TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Andrei Radu]

'Please provide any additional information that you think is relevant.'
What type of thing do we think is actually relevant...

I think you should simply seek to discuss the points which you think would add most value to your candidate profile/application as a whole. As @trainee4u said, this will depend a lot on what other sections and questions in the application form were and how you went about answering them. For instance, if the form had no work experience section, it would make sense to describe some of your roles here. Similarly, if there are significant achievements that you did not get to mention in other answers, this would be a good place to do so. Thus, it seems to me there are at least the following options for types of information you could choose to present here:

1. Motivation-based points: you can basically explain in more detail your why law/why the firm reasoning
2. Skills/experiences/achievements-based points: you can essentially explain any of your relevant CV points that you did not get to present in other sections
3. Additional explanatory details: you can explain anything that will provide recruiter with a better understanding of your application. such as how grading worked in a foreign educational system, any mitigating circumstances.

 

[James Wakefield]

One very minor mistake like this is unlikely to be an issue on its own.

Thank you.

 

[mandamasochist]

Guessing we’re not hearing from Winckworth today?

 

[Tintin06]

Hopefully we hear from HL tomorrow. And King & Spalding too ideally. Good luck to all still waiting. Your time (and TC) will come.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Is the ashurst deadline midday

 

[thomaibal]

K&S invited me for AC just now, but they run ACs on the dates when I have the vac scheme, so it looks like I will not be able to attend😭

May I ask if this is for September 2026, March or September 2027 intake? Congratulations!

 

[YL]

Bristows final stage interview invite! (I have trauma from being rejected at the final stage though😃)

 

[Chris Brown]

Is there anybody else still working on their Baker McKenzie DTC application or who has not yet submitted it? I am still working on mine and it looks like it won’t be done until Sunday. I hope I am not on my own here. 😅​

 

[fidrrygalka]

Is there anybody else still working on their Baker McKenzie DTC application or who has not yet submitted it? I am still working on mine and it looks like it won’t be done until Sunday. I hope I am not on my own here. 😅​

i’m still considering if i want to apply or not 😅😂😂

 

[Chris Brown]

i’m still considering if i want to apply or not 😅😂😂

This is where I am right now. I have completed most of it. I just have one question left (choose a topic of interest). I am in two minds whether to send the application off once I am done. I don’t have substantial legal work experience. I might give it a shot and who knows, I could surprise myself and progress with them. 😅😂​

 

[spamelinazoid]

Ive gotten through by applying to Bakers on deadline day before. They read all applications from what I understand

Is there anybody else still working on their Baker McKenzie DTC application or who has not yet submitted it? I am still working on mine and it looks like it won’t be done until Sunday. I hope I am not on my own here. 😅​

 

[fidrrygalka]

This is where I am right now. I have completed most of it. I just have one question left (choose a topic of interest). I am in two minds whether to send the application off once I am done. I don’t have substantial legal work experience. I might give it a shot and who knows, I could surprise myself and progress with them. 😅😂​

If you wrote it then I see no reason why not to try 😀😀 fingers crossed! i’m more on the page where i’m just not sure if i want to apply for the sake of applying, because Im not that into cross-border legal….

 

[saminoriya]

May I ask if this is for September 2026, March or September 2027 intake? Congratulations!

I don't think there was an option to choose, but if there was, I chose 2026.

 

[trainee4u]

75k a year, don’t offer SQE grant and they playing up like this 💀

tbf

I am making good progress through the applications, however, due to the volume, I will now be aiming to provide an update on your application by the end of business, next Thursday.

What is meant by "end of business"?

In Lehman Bros International (Europe) v Exxonmobil Financial Services [2016] EWHC 2699, there was dispute about the definition of "close of business", which EMFS said was 7pm, and LBIE said was 5pm.

It was then determined that "close of business" might refer to the US markets and could also have different meanings in certain contexts, and there is subsequently clearly a legitimate debate about what "end of business" might mean in the context of a city law firm.

In this case, they sent out the PFOs at 00:50 on Thursday night/Friday morning. Which is a usual work time in certain seats at certain firms......

Conclusion: this PFO was a lucky escape!

 

[andrecsaa]

Can anyone that has successfully passed on to VI stage for Mayer Brown direct tc share their assessment results?

I scored 3 average and 2 below average with work ethic, ownership and social adaptability as my top strengths.

In previous years, some candidates progressed to the telephone interview stage with below average, while others didn’t progress despite having above average scores.

