TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Is there a word limit for the White and Case cover letter? As none has been specified, what is a reasonable word limit to aim for?

No word limit - we typically see between 700-900 words though.

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Does anyone know where we can find law firm profiles? I came across a list of a number of firms but not sure where that is located.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hi @Jessica Booker , sorry for too many questions today. Could you please tell me:

1. In an interview, if we are asked a particular question, what should we do if we realise in the middle that our answer is incorrect/does not really answer the question?

2. What should we do if we cannot think of an answer at all?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Marco Polo]

Has anyone heard back from Withers post final AC?

Just out of curiosity, when did you have your interview and the AC? I had mine on the 4th and they told me it's going to be a couple of weeks for them to gey back to me so I was wondering how much do people wait between the stages. So far, for me, it was 2 days between the submission of the form and the test and then a week between the test and the interview invite (2 weeks between the test and the interview itself).

 

[islay6_5]

Just out of curiosity, when did you have your interview and the AC? I had mine on the 4th and they told me it's going to be a couple of weeks for them to gey back to me so I was wondering how much do people wait between the stages. So far, for me, it was 2 days between the submission of the form and the test and then a week between the test and the interview invite (2 weeks between the test and the interview itself).

My AC was on the 29th June

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone know where we can find law firm profiles? I came across a list of a number of firms but not sure where that is located.

Do you mean in the forums or the e-learning courses?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker , sorry for too many questions today. Could you please tell me:

1. In an interview, if we are asked a particular question, what should we do if we realise in the middle that our answer is incorrect/does not really answer the question?

2. What should we do if we cannot think of an answer at all?

Thanks in advance.

1) Acknowledge you recognise this, and get your answer back on track as quickly as possible

2) it is always much better to give the answer a go rather than say “I don’t know”. You will probably have some ideas or how to answer it even if you don’t have an actual answer. However, some delaying tactics (depending on how stuck on the answer you are) are:

- take a sip of water - gives you some time to think albeit very briefly
- to ask for some time to think about the answer
- to ask your interviewer for further details or explanation of the question, even if it’s you checking what you think they mean
- to ask your interviewer if you can come back to the question later on in the interview
- try to answer the question even if it is just to talk about the components of the answer you do understand, and then ask whether the interviewer can provide more insight from their perspective as you are not 100% sure of other elements.
- try to keep your language positive - for instance saying “I don’t know a lot about this topic” is framing it negatively while saying “My strength in terms of knowledge is more in the X area/topic, but if I consider different factors I would think…” is framing your answer in a much more positive way.

 

[legally.brown]

Planning to apply to Paul Hastings.. However, I am not familiar with them. My research so far shows that they are ranked in Band 2 for Banking & Finance: Lenders: Big-Ticket..
Can someone please confirm this?
I am also pretty confused as to what exactly they do under Lenders: Big - Ticket (Banking & Finance).. If someone could explain that will be great !! Thank you

 

[Co0rpBarbie20]

Anyone heard from NRF?

not yet, any idea around when we can expect to hear back?

 

[futureTS2025hopeful]

Hi @Jessica Booker, just had a quick question. What’s the protocol for following up with a firm after a Vac scheme? How long should I wait after the scheme has ended to wait for results? And if it’s past that period what’s the best way to ask for an update? Phone, email or through my trainee buddy? Thanks!

 

[Zaidoz10]

@Jessica Booker would resitting a module on the LPC have a strong negative impact on an application to White & Case? Despite having good undergraduate grades for example. Or would they look at the application holistically?

 

[Victor87]

Hi guys,
Now that we're past the W&C deadline, does anyone know the general timeline for receiving invitations/PFOs with the firm?

 

[skiier]

Hey TCLA! Any advice/ guidance on first round with Morgan Lewis would be very much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[leaaa2023]

Hey TCLA community! Anyone been through interview with Morgan Lewis? Would love to chat!

 

[Lian Lian]

Hi! I have a feedback call tomorrow after an unsuccessful AC.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can make the most out of the feedback call? Thank you

 

[ADKM]

Hey TCLA community! Anyone been through interview with Morgan Lewis? Would love to chat!

Hey, when did you hear back? I haven’t heard back yet.. also do you know if they send out first round interview invites in batches or should I assume it’s a PFO? Thanks

 

[wz_13]

Not heard from withers post test (10th july) - should I expect a rejection as they've been sending out ac and interview invites

 

[Emilia]

Not heard from withers post test (10th july) - should I expect a rejection as they've been sending out ac and interview invites

I’m in the same situation although I did my test on 5th May!

 

[S87]

Hi guys, I am currently drafting my application for the direct tc at K&L Gates and am struggling with these two questions:

1. Why have you decided to pursue a career as a solicitor? What other options did you consider seriously and why did you choose not to pursue them? Does it mean why have decided to become a commercial solicitor (why commercial law) and what options have pursued?
2. Why do you feel you are suited to K&L Gates LLP? Does it mean what qualities and skills do you have to succeed at this firm?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi guys, I am currently drafting my application for the direct tc at K&L Gates and am struggling with these two questions:

1. Why have you decided to pursue a career as a solicitor? What other options did you consider seriously and why did you choose not to pursue them? Does it mean why have decided to become a commercial solicitor (why commercial law) and what options have pursued?
2. Why do you feel you are suited to K&L Gates LLP? Does it mean what qualities and skills do you have to succeed at this firm?

Thank you in advance for your help!

For question 1 - You could link to any modules in your law degree if you are a law student that led your interest to a solicitor. You could also discuss any volunteering or extra curriculum stuff that led you to a career as a solicitor.

For question 2 - You could talk about your skills like teamwork, attention to detail and etc. Then discuss how these skills will make you succeed at this firm.

Hope this is helpful but this is how I would approach it so my advice might be different to others.