TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[axelbeugre]

Hi just looking for a little bit of advice on something !

I have received a verbal TC Offer from a firm I love, and as its unique circumstances (applied for VS but post AC was offered TC) this was then followed with a Zoom call discussing details. On this call, grad rec confirmed they were busy and it would take a while to get a full contract, but would follow the call with a written offer for my peace of mind in the next few days. The call was Thurs 22nd and last Friday I emailed to query when I would be receiving the written offer as I hadn’t had any communications. It is now Monday and I haven’t received a reply.

Should I give them more time or follow up/ is it likely they have changed their minds ? I am a bit nervous with no written offer and unsure whether to withdraw from other processes with no written offer.

Thank you in advance ! @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre / anyone who has any advice to offer !

An oral offer is as valid as a written one so I would not worry at all. There is no chance they will go back on their word. I do understand the need for a written communication, but you had a call with the firm and they specifically told you that they are busy and that they will follow up in the next few days with a confirmation so there is nothing to worry about.

Congratulations on your offer and enjoy this huge achievement you worked hard for!

The written confirmation will come but that does not mean in any way that they will go back on their promise, do not worry!

 

[Szofi66]

Same. Don't know where we are going wrong

It's disappointing for sure, but Goodwin offers limited direct TC spots compared to its vac scheme spots, so somewhat understandable. Good luck though with your other applications!

 

[jesslawapps]

An oral offer is as valid as a written one so I would not worry at all. There is no chance they will go back on their word. I do understand the need for a written communication, but you had a call with the firm and they specifically told you that they are busy and that they will follow up in the next few days with a confirmation so there is nothing to worry about.

Congratulations on your offer and enjoy this huge achievement you worked hard for!

The written confirmation will come but that does not mean in any way that they will go back on their promise, do not worry!

That’s great thank you, it really puts my mind at ease about the validity of the verbal offer. Thank you 😁😁

 

[Shreya Verma]

It's disappointing for sure, but Goodwin offers limited direct TC spots compared to its vac scheme spots, so somewhat understandable. Good luck though with your other applications!

Thank you and same to you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi just looking for a little bit of advice on something !

I have received a verbal TC Offer from a firm I love, and as its unique circumstances (applied for VS but post AC was offered TC) this was then followed with a Zoom call discussing details. On this call, grad rec confirmed they were busy and it would take a while to get a full contract, but would follow the call with a written offer for my peace of mind in the next few days. The call was Thurs 22nd and last Friday I emailed to query when I would be receiving the written offer as I hadn’t had any communications. It is now Monday and I haven’t received a reply.

Should I give them more time or follow up/ is it likely they have changed their minds ? I am a bit nervous with no written offer and unsure whether to withdraw from other processes with no written offer.

Thank you in advance ! @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre / anyone who has any advice to offer !

They haven’t changed their mind it’s just something on their very long to do list to get to at some point.

You have emailed on Friday - emails might not get picked up for a couple of days, so I would wait until the end of next week (so around the 15th) and then call again if you haven’t received anything.

 

[diligentbean]

Yes - I would contact them.

Thanks Jessica, appreciated.

Got my rejection through today, sadly :/

Anyone that passed the video interview, would you be up for discussing how you responded to one of the questions with me?

 

[S87]

Does anyone have an article on the EU AI Act's impact on law firms?

 

[law2022x]

Has anyone heard from Brown Rudnick?

 

[PFODEFEATER]

Every time I receive a rejection email, I feel a strong urge to respond with 'It's your loss'

Obviously, I won't be doing that. I haven't lost the plot completely...

 

[Aga123+]

Does anyone have an article on the EU AI Act's impact on law firms?

Here are a few I read a while back. If you check the insights section of firms (I think it was Norton Rose, Dentons and DLA) there's some interesting takes on how it will affect law firms.

