TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Andrei Radu]

Hey folks, I'm revising my app strategy as I've had many realisations in the past few months sending apps to a few different firms. I'm looking for suggestions regarding firms that align with what I'm looking for:

- Interest in M&A, PE, VC, and Competition (mostly M&A focused)
- Technology law, digital assets, AI
- High responsibility and accountability, small intake
- Entrepreneurial
- Innovative/legal tech focused
- cross-border, international work

I wanted to see if there are firms I am missing to include as I revise my app strategy. I'm applying to Weil, Willkie and Goodwin this month. What are your suggestions?

Thanks, @Shahana for the idea.

So just to add to @Ram Sabaratnam's excellent response, I think you have already identified quite well some of the firms that are great in PE and have smaller trainees intakes. Besides those, and the ones Ram mentioned, I would also take a look at:

• Paul, Weiss: though a new player in the London market, Paul, Weiss is arguably the most entrepreneurial firm in recent times. Capitalizing on a golden opportunity, it has poaches some of the top rainmaker partners from rivals like Kirkland and has expanded in London at an unprecedented scale. It also has very deep institutional ties with Apollo, a major global private equity firm.
• Gibson Dunn: the firm has a smallish trainee intake and besides their expertise in PE, they are well-regarded for their corporate M&A work as well.
• Ropes & Gray: a very PE-focused firm and also known to put a lot of emphasis on early responsibility. Ropes & Gray has also enjoyed a decade of very high growth, even compared to big law rivals.

Besides this, since you expressed an interest in general corporate M&A I wanted to address this point as well, especially since this has historically been a harder field for US firms to establish themselves in:

• Skadden: if a more medium-sized trainee intake is not an issue, Skadden might be a top pick for you. The firm has been one of the pioneers of strategic M&A historically and has always enjoyed a leading reputation in the field, topping both total and average deal value rankings both in London and globally.
• Cleary Gottlieb: the firm is well-recognized for its M&A work, and is especially know for its internationalism. As one of the original New York firms, Cleary was one of the first to expand internationally after identifying the growth of cross-border mandates.
• Davis Polk: a core member of the 'white shoe' club of New York firms, Davis Polk has always been know for exceptional corporate expertise, both on the M&A and on the ECM side. The firm has recently been seeking growth in London, as in the last 12 month it hired several top partners from rivals such as A&O Sherman, Paul Hastings, and Sidley Austin. At the present moment, Davis Polk has a smaller but premium and high quality-focused corporate M&A practice in London, consistently topping rankings for average deal value and revenue per partner/revenue per lawyer. It also did a number of big deals in the Technology, Media, and Communications area.
• Sullivan & Cromwell: a very strong player in M&A generally and the leading firm representing S&P100 companies in public M&A. It has also historically been among the most profitable firms in the world, consistently achieving top 5 average PEP rankings in the last 10 years, which indicates a strong business model.

 

[hmevey]

Hey guys, I am wanting some advice as I am not sure I am approaching this TC cycle correctly. Saw someone do a post like this and I would really appreciate the help. I have applied so far to a broad range of firms; Slaughters, CC, Ashurst, AG, Irwin Mitchell, HSF and I want to continue applying. I have done a few apps on deadline day and rushed the IM VI which may have ruined my chances. Already got PFOS from Slaughters, Ashurst and AG

Does anyone have any firm recommendations for my next few apps- I was planning on squeezing a CMS app out as the deadline is closing soon.

I am looking for firms that are international, I am interested in litigation, intellectual property and competition law at the moment but I am keen to explore all areas. I am also keen to go somewhere where I can do an international/client secondment.

I have a mid 2:1 from a RG uni, have a broad range of work experience i.e paid work, volunteering, positions of responsibilities and two MC first year open days. but no VC's previously. Currently on my 6th month working at a fairly large firm in conveyancing but I am keen to enter the commercial world. Is there anything I can do to tailor my approach. This is my first proper cycle but working full time, i am really strugglign to find motivation to keep going. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Law queries]

Did anyone hear from CC yet? (Regarding DTC VI stage)

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

till now i've seen 2 ac invites on the forum

I’ve only seen one, think the posts were the same user

 

[Samridhi Jain]

Thank you so much @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu for the comprehensive responses! Those are super helpful. I'll check out the firms that were not on my list

 

[suhana]

Hi @Jessica Booker and anyone who can help!

I had a quick query regarding one of the questions in my application. The question reads:

“Please detail all your positions of responsibility, including title, date, and a brief description. Please separate each position with a bullet point - 500 words.”

For some reason, I find myself repeating a lot of my work experience.

I’m currently holding a society position and also held one last year, which I plan to mention. However, since the word count is quite high, I wanted to ask if volunteering, such as pro bono work, could come under "positions of responsibility." Additionally, I’m a campus ambassador for a law firm, but I feel that role leans more towards work experience rather than a position of responsibility, especially since it’s a paid role. I’m a bit confused because I typically categorise pro bono work and my campus ambassador experience as work experience. Do you have any tips on what else could be included under positions of responsibility without repeating my work experience?

Another issue I had was with the formatting of the bullet points. I wanted to clarify whether I’m supposed to write the description and my responsibilities in bullet points (similar to a CV), or if they expect each experience to be listed as a bullet point with the description written in prose.

I’d really appreciate your insight on this.

 

[whywhy88]

I was just wondering if I should start mentally preparing for a rejection lol
I applied for a direct training contract at AO quite late and passed their SJT test about 2 weeks ago. But I haven't heard anything back since then? Is anyone else in this boat or have most invites to AC been offered?

How do you know that you passed the SJT? Did they email you to let you know? All I’ve gotten since I applied and sat the test are two identical emails (sent weeks apart funnily) with a link to my feedback report and a note to say they will review my application after the deadline 🙃

 

[Zaidoz10]

@Jessica Booker I am filling out the work experience section of a law firm app. I entered my current role, but the app requires me to input an end date for the role. As I don’t have one, I’m not sure what to put. There is no option to leave it blank or an option to say that it is my current role. It’s not letting me submit the app otherwise. What should I do? Thank you.