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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

jta227

Legendary Member
Nov 10, 2024
137
243
If you’re a future trainee at a firm and know you want to qualify into a certain team, would it be helpful to begin reaching out to associates in that team to build relationships before you join the firm or would that be too early and/or not affect your chances of getting that seat at all?
 
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Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
674
1,634
If you’re a future trainee at a firm and know you want to qualify into a certain team, would it be helpful to begin reaching out to associates in that team to build relationships before you join the firm or would that be too early and/or not affect your chances of getting that seat at all?
It’s hard to know for sure what practice group you would want to qualify into prior to commencing a TC, as it’s very possible you gain experience in a completely different seat and change your mind mid-way through your TC. I think it’s important to keep an open mind going into a TC and forming relationships with all of the associates and partners there, regardless of whether they are in a certain practice area of interest or not. It’s probably too early at this point to figure out whether reaching out now would affect the chances of getting that seat. I think @Jessica Booker can give a better answer than this though to be honest. 🥲​
 
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jta227

Legendary Member
Nov 10, 2024
137
243
It’s hard to know for sure what practice group you would want to qualify into prior to commencing a TC, as it’s very possible you gain experience in a completely different seat and change your mind mid-way through your TC. I think it’s important to keep an open mind going into a TC and forming relationships with all of the associates and partners there, regardless of whether they are in a certain practice area of interest or not. It’s probably too early at this point to figure out whether reaching out now would affect the chances of getting that seat. I think @Jessica Booker can give a better answer than this though to be honest. 🥲​
This is true, but:

- You could reach out to multiple teams (as you say)
- Building relationships can never be a bad thing I would hope, even if you don’t end up in that team
- At a firm where retention is not guaranteed/some seats are very competitive, it seems wise to try and think ahead (though I’m not really sure about this, hence my query)

I definitely agree about changing your mind! But without having the chance to do the seat at all it would be an incomplete decision I feel. I was also considering trying to paralegal in the related area before doing the SQE which could end up an advantage come seat selections.

Thanks for the perspective (and congrats on your PW offer 😀)
 
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Jessica Booker

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TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
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21,100
If you’re a future trainee at a firm and know you want to qualify into a certain team, would it be helpful to begin reaching out to associates in that team to build relationships before you join the firm or would that be too early and/or not affect your chances of getting that seat at all?
I would only do this once you are in the firm - it will be far more practical to do it then rather than now.
 

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