TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Applicant7874652]

No ano it’s atrocious. Whoever decided to approve of this format needs to give their head a good shake and wobble ngl. It’s so bad omg…

The worst part is everytime I tried to log back in it wouldn’t accept my password. I entered my email for a new one and it refused to send a link…

Eventually I figured it out by some holy asspull. It asks for us to enter our academic details twice on the form to make things more frustrating.

Then the work experience section is a nightmare to navigate too. It asks us to upload a CV only to ask us to manually enter the WE all over again anyway.

The only decent part is the section for answering app questions cos it lets you format it and tweak the styling so it looks presentable…

I thought CvMail was bad until I came across this new Bakers portal it’s snatched the crown straight off of CvMail for worst app form lmao. It took me hours to figure it out but glad it’s over…

Now I’m confused cos I submitted my form using the new portal. Were we meant to use their CvMail one? I only did 300 words per Q and I’ve not even included any references either yikes…

Didn't it say 2000 characters limit - I had to check that since its acc quite different from 300 words lol

 

[livelaughlawve]

@Abbie Whitlock I did a VS in March and think it would be great to put in applications, especially since I don't have any other recent legal work experience. I will do so moving forwards, but what about previously submitted apps currently in progress? I have multiple direct TC applications which I submitted before doing my spring VS. Would you recommend sending grad rec emails to add this to my application? Thank you!

 

[Prudentia]

The new Baker McKenzie form is absolutely god-awful

I have no idea if my form submitted correctly. It was a nightmare.

 

[rain2801]

Hi, would appreciate insight on how do you write a CV entry? I usually do bullet points describing the exact work I did there, but I've heard people do prose as well. How do you write it in prose and which is better? Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith

Could someone advise on this please? Also, does Baker mckenzie require references? I didn't see any option but someone here mentioned they required it for them. Could someone please advise on this?

 

[DennyCrane]

I agree it's horrendous. I was timed out three times and each time despite having saved along the way numerous times I had to start again. Its quite off putting (maybe thats the point)

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Guys am I ok to apply through the CV mail website?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Yep and I've emailed Bakers about it multiple times but there has been no reply

 

[juanitasimi]

Guys am I ok to apply through the CV mail website?

Can someone answer this please lol

 

[nicoledm]

Can someone answer this please lol

I applied via CV mail just now realising the text of the confirmatiom email seems outdated

Thank you for taking the time to complete Baker McKenzie's online application form for a Direct Training Contract 2027.
May - June 2025 - Successful candidates will be offered a Training Contract to commence in March or September 2027.

References to 2025 and 2027.

But hoping its okay otherwise what a waste of time that app was...

 

[ghostyb]

Wait, there are two baker mckenzie platforms? Can someone confirm if the second question about sector of interest to you is 300 or 400 word limit?

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Wait, there are two baker mckenzie platforms? Can someone confirm if the second question about sector of interest to you is 300 or 400 word limit?

On CV mail is 400 words on the other platform is 300 words

 

[nicoledm]

Dentons VI (London)!

 

[SM2001]

Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft post WE? (London office)

 

[DennyCrane]

Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft post WE?

Im still waiting. Its seems to be that those who have heard back applied to London (Could be wrong?)

 

[Partcore22]

Hi has anyone got any tips or any insight into what the Irwin Mitchell insight day actually consists of? Is it just to double check if they basically like u and deffo wanna give you the TC lol

 

[Bridget1130]

Hi has anyone got any tips or any insight into what the Irwin Mitchell insight day actually consists of? Is it just to double check if they basically like u and deffo wanna give you the TC lol

The early recruitment on my AC said that everyone that gets to this stage they think they can do the job so I am hoping it is a case that if they like everyone then everyone gets through rather than a final cutting exercise

 

[hanz123]

Shoosmiths email was a jump scare

 

[NickH]

Hi everyone. Needed some urgent help. I cannot locate the application portal for Baker McKenzie's Direct TC. How do we apply? Is it fsr.cvmail? Or is it through their website? Why are there 2 different methods? @Ram Sabaratnam will really appreciate help.
Nick

 

[NickH]

Just wanted to add from the previous query, I found this one link for the application portal.. but all too confusing... For anyone who applied using this link: https://careers.bakermckenzie.com/en_US/opportunities/Register, do the actual questions with word limits appear after registering? All of this feels so confusing. fsr.cvmail is/was way better in that you can look at the entire application requirements all at once. Plus the two don't seem to be at par..

 

[choicefox212]

Has anyone not heard from Withers at all? Radio silence here which I assume is PFO, but would like some closure