TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[cjwx]

Does anyone know if it’s smart to apply to SH’s Direct TC even without much legal experience? Or if they do not really consider that.

 

[midnightcobras]

Hi everyone! How would you advise to complete the Freshfields' work experience section? Is it alright to list my duties as "engaged in.... assited in..." ? Also, do you think it is a big issue if my motivational letter is 870 instead of 850 words?

 

[chrisbrown]

Hi everyone! How would you advise to complete the Freshfields' work experience section? Is it alright to list my duties as "engaged in.... assited in..." ? Also, do you think it is a big issue if my motivational letter is 870 instead of 850 words?

It might be better to explain exactly what you did in the role and what transferrable skills you gained as a result.

By saying “engaged in” and “assisted in”, it is probably not going to show what contribution you made, or what your duties actually were, in an effective and accurate way. 🙂

I also think it’s better to stick to the word count for the personal statement. Given it is 20 words over, making minor changes to the phrasing of sentences might be a good idea. 🙂

Best of luck with your Freshfields application!!

 

[kokoprep]

do I still have time to write a good freshfields app😭

 

[M_m]

Does Baker Mckenzie offer online assessment centres? I live overseas so cannot go in person. I cannot find this information on their website

They do. I did one last year. Just email grad rec about it.

 

[andrecsaa]

Does Baker Mckenzie offer online assessment centres? I live overseas so cannot go in person. I cannot find this information on their website

According to their website, the assessment centre are held in person in the London office (https://uk-graduates.bakermckenzie.com/support/application-process/).

If you cannot travel to the UK, you can ask for arrangements. Global firms like Baker might be open to offering you a virtual AC.

 

[chrisbrown]

do I still have time to write a good freshfields app😭

If you are starting it from scratch now then I’m not sure because the deadline is tomorrow. 😭

I guess it depends on how fast you are able to write a good application. 🥲

I decided against applying myself because of the short time frame that was left. 🥲

 

[midnightcobras]

It might be better to explain exactly what you did in the role and what transferrable skills you gained as a result.

By saying “engaged in” and “assisted in”, it is probably not going to show what contribution you made, or what your duties actually were, in an effective and accurate way. 🙂

I also think it’s better to stick to the word count for the personal statement. Given it is 20 words over, making minor changes to the phrasing of sentences might be a good idea. 🙂

Best of luck with your Freshfields application!!

Thank you!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Any graduates who are full time working, do you quit your job for vac schemes? Or is that the plan? Would you book annual leave for a vac scheme but is that unethical?

Annual leave or unpaid - it’s not unethical because you will likely have to tell them anyway since most contracts include a clause saying you can’t undertake paid employment elsewhere without consent

 

[0livia.pope]

Has anyone had experience writing a brief for a written assessment task? This is for the BBC solicitor apprentice role and I am struggling on how I can prepare.. would it be similar case study style task but with a media law focus?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated !

 

[midnightcobras]

By the way, how would you recommend preparing for the SJT test? Any resource recs would be appreciated!

 

[TC129129]

Has anyone done the Bristows VI

 

[Amma Usman]

Thank you so much! I think i will just talk about two and try and go in depth. Would you recommend any resources to help research this question? I listen to the FT news briefing everyday but i still do not think my commercial awareness is good enough for the applications !

Hey,

I’ve linked below a thread I made on resources to boost commercial awareness.

When I was applying, I didn’t jump straight to the FT to help with CA because I knew that I wasn’t going to understand much. The terms were unfamiliar and so were many of the concepts, so I took some time off to understand these first. This in itself, is commercial awareness. To this effect, I have linked a couple more threads to help.

The Weekly Brief: Commercial Awareness Updates

Hey everyone! Welcome to this thread, where I'll be sharing regular commercial awareness updates to keep you in the loop on the latest trends and news—perfect for staying sharp ahead of those crucial law firm interviews and assessment centres. My goal is to post a new update every day from...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

50 Capital Markets Terms To Know

Hey TCLA Community! In this thread, I’ve complied a list of 50 Capital Markets terms and their respective definitions. This will be particularly useful for those of you drawn to transactional law and are keen to know more about how these bustling financial markets work! The first step? You...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

10 Commercial Awareness Sources

Hey all! I hope you’re all having a fantastic mid-week! I’ve included below 10 sources to help solidify that commercial awareness! Let’s keep going and building up on that skill everyday…!!! Pro-tip: Take building commercial awareness as a lego exercise - building little blocks everyday before...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

100 Key Financial and Legal Terms

Hey all! In this thread, I’ve included a list of 100 terms I believe are essential to building that commercial awareness. I’ve made a 50/50 split, covering financial and legal terms. Feel free to add any more terms and definitions you feel are essential ! ;) 50 Financial Terms 1. Asset...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…

 

[chrisbrown]

Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…

I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

 

[spamelinazoid]

I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

 

[Tintin06]

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

I echo all of this, honestly.

I'm lucky to be self-employed. I can just take days/weeks off. Self-employment has its own drawbacks, however. It's cost-benefit analysis ultimately, isn't it? I have met paralegal on VSs. They used annual leave for VSs. With that job, it's more accepted? Since the firms know your game. Your ultimate goal is a TC. Best of luck with your applications.

 

[24aa2001]

Would you say not to bother if you don’t have the best university grades for Freshfields. I have experience and other aspects

 

[chrisbrown]

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

The winter VS is a week long so not like the summer VS which is 3 weeks. I guess it is still not ideal for those in full-time work who have to use annual leave regardless.

It is unfortunate but I guess they believe it is a lot better for future trainees to do a VS at Freshfields before they offer them a TC. 🥲

Other MC firms like CC and Slaughter and May still have two direct TC windows. This may be because they don’t have VS for finalists and/or graduates. 🙂

I definitely agree that if anything law firms are becoming less and less inclusive by introducing these changes. It makes it harder for grads/mature applicants to enter the profession. 😞

 

[SS21]

Nope. I’m still on 60% candidate review

Same! Does your status say “on hold” though?