TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[gazdgazd11]

Any tips re Brown Rudnick interview & Blake Morgan interview?

 

[Claristered]

Hi guys! Could you please let me know about your experiences with written case studies and their outcomes please? I just did the case study for Lewis Silkin’s training contract (my first ever) and it could have gone better. I had some very minor formatting issues, I forgot to talk about a point that could have been covered in a sentence and one of my last sentences was not clear. Don’t think I passed it with those mistakes but I don’t really know what to expect. What do you think? Any comments are appreciated!

 

[trainee2025]

Hi guys! Could you please let me know about your experiences with written case studies and their outcomes please? I just did the case study for Lewis Silkin’s training contract (my first ever) and it could have gone better. I had some very minor formatting issues, I forgot to talk about a point that could have been covered in a sentence and one of my last sentences was not clear. Don’t think I passed it with those mistakes but I don’t really know what to expect. What do you think? Any comments are appreciated!

Written exercises will be scored in a certain way and I think there’s a misconception that you have to score around 100% to pass them. This isn’t the case at all - a few small mistakes in a written exercise which it sounds like you had might hurt your score in the written exercise a little bit but when balanced with other assessments in the TC process this is unlikely to be terminal overall.

Obviously if you completely bomb a written exercise then it might be more of an issue but I wouldn’t worry about that based off what you’ve said.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If a firm says they will get back to everyone on a certain day, does this mean any point in the day or 9-5?

It could easily be up to 7-8pm for many firms.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bristows final stage interview invite and i really cannot believe im saying this but finally got a TC offer!!! 🤩 after 40+ rejections over 2.5 years or so, including my biggest blow which was not converting a VS last summer! as cliche as the phrase is, rejection really was redirection! the US law firm rejection (where i did my VS) led me to my current in house internship at a huge media and entertainment company which ultimately led me to this firm. i've been on this forum for years but to anyone reading this- you got this! i was so close to giving up so many times (especially after graduating) but it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when! ❤️

also i couldn't have done this without help along the way so feel free to reach out and i am more than happy to try and help out and give advice where i can!

Amazing news! Congratulations

 

[Claristered]

Written exercises will be scored in a certain way and I think there’s a misconception that you have to score around 100% to pass them. This isn’t the case at all - a few small mistakes in a written exercise which it sounds like you had might hurt your score in the written exercise a little bit but when balanced with other assessments in the TC process this is unlikely to be terminal overall.

Obviously if you completely bomb a written exercise then it might be more of an issue but I wouldn’t worry about that based off what you’ve said.

Thank you so much! I am really glad to hear that! I still have to do the video interview on Sunday so I am hoping it goes well. Still, it’s where I am worst so any advice would be greatly appreciated as well! Thank you!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Ashurst's website says this: "
1st interview and assessment centre
If your initial application is successful, you will complete a written case study online which will be facilitated by a member of our Early Careers team, designed to test your analytical and problem solving skills.

You will then join us in our London office to take part in a competency based interview with a HR representative and associate/senior associate from one of our practice areas.

You will have the opportunity to meet with our current trainees and take part in an office tour to give you an insight into life at the firm."
Does this mean if you get through to the written case study you also get the in-person interview? All one stage?

 

[yasmars]

Ashurst's website says this: "

1st interview and assessment centre
If your initial application is successful, you will complete a written case study online which will be facilitated by a member of our Early Careers team, designed to test your analytical and problem solving skills.

You will then join us in our London office to take part in a competency based interview with a HR representative and associate/senior associate from one of our practice areas.

You will have the opportunity to meet with our current trainees and take part in an office tour to give you an insight into life at the firm."
Does this mean if you get through to the written case study you also get the in-person interview? All one stage?

For the VS application the In-person interview was the final stage

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Ashurst's website says this: "

For the VS application the In-person interview was the final stage

I think there's an extra stage for the direct TC, there's another round after called 'final interview' on the website too

 

[Untilwinter]

Hey All,

I have some updates to share.

Unfortunately, after 8 beautiful months I am leaving TCLA and it really feels bittersweet. I thoroughly enjoyed being on the forum and connect with likeminded individuals who share my same dream in life to become a lawyer. I was moved, motivated, inspired and encouraged by the beautiful stories of resilience, confidence, strength and self-assuredness that I had the pleasure to read throughout these months on the forum. One of the most beautiful aspects of my job was being able to connect and relate to some many people that went through the same struggles I went through when I was applying to vacation schemes and training contracts. The process is extremely daunting and many feel lonely on their path to become lawyers and so being able to inspire and motivate people with just a post on a forum is the highlight of my year.

Since I got my training contract, I felt like the luckiest person in the world, despite the difficulties I had to face on my journey being an international student from an ethnic minority background. I felt like these two factors would have definitely limited my chances of achieving my dream of becoming a lawyer, but I did not let my fear stop me. This is the kind of feeling I was hoping to share whilst being on the forum. However, I ended up being the one inspired by your stories and I will always be grateful for people who are always transparent about their journeys and struggles, as achieving your goals is not an easy process.

