TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[EG3]

Fried Frank emailed me saying they've not received my test scores and can only extend the deadline to 7pm today - I had done the test already and they've found them now - thank god they checked with me!

Anyway, we probably won't hear back until at least tomorrow if others still have until 7pm today, if anyone wanted somewhat of an update.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Ok here is my 10 pence here. They may have first mover advantage. First of its kind deals etc. That benefits you for several reasons. More time to gain new expertise. They might not expand in India. But there's a history of innovation. That's what I'd tie it to.

hmmm got it, thank you so much.

 

[Tclarocks123]

Does anyone know if Dentons feel strongly about their A level requirement?

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know if Dentons feel strongly about their A level requirement?

The FAQ section seems to suggest they assess applications holistically, so won’t automatically screen out candidates that don’t meet their A-level criteria of ABB. 🙂

FAQs – Dentons

See the bigger picture. Have the big ideas. Make the big deals.

challengers.dentons.com

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Thank you so much for this Ram!! The AC also consists of a strengths based interview, what kind of questions would this usually consist of?

Hiya @legallybrunette8

In addition to the excellent response you received from @Andrei Radu, I wanted to refer you to this excellent bank of FREE questions that TCLA compiled. Specifically, I'd recommend just having a brief look at the questions under 'character and personality'. You'll find the questions here. Best of luck with the interview. You'll be great!

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

can anyone not start their application for slaughter and may's tc? everytime i try to start the application, it takes me back to the homepage

 

[zonnonomo]

can anyone not start their application for slaughter and may's tc? everytime i try to start the application, it takes me back to the homepage

yes! emailed them about this

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Anyone heard past post-job sim for Mayer Brown? Losing hope and really need some good news lol

 

[IBartlett]

Has anyone heard back from Fried Frank or Arnold & Porter regarding next stage of the direct TC application?

I applied for A&P and i haven't heard anything yet

 

[Amma Usman]

can anyone not start their application for slaughter and may's tc? everytime i try to start the application, it takes me back to the homepage

I’m sorry about this! It’s worth emailing grad rec about this. In the meantime, I’ve just checked their website and seen part of the application is a CV and cover letter, which you can get a head start on now, before the issue is solved.

They do have specific requirements for key elements to be included in these though. For example, who the cover letter should be addressed to. The link below should help more with this:

Apply

www.slaughterandmay.com

Best wishes with the app! Do let us know if you have any questions at all.

 

[Amma Usman]

Anyone heard past post-job sim for Mayer Brown? Losing hope and really need some good news lol

Hey,

I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. I completely understand. Waiting to hear back can be incredibly tough, and it’s totally okay to feel a bit disheartened. You're definitely not alone in this.

One thing that helped me during similar waits was keeping myself distracted. Going for a walk, catching up with friends over drinks, or even doing a quick sprint really helped take my mind off things. Anything really can make a huge difference.

Another helpful mindset shift is focusing on what you can control. There are so many internal reasons why a firm might not have responded yet, like prepping for upcoming vacation schemes or just internal delays. None of that is a reflection on you, and none of it is within your control. What you can control is how you spend your time while you wait. Maybe use this time to brush up on your commercial awareness, keep up with industry trends, or even reach out to people on LinkedIn for informal chats. It not only helps distract you, but it also strengthens your future applications and interviews.

You've done your part. Now it’s about staying ready, staying sharp, and being kind to yourself in the meantime.

You’ve got this.

You absolutely got this.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

I’m sorry about this! It’s worth emailing grad rec about this. In the meantime, I’ve just checked their website and seen part of the application is a CV and cover letter, which you can get a head start on now, before the issue is solved.

They do have specific requirements for key elements to be included in these though. For example, who the cover letter should be addressed to. The link below should help more with this:

Apply

www.slaughterandmay.com

Best wishes with the app! Do let us know if you have any questions at all.

hey, it's been sorted now! For anyone else having issues, you have to answer yes to all the pre-screening questions to get through (ie yes to penultimante, final, graduated). I think it is a technical error but that's what gets you to the actual application form.

