TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Prudentia]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I know I've asked a similar question before, but would be grateful for any insight you might have into this! I'm debating whether to apply for White & Case's vacation scheme or direct training contract. I'm undecided because as a career changer, I would rather use my annual leave for firms that recruit exclusively from their vac schemes. W&C seem to recruit around 80% of their DTCs from vac schemes. Can you advise? Also, my application currently has pre-populated with my answers for my application to the Open Day which I was not successful for. Should I tweak my responses to the question for the training contract/vac scheme?

Also, for this question 'Please use the space below to provide details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations etc. These do not need to be White & Case specific' should we go into detail about the event in terms of what we learned from it or just list them?

Thanks so much!

 

[DavidJC]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I know I've asked a similar question before, but would be grateful for any insight you might have into this! I'm debating whether to apply for White & Case's vacation scheme or direct training contract. I'm undecided because as a career changer, I would rather use my annual leave for firms that recruit exclusively from their vac schemes. W&C seem to recruit around 80% of their DTCs from vac schemes. Can you advise? Also, my application currently has pre-populated with my answers for my application to the Open Day which I was not successful for. Should I tweak my responses to the question for the training contract/vac scheme?

Also, for this question 'Please use the space below to provide details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations etc. These do not need to be White & Case specific' should we go into detail about the event in terms of what we learned from it or just list them?

Thanks so much!

I remember asking Grad Rec specifically about this question at a Legal Cheek event. They said to include 5 or 6 items in response to that answer, write in prose and explain very clearly what you learned or enjoyed (whether through doing something or otherwise). Ideally, the firm should be of similar calibre to W&C (probably practice areas/sectors too but I did not ask about this), without a need to link it back to being a trainee at W&C

 

[Prudentia]

I remember asking Grad Rec specifically about this question at a Legal Cheek event. They said to include 5 or 6 items in response to that answer, write in prose and explain very clearly what you learned or enjoyed (whether through doing something or otherwise). Ideally, the firm should be of similar calibre to W&C (probably practice areas/sectors too but I did not ask about this), without a need to link it back to being a trainee at W&C

Thank you so much for this!

 

[baj5]

anyone have any recs on how long the cover letter for Perkins LBA is supposed to be? And are we meant to answer just the two qs? I'm struggling to decide.

 

[Singh241]

Has anybody heard back from Freshfields about their DTC AC?

 

[charlotte1704]

Have an invite for shakespeare VI - are the questions personal or firm research oriented

 

[solicitor_2028]

Anyone heard from Slaughter and May for their DTC application? I applied right before the deadline and haven't heard anything back yet.

 

[Superfrozone]

anyone have any recs on how long the cover letter for Perkins LBA is supposed to be? And are we meant to answer just the two qs? I'm struggling to decide.

Hey, I was part of the first cohort for their vac scheme and I did one page for the cover letter. I did their AC last year for the LBA programme was unsuccessful after my interview but still happy to offer any advice if you need it

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I know I've asked a similar question before, but would be grateful for any insight you might have into this! I'm debating whether to apply for White & Case's vacation scheme or direct training contract. I'm undecided because as a career changer, I would rather use my annual leave for firms that recruit exclusively from their vac schemes. W&C seem to recruit around 80% of their DTCs from vac schemes. Can you advise? Also, my application currently has pre-populated with my answers for my application to the Open Day which I was not successful for. Should I tweak my responses to the question for the training contract/vac scheme?

Also, for this question 'Please use the space below to provide details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations etc. These do not need to be White & Case specific' should we go into detail about the event in terms of what we learned from it or just list them?

Thanks so much!

Hi!

These are some great questions! On the vacation scheme / DTC point, it might help to think about what you actually want from the application. A vacation scheme is often as much about you testing the firm as it is about them assessing you, whereas a DTC is more appropriate if you know you are interested in the firm and can confidently articulate this during an assessment centre. Therefore, as W&C offer a large proportion of their TCs to their VS' participants, I'd weigh up the various factors, such as: how confident you are in expressing your genuine motivations to the firm, whether you'd benefit from seeing and being at the firm before committing, and how motivated you are towards W&C compared to other firms (in relation to annual leave). There isn't a 'wrong' choice at all - I ultimately ended up failing to convert three VS' but converted my only DTC application, so I'd try to filter out the statistics and odds if you can!

On the pre-populated answers, I would definitely revisit them rather than leaving them. Even if the questions are similar, the purpose of your application has changed and it is always good to refresh your answers when you can. Make sure that your answers are clearly tailored to the vacation scheme / DTC, and whether there is anything you can add that demonstrates your motivations or research. This doesn't mean you have to start from scratch - especially since your underlying motivations won't have necessarily changed! I would just go in and tweak your answer where you can, as it is always useful to go back over your previous answers with a fresh perspective.

For the careers events question, I would avoid just listing unless there is very limited word count. You don't have to go into loads of detail: I'd name the event and briefly flag one specific insight or skill that you gained that is transferable to law or relevant to W&C's work. This shows that you have reflected on the experiences, rather than attended them just to add them as a tick-box to an application.

I hope that helps - best of luck with the application decision!

 

[Florencejones]

Has anyone completed the Kennedys VI yet and can share any insight?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Does anyone know when to expect updates from Freshfields after second online assessment?

 

[AMullin]

Kennedys PFO, was expected with others getting VI invites over the last week

 

[nicoledm]

Anyone heard from Fieldfisher post interview? Meant to heard back by the 31st

 

[hmevey]

when answering this question for AG, Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application., should i write more about my work experience/extracirrculars and answer it as a why law, why id be a good trainee question or just leave it blank as I don't have any mitigating circumstances?

 

[yuhhhh]

Has Kirkland sent out VIs for DTC applicants?

 

[hanz123]

Any advice on answering: How do you see yourself contributing to X Firm's future?

 

[hopeful33]

Am I supposed to refer to Perkins Coie as Ashurst Perkins Coie on the LBA cover letter?

 

[Mikeross750]

Anyone heard from Fieldfisher post interview? Meant to heard back by the 31st

nope waiting as well, hopefully we do find out tomorrow

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Any advice on answering: How do you see yourself contributing to X Firm's future?

Hi @hanz123 this question can be tricky at first look, but essentially it’s asking for an amalgamation of:

1. Your skills/experiences e.g. analysis, problem solving
2. Your interest in the firm e.g. culture, practice area strengths, specific capabilities
3. It’s alignment to the firms goals e.g. how you’re well prepared to enhance their offering, allow them to meet specific aims for the future etc.

Now, it doesn’t need to be too intense. As in, you’re not expected to understand the firms ambitions for the upcoming year as it navigates a highly competitive legal market, although I do think this will serve as a strength in your answer - so I would encourage looking into any particular statements they’ve made for 2025 and what they’re hoping to achieve in 2026.

Once you’ve got all three pictured out, you will need to explain how your skills/experiences have shaped you and how these link to specifics of the firm. Be sure to round of any answer with how you expect this to contribute to their long term goals (if any were found) or strengthening their current offerings.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Am I supposed to refer to Perkins Coie as Ashurst Perkins Coie on the LBA cover letter?

Just Perkins Coie. The merger is yet to be voted on, meaning there is a very slim chance it doesn’t get approved