I applied for March 2027 at A&O Shearman and haven't received a PFO yet... but my status on the portal has gone back to 'Applied' from 'Under Review'. Shall I take this as a PFO, or is it possible I could be waitlisted?
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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There are other routes to becoming a lawyer as well in a worst case scenario.
Bakers likes to hire accountants as tax associates so you can potentially go from accounting to tax law. It would however mean specialising in tax and it isn't guaranteed either.
Senior Tax Associate | Careers | Baker McKenzie
The Senior Tax Associate will be given the opportunity to lead as part of a team on a very wide range of both domestic and international tax projects. ...
Hey - new here! Does anyone know if the Freshfields DTC stage 1 is just Critical Reasoning and SJT? Or does it also include a VI? Have found conflicting info on here (VI is only for VS or stage 2?). Grateful for any guidance!
As a Big Four tax associate, I would strongly advise caution when considering this route. The chartered accountant/tax adviser exams are definitely not easy!There are other routes to becoming a lawyer as well in a worst case scenario.
Bakers likes to hire accountants as tax associates so you can potentially go from accounting to tax law. It would however mean specialising in tax and it isn't guaranteed either.
Senior Tax Associate | Careers | Baker McKenzie
The Senior Tax Associate will be given the opportunity to lead as part of a team on a very wide range of both domestic and international tax projects. ...www.bakermckenzie.com
Are you planning on becoming a lawyer then? I'm curious now to hear more about your life plans/goals now lol.
Stupid question then but if you're a tax associate, wouldn't it be easier to apply for tax law roles directly? I assume most non-TC roles don't require the huge level of effort and assessment centres that are required from TC applications.
And then potentially you could move to another area of law once you qualify.
Tax associates at B4 firms are not qualified lawyers, and our roles (at least mine) aren't 100% legal related. I do a lot of data analytics work as well.
I am not sure you can easily move to another area of law once you qualify (e.g. I don't think it's easy to move from tax to DR).
A&OS PFO this morning for 2028 TC, just highlighting as I'm aware others have said theirs were for 2027
Are you qualified or training to be a tax associate? Someone on my vac scheme tot an audit grad scheme at big 4 started in September but had a tc offer to start see next September so will quit 1 year into ACA. Cannot defer his entry to get the full 3 years.
Training now, the job titles are different from law firms
Yh I know. Few of my friends work in audit, tax and consulting. They’re not a huge fan of the ACA (if that’s what you’re doing). Would you leave before the 3 year training program if you got a tc or stick it out?
I am almost done with my exams (ATT CTA) so I will probably finish them. I still consider the qualifications to be valuable as they might turn into side jobs in the future!
I'm doing my accounting exams at the moment.
I do enjoy it a lot and I find it very useful in my own life for knowing how to read balance sheets etc. Very little application to the law but it's a useful life skill I feel.
Good luck to you both I’ve heard they can be harder than the sqe CTA in particular the hardest professional exams. Your skills will be invaluable 😄
As someone currently studying for the SQE, knowing a thing or two about balance sheets might be more helpful in law than you think! 🥲
Best of luck to you both with your exams!!
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