TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Chris Brown]

Struggling to motivate myself just now.

What stands out about Stephenson Harwood?

Their 600 word answers are challenging.

What are people's experiences of them?

3 x 600 word questions is challenging for sure, but I think it’s fairly similar to other city firms e.g., W&C, Travers, BCLP. 🥲

It might be useful to first look at the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 rankings to identify which practices are particularly notable at SH. 🙂

Other sources like Legal Cheek and Chambers Student Guide are useful in identifying other unique selling points of the firm. 🫡

For example, I think SH is considered the best city firm for transportation (aviation, maritime, rail, shipping, etc).

I linked some of the sources I used to research SH for my VS application. Best of luck with the SH DTC application! 🐐

Stephenson Harwood LLP

Discover where Stephenson Harwood LLP are ranked in the UK legal rankings. Visit Chambers and Partners to learn more.

chambers.com

Stephenson Harwood > England

Benchmarking excellence in law since 1987

www.legal500.com

Stephenson Harwood LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

Stephenson Harwood LLP - True Picture. The student’s guide to careers in the law.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

Stephenson Harwood - Legal Cheek

The Legal Cheek view on Stephenson Harwood LLP, featuring trainee and newly qualified pay, our insider scorecard and all the key facts and figures.

www.legalcheek.com

 

[annarobertshawe]

Hi, sorry if this has already been asked loads of times. Just wondered whether more people had heard back from Farrer for DTC. It seems like some people have heard back positive and some rejected - but ive not heard back at all? Does anyone know what this may mean/do I still have a chance (PFO later maybe...)?

I haven't heard back either...

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Anyone else's allhires down? Need to do my Mayer Brown job sim and took some 'appointment' time from work this morning because I have commitments and it won't let me in

 

[👩🎓]

Has anyone heard from HFW for direct TCs yet?

 

[wantatc]

Bates Wells AC!!!

 

[adzu9]

I’m seeing people get invited to the Baker McKenzie VI, and I haven't even heard back from them Post-App.

Should I reach out to them? Is anyone else still waiting for a reply post-app?

 

[James Wakefield]

Anyone still waiting on Mayer Brown?

 

[A worried graduate]

Anyone here know why I can't even get a high street legal secretary job?

Shouldn't that be the most entry level role of them all?

 

[Tangcy]

Hi guys, does anyone know whether Fried Frank's TC runs in rolling basis? I saw their linkedin post that they're still recruiting and the deadline is next week

 

[TCpleasex]

Anyone here know why I can't even get a high street legal secretary job?

Shouldn't that be the most entry level role of them all?

I think your mindset is a large factor - thinking of a legal secretary job as the most entry level doesn’t solidify you employment.

As someone who has worked in a high street firm as a legal secretary there is still a high level of skill and understanding necessary in that particular practice area. Just because it’s a high street firm or a secretary role doesn’t automatically make it easier. I’ve been rejected from small high street firms recently but also interviewed in the same week for large UK commercial firms. It’s not about the size of the firm or the role but what you can bring to it because also at the end of the day there are people who have made careers out of being secretaries and can bring a vast range of experience and transferable skills versus someone straight out of uni or who has never worked in law.

 

[A worried graduate]

I think your mindset is a large factor - thinking of a legal secretary job as the most entry level doesn’t solidify you employment.

As someone who has worked in a high street firm as a legal secretary there is still a high level of skill and understanding necessary in that particular practice area. Just because it’s a high street firm or a secretary role doesn’t automatically make it easier. I’ve been rejected from small high street firms recently but also interviewed in the same week for large UK commercial firms. It’s not about the size of the firm or the role but what you can bring to it because also at the end of the day there are people who have made careers out of being secretaries and can bring a vast range of experience and transferable skills versus someone straight out of uni or who has never worked in law.

Very true but what role am I meant to start at then is what I am wondering.

Paralegal jobs tend to ask for 2yrs + where I am and while TCs were the logical answer, many many others have the same idea.

 

[TCpleasex]

Very true but what role am I meant to start at then is what I am wondering.

Paralegal jobs tend to ask for 2yrs + where I am and while TCs were the logical answer, many many others have the same idea.

High street firms don’t have the same budget for recruitment and so a lot of the time they want to hire someone they know will mostly likely stay a long period of time.

Perhaps if you are framing your applications as a bridge between where you are at now and where you want to be could be an indicator that you are not actually invested in this role and you are happy to take anything.

There’s also the issue of your cover letter, does it provide the information to show you genuinely want to work in this area? Or are you submitting a generic cover letter with no focus on the job role or practice area? If you don’t have any legal experience you can always indicate your other previous life experiences that are transferable and how you will utilise them in this role. Even if you don’t have anything relevant to the role, if you choose an elective module in that area or you have a personal interest that you have conducted independent research of can boost your cover letter immensely.

Your cv also needs to be more tailored when applying to high street firms. Be specific about what your daily tasks may have been in other job roles. If you don’t have any previous work experience then add a section headlined “about” that you can use to highlight any transferable skills or your interest for that practice area.

There are also loads of paralegal roles (depending on your area) that don’t ask for paralegal experience. It’s all about what you can do with the skills you have.

 

[zonnonomo]

no shouts from kingsley napley post vid presentation yet? they said they'd get back today

 

[amb303]

no shouts from kingsley napley post vid presentation yet? they said they'd get back today

maybe in a couple hours at the end of the work day

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (Stephenson Harwood application)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅📝
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅❌
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝❌
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅❌
Winston & Strawn ✅❌
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell* ✅
Stephenson Harwood* ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[isabelstcjourney]

Hope you are all well. Has anyone heard from KN post this video presentation?

 

[isabelstcjourney]

Hope you are all well. Has anyone heard from KN post this video presentation?

what does everyones replies mean- so confused.

 

[User5678]

what does everyones replies mean- so confused.

It means not yet.

 

[chlawstudent]

what does everyones replies mean- so confused.

I haven't heard anything yet

 

[Qwaszx]

Their email says by 6pm on 9 May so expect a 5.59 email on that date.

It’s now Monday and I’ve still not heard anything