Thanks so much, Abbie! Glad to have this reassurance since I ended up going with exactly what you described hahaHey!
If I was approaching this question, I would focus less on finding the "biggest" deal and more on finding one that gives you strong and clear points to analyse. The best answers will go beyond just describing the transaction and instead explain the commercial context and key challenges involved.
When picking a deal, I'd look for something with clear strategic considerations. For example, this could be cross-border elements, regulatory issues, political risk, financing challenges, or interesting market conditions. It also helps if it is an area that White & Case is known for, such as energy, project finance, or cross-border M&A.
In the answer itself, I would avoid trying to cover everything and focus on 2-3 key complexities to analyse them properly. This also gives you enough space to explain how White & Case helped navigate those issues, which is likely the core of what the question is testing.
I also think it can be a good opportunity to subtly show why the firm interests you, so it helps if the deal links to an area you genuinely find interesting too!
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Decided to skip White & Case application. What I am wondering is, how would you frame fails in your uni degree? I have 3 fails and 1 retook course in undergrad, in a country where you need to take around 50 courses. I had documented health issue and a leave of absence during these fails. Yet, I managed to go to a exchange in one of the best unis in Europe, as well as finishing my uni with a high 2:1 -- which highly regarded as the best in my country. Unfortunately, same problem recurred during the master's and I finished my MSc at LSE with only a pass. I feel like these are no goes for US firms, which make me pessimistic about my chances, and I genuinely feel worse after each application due to this. Any feedback is highly appreciated.
You’ll smash it!WFW VI invite.. Can't wait to go through another VI knowing full well I'll fumble it and end up with a rejection
Really sorry to hear about what you went through! But W&C do have an extenuating circumstances box where you can explain it in detail. Also, if you have proofs, I'd say mention that in one line at the end of your explanation, saying ''I do have proofs for the same if required by the Early careers team on a successful placement'. I mean there is no harm in trying to send in your app, at least that way you have a 50-50 chance, than not sending it at all which is a 100% 0 outcome.
any insight as to how to go about this question: Please describe an achievement you are most proud of. What challenges did you face? i don’t really have any outstanding achievements other than one from high school so i am not sure how to go about it
hi, does anyone know if it is okay to mention that I am attracted to a firm because of a case in 2021 which stood out to me (amongst other reasons)? would this be looked down upon considering it is not recent? ty
hey! I'm currently applying for reed smith's DTC which has a work experience section. may be overthinking it but I'm not too sure how to structure the content or what to emphasise most - would really appreciate any insights (esp from the TCLA trainee gods!!!). happy may everyone, the sun is coming out now! 
Has literally anybody heard anything from Stephenson Harwood or Ashurst?
Does anyone have any insights on the Macfarlanes stage 2 simulate test? I am not really looking for what questions were asked but just trying to understand how the assessment is structured and whether it's different from the usual capp test. Feel free to PM me if you have any insights. Thank you in advance!
Someone on Reddit got an invite to Ashurst's WE a few weeks ago, so I am assuming they are going through applications. They did give end of May (think 29 May) as a hard deadline for when everyone should hear back by.
I was told by my friend who met SH grad rec at event 2 weeks ago, you should hear back by this week for DTC.
I am losing hope for Ashurst probably PFO for me as i had typo in my written app, i had a problem when submitting it as well, seemed it lacked of lines/par spacing too.
Still waiting for Baker McKenzie
SH had better fucking get back to us soon, Jesus Christ.
I've also been waiting over two months to hear back from Macfarlanes post job sim, and it's a couple of weeks since my Withers interview. Has anyone heard of ACs from these two recently?
I saw a post on LinkedIn that someone got invited to an AC post WE for Ashurst, so it seems they’re gna PFO everyone on TCLA post SJT/WG atp…
Still nothing from SH it’s been 62 days post app, or bakers idk where they’re at lmao. They’ve alr sent two rounds of PFOs so hoping SJTs soon…
Still nothing from SH it’s been 62 days post app, or bakers idk where they’re at lmao. They’ve alr sent two rounds of PFOs so hoping SJTs soon…
Macfarlanes Job Sim VI invite! Sat the first-stage (SJT and WG) last night and haven’t even got the feedback report yet but alr got stage 2!
Posting on linkedin about an AC is wild
I’d appreciate any insights anyone has into how firms decide who to give TC offers to from AC for DTC. If there’s vacation schemes running later in the summer will they wait till after those candidates have been assessed to give offers? Or is it done on whether you score above a certain threshold on the day?
It was someone who does mentoring iirc and they posted a screenshot of the mentee saying they got invited to the AC post WE 4 days ago:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ayaz...s&rcm=ACoAAE9h0s8BM86JijY5giIKwqMcAS5MQ5MX3LY
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ayaz...s&rcm=ACoAAE9h0s8BM86JijY5giIKwqMcAS5MQ5MX3LY
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