TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know the timeline for linklaters and dentons?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Is this for the TC or VS?

Hi! I posted it on direct TC thread, so yes it is!

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

I attended Proskauer’s assessment day recently. It was an interesting experience, the structure and level of pre-assessment information were quite different from what I had expected. Defo a reminder of how varied recruitment processes can be across firms :/
Well, onto the next I guess

Hi could you expand on the structure and how the assessment day was varied ? Was it more intensive and difficult ?

 

[yuktiverma96]

hi all! can someone guide me to the updated deadlines dashboard on TCLA for DTCs this year? having trouble finding the updated list @Abbie Whitlock

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

Has anyone heard back from Freshfields post AC?

 

[law_mania]

Does Norton Rose have a dtc route? I'm a little confused

 

[yasmars]

Does Norton Rose have a dtc route? I'm a little confused

Not anymore I don’t think

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Does Norton Rose have a dtc route? I'm a little confused

100% from the vacation scheme, so I’m not bothering. The test is also super difficult.

 

[law_mania]

100% from the vacation scheme, so I’m not bothering. The test is also super difficult.

Not anymore I don’t think

Oh no 😭

Anyway, thanks guys!!

 

[hmevey]

I did stage 1 on Feb 6th - for cappfinity scores I had work ethic and innovation as top 2 and my lowest was resilience

okay i did stage one on 13th feb - i got personal responsibility and innovation as my top 2 and lowest was ambition lol. I'm not sure how these tests come to these conclusions but hoping i am progressed, fingers crossed

 

[hmevey]

Okay, so I did this question last week.

I think it’s about having a narrative that fits with the law, the firm, and you being a good fit for both.

For my part, I talked about working with clients as a trusted advisor and compared this to the firms private client practice.

Your answers will vary, obviously. All that said, it’s good to see they’ve changed their questions a bit.

I like how this one is quite specific to the firm and phrased in a pretty original way.

Do I expect to pass? Hell no - I have never passed the McFarlane’s but at least there’s a different type of question which helps me polish my narrative and journey which I can apply to other firms to some extent.

thank you thats super helpful! and yes i thought the same, i like the fact its one question and focuses on you! also you never know, you may get it! x

 

[aspiringtcholder]

Hey all, I’ve been a lurker but decided to stop being lazy and just create an account. I graduated a few years ago and have been in full time employment in a quasi-legal, public sector job which includes tribunal appeals etc. I am applying to TCs now because I’ve always wanted to qualify into commercial but wanted to feel ‘ready’ (I have major imposter syndrome). I competitively mooted during uni and graduated top of my class (RG, but not like top five or anything), but appreciate I’ve never done a vacation scheme, only several mini pupillages as I initially intended to pursue the bar. So I don’t think I’ll be massively successful but I am going to be delusional and say why can’t it be me? Obviously I don’t have specific law firm experience, but I’m still going to try to be delusional.

I just did the stage 2 HL online assessment and absolutely BOTCHED the video questions. Oh well! I recently did the WG for Northridge and Winston and Strawn, got rejections from WBD (wild) and Fladgate. My dream was HL to be honest so slightly mad at myself!

 

[aspiringtcholder]

Hey all, I’ve been a lurker but decided to stop being lazy and just create an account. I graduated a few years ago and have been in full time employment in a quasi-legal, public sector job which includes tribunal appeals etc. I am applying to TCs now because I’ve always wanted to qualify into commercial but wanted to feel ‘ready’ (I have major imposter syndrome). I competitively mooted during uni and graduated top of my class (RG, but not like top five or anything), but appreciate I’ve never done a vacation scheme, only several mini pupillages as I initially intended to pursue the bar. So I don’t think I’ll be massively successful but I am going to be delusional and say why can’t it be me? Obviously I don’t have specific law firm experience, but I’m still going to try to be delusional.

I just did the stage 2 HL online assessment and absolutely BOTCHED the video questions. Oh well! I recently did the WG for Northridge and Winston and Strawn, got rejections from WBD (wild) and Fladgate. My dream was HL to be honest so slightly mad at myself!

Sorry, also have done the first stage online stuff for Marriott Harrison, Pennington Manches, DACB. Fingers crossed for others soon! I applied to Baker McKenzie yday too.

 

[aspiringtcholder]

I am sorry to spam but realised I hated as a lurker not knowing where people applied haha, so currently awaiting on outcomes from :

BCLP
K and L Gates
Fox Williams
Faegre Drinker
Russell-Cooke
Farrer and Co
Shoosmiths
Ropes and Gray
Morgan Lewis
Dentons
Withers
Stephenson Harwood

I know I applied to a lot but to be frank, I didn’t put in as time as I should’ve int the applications - I do want to preface and say I’m kind of treating this round as a tester round. I’ve already made mistakes but learning for next year, and I only started applying end of Jan time I think so I missed lots of other firms!

 

[WeGotThis!]

Has anyone applied for the Baker McKenzie DTC? I have a question about the application form as they seem to have changed the format.

 

[aspiringtcholder]

Has anyone applied for the Baker McKenzie DTC? I have a question about the application form as they seem to have changed the format.

I applied yday!

 

[Scottishlion]

I applied yday!

What were the app questions?

 

[aspiringtcholder]

What were the app questions?

I don’t want to be difficult but I don’t feel comfortable saying but you can create your own portal account and check yourself. There were only three questions I think!

 

[deejaykay]

What were the app questions?

Normally when you click on the linked law firm name to the TCLA firm profile, it shows you the questions. So eg for Baker McKenzie: https://directory.thecorporatelawacademy.com/profile/baker-mckenzie.22#applying. If that helps 😃

 

[nfe00001]

Hey all, I’ve been a lurker but decided to stop being lazy and just create an account. I graduated a few years ago and have been in full time employment in a quasi-legal, public sector job which includes tribunal appeals etc. I am applying to TCs now because I’ve always wanted to qualify into commercial but wanted to feel ‘ready’ (I have major imposter syndrome). I competitively mooted during uni and graduated top of my class (RG, but not like top five or anything), but appreciate I’ve never done a vacation scheme, only several mini pupillages as I initially intended to pursue the bar. So I don’t think I’ll be massively successful but I am going to be delusional and say why can’t it be me? Obviously I don’t have specific law firm experience, but I’m still going to try to be delusional.

I just did the stage 2 HL online assessment and absolutely BOTCHED the video questions. Oh well! I recently did the WG for Northridge and Winston and Strawn, got rejections from WBD (wild) and Fladgate. My dream was HL to be honest so slightly mad at myself!

When did you get invited for Northridge online assessment?