TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[norothrow324]

I don't think they've invited anyone to the video interview and work scenario element as of yet, let alone to the final AC. I may be wrong though!

That’s what I thought too - was very surprised so thought to ask haha

 

[jta227]

I'd wait til you've joined then go on the org chart and offer to take people for a coffee chat once you've figured who you want to speak to. Sounds very Love Island but that's generally the most effective route.

Reaching out on LinkedIn etc might be a bit keen. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you!

 

[Tintin06]

Does Ashurst give many direct TCs? What’s the case for Stephenson Harwood? Just wondering if it’s worth applying. Overall, both have high trainee intakes.

 

[Hal_07]

Has anyone hear back from Ward Hadaway post video interview?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman and anyone who can help ,

A current TC app for an international commercial firm has the question "why you want to become a solicitor?". Can I talk about commercial law or international matters at all? Should I only speak about "why solicitor" generally, referencing the traits of a solicitor and why solicitor rather than other legal roles?

My thinking so far is to begin speaking about law generally, then why solicitor, then why not barrister, then specialising into commercial law / international matters and the normal response to the question "why commercial law?". Is this correct?

It is 600 words, so I was not sure what exactly the firm is after.

Thanks!

Hey there,

In my view, this question can go any way you want, so far as you answer why solicitor throughout. Ideally, so far as you don’t go on any tangents, you will be fine.

Your suggestion in the second paragraph is good. I personally always liked showing a contrast when answering it. I believe it makes your answer stronger overall, when you show your journey. This could involve showing a contrast between trying X field and then trying the solicitors route, where you subsequently found that you like XYZ about it. However, I have seen candidates indirectly touching not so great on other professions whilst doing this, which you may want to avoid. Just touching on the key traits of each profession, what you took from each one when you explored it, and why you preferred the solicitors route, is fine. You could also bring out stuff from say, the bar, which you liked and which you can get as a solicitor too, but bring in more reasons as to why the latter is of greater preference to you as a person.

Another thing is that commercial law does not always necessarily involve international matters. If you are working at a national boutique firm specialising on solely national work, working with clients that operate mainly/only in these jurisdictions, then international work may not come in so much. If you are working for a global law firm which works with international clients, then yes - intl work will come in. Thus, you will want to keep this in mind as you structure your answers, and clearly specify it. Another thing to be careful of is how you phrase this - it could come off as generic as many fields offer intl work, like investment banking, consulting, etc.

You also do not need to meet the 600 word count, in my opinion. So far as you answer why commercial law, embedding all your ideas with specific interest, you should be fine.

Best of luck! You’re on a great track!

 

[Amma Usman]

Does Ashurst give many direct TCs? What’s the case for Stephenson Harwood? Just wondering if it’s worth applying. Overall, both have high trainee intakes.

I believe it‘s always worth applying regardless of the stats. If they have a direct TC portal still open, then they are more likely than not going to offer at least a few slots via that. You never know unless you give it a shot…

 

[Amma Usman]

brabners test invite! happy about this one as i got rejected post app for them last year

Yay! Huge congratulations! This is a great testament to how far your application writing skills have improved. You should be really proud of yourself.

I have provided some general tips on assessments below. So all these are a given, but ensuring you’re well prepared on these is a great first step for calming your nerves during the actual test:

• Have a good, stable internet connection. Forestalls issues which could be something in a timed assessment.
• Stay in a space, free from any distractions. You will want to try as much as possible to be in a quiet head space while taking these. You could also consider booking a study room in a library, or going to a silent study space, if that will help.
• Good sleep the night before. The mind works best when it has rested - we’re only human after all! Hahaha.
• If there’s a video interview component at the end, you may want to consider dressing quite formally for it. Doesn’t have to be anything too much though.

Best of luck on the exam.

 

[JasmineM9]

Would it be wiser to apply for the direct TC with W&C or wait and apply for the winter vacation scheme?

 

[James Wakefield]

Would it be wiser to apply for the direct TC with W&C or wait and apply for the winter vacation scheme?

