TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Abbie Whitlock]

yes, offered a TC yesterday morning!

Amazing news, huge congratulations!!! I hope you take some time to celebrate 🥳

 

[ZNadeem]

yes, offered a TC yesterday morning!

Huge congrats!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Amazing news, huge congratulations!!! I hope you take some time to celebrate 🥳

Thank you so much, yes I should!!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Huge congrats!!

Thank you!!!

 

[helloj]

Hi guys, I have just received the assessment day invite for K&L Gates for their direct TC process. Does anyone have any insight/ know what to expect? Thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys, I have just received the assessment day invite for K&L Gates for their direct TC process. Does anyone have any insight/ know what to expect? Thank you!

Hi @helloj !!

Congratulations on the assessment day invite - what an amazing achievement! 🥳

I haven’t personally experienced the K&L Gates assessment day, so I can’t say for certain what you should expect. However, from what I understand, the K&L Gates direct TC assessment day includes the following:

Critical Reasoning Test
This is usually similar to a Watson Glaser test - it assesses your ability to evaluate arguments, draw logical conclusions, and spot assumptions. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice WG-style questions online (I used JobTestPrep in the past!)
2. Focus on understanding why an answer is right or wrong - it’s about finding the logic in the answer
3. Stay calm and read each question carefully - the exact wording matters a lot

Swift Analysis Test
This tends to be a fast paced task where you’re asked to absorb information quickly and answer questions under time pressure - often data or text heavy. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice timed verbal and numerical reasoning questions to improve your speed and accuracy
2. Work on scanning techniques and quickly identifying key information
3. Don’t panic if you can’t finish everything - accuracy is often more important than completing all the questions

Written Exercise
You’ll likely be given a scenario or client-style problem and asked to draft something like an internal memo or client email. It’s testing your written communication, structure, and commercial awareness. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice writing short, clear emails or advice notes in response to fictional case studies
2. Focus on being concise and logical - avoid legal jargon unless necessary, especially if it is for a client
3. Pay attention to tone (especially if it is for a client) and make sure your answer has a clear structure
4. Have a think about the skills trainees are expected to have and see if this can be incorporated. For example, I always tried to display proactiveness in an email by offering to draft the next step or research the topic further

Group Exercise
This assesses teamwork, communication, and how you engage with others. You could potentially be given a scenario to discuss and may have to reach a decision as a group. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice speaking clearly and concisely in a group setting (you could practice with friends!)
2. Aim to contribute regularly, but also listen and encourage others - I would avoid being the quietest or the loudest (but I know this can be a tricky balance!)
3. Show logical thinking and build on others points where possible

Overall, try to stay calm, confident, and engaged throughout. They want to see your potential as a trainee - they won’t be expecting the finished product! Best of luck with your assessment day, and let us know if you have any other questions

 

[helloj]

Hi @helloj !!

Congratulations on the assessment day invite - what an amazing achievement! 🥳

I haven’t personally experienced the K&L Gates assessment day, so I can’t say for certain what you should expect. However, from what I understand, the K&L Gates direct TC assessment day includes the following:

Critical Reasoning Test
This is usually similar to a Watson Glaser test - it assesses your ability to evaluate arguments, draw logical conclusions, and spot assumptions. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice WG-style questions online (I used JobTestPrep in the past!)
2. Focus on understanding why an answer is right or wrong - it’s about finding the logic in the answer
3. Stay calm and read each question carefully - the exact wording matters a lot

Swift Analysis Test
This tends to be a fast paced task where you’re asked to absorb information quickly and answer questions under time pressure - often data or text heavy. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice timed verbal and numerical reasoning questions to improve your speed and accuracy
2. Work on scanning techniques and quickly identifying key information
3. Don’t panic if you can’t finish everything - accuracy is often more important than completing all the questions

Written Exercise
You’ll likely be given a scenario or client-style problem and asked to draft something like an internal memo or client email. It’s testing your written communication, structure, and commercial awareness. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice writing short, clear emails or advice notes in response to fictional case studies
2. Focus on being concise and logical - avoid legal jargon unless necessary, especially if it is for a client
3. Pay attention to tone (especially if it is for a client) and make sure your answer has a clear structure
4. Have a think about the skills trainees are expected to have and see if this can be incorporated. For example, I always tried to display proactiveness in an email by offering to draft the next step or research the topic further

