TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Hi! Is Linklaters DTC rolling?

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi! Is Linklaters DTC rolling?

Hi!

Linklaters is non-rolling I believe (unless they’ve changed it this year), but you can always email grad rec to confirm. I’d still suggest submitting your application as soon as it’s ready to maximise your chances.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey TCLA Community!

Delighted to share we now have the updated versions of our TC and VS deadlines threads!

TC Deadlines - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ct-deadlines-thread-2025-26.9780/#post-216097
VS Deadlines - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....lling-non-rolling-checklist.9720/#post-214861

You will find that some firms are yet to release their dates for now, but not to worry - we will keep these lists monitored weekly so you can get those applications in!

As usual, if you do have any suggestions for improvement, please let us know in the comments!

Best wishes,
We are all rooting for you here at TCLA

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello everyone! My name is Amma Usman, and I'm currently working at TCLA as a Community Assistant.

I've worked on the forums for the past year, but just thought I'd reintroduce myself for those that are new here.

I’m a law graduate from the University of Leicester and a Future Trainee at Gibson Dunn. I’m an international student, born and raised in Nigeria, and I moved to the UK a couple years back. I was so keen on joining TCLA due to the positive impact it had on my career trajectory and perception of the law firm application process. From the wonderful forum community where everyone was so open and friendly about their experiences, to the comprehensive courses, TCLA really felt like a ‘community’ from day one.

If you've got any questions at all, feel free to tag me using the '@' function, @ZNadeem, and @vera.mekhonoshina.

We're happy to help, so no question is ever a silly one!

Best of luck with this cycle - you've absolutely got this!

 

[NikitaLloyds]

@ZNadeem
Hello, I hope this question is not too vexing. Today (03/092025) is when Clifford Chance opens their direct TC applications for 2028, but I don't see the application form on their website. Where should I look, or has it not been uploaded yet?

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

@ZNadeem
Hello, I hope this question is not too vexing. Today (03/092025) is when Clifford Chance opens their direct TC applications for 2028, but I don't see the application form on their website. Where should I look, or has it not been uploaded yet?

Hi @NikitaLloyds,

I just checked the firm's Careers webpage, and I can't seem to find the application form either. I would give it a couple of days and keep refreshing the page, and if this continues to be the case, email the Graduate Recruitment team for clarification!

 

[ZNadeem]

@ZNadeem
Hello, I hope this question is not too vexing. Today (03/092025) is when Clifford Chance opens their direct TC applications for 2028, but I don't see the application form on their website. Where should I look, or has it not been uploaded yet?

Hi! Not vexing at all

As Vera mentioned above, I’d give it a few days — sometimes firms upload the application form a little later than the date they’ve announced.

 

[ashwright]

Good morning everyone! Looking forward to this application season - we're all going to smash it!

Quick question for @Amma Usman @ZNadeem and @vera.mekhonoshina
Do you have any advice on structuring your work experience (& extracurricular, volunteering, etc.) section for the written application?
Normally, the initial written application asks you to list these kinds of experiences, as well as to write a brief explanation of what you did. I tend to overthink this section for some silly reason!

In particular, I wanted to check if you guys have any advice on 1.) structuring these responses (I'm guessing STAR?) and 2.) whether you think it's necessary to link the skill from your experience to a skill or value appreciated by the firm you're applying to.

Also, by 'linking' skills, I'm thinking along the lines of whether it's necessary to make it explicit that the skill is something is appreciated by the firm - e.g. "By working at Company X, I developed Y skill through doing Z task. Y skill is valued by your firm because..." Is that second sentence helpful, or is it obvious/unnecessary for the work experience section (and would perhaps be better left for 'Why' questions)?

(and, if it's alright, fun bonus question!! Do you guys know where I could find examples of well-drafted work experience sections?)
Thank you in advance!! I really appreciate any advice

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Good morning everyone! Looking forward to this application season - we're all going to smash it!

