TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[SLLLAMA]

Just got the case study and VI for Lewis Silkin does anyone have any tips for case study it’s my first one !

 

[legallybrunette1]

Pre-selection exercises with Lewis Silkin! So pleased, I thought I had a strong application and this application cycle has been ROUGH for me!!

 

[SLLLAMA]

Orrick has a 500 word cover letter as well as asking "Why have you decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer working in an international law firm? What factors and influences have affected your decision?" and "Why specifically are you interested in training at Orrick? What makes us different to the other firms you have applied for?" so what acc goes in the cover letter? I normally cover why commercial law and why the firm in my cover letters with why me woven in with them. Should I just talk about my transferable skills and experiences?

I would say focus on your skills/experience in the cover letter and what aspects of Orrick has interested you outside of the 2 other questions and how they align.

 

[axelbeugre]

Orrick has a 500 word cover letter as well as asking "Why have you decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer working in an international law firm? What factors and influences have affected your decision?" and "Why specifically are you interested in training at Orrick? What makes us different to the other firms you have applied for?" so what acc goes in the cover letter? I normally cover why commercial law and why the firm in my cover letters with why me woven in with them. Should I just talk about my transferable skills and experiences?

I think that you should still use the usual structure for the cover letter, so: WHY LAW, WHY THE FIRM AND WHY YOU. However, I would keep the why law and why the firm section shorter and focus more on why you as you suggested. You want to give them experiences, opportunities, prizes and awards you have won that are able to show how successful you would be on as a trainee solicitor at the firm, and the skills you possess.

I would try to emphasise what I learned from my past experiences too and link them to how you could use these to succeed at the firm. Additionally, whenever you are talking about why the firm in the cover letter, try to mention 1 or 2 reasons you have not mentioned elsewhere to showcase your research about the firm. You want to give them a thorough perspective of why you want to work at the firm. The cover letter is just another opportunity to do that, combined with the other questions on the application.

I hope this is helpful and good luck!

 

[norothrow324]

Baker PFO haven’t even done an SJT, I thought it was automatic haha..

 

[Legalstalker]

Is Bakers Direct TC rolling?

 

[Aussielawyer]

Hey guys! Anyone applied for the Withers Open Day? Havent heard anything about it in a while

 

[Kad28]

Hi guys, i just applied for the mayer brown direct TC. Has anyone been through the process and how long did they take to get back to you.

 

[Petallove1]

Also got Lewis Silkin PFO yesterday!

 

[ww_yerim]

Freshfields post-AC pfo. Gutted tbh, as I've not even made it past the application stage for anywhere else and I'm in my final year of uni. My family don't have the money to self fund the SQE, my parents are retiring as well so I don't have the privilege of leeching off them for 2 years so I'm honestly really scared for the future

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Baker PFO haven’t even done an SJT, I thought it was automatic haha..

Hey sorry about that, when did you apply? Now worried I’ve left it too late which is annoying when I’ve had the app pretty much ready to go but just been improving it and editing

 

[Legalstalker]

When answering this question:
Choose one of our clients and explain a challenge they are currently facing. What could the organisation do to overcome this challenge and how could we assist?

Would i speak about a specific client or what clients within a certain sector would face?

 

[Jessica Booker]

When answering this question:
Choose one of our clients and explain a challenge they are currently facing. What could the organisation do to overcome this challenge and how could we assist?

Would i speak about a specific client or what clients within a certain sector would face?

To me this is asking about a specific client where is says “choose one of”.

 

[Legalstalker]

To me this is asking about a specific client where is says “choose one of”.

Thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[spamelinazoid]

To me this is asking about a specific client where is says “choose one of”.

But would you name drop the client in the answer itself?

 

[give.me.a.tc]

Baker PFO haven’t even done an SJT, I thought it was automatic haha..

sorry about this. When did you apply ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

But would you name drop the client in the answer itself?

Yes - I would expect you’d need to identify them.

 

[NotLord Denning]

For those who got the verbal phone call from Freshfields post-AC - anyone been sent the contract yet?

 

[ADKM]

Has anyone here applied to Winckworth Sherwood’s 2026 TC? If so, have you heard back anything post app? They were supposed to come back to candidates by this week and I haven’t heard back. Starting to think it might be another PFO 😭

 

[trainee2025]

The Bakers app only gives you 150 words for the details/responsibilities bit on each role in the work experience section: since this is quite tight could I do bullet points for what I did and then some sentences at the end of what I learnt etc?

As a rule of thumb I tend to think bullet points in work experience sections are OK unless you can find something on the recruitment website etc. that indicates to the contrary. I think this would likely be a fair approach to take.