I hope I was able to help people as much as I can and I will always be grateful to TCLA to have given me the chance to help many of my peers sharing my same dreams and goals.

If there is anything I want you to remember from all my posts and my personal journey is to never give up on your dreams, regardless of the thousandth rejections you will receive, the nos you will hear and the struggles you will face. It is never the end until you decide it is the end!

Thank you to everybody,

Best of luck to everyone and their journeys into the legal industry,

Axel

Wish you all the best and thank you for everything youve done!

 

[Zi48]

I think there's an extra stage for the direct TC, there's another round after called 'final interview' on the website too

Yeah for direct TC last year I had the case study and interview with an associate and HR team rep, then after that there was a final interview with 2 partners

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Yeah for direct TC last year I had the case study and interview with an associate and HR team rep, then after that there was a final interview with 2 partners

So if you get to the case study you get an interview as well? You don't have to pass the case study to get the first HR interview?

 

[Zi48]

So if you get to the case study you get an interview as well? You don't have to pass the case study to get the first HR interview?

They might’ve changed it now but yeah, last year they were both in the same stage. I did them on the same day as I had to do the interview virtually cause I was on year abroad, but I think most people had the case study on another day (but wasn’t a separate stage)

 

[isTeapp]

Has anyone written a cover letter for a paralegal position? If so, could you please DM me? I need advice on structuring it!

 

[ADKM]

Hey All,

I have some updates to share.

Unfortunately, after 8 beautiful months I am leaving TCLA and it really feels bittersweet. I thoroughly enjoyed being on the forum and connect with likeminded individuals who share my same dream in life to become a lawyer. I was moved, motivated, inspired and encouraged by the beautiful stories of resilience, confidence, strength and self-assuredness that I had the pleasure to read throughout these months on the forum. One of the most beautiful aspects of my job was being able to connect and relate to some many people that went through the same struggles I went through when I was applying to vacation schemes and training contracts. The process is extremely daunting and many feel lonely on their path to become lawyers and so being able to inspire and motivate people with just a post on a forum is the highlight of my year.

Since I got my training contract, I felt like the luckiest person in the world, despite the difficulties I had to face on my journey being an international student from an ethnic minority background. I felt like these two factors would have definitely limited my chances of achieving my dream of becoming a lawyer, but I did not let my fear stop me. This is the kind of feeling I was hoping to share whilst being on the forum. However, I ended up being the one inspired by your stories and I will always be grateful for people who are always transparent about their journeys and struggles, as achieving your goals is not an easy process.

I hope I was able to help people as much as I can and I will always be grateful to TCLA to have given me the chance to help many of my peers sharing my same dreams and goals.

If there is anything I want you to remember from all my posts and my personal journey is to never give up on your dreams, regardless of the thousandth rejections you will receive, the nos you will hear and the struggles you will face. It is never the end until you decide it is the end!

Thank you to everybody,

Best of luck to everyone and their journeys into the legal industry,

Axel

Thanks for all your advice and words of encouragement, Axel. All the best with your SQE exams and training contract.

 

[ADKM]

Bristows final stage interview invite and i really cannot believe im saying this but finally got a TC offer!!! 🤩 after 40+ rejections over 2.5 years or so, including my biggest blow which was not converting a VS last summer! as cliche as the phrase is, rejection really was redirection! the US law firm rejection (where i did my VS) led me to my current in house internship at a huge media and entertainment company which ultimately led me to this firm. i've been on this forum for years but to anyone reading this- you got this! i was so close to giving up so many times (especially after graduating) but it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when! ❤️

also i couldn't have done this without help along the way so feel free to reach out and i am more than happy to try and help out and give advice where i can!

Congratulations. Very well done 👏

 

[mp2000]

How does one go about successfully securing their first paralegal position? I am really struggling to find openings for those with no prior experience as a paralegal. I have two degrees and a considerable amount of other work experience that I think will help my application (if I can actually find one I am eligible for!)...

 

[LillyandSilver]

Does anyone know how many people Withers take from the direct route? Also how on earth are we meant to fit why law into 60 words? Are short sentences ok?

 

[A worried final year]

How does one go about successfully securing their first paralegal position? I am really struggling to find openings for those with no prior experience as a paralegal. I have two degrees and a considerable amount of other work experience that I think will help my application (if I can actually find one I am eligible for!)...

Try local agencies though the pay often sucks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how many people Withers take from the direct route? Also how on earth are we meant to fit why law into 60 words? Are short sentences ok?

Their advertising profiles suggest they only take around 18-20 vac schemers a year and yet have around 40 trainees per year. So they must have a strong direct TC route if that is the case.

I would focus on fewer points (q or 2 key priorities for your answer) and being super, super succinct. This post may be helpful in getting word count down:

How to get your applications within their word limits

After reviewing applications over the last 7-8 months, one of the most common issues for candidates is getting their answer within word limits. Often people find it difficult to cut their answers down, and in doing so usually cut out interesting content or points to ensure the answer meets any...

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