TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[SS21]

It tells me a lot about a firm’s culture (and attitude to trainees) if their only recruitment method is through a 2-3 week internships which is mostly aimed at 19-21 year olds.

*cough cough* DLA piper 😂😂😂 so funny bc I even work in-house for one of their biggest clients but I’m not good enough to be a trainee unless I do their clown scheme lmao

 

[Chris Brown]

*cough cough* DLA piper 😂😂😂 so funny bc I even work in-house for one of their biggest clients but I’m not good enough to be trainee unless I do their clown scheme lmao

*Cough cough* HSF. 👀😂​

 

[Mug Fan]

It tells me a lot about a firm’s culture (and attitude to trainees) if their only recruitment method is through a 2-3 week internships which is mostly aimed at 19-21 year olds.

Tell me about it! Appreciate I’m going to sound like an arse here but here goes… honestly I have 10 years corporate banking experience closing deals for multinational corporates all over the world. I guarantee there is very little for me to gain from your poxy 2 week vacation scheme.

I know that sounds entitled but it feels like such an unnecessary hoop to jump through and isn’t suitable for every situation.

Not to mention using 2 weeks annual leave for the privilege!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

i literally havent heard anything from Mishcon since i applied in mid-November - should i assume PFO?

I think they should’ve let you know if you progressed to the video interview stage already. Last year they announced the outcome post vi in late Feb. So email and ask I’d recommend

 

[LaoTzu]

Linklaters bro pls I'm tired

 

[theone132213]

Hey all,
Anyone got any insights at all into the Bristows written task - such as how long it is or what it might entail?

They gave absolutely no guidance in the email so rather nervous about it all atm.... any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

Has anyone heard back from Harbottle & Lewis or know someone who has?

 

[AveragePoster]

Hi, has anyone had and/or heard back from Freshfields Direct TC post-AC? Had mine on Monday, no outcome thus far

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

i literally havent heard anything from Mishcon since i applied in mid-November - should i assume PFO?

Hiya @LawLawLawLawLaw

I wouldn't assume that just yet. In previous application cycles, Mishcon has sometimes only progressed candidates several months after applying. This is often just a result of the sheer volume of applications they receive. In my own case, during one cycle, I applied in November and wasn’t progressed until May! I definitely think there's still hope. Try not to worry too much just yet. In the meantime, if you have the energy, it might be worth sending out a few more vacation scheme or direct training contract applications to other firms. It’s always good to keep your options open while waiting to hear back. Hope you get some good news soon!

 

[👩🎓]

Hi everyone, does anyone have any advice regarding Foot Anstey's test and VI?

 

[vschemer]

Hi all, currently facing a dilemma and would really appreciate any insight.

Between Cleary Gottlieb, Weil, Davis Polk, and Sullivan & Cromwell where would it be best to accept a training contract. Thinking in terms of quality of work, ability to lateral in the future if need be, and calibre of training.

Thank you in advance!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

*Cough cough* HSF. 👀😂​

This one has always really bothered me. Who did they pay to get ranked so highly on that ‘social mobility employers index’ thing when they only hire through 2 week long vacation schemes that are inaccessible for a lot of ‘socially mobile’ candidates?

 

[Broadwater]

Tell me about it! Appreciate I’m going to sound like an arse here but here goes… honestly I have 10 years corporate banking experience closing deals for multinational corporates all over the world. I guarantee there is very little for me to gain from your poxy 2 week vacation scheme.

I know that sounds entitled but it feels like such an unnecessary hoop to jump through and isn’t suitable for every situation.

Not to mention using 2 weeks annual leave for the privilege!

It’s not about you. It’s about them wanting to assess you before they drop ~£100k on training you

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

For King & Spalding, are people providing first year grades? For some reason 'Please list below the breakdown of all confirmed (final) module grades to date:' reads to me like we only need to list the modules which count towards our final grade

 

[yk1906]

Do the firms actually contact the referees? So many firms ask for two, not even one, and I am quite worried to make my already busy professors even busier...

 

[Jessica Booker]

For King & Spalding, are people providing first year grades? For some reason 'Please list below the breakdown of all confirmed (final) module grades to date:' reads to me like we only need to list the modules which count towards our final grade

I think they mean you don’t have to include grades for modules that are not fully complete (eg if you have completed earlier assessed essays but not summer exams), but I read this that you would need to include and fully completed first year modules whether they count towards your degree or not.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do the firms actually contact the referees? So many firms ask for two, not even one, and I am quite worried to make my already busy professors even busier...

yes - I wouldn’t worry about this too much though, both firms and universities manage it in their own way. Many professors delegate the references to admin in their faculty office for instance.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

I think they mean you don’t have to include grades for modules that are not fully complete (eg if you have completed earlier assessed essays but not summer exams), but I read this that you would need to include and fully completed first year modules whether they count towards your degree or not.

Thanks Jessica!

Also where are people finding info for the K&S application? they have barely anything about the TC on their website, no chambers student profile etc so basically only the Legal Cheek page is directly about the TC and that's not very detailed.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Wishing everyone a positive and prosperous week ahead! ✨

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Just adding to the PEP calculations debate. It doesn't always show profitability accurately as some partnerships have equity partners on a lockstep basis. Also some firms earmark a portion of profits for both the non equity partner bonus "pots" and indeed other fee earners and non-fee earner "pots" , i.e., they distribute a percentage of it to their staff rather than keeping all profit for distribution amongst full equity partners.