TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Legalstalker]

Fieldfisher online assessment invite!!
(They said it’ll take less than 5mins to complete so I’m very unsure of what to expect)

update: Wasn’t as bad as I thought!

 

[futuretrainee202X]

CMS is non-rolling this year since they changed to a direct TC process. AC will not be filled before the deadline. This was confirmed my GR.

They advise not to rush the application and research the firm thoroughly before applying, this would also help with the VI and AC.

Can I confirm this will be the same for firms like CC and A&O? As in, they don't review apps before the deadline? Thanks!

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Can I confirm this will be the same for firms like CC and A&O? As in, they don't review apps before the deadline? Thanks!

cc and a&o are both non-rolling and so is linklaters btw

 

[Zaidoz10]

CMS is non-rolling this year since they changed to a direct TC process. AC will not be filled before the deadline. This was confirmed my GR.

They advise not to rush the application and research the firm thoroughly before applying, this would also help with the VI and AC.

For anyone applying to CMS Dubai, they are rolling. They got back to me with an outcome only a few days after I applied.

 

[Manuchelsout]

cc and a&o are both non-rolling and so is linklaters btw

Do you know if you can do the a&o assessment until the deadline after app is submitted.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Do you know if you can do the a&o assessment until the deadline after app is submitted.

yes, you've understood it correctly.

 

[Manuchelsout]

yes, you've understood it correctly.

Thanks

 

[mandamasochist]

Neither have I - I think someone previously mentioned that they were dealing with people who had failed the SQE. I think we will hear from them soon as I assume they will offer people on the WVS tc places.

I have spotted a typo in my current app so I think I am going to amend and apply for the 2026 tc as I believe they are rolling and I don't want to miss out.

I think their email is: [email protected].

Thanks for your response. Seems hard to believe they'd wait 5 months to get back to people who applied for the last cycle. Did you do your application near the deadline?

 

[nya]

for a 'why X firm?' question, is it ok to start off with the fact that the firm performs particularly well in a certain practice area I'm interested in?

 

[wz_13]

If anyone's done the flex apprentice online assessment and could offer some insight you would be a life saver!🫶🏼

 

[axelbeugre]

for a 'why X firm?' question, is it ok to start off with the fact that the firm performs particularly well in a certain practice area I'm interested in?

Yes, totally! I would try to substantiate this linking it back to you, your interests, your background and your professional experiences that made you like this practice area. This is necessary to distinguish yourself from other candidates who have probably highlighted the same practice area.

Good luck with the application cycle!

 

[Manuchelsout]

In a&o vi is it ok to mention them as a&o or shall I say a&o sherman

 

[Jessica Booker]

for a 'why X firm?' question, is it ok to start off with the fact that the firm performs particularly well in a certain practice area I'm interested in?

Yes - but remember to link it back to you. The firm knows it performs well in certain practice areas, but they don’t know why that is important to you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

In a&o vi is it ok to mention them as a&o or shall I say a&o sherman

I’d keep with their current name until the merger is completed (think this is due in the spring).

 

[Manuchelsout]

I’d keep with their current name until the merger is completed (think this is or due to the spring).

Thank you

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

For those that applied to mcdermott, do you know when we will hear back?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

for a 'why X firm?' question, is it ok to start off with the fact that the firm performs particularly well in a certain practice area I'm interested in?

Yup! You can reference reputable legal directories such as Legal 500 to back up your point. You can also have a look and see if the firm/a particular lawyer has received an award for that practice area too. Make sure you link it back to yourself/why this area interests you!

 

[nya]

I'm practising an answer for 'why X firm?', and to mirror the typical format of VIs I've given myself a 1 minute limit. I'm honestly finding it so difficult to talk about a range of factors because of the time constraints, and I can literally only discuss one factor (a particular practice area) without coming across like I'm going through a shopping list. I'm anxious that only discussing 1 factor will come across as not having researched the firm in enough depth, does anyone have any advise regarding this?

 

[Ali A]

CMS is non-rolling this year since they changed to a direct TC process. AC will not be filled before the deadline. This was confirmed my GR.

They advise not to rush the application and research the firm thoroughly before applying, this would also help with the VI and AC.

so is there no CMS Academy?

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

CMS is non-rolling this year since they changed to a direct TC process. AC will not be filled before the deadline. This was confirmed my GR.

They advise not to rush the application and research the firm thoroughly before applying, this would also help with the VI and AC.

Thanks for sharing this! So does this mean that they are giving out all post-app responses after the deadline? Or will some be progressed to WG, VI etc before the deadline?