TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey, the more research I do the more interested I have become in family law and really wanted to make sure this is an option for me in the future. Is it recommended I only apply to firms where family law is a seat and department, or is it better to hedge my bets and apply to more firms for training and switch after qualification (if that is even a thing?) to family law if I still want to do so? Sorry if a dim question as I am new to this!

It would be best to train and qualify with a firm with a strong family law practice area. There will be hundreds of law firms that do family law, that I don’t think you’d need to compromise by applying to law firms that don’t work in that field just to hedge your bets.

Family law is so different to commercial law. It requires a different skill set and mentality. There is also far less money in it, which means you just won’t see as many firm’s names advertised in the way you will do with the big commercial firms.

There will be some commercial firms that offer family law services though, but many family law firms are much smaller practices, often providing services to local clients.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hello, guys. Could you please tell me if Ashurst has started getting back for Direct TC apps? Their website said that they'd start getting back April onwards so I'm just wondering if they've started reviewing the apps.

Thanks.

 

[Zacher]

Anyone heard anything from Freshfields today or late last week? Its now over 5 weeks now. Hope levels are getting drastically down

 

[bppgdlgrad]

Still yet to hear from FF despite having done my AC on the 18th of March :/

 

[Zacher]

Still yet to hear from FF despite having done my AC on the 18th of March :/

This is too long now. Completely frustrating 6 weeks for a reply is draining.

 

[BRo]

Has anyone actually received a post-AC PFO from FF yet ?

 

[Zacher]

Has anyone actually received a post-AC PFO from FF yet ?

What is PFO? Someone was rejected last week. That is why my hope levels have gone down. Cuz they have probably selected whom they want by now. Can somebody tell if any law firm has offered TCs after 5 weeks from AC, or is it most likely rejection?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

What is PFO? Someone was rejected last week.

It is just lighthearted internet "slang" for a rejection - otherwise known as "please f**k off"

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I am doing the Dentons direct TC application and one of their questions is

Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive

I got 3 examples that I can use but wanted advice on which example will be best for this.

1 -Mentoring primary school students when one of the students did not focus and I helped him succeed
2 - During my previous paralegal role where I was not familiar with software and learned how to use the software in my own time.

Which example would you lot say is better and also do I have to use STAR for this question.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am doing the Dentons direct TC application and one of their questions is

Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive

I got 3 examples that I can use but wanted advice on which example will be best for this.

1 -Mentoring primary school students when one of the students did not focus and I helped him succeed
2 - During my previous paralegal role where I was not familiar with software and learned how to use the software in my own time.

Which example would you lot say is better and also do I have to use STAR for this question.

Thank you in advance for any help.

What is the third example?

Which one do you think shows your ambition and drive the most?

 

[John Doe]

Hi everyone! Since I am having my first AC in several weeks' time, I am thinking about how to prepare for group exercise. I found many useful tips and advice from the brilliant TCLA Team, but I have some follow-up questions:

1. Is it true that group exercise can broadly be divided into negotiation and co-operation? (perhaps there is a better term for the latter?)

2. For the latter, what might the format usually be like? For example, do law firms usually provide questions and materials and let candidates to discuss and work out the answer on their own within the given time? While the HR would be observing the group from the side?

Thank you!

 

[John Doe]

I am doing the Dentons direct TC application and one of their questions is

Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive

I got 3 examples that I can use but wanted advice on which example will be best for this.

1 -Mentoring primary school students when one of the students did not focus and I helped him succeed
2 - During my previous paralegal role where I was not familiar with software and learned how to use the software in my own time.

Which example would you lot say is better and also do I have to use STAR for this question.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Hi @Asil Ahmad, I logged into Dentons portal to check out the application questions, and the ever glitchy Vantage glitched out on me as I tried to reload the page. May I double check with you that the application questions are:

Please tell us about your extracurricular activities, and any positions of responsibility you've held as part of these.
Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive.
Why have you decided to pursue a career in commercial law?
Why have you chosen to apply to Dentons?

Are they the 4 questions that Dentons asked?

Thank you

 

[Asil Ahmad]

What is the third example?

Which one do you think shows your ambition and drive the most?

Oh sorry I meant 2 examples.

I think my first example shows my drive but then feel that it might not be relevant in terms of my drive and passion.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi @Asil Ahmad, I logged into Dentons portal to check out the application questions, and the ever glitchy Vantage glitched out on me as I tried to reload the page. May I double check with you that the application questions are:

Please tell us about your extracurricular activities, and any positions of responsibility you've held as part of these.
Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive.
Why have you decided to pursue a career in commercial law?
Why have you chosen to apply to Dentons?

Are they the 4 questions that Dentons asked?

Thank you

Yes this is correct these are the 4 questions.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Oh sorry I meant 2 examples.

I think my first example shows my drive but then feel that it might not be relevant in terms of my drive and passion.

Be mindful that this is not about passion, it is asking you about ambition and drive. Ambition will be slightly different to passion - typically it means when have you set yourself high goals to achieve something, while passion is just about exploring something that is of personal interest to you. Obviously, things can cross over these two categories but my advice is to use the example you think shows you pushed yourself the most to achieve something to a high standard.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Be mindful that this is not about passion, it is asking you about ambition and drive. Ambition will be slightly different to passion - typically it means when have you set yourself high goals to achieve something, while passion is just about exploring something that is of personal interest to you. Obviously, things can cross over these two categories but my advice is to use the example you think shows you pushed yourself the most to achieve something to a high standard.

Thank you very much for this it is really helpful.

This helps a lot and explains a lot of things more clearer.

 

[Strugglinglawstudent]

Baker McKenzie direct TC WG

 

[lawcurious]

Has anybody heard back from Howard Kennedy post-WG?

 

[O]

freshfields rejection post wg 29 Jan

 

[lawcurious123]

Baker McKenzie direct TC WG

I received same this morning, but they said the actual link for the test will come in a few days.