TCLA General Discussion Thread #2 (2021)

[Daniel Boden]

Hi everyone.
I just wanted to say that I was offered a training contract from a US firm (a number one choice and dream firm of mine!).

I have made applications for the past 3 years and have finally secured a TC. This was going to be my last and I was honestly going to give up after this particular vacation scheme but it all worked out.

If any of you are feeling disheartened, please don’t. I genuinely believe the few years of rejections have helped me secure this job. Good luck to you all

Amazing news!!! What a way to start the week - hope you're able to celebrate in the lovely sunshine we have at the moment

PS: which firm if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Daniel Boden]

So I got the 2.2 in second year - so it does count towards the final degree classification too. Can people still secure TCs with that?

Also, I may have the option to resit the 2.2 paper as I had mitigating circumstances at the time - what would firms think about the resit - even if it improved the overall grade?

Yeah I got a few 2.2s in my first year and a 2.2 in my second year and those didn't seem to hold me back so I think you'll be absolutely fine tbh. I think firms want to see an upward curve in terms of your results so as long as you seem to be improving and progressing they'll be no issue with the odd 2.2

 

[Eliana]

Yeah I got a few 2.2s in my first year and a 2.2 in my second year and those didn't seem to hold me back so I think you'll be absolutely fine tbh. I think firms want to see an upward curve in terms of your results so as long as you seem to be improving and progressing they'll be no issue with the odd 2.2

Very reassuring. Thank you Daniel

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone.
I just wanted to say that I was offered a training contract from a US firm (a number one choice and dream firm of mine!).

I have made applications for the past 3 years and have finally secured a TC. This was going to be my last and I was honestly going to give up after this particular vacation scheme but it all worked out.

If any of you are feeling disheartened, please don’t. I genuinely believe the few years of rejections have helped me secure this job. Good luck to you all

Congratulations - this is fantastic news!

 

[Kubed]

If I received my TC offer on 09/07, is the deadline to reply 4 calendar weeks later (i.e. 06/08) or 09/08? Thanks

 

[FM302989]

If I received my TC offer on 09/07, is the deadline to reply 4 calendar weeks later (i.e. 06/08) or 09/08? Thanks

Depends on when they asked for a response ?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If I received my TC offer on 09/07, is the deadline to reply 4 calendar weeks later (i.e. 06/08) or 09/08? Thanks

It will state it on your offer. There isn’t a standard unfortunately.

If it states four weeks, then you have until the 06/08.

 

[Kubed]

It will state it on your offer. There isn’t a standard unfortunately.

If it states four weeks, then you have until the 06/08.

Thanks - yes just states 4 weeks.

 

[law2021]

Hi everyone! I just have a quick question - there is a firm that is currently accepting apps for law graduates only. I have completed both my GDL & LPC - am I considered a law graduate at this point or do I still have to apply with the non-law intake? Thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone! I just have a quick question - there is a firm that is currently accepting apps for law graduates only. I have completed both my GDL & LPC - am I considered a law graduate at this point or do I still have to apply with the non-law intake? Thanks!

Most likely you’ll still be considered a non law applicant, but might be worthwhile checking with them.

 

[Celestie]

Hi everyone - hope all is well.
Just got everything confirmed for my masters - just wanted to ask, does S&M (and other firms) who use cover letters usually have the same criterion for them every year?

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone.
I just wanted to say that I was offered a training contract from a US firm (a number one choice and dream firm of mine!).

I have made applications for the past 3 years and have finally secured a TC. This was going to be my last and I was honestly going to give up after this particular vacation scheme but it all worked out.

If any of you are feeling disheartened, please don’t. I genuinely believe the few years of rejections have helped me secure this job. Good luck to you all

Love posts like this, well done!

 

[Jaysen]

Congratulations - this is fantastic news!

Although I never used them, I miss the GIFs on here

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone - hope all is well.
Just got everything confirmed for my masters - just wanted to ask, does S&M (and other firms) who use cover letters usually have the same criterion for them every year?

I wouldn’t expect them to have changed much.

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone - hope all is well.
Just got everything confirmed for my masters - just wanted to ask, does S&M (and other firms) who use cover letters usually have the same criterion for them every year?

Slaughter and May has been consistent with their cover letter over the last few years, so I think they are a fairly safe bet. I would say this is also likely to be true of some US firms like Skadden and Davis Polk.

Gets trickier to know which other firms will change. I would probably expect Macfarlanes and Norton Rose Fulbright to keep their cover letters but this is just speculation.

 

[Celestie]

Slaughter and May has been consistent with their cover letter over the last few years, so I think they are a fairly safe bet. I would say this is also likely to be true of some US firms like Skadden and Davis Polk.

Gets trickier to know which other firms will change. I would probably expect Macfarlanes and Norton Rose Fulbright to keep their cover letters but this is just speculation.

Thank you so much - I also heard some ramblings that CMS were planning to change their application process at some point as they believe it needs updating.

 

[Jaysen]

Thank you so much - I also heard some ramblings that CMS were planning to change their application process at some point as they believe it needs updating.

Yep I'd be wary of firms that have changed their questions frequently over the past few years - I'd expect at least some of them to change again (CMS, A&O, Hogan Lovells, BCLP etc.). If you're looking to get ahead of things for those firms, sometimes it's still helpful to draft your 'why this firm?' question if that has been a staple question for that firm. Or you could just stick to transferable questions like 'why commercial law?', 'tell me about a news story' etc.

 

[Tcapplicant]

Slaughter and May has been consistent with their cover letter over the last few years, so I think they are a fairly safe bet. I would say this is also likely to be true of some US firms like Skadden and Davis Polk.

Gets trickier to know which other firms will change. I would probably expect Macfarlanes and Norton Rose Fulbright to keep their cover letters but this is just speculation.

Macfarlanes doesn’t have a cover letter anymore! (Unless I’ve totally missed that in their app!!)

 

[miso]

What are the repercussions of signing the offer letter, terms of employment and all the paperwork and then reneging later on before even starting working?

 

[Celestie]

Yep I'd be wary of firms that have changed their questions frequently over the past few years - I'd expect at least some of them to change again (CMS, A&O, Hogan Lovells, BCLP etc.). If you're looking to get ahead of things for those firms, sometimes it's still helpful to draft your 'why this firm?' question if that has been a staple question for that firm. Or you could just stick to transferable questions like 'why commercial law?', 'tell me about a news story' etc.

Thank you - need to prepare ahead as my masters is very time consuming and I want to make sure I fire out my finance/law apps asap! Are there any upcoming competitions for premium? Unfortunately mine ran out during my exam season