TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[lucy_p]

Apologies if already mentioned.
Anyone heard back r.e Bristows TC?

 

[sibs23]

Hey guys, is DAC beachcroft’s personal summary meant to be the same as a cover letter?

I am interpreting it as not being the same as a cover letter. The bullet points above the question box seem to suggest that they are looking learn more about us, rather than a motivations focused question. I think there are ways to link motivations to your key achievements and interests which is what I have tried to do. I could be very wrong and I am still debating my approach hence why I have not yet submitted my application 😕

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I may get a TC offer from a direct TC application in 2 weeks' time. However I have some other vac scheme applications that have progressed beyond application stage. I read that law firms need to give at least 4 weeks for offerees to decide whether to accept an offer. I am wondering, if I do manage to get an offer, and accept it, will it break any ethical standards by continuing to attend interviews / apply for vac schemes / direct TCs? In particular I would appreciate @Jessica Booker 's thoughts on this - I read some websites saying that I should withdraw from other firms' recruitment process. But I also read from one of your earlier responses that other firms wouldn't know if you have accepted an offer, which will be true unless they explicitly ask you on the application form. Do you have thoughts on that? Some firms only offer summer vac scheme and I won't be able to expedite the process

Firms don’t have to give four weeks - it is just considered best practice if the TC or sponsored law school training is not starting fairly soon.

The voluntary code is just that - voluntary. There are no regulatory issues with accepting a TC and continuing to apply elsewhere. However, I have heard people having their applications withdrawn when they have said they have an existing accepted offer. This is different to holding an offer (that they haven’t decided on).

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Firms don’t have to give four weeks - it is just considered best practice if the TC or sponsored law school training is not starting fairly soon.

The voluntary code is just that - voluntary. There are no regulatory issues with accepting a TC and continuing to apply elsewhere. However, I have heard people having their applications withdrawn when they have said they have an existing accepted offer. This is different to holding an offer (that they haven’t decided on).

Thanks Jessica! I think it's best I think about it if I do get an offer

 

[Iwanobealawyer]

Freshfields issuing a SJT randomly with no prior announcement is so strange. Those who attended the application masterclass will agree that this was not mentioned, there is no prior preparation and only those who pass will get their application reviewed.

 

[Sad_Old_Grad]

Freshfields issuing a SJT randomly with no prior announcement is so strange. Those who attended the application masterclass will agree that this was not mentioned, there is no prior preparation and only those who pass will get their application reviewed.

Yeah, not ideal... I don't mind Watson Glaser Tests, but not a fan of SJTs

 

[jta227]

Firms don’t have to give four weeks - it is just considered best practice if the TC or sponsored law school training is not starting fairly soon.

The voluntary code is just that - voluntary. There are no regulatory issues with accepting a TC and continuing to apply elsewhere. However, I have heard people having their applications withdrawn when they have said they have an existing accepted offer. This is different to holding an offer (that they haven’t decided on).

Is it common for a TC offer letter/contract however to preclude you from seeing out your applications to other firms/attending future vacation schemes?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it common for a TC offer letter/contract however to preclude you from seeing out your applications to other firms/attending future vacation schemes?

I wouldn't say it is common but I have had enough people contact me about such terms in their offers to know it isn't rare. It usually is just restricting you from doing summer vacation schemes though, rather than having to withdraw from all recruitment processes.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

anyone heard back from kirkland for the direct tc?

 

[gazdgazd11]

DWF VI - any tips? Please I’m begging 😭😭😭 can help with Reed Smith (VI - failed but can help w questions), Blake Morgan (VS completed) , Brown Rudnick (final interview)

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

DWF VI - any tips? Please I’m begging 😭😭😭 can help with Reed Smith (VI - failed but can help w questions), Blake Morgan (VS completed) , Brown Rudnick (final interview)

When did you hear back about Reed Smith? I took the VI around when you did but not heard yet

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

did anyone hear back from goodwin post VI?

 

[Tintin06]

Applied to White & Case's VS. Still heard nothing after applying, however. Should I apply for direct TC? Is that possible in this cycle? Anyone got experience of that here? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[jacksollaf]

Hey everyone; does anyone have any advice for DAC's critical thinking post-vi

 

[Chris Brown]

Applied to White & Case's VS. Still heard nothing after applying, however. Should I apply for direct TC? Is that possible in this cycle? Anyone got experience of that here? Thanks in advance for your help.

White & Case direct TC route is non-rolling and is open until July so you’d be waiting really long before getting a response.

Maybe they are still considering your application for the VS. Don’t rule yourself out just yet. 🙂

I have seen people on this forum that had applied for winter VS back in Sept/Oct and got invited to AC for a Spring or Summer VS instead.​

 

[Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha]

Kennedys AC!

 

[TC seeker]

White & Case direct TC route is non-rolling and is open until July so you’d be waiting really long before getting a response.

Maybe they are still considering your application for the VS. Don’t rule yourself out just yet. 🙂

I have seen people on this forum that had applied for winter VS back in Sept/Oct and got invited to AC for a Spring or Summer VS instead.

Usually how many trainees will White & Case recruit from the direct TC route? I feel like most of their TC are from the vacation scheme..

 

[Chris Brown]

Usually how many trainees will White & Case recruit from the direct TC route? I feel like most of their TC are from the vacation scheme..

They say it’s around 80% from VS. They take on up to 50 trainees a year so 40 from VS. That leaves 10 slots for direct TC.

They have around 25 spaces per VS so 75 to 80 in total. That leaves a 50% conversion rate from VS to TC.​

 

[24aa2001]

Kennedys AC!

Congratulations!! For which one??

 

[Amma Usman]

SH’s why law and why the firm questions are both 600 words. Would it be necessary to format that with introductions and conclusions. 600 words is kind of long but I wouldn’t think it’s long enough for that. @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker

In situations like this, I typically included a sort of thesis statement at the start. I would divide it into roughly two paragraphs. One on why CL, the other on why SH. I would start the paragraph with something like “I am drawn to a career in commercial law for multiple reason but will focus on: X, Y, Z. In the next paragraph, I would write something like I am drawn to SH for mainly X reasons: X, Y, Z. Then, I will take each of the three components in turn and address them appropriately, backed up with real life examples.

Doing this, even in a short sentence at the start, helps signpost your reader and makes everything flow, especially given such a long word count.

With regards the last bit of your question, I don’t see a need to include a conclusion in this case.