Group Exercise
This assesses teamwork, communication, and how you engage with others. You could potentially be given a scenario to discuss and may have to reach a decision as a group. To prepare, I would:

1. Practice speaking clearly and concisely in a group setting (you could practice with friends!)
2. Aim to contribute regularly, but also listen and encourage others - I would avoid being the quietest or the loudest (but I know this can be a tricky balance!)
3. Show logical thinking and build on others points where possible

Overall, try to stay calm, confident, and engaged throughout. They want to see your potential as a trainee - they won’t be expecting the finished product! Best of luck with your assessment day, and let us know if you have any other questions

Thank you so much this is so helpful!

 

[lawelmo]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share the news that I have finally secured a direct training contract! I am 28 now and will be 30 when I start. I graduated in 2018, went on to do a Master’s, and then worked as a paralegal for five years. I didn’t even start applying for training contracts until two years ago - for a long time I thought people like me didn’t get them so I just didn't bother. Last year I applied to just two firms, and this year I applied to 30.

Going through this process is unbelievably difficult, and empathise with everyone who has been met with rejection. For the past 12 months I have constantly felt like I’d left it too late and that I had wasted almost a decade on something I wasn’t ever going to achieve. But it really does just take one firm to see your potential.

I am very grateful to TLCA for the support and invaluable advice, and I am very happy to answer any questions or be of any help

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share the news that I have finally secured a direct training contract! I am 28 now and will be 30 when I start. I graduated in 2018, went on to do a Master’s, and then worked as a paralegal for five years. I didn’t even start applying for training contracts until two years ago - for a long time I thought people like me didn’t get them so I just didn't bother. Last year I applied to just two firms, and this year I applied to 30.

Going through this process is unbelievably difficult, and empathise with everyone who has been met with rejection. For the past 12 months I have constantly felt like I’d left it too late and that I had wasted almost a decade on something I wasn’t ever going to achieve. But it really does just take one firm to see your potential.

I am very grateful to TLCA for the support and invaluable advice, and I am very happy to answer any questions or be of any help

Huge congratulations on securing your TC! 🥳 That's such an inspiring journey, and I'm sure a lot of people will take comfort from your story - especially those who feel like they've left it too late (which it never is!).

Wishing you all the best as you get ready to start this new chapter, and I hope you take some time to celebrate!

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share the news that I have finally secured a direct training contract! I am 28 now and will be 30 when I start. I graduated in 2018, went on to do a Master’s, and then worked as a paralegal for five years. I didn’t even start applying for training contracts until two years ago - for a long time I thought people like me didn’t get them so I just didn't bother. Last year I applied to just two firms, and this year I applied to 30.

Going through this process is unbelievably difficult, and empathise with everyone who has been met with rejection. For the past 12 months I have constantly felt like I’d left it too late and that I had wasted almost a decade on something I wasn’t ever going to achieve. But it really does just take one firm to see your potential.

I am very grateful to TLCA for the support and invaluable advice, and I am very happy to answer any questions or be of any help

Huge congrats! 🎉 That’s such an inspiring journey — it really shows the value of persistence, resilience, and not giving up, even when the process feels daunting or slow. Your story is a great reminder that it only takes one firm to recognise your potential, and that it’s never too late to achieve your goals. Wishing you all the best as you start your training contract, and thanks for sharing — this will definitely motivate others going through the same process!

 

[Equal_Rites]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back from Paul Hastings?

Separately, how did people find the interview/exercise?

 

[whatislaw]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back from Paul Hastings?

Separately, how did people find the interview/exercise?

got an email saying they will respond next week

 

[Dannie]

I've done 4-5 ACs now but can't convert them! Does anyone have any tips? I don't know what to do

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I've done 4-5 ACs now but can't convert them! Does anyone have any tips? I don't know what to do

Hey!

I completely get how you feel - it's so tough when you're putting in all that effort and you end up feeling a bit stuck on how to improve. I have definitely struggled with ACs in my previous cycles, and I think it was definitely down to a combination of nerves and my preparation.