🤖 The EU's leading the way in AI regulation

www.littlelaw.co.uk

European lawmakers got close to completing the first set of rules for AI

European lawmakers got close to completing the first set of rules for AI

finimize.com

EU's New AI Act Will Create Wave of Work for Law Firms

Lawyers say the landmark AI legislation agreed upon by EU officials on Friday will generate extensive work for Big Law, with multijurisdictional law firms that have strong regulatory practices best positioned to ride the wave of advisory and compliance work the new bill is expected to create.

www.law.com

 

[Kld]

Anything from CRS post-VI/ does anyone have an idea of when we can expect to hear?

I emailed them last tuesday (27th Feb) and they said that they were still processing - and that "we hope to pass on an update to everyone in the next few weeks"

 

[Shreya Verma]

Every time I receive a rejection email, I feel a strong urge to respond with 'It's your loss'

Obviously, I won't be doing that. I haven't lost the plot completely...

I badly need this attitude 🤣

 

[spamelinazoid]

Right

Anything from HogLov today? Lmao

 

[S87]

Here are a few I read a while back. If you check the insights section of firms (I think it was Norton Rose, Dentons and DLA) there's some interesting takes on how it will affect law firms.

🤖 The EU's leading the way in AI regulation

www.littlelaw.co.uk

European lawmakers got close to completing the first set of rules for AI

European lawmakers got close to completing the first set of rules for AI

finimize.com

EU's New AI Act Will Create Wave of Work for Law Firms

Lawyers say the landmark AI legislation agreed upon by EU officials on Friday will generate extensive work for Big Law, with multijurisdictional law firms that have strong regulatory practices best positioned to ride the wave of advisory and compliance work the new bill is expected to create.

www.law.com

You are an angel

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker I am filling out an application and one of the questions is “Tell us why you are interested in this position”. There is no word count on the question. I am not sure how to approach this. Do I talk about my interest in commercial law and how it started? What are some things I should cover to properly answer the question? I feel it is really open-ended. This is for direct tc by the way.

It really depends on what were the other questions but generally speaking I would utilise this space to highlight reasons I want to join the firm and work for them as a trainee.

I would highlight 3 main reasons you have not discussed yet, whether it is international opportunities, peculiarities regarding the training contract structure if any, pro bono opportunities, lawyers at the firm you would love to train under and work for and diversity initiatives you would want to be included in.

If you already discussed some reasons in another question, it is important to find other peculiarities about the firm that appeal to you and make it the best firm to train at for you.

I hope that is helpful and good luck with it!

 

[LillyandSilver]

If a firm asks for details if you applied to them before how much detail should you give?

 

[Zi48]

If a firm asks for details if you applied to them before how much detail should you give?

I usually say the opportunity I applied for, the date (month, year), and the stage I reached

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Does anyone have any thoughts on applying to Mayer Brown for a direct TC?

Their FAQs suggest the following: "we strongly recommend that you apply for a Vacation Scheme rather than directly for a Training Contract; the vast majority of our Training Contracts each year are offered to high-performing participants on our Vacation Schemes so that is definitely the most effective way to secure a Training Contract with us".

It seems that they favour VS applicants, so why bother having a direct TC route? Is it worth applying for a direct TC (VS deadline passed)?

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker - what are your thoughts?

 

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone have any thoughts on applying to Mayer Brown for a direct TC?

Their FAQs suggest the following: "we strongly recommend that you apply for a Vacation Scheme rather than directly for a Training Contract; the vast majority of our Training Contracts each year are offered to high-performing participants on our Vacation Schemes so that is definitely the most effective way to secure a Training Contract with us".

It seems that they favour VS applicants, so why bother having a direct TC route? Is it worth applying for a direct TC (VS deadline passed)?

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker - what are your thoughts?

What the FAQ suggest will definitely deter me from applying I will be honest, however you have to try otherwise you will never know if you can be successful or not. It might work for you as they might not like anyone on the vacation scheme, this usually happens.

I think that you should take a chance even though the chances are not great!

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

What the FAQ suggest will definitely deter me from applying I will be honest, however you have to try otherwise you will never know if you can be successful or not. It might work for you as they might not like anyone on the vacation scheme, this usually happens.

I think that you should take a chance even though the chances are not great!

Thank you for sharing your perspective. That is the nuisance - you can never know unless you apply!