TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Anissa]

Has anyone heard anything from Withers for the DTC after the test?

I haven't even received the test, how long after applying have you received it ?

 

[Anissa]

Withers interview invite! Does anyone have any insights/tips? It's for 1 hour with a member of HR and a Partner

Congrats !! When did you apply ?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

I haven't even received the test, how long after applying have you received it ?

I received it the day after applying. Some people on the thread say it's automatic, but the wording on the invite suggests it was not.

 

[Aimeeb7]

I just completed the Browne Jacobson amberjack assessment and got my feedback report straight away, but it had someone else’s name on it. I’ve emailed them but I can’t work out if it’s my assessment feedback with the wrong name or just someone else’s altogether. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[wannabe_solicitor]

Orrick DTC q2: ‘Why have you decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer in an international law firm’ 250words

Q1 is a cover letter. So I was gonna focus more on the international law firm part in q2 rather than the “why commercial law”. Would people agree or should I try and fit in commercial law stuff too? Thanks

 

[toad92]

The question in the DTC application of Baker McKenzie was of a similar nature, right?

Not sure, rejected post vac scheme VI so not sure they’d have wanted me to apply DTC too lmaoo

Difference is, KN is a firm with a lot of focus on criminal litigation + public, with smaller commercial teams, and with only one office here in London…. Bakers is already a global commercial law firm with loads of offices and a clear international focus 😭

 

[Gin]

Finally Monday is coming and I could start begging for emails again.

 

[TCseeker101]

Congrats !! When did you apply ?

Thanks! I applied early March

 

[optimistic_undergrad]

Not sure, rejected post vac scheme VI so not sure they’d have wanted me to apply DTC too lmaoo

Difference is, KN is a firm with a lot of focus on criminal litigation + public, with smaller commercial teams, and with only one office here in London…. Bakers is already a global commercial law firm with loads of offices and a clear international focus 😭

Not exactly what I meant originally, but yeah, understandable. Have a nice day!

 

[Chris Brown]

Has anyone heard back from Ashurst, Baker McKenzie or Hogan Lovells (for DTC) today?​

 

[Tintin06]

Has anyone heard back from Ashurst, Baker McKenzie or Hogan Lovells (for DTC) today?​

Nothing from Ashurst as of yet. Not feeling too hopeful about Cappfinity. Not a test I've passed yet.

Trying to focus on summer TCs. Paul Hastings feels more likely now. No VS to speak of, obviously. Plus, attended their selective open day. Did you also apply to PH?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Orrick DTC q2: ‘Why have you decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer in an international law firm’ 250words

Q1 is a cover letter. So I was gonna focus more on the international law firm part in q2 rather than the “why commercial law”. Would people agree or should I try and fit in commercial law stuff too? Thanks

Ideally, I think you would address both in q2 as well. I think you could achieve that by expressing an interest in the kind of work commercial lawyers do in an international law firm, rather than the work that they would do in a national one. Presumably, this will be an interest in complex cross-border transactions, cases, or advisory matters for clients with businesses in many jurisdictions. The challenge of understanding the legal and commercial implications in many foreign countries could be one that is appealing to you. Similarly, the types of clients you would get to work for - multinational corporations, huge financial institutions, and sophisticated investors - could once again be attractive for various reasons. The point is that if your interest in working at an international firm has to do with the particular type of commercial law work that entails, your motivation will answer both parts simultaneously.

If, however, your motivations for wanting to work for an international law firm are not very commercial-law related (say, if it has to do with wanting to get exposure to different legal systems - something you would get if you were working at an international law firm even if it specializes in something like family law), I think you should address the commercial law point specifically as well. If you feel you have adequately addressed it already in the cover letter you do not need to elaborate a lot. It should be fine to build on some of the conclusions you have reached in the cover letter and move on to motivate the international firm element more quickly.

 

[Chris Brown]

Nothing from Ashurst as of yet. Not feeling too hopeful about Cappfinity. Not a test I've passed yet.

Trying to focus on summer TCs. Paul Hastings feels more likely now. No VS to speak of, obviously. Plus, attended their selective open day. Did you also apply to PH?

Same here tbh. Not super hopeful about Cappfinity. I’ve yet to pass one. Think Breezy applied to Ashurst for their WVS and Hogan Lovells for SVS. I applied for their DTCs. Hoping to hear positively soon.

I’m looking to apply to Paul Hastings for DTC. I haven’t applied to them yet. Breezy applied for their Phirst Steps SVS. Has an interview coming up with them soon. Could be his 4th VS offer this cycle.

I saw a few people post rejections on this thread for Baker McKenzie. Me and Breezy are still waiting to hear post app. Assuming the test isn’t automatic for them? Is the test a WGT or SJT? Is the VI stage separate to the test?​

 

[Mug Fan]

Same here tbh. Not super hopeful about Cappfinity. I’ve yet to pass one. Think Breezy applied to Ashurst for their WVS and Hogan Lovells for SVS. I applied for their DTCs. Hoping to hear positively soon.

I’m looking to apply to Paul Hastings for DTC. I haven’t applied to them yet. Breezy applied for their Phirst Steps SVS. Has an interview coming up with them soon. Could be his 4th VS offer this cycle.

I saw a few people post rejections on this thread for Baker McKenzie. Me and Breezy are still waiting to hear post app. Assuming the test isn’t automatic for them? Is the test a WGT or SJT? Is the VI stage separate to the test?​

Remind me what the alias is all about again? I think I missed something…

 

[legallycece]

Anyone still waiting for HL ? Completed my WG on the 13th Feb fyi

 

[spamelinazoid]

Anyone still waiting for HL ? Completed my WG on the 13th Feb fyi

was hoping for news today, as seems they indicated last week that next stage would be communicated by end of last week...

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone done Paul Hastings TC interviews?

 

[Chris Brown]

Anyone done Paul Hastings TC interviews?

Paul Hastings’ DTC is non-rolling. Deadline is 30th June 2025. I think interviews will take place July and August. They are interviewing people for the Phirst Steps SVS’ currently. They take place in June (16th - 20th and 23rd - 27th June).​

 

[wannabe_solicitor]

Ideally, I think you would address both in q2 as well. I think you could achieve that by expressing an interest in the kind of work commercial lawyers do in an international law firm, rather than the work that they would do in a national one. Presumably, this will be an interest in complex cross-border transactions, cases, or advisory matters for clients with businesses in many jurisdictions. The challenge of understanding the legal and commercial implications in many foreign countries could be one that is appealing to you. Similarly, the types of clients you would get to work for - multinational corporations, huge financial institutions, and sophisticated investors - could once again be attractive for various reasons. The point is that if your interest in working at an international firm has to do with the particular type of commercial law work that entails, your motivation will answer both parts simultaneously.

If, however, your motivations for wanting to work for an international law firm are not very commercial-law related (say, if it has to do with wanting to get exposure to different legal systems - something you would get if you were working at an international law firm even if it specializes in something like family law), I think you should address the commercial law point specifically as well. If you feel you have adequately addressed it already in the cover letter you do not need to elaborate a lot. It should be fine to build on some of the conclusions you have reached in the cover letter and move on to motivate the international firm element more quickly.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[wannabe_solicitor]

I haven’t got a report back from my Ashurst Cappfinity yet… should I reach out to grad rec?