You can do both as this would count as two separate cycles.

 

[Amma Usman]

Would it be wiser to apply for the direct TC with W&C or wait and apply for the winter vacation scheme?

I know W&C is rolling, but I always say this - you never know unless you try.

Let‘s look at it from two angles.

• Angle 1: If you wait till the next cycle to apply for the winter VS, you will still have time to put in your application eventually. You could also spend the time before reading more about the firm, refining your application/ interview skills, and so on.
• Angle 2: If you apply for the direct TC and get it, that’s great. If you don‘t, the experience is not wasted. You will have certainly improved your written application skills (in time for the next cycle). If you progress to the later stages, you will have received feedback, which is always good, and help more for the next cycle.

Feedback is so important. One of the greatest things I appreciate is when I get feedback, no matter how direct it may seem. It shows a firm/person cares about your development enough to give you areas to improve on. I have had my fair share of PFOs, but the feedback kept me going. You will be able to gauge that X and Y is good, but I need to improve on H and Q for next time. It could also help in seeing that hmm, maybe if I do O and R next time, then I could tackle this stage of the application process better, and so on.

Bets of luck on the apps!

 

[Amma Usman]

Does Penningtons Manches Cooper have a healthy TC intake?

Hey there,

Just checked their website and saw they recruit 12-15 trainees each year, which is great. I have attached their GR website for more info -

Training Contract | Trainee Lawyers | Penningtons Manches Cooper

We introduce trainees to challenging cases and recognise the value of real responsibility and direct client contact with experienced solicitors are always ready to give support when needed.

www.penningtonslaw.com

 

[ellwilsen]

does anyone know what to expect from the Brown Rudnick first stage interview please?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

What's the most natural/sophisticated way I can make Firm A, who I'm only at the application stage with for a Direct TC (app already sent), aware of my vacation scheme offer at Firm B? I know you mostly just don't do this, but these firms are very similar, which I think would make my application more competitive (Firm A specifically asks for applicants to state their future vacancies too). I wish I had my offer from Firm B before sending the application to Firm A. Is my only realistic move right now to pray for an interview at Firm A so I can mention my vacation scheme at Firm B? Thank you

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu any thoughts on emailing grad rec to flag my upcoming vacation scheme at a similar firm where their application form specifically asked for future vacancies (but I've already sent it?)? ty

 

[JasmineM9]

I know W&C is rolling, but I always say this - you never know unless you try.

Let‘s look at it from two angles.

• Angle 1: If you wait till the next cycle to apply for the winter VS, you will still have time to put in your application eventually. You could also spend the time before reading more about the firm, refining your application/ interview skills, and so on.
• Angle 2: If you apply for the direct TC and get it, that’s great. If you don‘t, the experience is not wasted. You will have certainly improved your written application skills (in time for the next cycle). If you progress to the later stages, you will have received feedback, which is always good, and help more for the next cycle.

Feedback is so important. One of the greatest things I appreciate is when I get feedback, no matter how direct it may seem. It shows a firm/person cares about your development enough to give you areas to improve on. I have had my fair share of PFOs, but the feedback kept me going. You will be able to gauge that X and Y is good, but I need to improve on H and Q for next time. It could also help in seeing that hmm, maybe if I do O and R next time, then I could tackle this stage of the application process better, and so on.

Bets of luck on the apps!

Thank you Amma for the detailed response! 🙂

 

[Amma Usman]

does anybody know when HL plans on keeping its Acs for the direct TC route?

Hey there,

I am unsure about the specifics or timing surrounding these for HL. However, I presume this will likely be after VS ACs/places are concluded for spring (possibly summer), as well as any first-year schemes/open days. I could be wrong, as this differs from firm to firm, and on many things such as capacity.

 

[Amma Usman]

does anyone know what to expect from the Brown Rudnick first stage interview please?

I have tagged this source I found from the firm to help. It is more tailored to the US, but should help, I believe. I have also linked a great source from Andrei.

The Interview Process

brownrudnick.com

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

does anybody know when HL plans on keeping its Acs for the direct TC route?