2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

If it's helpful - my rejected application for the Freshers Meet Freshfields 2018 event was updated in January 2021, so I really don't think you guys need to be too concerned about when the portal was updated.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

Wow I've just caught up with this and gone on a whole journey from university debates to Gordon Ramsay memes, I love this forum 🤩 Regarding the RG vs Non-RG universities debate, I was just wondering whether GR typically take subjects into account (beyond the law vs non-law level) as well? I ask...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

I also noticed that some candidates progressed with the same strengths to mine, so I’m hoping Mayer Brown still values those same strengths 😅

2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

Does anyone have any tips for the White & Case Video Interview? Are the questions pretty standard? How many questions and how long to prepare/answer?

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Hearing Back from Law Firms, Assessment Centres & Interview Tips - 2019 - 2020

Has anyone here ever gotten average scores for all but one with the Mayer Brown VRT & progressed ? I feel as though, those scores are perhaps what they look out for more than the situational judgement. So if you score a over average in all, plus have a good app..the you get through. Cause the...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Can I apply to HFW DTC if my VS application was rejected in the same cycle?

Hiya @mmm918

Just wanted to share what a friend heard directly from HFW. Essentially, if you applied for the vacation scheme this cycle, that actually meant you were also considered for the training contract at the same time. So unfortunately, you wouldn’t be able to reapply separately for the DTC this cycle. I know that’s probably not the news you were hoping for, but you can reapply when the next cycle opens later this year. Best of luck with your other applications!

 

[James Wakefield]

I scored 3 average and 2 below average with work ethic, ownership and social adaptability as my top strengths.

In previous years, some candidates progressed to the telephone interview stage with below average, while others didn’t progress despite having above average scores.

2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

If it's helpful - my rejected application for the Freshers Meet Freshfields 2018 event was updated in January 2021, so I really don't think you guys need to be too concerned about when the portal was updated.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

Wow I've just caught up with this and gone on a whole journey from university debates to Gordon Ramsay memes, I love this forum 🤩 Regarding the RG vs Non-RG universities debate, I was just wondering whether GR typically take subjects into account (beyond the law vs non-law level) as well? I ask...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

I also noticed that some candidates progressed with the same strengths to mine, so I’m hoping Mayer Brown still values those same strengths 😅

2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

Does anyone have any tips for the White & Case Video Interview? Are the questions pretty standard? How many questions and how long to prepare/answer?

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Hearing Back from Law Firms, Assessment Centres & Interview Tips - 2019 - 2020

Has anyone here ever gotten average scores for all but one with the Mayer Brown VRT & progressed ? I feel as though, those scores are perhaps what they look out for more than the situational judgement. So if you score a over average in all, plus have a good app..the you get through. Cause the...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Hey can I ask how long it took to get the first test? Also, when did you get the VI? Thanks!

 

[norothrow324]

tbf

I am making good progress through the applications, however, due to the volume, I will now be aiming to provide an update on your application by the end of business, next Thursday.

What is meant by "end of business"?

In Lehman Bros International (Europe) v Exxonmobil Financial Services [2016] EWHC 2699, there was dispute about the definition of "close of business", which EMFS said was 7pm, and LBIE said was 5pm.

It was then determined that "close of business" might refer to the US markets and could also have different meanings in certain contexts, and there is subsequently clearly a legitimate debate about what "end of business" might mean in the context of a city law firm.

In this case, they sent out the PFOs at 00:50 on Thursday night/Friday morning. Which is a usual work time in certain seats at certain firms......

Conclusion: this PFO was a lucky escape!

COB,EOB,EOD, etc. are all very fluid terms and no one actually give it much weight. At my firm we either set a clear X GMT/CET/ET, whatever, time - or some sort of COB/EOD which may mean 5pm it also may mean 2am. Wouldn’t go as far as legal precedent haha.

Historically speaking though, C(E)OB would essentially always be 6pm or whenever one would assume that the office would close its doors for visitors, the same way a shop would. This was usually in line with the coming work day ie. 8-5, 9-6. EOD is in line with the industry standard of like firms, in legal / finance that can be anything up until open business tomorrow lol

 

[andrecsaa]

Hey can I ask how long it took to get the first test? Also, when did you get the VI? Thanks!

10 days (applied on 14 Feb, received the tests on 24 Feb, completed them on 2 Mar, received the results on 5 Mar)

Though Mayer Brown is rolling, I’m still waiting to hear back on my application and tests. Hopefully I’ll get an invite for the job sim + VI

 

[James Wakefield]

10 days (applied on 14 Feb, received the tests on 24 Feb, completed them on 2 Mar, received the results on 5 Mar)

Though Mayer Brown is rolling, I’m still waiting to hear back on my application and tests. Hopefully I’ll get an invite for the job sim + VI

Thank you and good luck!!