TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ashwright]

i completed Freshfields stage 2 in Nov, literally still not heard anything. shall i just assume its a no ?

Not necessarily! I don’t think many (any?) AC invites have been made. From my daily reading of this forum, I’ve only come across 1 invite & I understand that they had prior experience with the firm.

It’s not over till it’s over! You’re still in the race

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Thank you so much for this very comprehensive answer. It's given me lots of food for thought. I don't mind working for a US firm, but it still has to 'fit'. I'm also approaching this cycle as a career changer. I have a very good career at one of the major banks in a legal-adjacent field (but have always been drawn to law). For the switch to be worth it, I think the firm would need to be the right fit. I would rather stay where I am than accept a training contract at a firm I'm not really passionate about.

The career changing move is an interesting one. You're entirely right to search for a firm that is the right fit, after all, you aren't like the rest of us who still have to find footing in a corporate industry. There would be little point in applying to a law firm that does not (at all) operate in your desired field, if you want to go into a banking-related practice, then those firms should be on your radar. Luckily, there is quite a lot of firms that do specialise in that and much more, both US and UK.

That is also to say, a training contract is 2 years. 3 if you count the SQE process. You will have to do the mandatory seats, and whether you like it or not you will have to gain experience in more than just your desired practice area. You might find that you like or hate another department when you actually have experience working in them. You are always able to move laterally to another firm or another department if you choose to. I really wouldn't limit yourself to practice specific firms because you don't necessarily know if you will enjoy or hate it. The only thing limiting yourself really accomplishes is reducing your chances of a career in law. There are a plethora of factors that will influence both the department and the firm you want to qualify into, you unfortunately won't really know until you try.

Whether the career change is worth it is unfortunately not something anyone other than yourself can advise on. It's a salary, lifestyle, work environment and much more question. If you're already in corporate that will undoubtedly help for the firms that work in the industry you have experience in, but it's undoubtedly a roll of the dice. The only advice I can give is that: it would be silly to say "I won't learn to swim just in case I become Michael Phelps".....

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

i completed Freshfields stage 2 in Nov, literally still not heard anything. shall i just assume its a no ?

Last year ACs for DTC were handed out as late as the end of Jan! Don't assume before you hear back! Best of Luck!

 

[AtticusFinch]

So I applied for the Dubai TC. I'm a bit scared though since it's been a week and I haven't heard anything back yet.

have you heard back yet?

 

[ashwright]

not sure if I’m missing something but I feel like no one has asked about Linklaters in a while? I shall do the honours…

Has anyone heard anything from Linklaters recently?

 

[yk1906]

not sure if I’m missing something but I feel like no one has asked about Linklaters in a while? I shall do the honours…

Has anyone heard anything from Linklaters recently?

Nopesssss

 

[rain2801]

have you heard back yet?

Nope, completed the WGT on 12th.

 

[rain2801]

Nopesssss

Linklaters PFO’d me around March end last cycle.

 

[yk1906]

Linklaters PFO’d me around March end last cycle.

Gosh... What about interview invites?

 

[rain2801]

Gosh... What about interview invites?

I don’t recall seeing any Links DTC invites on last year’s thread, only for VS.

 

[elle woods]

🥹 Would anyone here have any insights into the Kirkland VI please?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Do people apply to firms they’re lukewarm/ambivalent about? I started an application for a US firm but decided not to continue as I just couldn’t bring myself to show any passion for the firm. My list of firms I want to apply to is really, really small as a result. I wonder if I’m scuppering my chances by being so selective.

It's smart to be thinking this way as your time is just as valuable as any partners (regardless of their high charge-out rates). Although I would only advise others to simply apply for firms they are interested in where their list is solid enough. I know its probably a controversial take, but I think it is wise to have a handful of firms on your list not just a few. It's important to have some backups (just in case). However - if you genuinely can't find a thing to say about them, then yes its not one to apply for as they will likely catch it out anyway

 

[kurojack]

🥹 Would anyone here have any insights into the Kirkland VI please?

hello is this for summer vac scheme or DTC?

 

[elle woods]

hello is this for summer vac scheme or DTC?

the VI is the same tho isn't it?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I’m on the fence about applying to Lewis Silkin. The firm clearly has a great culture, and my professional background is aligned with their strengths.

