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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,157
21,116
Hi @Amma Usman and all, I am looking for some advice as to how to structure my VI answer to "tell us about a commercial news story you're interested in / have read about". Whilst I didn't get feedback my VI this last year, I am convinced this answer let me down. I had too much to say in such little time. I think it was only 1 min that I had. I was trying to explain the background (briefly), why I am interested, how it impacts stakeholders and linking back to the firm. Normally with any VI answer, I usually try to keep to 2 main points or 3 at a push so I don't feel rushed or flustered. Any advice on how to structure my answer and keep it focused would be very much appreciated! I really do not want to let myself down on this again.
I think you are trying to cover too much by over anticipating the question. You won’t need to link it back to the firm or how it impacts stakeholders unless the VI question specifically asks you to do this.

If the question is just tell us about a news story and why it interests you, you just need to summarise the story (pick out the key/most interesting parts) and explain your interest in it - it wouldn’t need any further detail beyond this.
 

sibs23

Legendary Member
Jan 15, 2021
212
410
I think you are trying to cover too much by over anticipating the question. You won’t need to link it back to the firm or how it impacts stakeholders unless the VI question specifically asks you to do this.

If the question is just tell us about a news story and why it interests you, you just need to summarise the story (pick out the key/most interesting parts) and explain your interest in it - it wouldn’t need any further detail beyond this.
This is super helpful, thank you @Jessica Booker
 
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Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
682
1,724
Regarding direct TCs at US firms. Do you have to paralegal first? Wondering how realistic my apps are. Thinking Fried Frank, K&S, Paul Hastings. Anyone know non-paralegals get their TCs? Thank you very much in advance.
Most of the future and current trainees at Fried Frank that I have seen on LinkedIn all have had some paralegal experience. A few of them were paralegals for at least 2-3 years. I think these firms might expect to see professional or legal work experience in some form and it happens to be the most common one is to paralegal for several years. In your case you have multiple VS. If you also have other forms of work experience and employment, I think you would stand a chance for sure. To my knowledge, Fried Frank doesn’t have a VS. The only way to get a TC is through the DTC route. Paul Hastings have a summer work placement, but I think their TC recruitment is independent of it. Best of luck with your applications to these firms. 🙂​
 
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Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
805
1,947
Most of the future and current trainees at Fried Frank that I have seen on LinkedIn all have had some paralegal experience. A few of them were paralegals for at least 2-3 years. I think these firms might expect to see professional or legal work experience in some form and it happens to be the most common one is to paralegal for several years. In your case you have multiple VS. If you also have other forms of work experience and employment, I think you would stand a chance for sure. To my knowledge, Fried Frank doesn’t have a VS. The only way to get a TC is through the DTC route. Paul Hastings have a summer work placement, but I think their TC recruitment is independent of it. Best of luck with your applications to these firms. 🙂​
Thanks - yeah, we can hope so.
 
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billyonthespeeddial

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 21, 2023
188
514
Regarding direct TCs at US firms. Do you have to paralegal first? Wondering how realistic my apps are. Thinking Fried Frank, K&S, Paul Hastings. Anyone know non-paralegals get their TCs? Thank you very much in advance.
To add a contrary one to Fried Frank, King & Spalding trainees don't necessarily have paralegal experience
 

MaryAra299

Star Member
Feb 2, 2025
25
29
I have restructured my answer all by myself, copied and pasted on AI detectors like contentai and originalai, and it's coming out as 100% human. However, in quillbot, it's still flagging at 56% ai. Will be grateful for any input on how to deal with it?
 

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