TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Legallylaw]

Has anyone heard from Freshfields post second stage? Guaranteed PFO?

 

[legalbeast]

I went to the open day and they said they have enough TC spots for all AC invites, so I don’t think so

thanks, fair enough - i guess they are just scheduling the AC weeks based on whos applications they look at first. Did they mention roughly how many offers they make from each AC? Also, roughly how many London spots they have for this cycle? Thank you!

 

[user123987]

thanks, fair enough - i guess they are just scheduling the AC weeks based on whos applications they look at first. Did they mention roughly how many offers they make from each AC? Also, roughly how many London spots they have for this cycle? Thank you!

They’re quite vague with this. I spoke with grad rec who said if all candidates are promising all will be hired. If only two are good, two will be hired etc. it’s completely dependant on performance, they don’t have a quota system like other firms. Hope this helps!

 

[oliviabeijing]

Does anyone know if CMS have any particular order of scheduling AC weeks. Mine is on 15th Jan (Week 1) and I got the invite on 16th Dec. I received VI invite on 4th Dec.

Hiya! Congrats! Is your AC for the London Office as well?

 

[legalbeast]

Hiya! Congrats! Is your AC for the London Office as well?

Yes!

 

[fleurbecomesalawyer]

Has anyone heard from Freshfields post second stage? Guaranteed PFO?

I have not heard anything back - just waiting!

 

[Slickoo202]

Another day without hearing from CMS (I’m going crazy 🌚)

Going insane

 

[user123987]

Going insane

Which office did you apply for ?

 

[cos]

Has anyone heard back from Gowling WLG post VI? AC's are coming up in a couple of weeks and I have been SO anxious.

 

[legalbeast]

anyone know when we will hear back from Kennedys / Stephenson Harwood re. direct TC? Completed Kennedys VI + SH form

 

[WeGotThis!]

I have a partner interview on Monday and I wanted to know what are some of the questions that I should prepare for and what can I expect from the interview? Thank you😊

 

[ashley_s]

Hi everyone! I am struggling to figure out how to structure the following question:
'If you were asked to write an article for one of our sectors or practice areas, what topic would you choose and why?' (200 words)

Is this asking us to explain why a topic within a particular area captures our interest while showing commercial awareness? Do we have to explain 'why' in terms of the topic being something the firm's clients are interested in, or something we are interested in writing?

 

[iklawapps]

Terrified to ask but has anyone heard back after the Travers DTC AC yet? ik it’s probably a rejection for me but wondering how everyone else is doing : ) good luck!!

 

[Filia]

Did anyone apply to Lewis Mathys Emmerson?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hi everyone! I am struggling to figure out how to structure the following question:
'If you were asked to write an article for one of our sectors or practice areas, what topic would you choose and why?' (200 words)

Is this asking us to explain why a topic within a particular area captures our interest while showing commercial awareness? Do we have to explain 'why' in terms of the topic being something the firm's clients are interested in, or something we are interested in writing?

Hi. Here's how I'd go about it in response to your questions. 1. Every question is an opportunity to show commercial awareness, this one more than most as it relates to sectors and or practice areas. 2. Unless specifically prompted, don't talk about it from the view of the firm's clients as you likely don't know their view. This question is asking you personally what you are interested in and is trying to gage commercial awareness and get a sense of you as a person simaltaneously.

 

[Slickoo202]

Which office did you apply for ?

Manchester

 

[Bree]

Terrified to ask but has anyone heard back after the Travers DTC AC yet? ik it’s probably a rejection for me but wondering how everyone else is doing : ) good luck!!

Hello have people heard back?

 

[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 for this by the way, @Afraz Akhtar. I ended up completing LS’s (very long lol) application, and whilst prepping/researching and writing, I realised this firm is actually a really strong fit for me. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m happy I’ve applied no matter the outcome!

 

[user123987]

Anyone heard from CMS 🙏

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone heard from CMS 🙏

NO but i'm hoping it's this week. There's a possibility we might not hear back until next week though...