TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[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!

 

[Szofi66]

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?

I ended up applying for the direct TC, because you never know whether they see something special in your application or not, or perhaps a trait/a similarity with their firm they are looking for specifically (obviously, tailoring your application to Mayer Brown as much as you can is a must). Also, their application form was fairly simple compared to those having multiple additional questions, it's just your academics and work experience basically, so it went pretty quickly.

This said, if your goal is to secure a TC as fast as you can, it might not be the best choice for you, statistically speaking. And clearly, even though most firms claim that they welcome applicants with a 2.2 with extenuating circumstances or limited legal experience, this is not a situation where you could get away without stellar grades, extracurriculars and work experience. I doubt that they would consider a direct TC application that has any flaws, considering that their primary preference is vac schemers.

 

[Jessica Booker]

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

Just what vacancy and when you applied should be sufficient unless they are asking which stage you got to.

 

[Jessica Booker]

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?

Because some people won’t be able to do vacation schemes and so the TC route is a viable route for those people, and makes sure the firm does not miss out on those people.

If you can wait for the next VS application cycle then I would do, unless you have reasons why you didn’t apply for a VS (beyond not meeting the earlier deadline).

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi Axel, Bakers says about this "It is entirely your decision as to whether you want to apply to a Vacation Scheme or a Training Contract. However, it is worth noting that a large proportion of our trainees undertook a Vacation Scheme with us and Vacation Scheme students are considered for a Training Contract before we review other applications."
What would your take on this be? Do you think the chances are slim for direct TC success?

They are but applying never hurts as this year's cohort might not be up their standards so I would always try my best and apply anyway as you might be lucky. If you do not apply, you will definitely not going to be considered. If you do, there is a chance, even small, it is still a chance worth taking to pursue your goal!

 

[Co0rpBarbie20]

Hi everyone,

I had a question re NRF. I had applied for the direct TC (non-law) back in July 2023. I got the invitation to the WG but unfortunately wasn't able to clear it. Am I allowed to apply for their direct TC in this cycle?

 

[LB24]

Kennedys PFO post-test 😭

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi everyone,

I had a question re NRF. I had applied for the direct TC (non-law) back in July 2023. I got the invitation to the WG but unfortunately wasn't able to clear it. Am I allowed to apply for their direct TC in this cycle?

If they do not have a policy where you cannot apply I think they you can, especially because usually law firms do not want you to reapply if you have been invited to assessment centre.

So, in my opinion, you can apply this year!