TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Law queries]

Latham SJT report - I got communication and self motivation in strength and personal responsibility in weakness. I am not sure if this is good/bad? I mean what to expect?

 

[Tangcy]

Sorry to hear that. Did this come through after 6pm? Ive still not heard from them.

5pm.

 

[VMS]

I felt like the time limit made it challenging to fully answer the questions. I also think my responses might not have been the best since I was conscious of sticking to a maximum of three attempts per question lol.

… did we need to stick to the limit? Do they track us? 😭

Ngl I did about eight for the second VI, I’m a perfectionist 😂

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Gowling PFO 😔
I’ve got to the VI stage with them for the previous 2 cycles so that’s a proper kick in the teeth

 

[gimmeavacschemepls]

I understand ! Especially for one question I had so much to say and could not go into depth the way I wanted to. I ended up filming 4 times for one because the third time was really abs but for the one after that only took one time to film so hopefully it will compensate ... I feel like I did my best but really frustrated by the lack of time to develop an answer..
And now we wait for a month 😅🥲.

Totally relatable that it took more attempts than expected! I had a similar experience—wasn’t fully satisfied with some of my answers, but ended up going with them anyway. Recently, I did another HireVue that allowed you to record three attempts, watch them back, and choose the best one. Honestly, I wish this one had the same feature! That said, I probably shouldn’t complain too much because, format-wise, this was one of the easiest VIs I’ve done. The responses I gave, though? That’s a whole different story… 😂

 

[gimmeavacschemepls]

… did we need to stick to the limit? Do they track us? 😭

Ngl I did about eight for the second VI, I’m a perfectionist 😂

Honestly, I think they give unlimited tries for a reason, so it’s probably fine. That said, I tried to keep my attempts low because of what they mentioned in the email:
"For video questions, you can re-record your response as many times as you like, but we do encourage you to not re-record too many times as we are looking for your potential and how you respond naturally to the question."


It made me a little conscious of overdoing it, but I get the perfectionist struggle - because me too!

 

[fran2948]

Bird & Bird specify their AC is in-person. Other firms make allowances for online ACs for situations like living abroad. Anyone know what Bird & Bird's stance is? Thanks

 

[jta227]

Gowling PFO and my feedback report was at the top level for almost every section. Guessing they didn't like my application answers 🤔

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hiya @futuretraineesolicitor


Just wanted to add to the great response by @Amma Usman! You’re absolutely on the right track with how you’ve approached the distinction between the two questions. Wanted to add a bit more clarity and guidance to help you structure your answers.

For the first question, when talking about why you’re applying to Kirkland & Ellis, focus on specifics that make the firm stand out. Kirkland is particularly known for its private equity practice, and you may want to focus mainly on the areas that it's widely reputed for (e.g. buyouts, fund formation, and out-of-court restructuring and insolvency matters). You could highlight how the firm’s reputation in these areas aligns with your interest/motivations. Essentially, this is your chance to demonstrate a strong understanding of Kirkland, and why you're a good fit.

The second question shifts the focus to transactional work more broadly. Here, you should articulate why transactional law appeals to you, independent of Kirkland. Many applicants often mention the 'fast-paced, deadline-driven environment' but I've generally found this point to be overused. I'd try to focus on some of the specific ways that joining a transactionally focussed firm would allow you to impact businesses, whether it's by enabling their growth through mergers/acquisitions, securing funding for innovation and strategic investment, or rescuing companies in need of restructuring. Again, try to identify some of the ways transactionally focussed firms require lawyers to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions and think about the wider implications of them doing so.

Hope this is helpful and good luck! 😊

Hello, Ram. Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, when Kirkland mentions "transactional," does it also include commercial contracts, and not just PE/M&A, etc.? I wonder if an agreement I drafted wherein I helped a meat factory owner get his factory electrified via solar panels can also fall under this answer. Of course, I will add what appealed to me about this experience, but I just wanted to know your thoughts. Thanks.

Q2 - While answering the question, do I also have to explicitly sy why XYZ (elements of transactional work that I like) won't be a part of advisory/litigation related work because ABC (reasons)?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hello, Ram. Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, when Kirkland mentions "transactional," does it also include commercial contracts, and not just PE/M&A, etc.? I wonder if an agreement I drafted wherein I helped a meat factory owner get his factory electrified via solar panels can also fall under this answer. Of course, I will add what appealed to me about this experience, but I just wanted to know your thoughts. Thanks.

Q2 - While answering the question, do I also have to explicitly sy why XYZ (elements of transactional work that I like) won't be a part of advisory/litigation related work because ABC (reasons)?

Transactional-focused law firms still do advisory and litigation work too, even if it’s not their core practice area.

