-
Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
-
TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.Join →
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Haven’t heard anything yet, i saw someone else on here get an AC and now seeing rejections - did you do a first stage interview? I did mine nearly two weeks ago now and there has been radio silence.
Guessing a PFO is coming my way soon as my interview was sub-par
I’m not sure if they’ve sent out all the invites yet, but I was lucky enough to receive a summer VS invite from Withers about a week and a half ago. Maybe they’re staggering them, so there’s still hope?
On a side note, if anyone on this forum is also planning to attend Withers’ summer vac scheme, do get in contact
Does Macfarlanes put a heavy significance on grades? My 1st and 2nd year grades weren’t great but I did decent for my placement year and final year and graduated with a mid 2:1 overall. For context I graduated from a mid tier Russell group and currently work as a paralegal - is it worth applying?
Hey!
I would definitely include them! The wording says to "include everything" and, even if you are not sure it is relevant, they still show your interest in the firm and that you have taken steps to engage with the legal profession.
You could just include them briefly (as there is no need to go into loads of detail), perhaps highlight anything specific that you gained from them - such as insights in certain practice areas, networking, or commercial awareness, etc. If there isn't much space, I'd focus on the other work experience entries and just briefly discuss the open days.
Whilst it might not add loads to your application on its own, it does help demonstrate consistent interest and initiative, so I don't think there is any downside to including them!
Best of luck with your application!
How do I research and answer the question related to picking one industry and seeing how the firm does in it? Never written such an answer before so a bit confused. @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen
Hi!
This is definitely an interesting question, and I also haven't encountered it before! If I was approach it, I would personally follow a similar structure as below.
1. Pick an industry that you can actually engage with
Choose something that you either already have some exposure to (e.g. through modules, work experience, or even a general interest) or something that has been in the news recently. It'll make your answer feel much more genuine and less forced, and it'll hopefully give you more ideas to write about!
2. Get a basic understanding of the industry
You definitely don't need to have expert-level knowledge, but I would try to understand:
- What the industry does
- Key trends / challenges affecting the industry (e.g. regulation, economic pressure, technological developments, etc.)
- Any major recent news that demonstrates these trends or challenges
3. Research the firm's presence in that industry
This is the part that is most important, but also might be the trickiest to address! I'd ensure that you research the firm specifically in relation to the sector you have chosen, rather than more generally (otherwise you aren't directly addressing the question). You could look for:
- The firm's sector page (this is usually a good starting point, and might help you find other areas to research)
- Recent deals, cases or mandates in that industry
- Rankings or commentaries in legal directories (e.g. Legal 500, Chambers, etc.)
- News articles that mention the firm in that space
4. Link the two together
This is equally as important as Point 3 - don't just describe the industry and then list what the firm does. Instead, make sure that you connect them, for example:
- If you mention increased regulation - explain how the firm advises clients in navigating that
- If there has been lots of M&A activity - link to the firm's deal work in that space
- If innovation or technology is a theme in the industry - mention how the firm supports clients on those developments (e.g. data protection, regulatory, etc.)
5. Add a layer of insight
I would potentially round off your answer with a small amount of analysis of the above. You are not expected to have groundbreaking opinions, but you could discuss:
- Why the firm is well-positioned in that industry
- Why that work is important for clients
- Why that combination of industry + firm interests you
I hope that assists, and best of luck with your application!
Hi, does anyone know when Baker Mckenzie apps close tomorrow (time wise, since Ashurst was freaking noon and SH was 10 AM lol) and if it is rolling?
Thank you very much for your advice! I did end up including them!Hey!
I would definitely include them! The wording says to "include everything" and, even if you are not sure it is relevant, they still show your interest in the firm and that you have taken steps to engage with the legal profession.
You could just include them briefly (as there is no need to go into loads of detail), perhaps highlight anything specific that you gained from them - such as insights in certain practice areas, networking, or commercial awareness, etc. If there isn't much space, I'd focus on the other work experience entries and just briefly discuss the open days.
Whilst it might not add loads to your application on its own, it does help demonstrate consistent interest and initiative, so I don't think there is any downside to including them!
Best of luck with your application!
Has anyone heard anything from Arnold & Porter post-app?
Irwin Mitchell is really gonna wait until the very last second of March huh…
They never said March 2026!
Why was the KN application receipt email worded so much like a PFO? thoroughly stressed me out
thoroughly stressed me out
Similar threads
- Sticky