Quick question for @Amma Usman @ZNadeem and @vera.mekhonoshina
Do you have any advice on structuring your work experience (& extracurricular, volunteering, etc.) section for the written application?
Normally, the initial written application asks you to list these kinds of experiences, as well as to write a brief explanation of what you did. I tend to overthink this section for some silly reason!

In particular, I wanted to check if you guys have any advice on 1.) structuring these responses (I'm guessing STAR?) and 2.) whether you think it's necessary to link the skill from your experience to a skill or value appreciated by the firm you're applying to.

Also, by 'linking' skills, I'm thinking along the lines of whether it's necessary to make it explicit that the skill is something is appreciated by the firm - e.g. "By working at Company X, I developed Y skill through doing Z task. Y skill is valued by your firm because..." Is that second sentence helpful, or is it obvious/unnecessary for the work experience section (and would perhaps be better left for 'Why' questions)?

(and, if it's alright, fun bonus question!! Do you guys know where I could find examples of well-drafted work experience sections?)
Thank you in advance!! I really appreciate any advice

Hey there, @ashwright!


I love your positive mindset and fighting spirit - keep it up!


When it comes to writing great work experience entries, I would recommend focusing on describing the specific things that you did in each of your roles - this is the one part of the application where you don’t need to link your actions to the firm! I would actually advise against it, as it would take away the valuable space that you can use to describe each of your experiences in more depth.


You also don’t really need to use STAR unless you choose to highlight a specific situation that happened to you within a particular work experience. In that case, you would use STAR to structure a sentence where you would be highlighting the skills that you gained from a specific event or situation.

Here are some of my other top tips for writing a good work experience section:

• Use metrics to showcase your achievements. For example, if you had a hospitality position, how many customers did you serve per day? You want to make sure that you include metrics in each of your work experience entries.
• Details and specificity will make your application stand out. For example, if you worked as a research assistant, you would want to specify what specific research you completed - I’m talking actual names of regulations/ procedures/statutes!
• Use simple and precise language and pay attention to the length of your sentences. You want to make it easy for the recruiter who will be reading your entries to understand exactly what you did in every single role. A good test is to have someone who is not familiar with your professional experiences to read through your work experience entries and explain back to you how they understood each of your roles!

I hope this helps

 

[ZNadeem]

Good morning everyone! Looking forward to this application season - we're all going to smash it!

Quick question for @Amma Usman @ZNadeem and @vera.mekhonoshina
Do you have any advice on structuring your work experience (& extracurricular, volunteering, etc.) section for the written application?
Normally, the initial written application asks you to list these kinds of experiences, as well as to write a brief explanation of what you did. I tend to overthink this section for some silly reason!

In particular, I wanted to check if you guys have any advice on 1.) structuring these responses (I'm guessing STAR?) and 2.) whether you think it's necessary to link the skill from your experience to a skill or value appreciated by the firm you're applying to.

Also, by 'linking' skills, I'm thinking along the lines of whether it's necessary to make it explicit that the skill is something is appreciated by the firm - e.g. "By working at Company X, I developed Y skill through doing Z task. Y skill is valued by your firm because..." Is that second sentence helpful, or is it obvious/unnecessary for the work experience section (and would perhaps be better left for 'Why' questions)?

(and, if it's alright, fun bonus question!! Do you guys know where I could find examples of well-drafted work experience sections?)
Thank you in advance!! I really appreciate any advice

Hi! I echo the great advice above by Vera. Just to add: it’s not necessary to explicitly list skills for every experience, as this can be overwhelming and take up space that could be better spent describing your role and what you actually did in projects or tasks. The skills will usually come through naturally from the way you describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focusing on concrete actions and outcomes makes your experiences feel more authentic and impactful.

 

[flower1]

Hi @NikitaLloyds,

I just checked the firm's Careers webpage, and I can't seem to find the application form either. I would give it a couple of days and keep refreshing the page, and if this continues to be the case, email the Graduate Recruitment team for clarification!