This work is transactional-focused, in the sense of advising PE firms / portfolio companies on restructuring and disputes.

Hopefully that clears up “transactional-focused firm”. It doesn’t just mean only corporate / finance work, as Kirkland is still a broad practice

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bird & Bird specify their AC is in-person. Other firms make allowances for online ACs for situations like living abroad. Anyone know what Bird & Bird's stance is? Thanks

I would ask the firm if you would like an online assessment centre. It maybe that they can make some adjustments, but sometimes there will be certain assessments that can only be done in person. The firm will be used to people asking this question though and will have a good idea of what they can/cannot do in these instances.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, Ram. Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, when Kirkland mentions "transactional," does it also include commercial contracts, and not just PE/M&A, etc.? I wonder if an agreement I drafted wherein I helped a meat factory owner get his factory electrified via solar panels can also fall under this answer. Of course, I will add what appealed to me about this experience, but I just wanted to know your thoughts. Thanks.

Q2 - While answering the question, do I also have to explicitly sy why XYZ (elements of transactional work that I like) won't be a part of advisory/litigation related work because ABC (reasons)?

The work you are highlighting will be considered “commercial” law - applying contracts to business operations, while I would consider transactional work to be more the movement of assets between organisations. Commercial work often falls within Corporate teams, but I wouldn’t say it is the core of what the firm means “transactional” work.

It is not to say you can’t reference the broader elements of your previous experience that may be similar though, whether it is things like document review/contract drafting, or having to consider the business needs/objectives when applying legal advice to a client.

I don’t think you need to compare transactional work to litigation/advisory work, you can just focus on what it is about the work that transactional lawyers do or the ways in which they work that particularly appeal to you. There maybe somethings that equally apply to advisory or litigation work and it’s not an issue to highlight these alongside elements that may only apply to transactional teams.

 

[gggg]

Any news from CMS after WG?

 

[Tangcy]

Gowling PFO and my feedback report was at the top level for almost every section. Guessing they didn't like my application answers 🤔

How did you get your feedback report? I didnt receive mine

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello, Ram. Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, when Kirkland mentions "transactional," does it also include commercial contracts, and not just PE/M&A, etc.? I wonder if an agreement I drafted wherein I helped a meat factory owner get his factory electrified via solar panels can also fall under this answer. Of course, I will add what appealed to me about this experience, but I just wanted to know your thoughts. Thanks.

Q2 - While answering the question, do I also have to explicitly sy why XYZ (elements of transactional work that I like) won't be a part of advisory/litigation related work because ABC (reasons)?

Hiya @futuretraineesolicitor

Yep, you could definitely discuss the experience of drafting a commercial agreement in your answer, though I suggest you think carefully about how you frame this experience. Focus on what it was about drafting the agreement that was interesting to you and that demonstrates you have the skills that would allow you to stand out at a firm like Kirkland. For instance, did you enjoy understanding client needs, the specific dynamics of responding to pressures in the energy sector, or perhaps any negotiation you might have seen or been involved in? Again, have a close look at how you're framing the experience when justifying your interest in transactional work.

As for your second question, while it’s good to show a clear preference for transactional work, I don't think you need to do so by way of explicitly comparing this to advisory or litigation work. This is partly for the excellent point that @SoonToBeTrainee made above - a point which important to appreciate in the case of Kirkland, since the nature of their transactional work very often has significant implications from a regulatory and litigation standpoint. Instead, I'd encourage you to focus on what it is about advisory work that's interesting to you, focussing on 2-3 points here (some of which I mentioned in my previous post on this).

Update: Whoops, hadn't seen what @Jessica Booker said but YES!!!

 

[TeeTee123!!]

Does anyone perhaps know where I would be able to find the link for a direct TC with Weil Gotshal & Manges? In most calendars it states that the deadline is the 15th of December but has the deadline perhaps already passed? I cannot see any dates on their website!

​

 

[annad]

Hi! May I ask how much prep time + answer time does one have for the CMS VI? Thanks!

 

[TCCG2023]

Hi! May I ask how much prep time + answer time does one have for the CMS VI? Thanks!

1 min to prep and 1 min to answer

 

[Zaidoz10]

@Jessica Booker do firms usually recruit for their Middle East training contracts last? Or prioritize the UK vacancies more? I applied to a firm in September, they told me they recruit on a rolling basis, but I haven’t heard back and I don’t think anyone else has. Would it be too much if I emailed them again? I emailed them in October and that’s when they told me they’re rolling basis.

 

[jta227]

How did you get your feedback report? I didnt receive mine

I don't really remember how I got it but I know I received it right afterwards - maybe there was a button you missed