However, getting to multiple ACs is a huge achievement in itself, and it shows you're already doing so many things right. Converting them often comes down to small refinements rather than big changes. Here are a few things that might help!

Look for Patterns

Think about which parts of the AC you find trickiest - interviews, group exercises, or case studies. If there is a recurring theme (e.g. nerves in partner interviews), that's where to focus your prep! In my ACs, my recurring weakness was my commercial awareness, as I hadn't really grasped how to link this to law firms. This is where I focused a lot of my preparation (e.g. FT News Briefing, LittleLaw, TCLA and BIUCAC) and it meant I was using my time most effectively.

Motivational Questions

By the AC stage, firms will want to see not just that you're capable, but that you genuinely want to train there and that you are a good fit. I would make sure that you're linking your experiences and interests to their specific practice areas, culture, and strategy overall. This can be useful to think about before the AC, so you have a clear answer in your head and can express this confidently.

Structure and Reflection

In interviews, I would try using a clear structure (e.g. STAR). However, it is important to also be reflective and explain what you learned and how you'd do things differently next time. It's great if you can show that you are self-aware of both your strengths and your weaknesses, and that you are continually trying to improve where you can.

Simulate an AC environment

I would try and practice under realistic conditions if you can - e.g. time-limited exercises, group discussions with friends, or mock partner interviews. Of course, you can't necessarily simulate the nerves that you will feel in the real thing. However, the more familiar the format feels, the more confidently you'll perform (as you'll feel more prepared).

Ask for Feedback

If firms provide it, look for consistent themes in their comments. Even one line of feedback can sometimes make it 'click' on the areas that you didn't realise you should be focusing on. This can be a tricky skill to exercise, and I always used to get a bit internally 'defensive' about criticism. However, firms want to see you succeed and I would take the advice on board and genuinely reflect on what you could be doing differently.

You're clearly so close - I'm sure you will be able to convert once you've fine-tuned your approach! Keep going, and don't lose sight of the successes you have achieved so far

 

[Dannie]

Hey!

I completely get how you feel - it's so tough when you're putting in all that effort and you end up feeling a bit stuck on how to improve. I have definitely struggled with ACs in my previous cycles, and I think it was definitely down to a combination of nerves and my preparation.

However, getting to multiple ACs is a huge achievement in itself, and it shows you're already doing so many things right. Converting them often comes down to small refinements rather than big changes. Here are a few things that might help!

Look for Patterns

Think about which parts of the AC you find trickiest - interviews, group exercises, or case studies. If there is a recurring theme (e.g. nerves in partner interviews), that's where to focus your prep! In my ACs, my recurring weakness was my commercial awareness, as I hadn't really grasped how to link this to law firms. This is where I focused a lot of my preparation (e.g. FT News Briefing, LittleLaw, TCLA and BIUCAC) and it meant I was using my time most effectively.

Motivational Questions

By the AC stage, firms will want to see not just that you're capable, but that you genuinely want to train there and that you are a good fit. I would make sure that you're linking your experiences and interests to their specific practice areas, culture, and strategy overall. This can be useful to think about before the AC, so you have a clear answer in your head and can express this confidently.

Structure and Reflection

In interviews, I would try using a clear structure (e.g. STAR). However, it is important to also be reflective and explain what you learned and how you'd do things differently next time. It's great if you can show that you are self-aware of both your strengths and your weaknesses, and that you are continually trying to improve where you can.

Simulate an AC environment

I would try and practice under realistic conditions if you can - e.g. time-limited exercises, group discussions with friends, or mock partner interviews. Of course, you can't necessarily simulate the nerves that you will feel in the real thing. However, the more familiar the format feels, the more confidently you'll perform (as you'll feel more prepared).

Ask for Feedback

If firms provide it, look for consistent themes in their comments. Even one line of feedback can sometimes make it 'click' on the areas that you didn't realise you should be focusing on. This can be a tricky skill to exercise, and I always used to get a bit internally 'defensive' about criticism. However, firms want to see you succeed and I would take the advice on board and genuinely reflect on what you could be doing differently.

You're clearly so close - I'm sure you will be able to convert once you've fine-tuned your approach! Keep going, and don't lose sight of the successes you have achieved so far

Thank you so much Abbie!