 

[Kodak123]

Hi @Jessica Booker just a quick query or anyone that can help me:

I just got offered a TC at a US Firm which i am extremely happy about! However, i also have an upcoming Summer VS at another US Firm. I was told i would roughly have a week to accept the offer and just a bit unsure how i should proceed. I have already completed all the onboarding process for the VS at the other firm, and i havent mentioned to the firm that offered me the TC that i have an upcoming VS. How should i best proceed?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker just a quick query or anyone that can help me:

I just got offered a TC at a US Firm which i am extremely happy about! However, i also have an upcoming Summer VS at another US Firm. I was told i would roughly have a week to accept the offer and just a bit unsure how i should proceed. I have already completed all the onboarding process for the VS at the other firm, and i havent mentioned to the firm that offered me the TC that i have an upcoming VS. How should i best proceed?

You need to check the offer terms of both your VS and TC offers. Either or both of them could have terms that stop you from proceeding with the VS.

If there are no terms in either document then you don't have to do anything - you technically can proceed with the vacation scheme. However, if there is no chance of you considering a TC with the VS firm over the TC offer you already have, I would just withdraw your candidacy from the VS. Beyond receiving the weekly salary, there is no other benefit of carrying on with the scheme if you are not considering a TC with the firm.

 

[Kodak123]

You need to check the offer terms of both your VS and TC offers. Either or both of them could have terms that stop you from proceeding with the VS.

If there are no terms in either document then you don't have to do anything - you technically can proceed with the vacation scheme. However, if there is no chance of you considering a TC with the VS firm over the TC offer you already have, I would just withdraw your candidacy from the VS. Beyond receiving the weekly salary, there is no other benefit of carrying on with the scheme if you are not considering a TC with the firm.

I just looked at the VS offer, and there is no terms that stop me! However the firm that offered me the TC, said that they will send documentation out this week, and that I will have a week to fill it out. My VS starts on 16th of June, so will likely get sent out before.

In terms of both firms, they’re pretty much equally the same. I am slightly leaning towards firm that I have VS with, but also really really like the firm I have a TC at.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I just looked at the VS offer, and there is no terms that stop me! However the firm that offered me the TC, said that they will send documentation out this week, and that I will have a week to fill it out. My VS starts on 16th of June, so will likely get sent out before.

In terms of both firms, they’re pretty much equally the same. I am slightly leaning towards firm that I have VS with, but also really really like the firm I have a TC at.

Wait until you get the TC paperwork and then work out what you want to do.

You could probably draw out the signing of the TC paperwork by a week or so and potentially start your VS even if there is a term in your TC offer by signing the offer after you have started the VS.

 

[Kodak123]

Wait until you get the TC paperwork and then work out what you want to do.

You could probably draw out the signing of the TC paperwork by a week or so and potentially start your VS even if there is a term in your TC offer by signing the offer after you have started the VS.

Thank you so much!

 

[GV]

Does anyone know if Reed Smith TC applications are rolling?

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know if Reed Smith TC applications are rolling?

Hi there,

Per these two links, yes, the firm recruits on a rolling basis:

1. https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-faqs

2. https://apply.candidats.io/ea7397d0-f35e-43d5-b021-d69a98f6d211

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Thanks for this Ram!

Just a quick question, how would you structure a 'tell me about yourself' question?

Is this better used as an opportunity to go through your background/previous experiences (like going through your CV), or more so linking it to why law/why commercial law (or even why X firm?)

I was going to go with the former approach because I don't want to assume and skip ahead to the important 'why law/why firm' questions, but I'm also afraid that this would be a missed opportunity in case they end up not asking those questions, if that makes sense. Any advice?

Hiya @legallybrunette8

I'd think of this question as a way to give your interviewer a quick snapshot of who you are (so not just what’s on your CV). It’s a great chance to talk through your background, blending a bit of personal and academic backgrounds. You can also mention a few interests/hobbies to help build a bit of rapport with your interviewers. I generally try to keep my answer to these questions more natural and conversational in tone, and typically aim for my answer to be around 1-2 minutes.

In terms of the points I mentioned, I would normally focus on the following:

• Where you’re originally from
• Your studies and any relevant highlight
• A short mention of recent work or even volunteering
• One or two personal interests that help round you out

Whenever I was asked this question, I’d usually say I grew up near Toronto and spent time living in Montreal and Chicago before moving to London. I explained that I transitioned into law after relocating here, studying here, and then worked in legal research and volunteered at a few advice clinics. I’d usually wrap it up by sharing that I’m a big fan of travel (I’ve backpacked across 30+ countries), love art history, and enjoy long hikes. It gave the interview a warm start and helped the conversation flow more easily.

Hope that’s helpful! Good luck with your interview!