However, I don’t want to be pigeonholed, and I worry with a more boutique firm (although I recognise it’s still a commercial firm), that’s exactly what will happen. For example, if I get a TC there and don’t convert to Associate, or perhaps don’t want to convert to Associate there, my options might be slimmer than if I trained elsewhere.

I sometimes think I don’t do myself any favours by thinking about the worst case scenario all the time lol. But idk, feels like a reasonable concern?

I remember thinking this way very early on in my journey, and you're not wrong - it's wise to be thinking this way, and also encouraged. These thoughts are what is going to make the conversations surrounding your seat rotations more powerful one day. Do some research on LinkedIn if you can, see what other NQ's have gone on to do after training at LS. I used to think that only elite firms took on elite trainees as NQ's but when I looked into this as part of a BD task, I realised that this may not always be the case when you actually look at the data.

 

[yasmars]

I’m on the fence about applying to Lewis Silkin. The firm clearly has a great culture, and my professional background is aligned with their strengths.

However, I don’t want to be pigeonholed, and I worry with a more boutique firm (although I recognise it’s still a commercial firm), that’s exactly what will happen. For example, if I get a TC there and don’t convert to Associate, or perhaps don’t want to convert to Associate there, my options might be slimmer than if I trained elsewhere.

I sometimes think I don’t do myself any favours by thinking about the worst case scenario all the time lol. But idk, feels like a reasonable concern?

Same. I realised that their largest practice is employment and that’s not really an area of interest for me. Although I am open minded so I may still apply

 

[switchingup]

I remember thinking this way very early on in my journey, and you're not wrong - it's wise to be thinking this way, and also encouraged. These thoughts are what is going to make the conversations surrounding your seat rotations more powerful one day. Do some research on LinkedIn if you can, see what other NQ's have gone on to do after training at LS. I used to think that only elite firms took on elite trainees as NQ's but when I looked into this as part of a BD task, I realised that this may not always be the case when you actually look at the data.

Thanks, Afraz! I will do that.

 

[switchingup]

Same. I realised that their largest practice is employment and that’s not really an area of interest for me. Although I am open minded so I may still apply

Yeah, it's a tough one! I'm the same, not mega interested in employment, but I have a strong background in media/tech.

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

Thank you so much for this very comprehensive answer. It's given me lots of food for thought. I don't mind working for a US firm, but it still has to 'fit'. I'm also approaching this cycle as a career changer. I have a very good career at one of the major banks in a legal-adjacent field (but have always been drawn to law). For the switch to be worth it, I think the firm would need to be the right fit. I would rather stay where I am than accept a training contract at a firm I'm not really passionate about.

I’m also a career changer in a similar position with the same view. I have a good job so would rather stay where I am than accept a TC at a firm I’m not passionate about!

 

[xMontmorency]

Do people apply to firms they’re lukewarm/ambivalent about? I started an application for a US firm but decided not to continue as I just couldn’t bring myself to show any passion for the firm. My list of firms I want to apply to is really, really small as a result. I wonder if I’m scuppering my chances by being so selective.

Three reasons why i would apply for that firm you're not really passionate about:

1) Going through the process, however painful, will give you experience researching firms and writing good apps. Being good at faking enthusiasm is an underrated skill. If you get the VS, that's also experience.

2) Who knows, maybe if you did some of that research and got to know the firm you'd realise you quite like the work they do or the culture.

3) If you're after a TC, you should realise that commercial law firms aren't that different. It might feel like it scrolling a forum whose literal purpose is to help people differentiate law firms; and sure, they advise different clients in different sectors and have different specialisms. But, at the end of the day, all commercial solicitors do is contracts, companies house filings, court filings, legal research and a bit of project management (at least at the junior end). Like that's it. There is no single trainee task that a trainee at one (commercial) law firm will be taught to do that one at another is not. If you're not interested in a firm because it's small, doesn't have the right specialism, or doesn't have the right culture, there's a thriving lateral associate market ready to pick up NQs.

I did a vac scheme at a firm I was tepid about. Turns out structured finance is cool as fck.

Just my 2¢