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Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
Applications Discussion
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
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<blockquote data-quote="CuriousGeorge" data-source="post: 181831" data-attributes="member: 36582"><p>Hi [USER=2672]@Jessica Booker[/USER] & [USER=1]@Jaysen[/USER] - I have a query for you below and was wondering if either of you are able to please advise. I will include as much context as possible.</p><p></p><p>I am a graduate who completed an undergraduate degree in law (1st class, non-RG uni) and the LPC, I have more than 5 years experience as a paralegal at a mix of firms including US (2) and midsize. I had a very difficult family life and health issues for many years which is why I had poor A Level grades (with mitigating circumstances). Therefore, I prioritised working and surviving rather than applying for training contracts.</p><p></p><p>Last year I cracked down and serioiusly started applying for my first round of TCs and submitted around 15 applications, I passed on to Video Interview Stage with 2 of them (US firms) and then didn't succeed. However, one of the firms I passed all the way through and secured a direct TC (regional firm in thier London office). As this was the only offer I had secured in the cycle and a good firm, where the people were very lovely I accepted this offer and after many years as a paralegal I would like to finally qualify.</p><p></p><p>However, I have always wanted to qualify at a US Law firm because of the complexity of the work, diversity of seats offered in these firms (i.e. Private Equity, Leveraged Finance, Corporate) and having been a paralegal at some of these firms I have seen the level of responsibility that trainees are given. And the firm that I accepted only has a general corporate seat e.g. Corporate and Commercial, but has some other unique seats.</p><p></p><p>I understand that once someone has secured a TC the SRA states that they are not meant to continue applying and to disclose to future employers that they have accepted one. But this seems unfair to me as this means from an applicant's perspective we are unable to be selective outside of each cycle and if an opportunity arises which is more suited, we are restricted. I also understand that the competition for US law firm TCs is very high. But I have been loosing sleep thinking what if?</p><p></p><p>I don't want to loose my current offer but I also don't want to keep wondering what would have or could have happened. I also would ideally like to be able to start TC without doing SQE 2 as I've done the LPC already (regional firm is allowing this as they accept the LPC) but for the right firm I would do the SQE 2 if I have to but I do not really see the point.</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Is it possible to continue applying to TCs having secured one already? And will this impact the current offer?</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong><strong>Is it worth continuing to apply and going through the recruitment process (and possibly wait another year for a 2027 start) or is it better to qualify at the regional firm then break into the US law firms at 1-2+ PQE stage? And how hard is this to do if you've done a more general corporate and commercial seat?</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong><strong>What is the movement like at PQE stage between Regional Firms and US firms? And which department/areas of law see the most movement into US law firms for PQE recruitment?</strong></strong></li> </ol><p>I also don't know yet which area I would like to qualify in but I would like to do a corporate seat. Please help, any advice would be welcome.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CuriousGeorge, post: 181831, member: 36582"] Hi [USER=2672]@Jessica Booker[/USER] & [USER=1]@Jaysen[/USER] - I have a query for you below and was wondering if either of you are able to please advise. I will include as much context as possible. I am a graduate who completed an undergraduate degree in law (1st class, non-RG uni) and the LPC, I have more than 5 years experience as a paralegal at a mix of firms including US (2) and midsize. I had a very difficult family life and health issues for many years which is why I had poor A Level grades (with mitigating circumstances). Therefore, I prioritised working and surviving rather than applying for training contracts. Last year I cracked down and serioiusly started applying for my first round of TCs and submitted around 15 applications, I passed on to Video Interview Stage with 2 of them (US firms) and then didn't succeed. However, one of the firms I passed all the way through and secured a direct TC (regional firm in thier London office). As this was the only offer I had secured in the cycle and a good firm, where the people were very lovely I accepted this offer and after many years as a paralegal I would like to finally qualify. However, I have always wanted to qualify at a US Law firm because of the complexity of the work, diversity of seats offered in these firms (i.e. Private Equity, Leveraged Finance, Corporate) and having been a paralegal at some of these firms I have seen the level of responsibility that trainees are given. And the firm that I accepted only has a general corporate seat e.g. Corporate and Commercial, but has some other unique seats. I understand that once someone has secured a TC the SRA states that they are not meant to continue applying and to disclose to future employers that they have accepted one. But this seems unfair to me as this means from an applicant's perspective we are unable to be selective outside of each cycle and if an opportunity arises which is more suited, we are restricted. I also understand that the competition for US law firm TCs is very high. But I have been loosing sleep thinking what if? I don't want to loose my current offer but I also don't want to keep wondering what would have or could have happened. I also would ideally like to be able to start TC without doing SQE 2 as I've done the LPC already (regional firm is allowing this as they accept the LPC) but for the right firm I would do the SQE 2 if I have to but I do not really see the point. [LIST=1] [*][B]Is it possible to continue applying to TCs having secured one already? And will this impact the current offer?[/B] [*][B][B]Is it worth continuing to apply and going through the recruitment process (and possibly wait another year for a 2027 start) or is it better to qualify at the regional firm then break into the US law firms at 1-2+ PQE stage? And how hard is this to do if you've done a more general corporate and commercial seat?[/B][/B] [*][B][B]What is the movement like at PQE stage between Regional Firms and US firms? And which department/areas of law see the most movement into US law firms for PQE recruitment?[/B][/B] [/LIST] I also don't know yet which area I would like to qualify in but I would like to do a corporate seat. Please help, any advice would be welcome. [/QUOTE]
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