TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[streanor]

Q4. Please explain the factors that influenced your decision to apply to Dentons and specifically to the office location you selected, focusing on aspects beyond the firm's global, polycentric structure.

Does this mean you can not mention any cross border work that was conducted by the London office if you are applying to the London office? It's a little bit wild to me that you can't mention the global nature of the firm when that is its biggest selling point and is mainly what is focused on across all the websites that speak about Dentons. @Jessica Booker do you have any pointers for things to look for?

I would avoid that being your main point if you’re explicitly asked to look beyond this. A lot of firms have a global element and you can imagine this is something a lot of people state to be a selling point. Equally, if it’s Dentons’ biggest selling point, almost every application would talk about it. They’re wanting you to stand out with less obvious reasons.

It’s perhaps not that you can’t mention it at all; you could integrate it into a different point e.g., that their global nature facilitates another key selling point of that firm (from the top of my head: that it has a strong business model, is full-service, is highly ranked for banking, M&A etc). Mentioning cross-border work I’m sure would be fine so long as it’s in relation to more than just their global nature.

To supplement, you could look at recent work based in the UK, London-based clients, London initiatives (pro-bono, NextLaw, charity work etc.) and really emphasise why London is where you want to train without needing to talk too much about work outside of London.

Good luck!

 

[AI212121]

Hey! Happy to share my experience.

For Clifford Chance the AC structure is a brief introduction, a written exercise (40 ish minutes) an interview (75 mins) and then a group exercise (30 mins)

In the written exercise there was a case study we had to read and address what the main issues surrounding the company were (ours was finance based and it was a company in financial difficulties looking to recover) and how they could navigate them. We had to write our responses in a business email and send off to a ‘colleague’.

Interview was with partner and senior associate. The questions were on competencies, motivations for law and CC, and the case study. It was about 70/75 mins. You don’t need to remember facts/figures as we had the info with us still.

Group task was another case study we had to read in small groups (think there were five per group), discuss and come to a unanimous decision on a related question. We had 2 mins each to present our ideas to the group and work as a team to come to a conclusion whilst a partner and senior associate sat in and observed/took notes.

Biggest tips would be try to integrate commercial awareness into your interview and written exercise. Focus on teamwork in the group exercise. Try to be as confident as you can with your strategy in the written exercise as that will help in your discussion in your interview too.

Good luck! Hope all goes well.

hey, thank you so much for this. just of curiosity, did you get feedback after the AC, and if so, did they mention anything specific

 

[streanor]

hey, thank you so much for this. just of curiosity, did you get feedback after the AC, and if so, did they mention anything specific

Yes! All very positive and received an offer.

Main points were: Confident in interview and good arguments / considerations / structure in the written exercise (I broke up the email into main points and really treated it like an actual business email). I’d recommend being as concise as possible.

In the group task, they liked my contributions and thought I conducted myself well with the other candidates (try hard not to be overbearing but as you each have time to give your own points, don’t worry too much about this!)

 

[AI212121]

Yes! All very positive and received an offer.

Main points were: Confident in interview and good arguments / considerations / structure in the written exercise (I broke up the email into main points and really treated it like an actual business email). I’d recommend being as concise as possible.

In the group task, they liked my contributions and thought I conducted myself well with the other candidates (try hard not to be overbearing but as you each have time to give your own points, don’t worry too much about this!)

again thank you so much!! was there anyone thing specific that you did to prepare? other than the obvious reviewing motivational questions (why cc, etc)

 

[cjwx]

I would avoid that being your main point if you’re explicitly asked to look beyond this. A lot of firms have a global element and you can imagine this is something a lot of people state to be a selling point. Equally, if it’s Dentons’ biggest selling point, almost every application would talk about it. They’re wanting you to stand out with less obvious reasons.

It’s perhaps not that you can’t mention it at all; you could integrate it into a different point e.g., that their global nature facilitates another key selling point of that firm (from the top of my head: that it has a strong business model, is full-service, is highly ranked for banking, M&A etc). Mentioning cross-border work I’m sure would be fine so long as it’s in relation to more than just their global nature.