I don't know exactly when, but I know they plan to hold them before the summer schemes start, because I've been told that Direct TC offers are made before SVS TC offers

 

[norothrow324]

I know W&C is rolling, but I always say this - you never know unless you try.

Let‘s look at it from two angles.

• Angle 1: If you wait till the next cycle to apply for the winter VS, you will still have time to put in your application eventually. You could also spend the time before reading more about the firm, refining your application/ interview skills, and so on.
• Angle 2: If you apply for the direct TC and get it, that’s great. If you don‘t, the experience is not wasted. You will have certainly improved your written application skills (in time for the next cycle). If you progress to the later stages, you will have received feedback, which is always good, and help more for the next cycle.

Feedback is so important. One of the greatest things I appreciate is when I get feedback, no matter how direct it may seem. It shows a firm/person cares about your development enough to give you areas to improve on. I have had my fair share of PFOs, but the feedback kept me going. You will be able to gauge that X and Y is good, but I need to improve on H and Q for next time. It could also help in seeing that hmm, maybe if I do O and R next time, then I could tackle this stage of the application process better, and so on.

Bets of luck on the apps!

Just as a quick point, W&C is non rolling for DTC which makes it even better as far applying goes.

 

[Amma Usman]

Just as a quick point, W&C is non rolling for DTC which makes it even better as far applying goes.

Yep - even better! From what I remember, the application is a cover letter (correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve quoted a post I made on this in the past to help.

Hey there,

I totally get this feeling. There are so many things one could possibly include in a cover letter given the flexibility of it. It’s far from application questions where you are directed towards a certain type of focus point, and expected to stay within that.

There are three key things worth mentioning;

• Why commercial law.
• Why the firm.
• Why you.

The three, “why’s”, essentially.

Why CL - there are so many professions out there, especially in the corporate world, and your ability to succinctly deal with the first why, helps show your reader you have thought this path through. Now, it’s not enough to just state your experiences, you need to precisely show what you did during that period. Further, you will still need to take it to the next level by showcasing why and how that links to commercial law (or an aspect of it, like a practice area), to create a good answer. At this point, you do not need to worry about whether the experiences you choose, or the practice areas you talk about, are a core area of the firm you are applying to. Just showing your journey and how you discovered this path is enough. Law firms want to see your story. How you genuinely communciate this passion is by showing them this. You could say something like you tried X didn’t like it because of Y and Z. You then maybe tried B and picked out that you liked O and G, which commercial law offers, and decided that this was a great path to go down for I and J reasons. Apologies for bombarding you with alphabets, but essentially this is the structure you should aim for (or some variation of it).

Why the firm - as above, seeing as there are so many firms out there, even this is a rather challenging question to answer. Many firms work on similar types of work, similar kinds of deals, have similar core practices, and so on. If the firm operates within a niche area, typically not done by other firms that are reasonably considered its competitors, this could be a distinguishing factor which could draw you more to the firm you are applying to. Focusing clearly on these niche aspects (though I appreciate this may not always be the case/ easy to find), will help your answer appear less generic, and showcase yourself as a candidate that actually knows what they want, AND has done research into knowing where they can get that.

Why you - this is perhaps the easiest and hardest question of all. It’s easy because you know yourself and experiences well, so this should not be hard to communicate. It’s hard because I see a lot of applicants, sway towards downplaying themsleves, whereas this should really be where you sell yourself well. I once watched a webinar on personal branding when applying for jobs, and this is where you really hone into any standout qualities, achievements, backed up with specific examples, that could elevate your application.

Best of luck.. hope this helps!

 

[JasmineM9]

Yep - even better! From what I remember, the application is a cover letter (correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve quoted a post I made on this in the past.

Yep - even better! From what I remember, the application is a cover letter (correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve quoted a post I made on this in the past to help.

The only thing that was holding me back in applying for the DTC was the low chance of success for W&C Direct TCs applications, I am aware that most TCs go out to successful vac schemers. 😅