyone get sent the Hogan Lovells test or is it selective?

 

[hannah04]

Is it worth wasting words to write Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the personal statement, or is using Freshfields throughout ok?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worth wasting words to write Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the personal statement, or is using Freshfields throughout ok?

Freshfields is fine - they use this in their own literature.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, in an interview:

(i) For 'Why Commercial Law' - let's say I tell the interviewer that I want to do Commercial law because I like writing and putting my ideas on paper and I also explain properly where I have done this and what exactly I enjoyed during the process - should I also go into the details of how good I am at writing , for example mentioning any accolades that I may have won recognising my writing abilities? Is the last part necessary or can I leave it out in an interview?

(ii) In general, does Grad Rec like if the applicant can recite a great deal of facts + awards and other textual details verbatim or does it come across as "trying too hard" or "too polished and not relaxed and conversational enough"?

(iii)- If I am asked "Why law", should I clarify if they mean why I want to become a commercial lawyer or why I chose to study a law degree?

(iv)- Is it okay if my "Why law, why the firm and why me" answers are slightly longer than usual? I have tried chopping them down but I feel that every detail that I mention is important to me. Will the interviewer stop me midway or tell me to be brief?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

If the Freshfields deadline is 13th July, does that mean tonight at midnight or you can apply tomorrow also?

I assume it is midnight tonight. Good luck with your application.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Does everyone get sent the Hogan Lovells test or is it selective?

Everyone gets sent it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, in an interview:

(i) For 'Why Commercial Law' - let's say I tell the interviewer that I want to do Commercial law because I like writing and putting my ideas on paper and I also explain properly where I have done this and what exactly I enjoyed during the process - should I also go into the details of how good I am at writing , for example mentioning any accolades that I may have won recognising my writing abilities? Is the last part necessary or can I leave it out in an interview?

(ii) In general, does Grad Rec like if the applicant can recite a great deal of facts + awards and other textual details verbatim or does it come across as "trying too hard" or "too polished and not relaxed and conversational enough"?

(iii)- If I am asked "Why law", should I clarify if they mean why I want to become a commercial lawyer or why I chose to study a law degree?

(iv)- Is it okay if my "Why law, why the firm and why me" answers are slightly longer than usual? I have tried chopping them down but I feel that every detail that I mention is important to me. Will the interviewer stop me midway or tell me to be brief?

Thanks in advance.

(i) be mindful that what you are mentioning isn’t always what a lawyer does (eg putting their ideas down on paper), and that writing could be also seen in many different roles. For instance, I could easily ask a follow up question like “why not something like journalism or public policy” in response to your answer. You don’t have to go into why you are good at that skill though - a brief reference is fine, but it needs to be linked more to your motivations rather than your skill set. Sometimes there is overlap where people like utilising their strengths, but you still need to focus on the motivational side of this.

(ii) if anything the opposite. They don’t want you to recite facts no matter how polished your delivery is. They want to hear you talk about things with opinions and analysis not recite facts.

(iii) yes, you can do this if you are not sure the context of what they are asking.

(iv) I would suggest keeping your answers focused. If they are long, you are potentially going to lose the message of what you are saying. It’s not really about whether the points are all important to you. It’s about prioritising your answer for impact. You need to make sure the points are going to be important to your interviewers too.

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Is it worth wasting words to write Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the personal statement, or is using Freshfields throughout ok?

I imagine if law firms didn't let you use their shortened names, anyone applying to 'Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom' would have a tough time with word count.