Hi, when would you recommend emailing Graduate Recruitment. The opening date was 3rd September - how long should I wait. This is for CC.
Thank you

 

[noahsmiit01]

Hi, when would you recommend emailing Graduate Recruitment. The opening date was 3rd September - how long should I wait. This is for CC.
Thank you

Just message them now; they usually respond within a day or two.

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Just message them now; they usually respond within a day or two.

Completely agree with this. It's been a couple of days, and it's worth emailing graduate recruitment to double-check

 

[livelaughlawve]

Honestly, why is it so difficult to just find the "Apply" button on law firm webpages. lol

 

[livelaughlawve]

Honestly, why is it so difficult to just find the "Apply" button on law firm webpages. lol

Ok really, has CC not opened their apps yet? It said on their website that they opened on the 3rd, but I really cannot find the actual application page...

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Honestly, why is it so difficult to just find the "Apply" button on law firm webpages. lol

It's the first test of resilience!!

 

[ew0513]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of applying directly to TCs this year and want to get an idea on my realistic chances. I am quite new to these types of applications so thought it would be best to ask here.

For context, I graduated with a high 2:1 non-law degree from Oxbridge in 2023. I went straight into a graduate scheme at a Big4, working in real estate. I have worked on a number of technical projects which have quite a big law aspect, including preparing documents for and supporting at tribunals. By doing this, I have realised that whilst my passion is real estate, I’m more interested in pursuing it from a fully legal angle. I have had legal work experience pre university at two firms, but my experience during university and since has been more finance/consulting based.

As I am still working full time and can’t undertake other paid work ruling out vacation schemes, and don’t want to leave my current job without something else lined up, I am thinking of applying directly to TCs, especially as I have related work experience. I have done a couple of virtual work experiences and attended some virtual open events, but again I can’t really take days off work to go to full open days. Is getting a TC with this background realistic? Or would I be better off applying to vac schemes?

Advice or insight from all would be much appreciated! @ZNadeem @vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman

 

[anyonymous2001]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of applying directly to TCs this year and want to get an idea on my realistic chances. I am quite new to these types of applications so thought it would be best to ask here.

For context, I graduated with a high 2:1 non-law degree from Oxbridge in 2023. I went straight into a graduate scheme at a Big4, working in real estate. I have worked on a number of technical projects which have quite a big law aspect, including preparing documents for and supporting at tribunals. By doing this, I have realised that whilst my passion is real estate, I’m more interested in pursuing it from a fully legal angle. I have had legal work experience pre university at two firms, but my experience during university and since has been more finance/consulting based.

As I am still working full time and can’t undertake other paid work ruling out vacation schemes, and don’t want to leave my current job without something else lined up, I am thinking of applying directly to TCs, especially as I have related work experience. I have done a couple of virtual work experiences and attended some virtual open events, but again I can’t really take days off work to go to full open days. Is getting a TC with this background realistic? Or would I be better off applying to vac schemes?

Advice or insight from all would be much appreciated! @ZNadeem @vera.mekhonoshina @Amma Usman

I'd focus early on applying to firms like Slaughter and May, Travers Smith, Irwin Mitchell, Simmons Simmons which have early TC applications (Slaughter interview on a rolling basis quickly so get in application ASAP). In applications leverage your experience and the insights that has given you to show your professional aptitude for a TC. Working at Big4 will have given you the scope of working on large projects and developing key client skills.

Ensure to combine this with very good reasons, well thought-out reasons for transitioning to a legal career at this stage and what aspects of the law excite you more than what you have done up to this point. With your experience if you can combine these two nicely you should be in a good position.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Nothing like Faegre Drinker rejecting me for 2027 TC when they already rejected me for it last cycle

 

[WeGotThis!]

Is there a checklist with firms that have opened/opening for the DTC?