TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker / anyone who can assist.

I recently received a full-time job offer (not law) but I have a summer VS coming up that I am hoping to convert to a TC (the TC is for 2025)

Hypothetically if I were to be successful in converting the VS, would I be able to accept the non-law job offer AND complete the GDL / SQE such that I can work 2023-25 with income and also be studying towards becoming a lawyer:

That is:
- Do firms ever specify in their contracts (e.g., GDL grants) that you can't study and also work for another employer?
- How manageable is the workload? I.e., Is GDL / SQE a full-time endeavour such that working full-time is impossible?

I ask so I can make an informed decision as to whether to accept this full-time job or continue applying for TCs.

Thanks!

Highly unlikely that you’ll be able to do manage a full-time job and the GDL full-time too - some people do the GDL part time alongside working full timebut that would take you two years instead of one and therefore delay your start date by a year.

Even if you attempted it, I am not sure why you would put yourself under that level of pressure. Working full time and studying part time is difficult enough.

You can just resign from your job If it starts and you then have to start the GDL or renege the offer. I don’t think you have to give up the job just yet.

 

[spamelinazoid]

bakers direct tc ac!! would greatly appreciate any guidance/advice/tips PLEASE!

Congrats! When did you do your VI?

 

[zizszhplum]

Has anyone heard back from the Aspiring Solicitors Harbottle & Lewis training contract application?

 

[EM23]

hi guys - I haven't heard from Ashurst yet and I know they've sent people invites last week, and also sent out some rejections today. Does anyone know if there's hope or have they just forgotten about me

Just got my PFO yesterday :/ Guess working for Ashurst doesn’t help lol

 

[spamelinazoid]

Just got my PFO yesterday :/ Guess working for Ashurst doesn’t help lol

paralegals in city firms dont get any privileges either. it's bizarre, you could work in that firm for years doing the same work as trainees, yet they more often than not give a TC to a vac schemer that's been with them for 4 days - 3 weeks over paralegals doing trainee work with them for so long...

 

[Phoebe123451]

Just got my PFO yesterday :/ Guess working for Ashurst doesn’t help lol

oh god it's cut throat isn't it

 

[O]

Is anyone on the 30 May AC for Bakers?

 

[lolamcd1]

Hi, writing a cover letter for an application. do i need to include my address and the firm's address at the top? It is copied into a text box on the application portal and so formatting will change and worried about word count! thanks !

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, writing a cover letter for an application. do i need to include my address and the firm's address at the top? It is copied into a text box on the application portal and so formatting will change and worried about word count! thanks !

If it’s part of an application form like this, then I don’t think it is needed. It’s only really if you are applying just with a CV and cover letter with no online form that the address formalities are needed

 

[LawInTheNorth]

Assuming PFO from BM if others have been invited to ACs now?

 

[HopefulLawyer99]

Assuming PFO from BM if others have been invited to ACs now?

they were sending them out friday evening so perhaps paused for weekend to resume on monday?

 

[LawInTheNorth]

they were sending them out friday evening so perhaps paused for weekend to resume on monday?

I’ll take inspiration from your username and hope that you’re correct!

 

[spamelinazoid]

Assuming PFO from BM if others have been invited to ACs now?

I don't think so tbh, they only started sending out friday afternoon. I think by Wednesday though might be clear

 

[Untilwinter]

Assuming PFO from BM if others have been invited to ACs now?

Honestly not knowing is driving me mad!!

 

[Deleted member 24253]

Does anyone know when a TC salary gets advertised on a firm’s website, is that the current trainee salary ie what existing trainees at the firm are on, or will this still be the salary once you start? Only wondering as I know trainee salaries generally get reviewed every year

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone know when a TC salary gets advertised on a firm’s website, is that the current trainee salary ie what existing trainees at the firm are on, or will this still be the salary once you start? Only wondering as I know trainee salaries generally get reviewed every year

Salaries are unlikely to increase every year. Sometimes salaries have remained fairly flat for several years, and so it could easily be what your offer letter states. Salaries may be reviewed regularly but it doesn’t mean that a salary increases because of it.

I would therefore expect to get what your offer letter states and if you get more consider it a bonus.

 

[LegalLordLox]

I am!

Keep me posted on any updates please.

 

[Estupiña Colada]

"We write further to recent communications in regards to your application to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

We have reviewed your application and for the short term, we would like to place your application on hold. We will consider your application further towards the application deadline (July 14 2023), at which time we will advise you as to whether or not you have been shortlisted for interview."

Has anyone else received a similar message or knows exactly what this means, aside from it is still under consideration?

 

[Jedward87]

Honestly not knowing is driving me mad!!

I can’t tell if the lot that got their AC invites are the ones that interviewed most recently as well… I’m surprised they don’t go chronologically from the people who’ve been waiting the longest?

 

[The Lincoln Lawyer_66]

I can’t tell if the lot that got their AC invites are the ones that interviewed most recently as well… I’m surprised they don’t go chronologically from the people who’ve been waiting the longest?

It could be any list of factors. I am very much speculating, but I guess a consideration they may have is making sure people who may be friends, acquaintances through attending the same uni class etc do not find themselves together at the same ac particularly because there’s a group exercise task involved in this ac which might create an unfair advantage. Ofc they can’t mitigate this 100% but obvious stuff like uni and grad year they’ll have access to.