To supplement, you could look at recent work based in the UK, London-based clients, London initiatives (pro-bono, NextLaw, charity work etc.) and really emphasise why London is where you want to train without needing to talk too much about work outside of London.

Good luck!

Thank you so much this is really helpful x

 

[TC_2024]

Anyone heard anything back from Gowling?

 

[gggg]

Has anyone received a pfo from CMS post Vi?

 

[TeeTee123!!]

Anyone heard anything back from Gowling?

Still waiting 😩

 

[streanor]

again thank you so much!! was there anyone thing specific that you did to prepare? other than the obvious reviewing motivational questions (why cc, etc)

I would say practice case study questions if you’re not used to them / haven’t done them before. I would also make sure you know the basics of terminology that could crop up (think finance terms, the M&A process and real estate considerations like planning, title restrictions, indemnities/insurance/warranties and basics of contractual rights). You’ll need to consider issues that will face the fictional client so perhaps researching common issues relating to different sector work would be a good starting point.

Just generally, practicing speaking out loud and theorising questions is so helpful if you get nervous at all when articulating your points. Ensuring you’re comfortable public speaking would be helpful, not only for CC but for almost any application.

Hope this helps! Best of luck.

 

[mariistm]

Any news post VI for CMS Bristol?

 

[BM99]

For people who applied to Links Direct TC, what is the current percentage on the portal for you now?

 

[yasmars]

For people who applied to Links Direct TC, what is the current percentage on the portal for you now?

66%

 

[MaheeVohra]

Hey! Has anyone been able to find the link to Ashurst's direct TC application?

 

[IntoLaw]

Anyone know if the AG SJT can be done after the deadline?

 

[jta227]

Anyone know if the AG SJT can be done after the deadline?

If AG = Addleshaw Goddard then nope, if AG = Akin Gump then unsure

 

[LB24]

Kennedys VI invite! Anyone have any tips or have any idea as to what the questions may be?

 

[Zaidoz10]

For the Trowers app, it asked to reference all sources used for my answers. It’s not required as it doesn’t have an asterisk on it, but I’m not sure if I should actually reference all the sites I used for information about the firm or just leave it blank? @Jessica Booker your advice would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the Trowers app, it asked to reference all sources used for my answers. It’s not required as it doesn’t have an asterisk on it, but I’m not sure if I should actually reference all the sites I used for information about the firm or just leave it blank? @Jessica Booker your advice would be appreciated, thank you.

I’d highlight any key sources that have had a clear input into your answers.

 

[mandamasochist]

@Jessica Booker

I'm currently working on my application for Charles Russell Speechlys and could use some advice. I applied last year, was shortlisted for the video interview, but wasn't selected. This year, the application questions are the same, and I'm unsure whether I can reuse my previous answers. Specifically, I’m uncertain about the "What achievement are you most proud of?" question, as my answer hasn’t changed since my initial successful written application last year.

I appreciate the above isn't worded very well, but please let me know if you have any insight/assistance to offer

Cheers!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

I'm currently working on my application for Charles Russell Speechlys and could use some advice. I applied last year, was shortlisted for the video interview, but wasn't selected. This year, the application questions are the same, and I'm unsure whether I can reuse my previous answers. Specifically, I’m uncertain about the "What achievement are you most proud of?" question, as my answer hasn’t changed since my initial successful written application last year.

I appreciate the above isn't worded very well, but please let me know if you have any insight/assistance to offer

Cheers!

Something like your proudest achievement may not have changed and therefore it is fine to use the same example. Do consider whether your answer including that example could be improved though - usually reading your last application with a fresh pair of eyes can spot areas in which you would say something differently/more concisely etc.

With the other questions, like the why the career/why the firm, do consider how you could update/refine those answer too - it will be useful to try and show any evidence gained of learning more about the career or the firm since your last application.