TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yuhhhh]

Has Kirkland sent out VIs for DTC applicants?

 

[hanz123]

Any advice on answering: How do you see yourself contributing to X Firm's future?

 

[hopeful33]

Am I supposed to refer to Perkins Coie as Ashurst Perkins Coie on the LBA cover letter?

 

[Mikeross750]

Anyone heard from Fieldfisher post interview? Meant to heard back by the 31st

nope waiting as well, hopefully we do find out tomorrow

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Any advice on answering: How do you see yourself contributing to X Firm's future?

Hi @hanz123 this question can be tricky at first look, but essentially it’s asking for an amalgamation of:

1. Your skills/experiences e.g. analysis, problem solving
2. Your interest in the firm e.g. culture, practice area strengths, specific capabilities
3. It’s alignment to the firms goals e.g. how you’re well prepared to enhance their offering, allow them to meet specific aims for the future etc.

Now, it doesn’t need to be too intense. As in, you’re not expected to understand the firms ambitions for the upcoming year as it navigates a highly competitive legal market, although I do think this will serve as a strength in your answer - so I would encourage looking into any particular statements they’ve made for 2025 and what they’re hoping to achieve in 2026.

Once you’ve got all three pictured out, you will need to explain how your skills/experiences have shaped you and how these link to specifics of the firm. Be sure to round of any answer with how you expect this to contribute to their long term goals (if any were found) or strengthening their current offerings.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Am I supposed to refer to Perkins Coie as Ashurst Perkins Coie on the LBA cover letter?

Just Perkins Coie. The merger is yet to be voted on, meaning there is a very slim chance it doesn’t get approved

 

[nicoledm]

nope waiting as well, hopefully we do find out tomorrow

I’ve heard they’re usually late to be honest but fingers crossed we find out soon haha

 

[ashwright]

Am I right in thinking that most GR aren't at full capacity right now & will become responsive/active next week? I was thinking of treating this week as a bit of a write-off response-wise, but the VS thread indicates that some firms' GR are still active.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

Are CMS releasing more AC's or should I assume PFO

 

[monachde12345]

The wait for Freshfields is killinggggg

have you heard back yet if you've done stage 2 for direct TC?

 

[monachde12345]

The wait for Freshfields is killinggggg

have you heard back yet if you've done stage 2 for direct tc?

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Am I right in thinking that most GR aren't at full capacity right now & will become responsive/active next week? I was thinking of treating this week as a bit of a write-off response-wise, but the VS thread indicates that some firms' GR are still active.

Assuming they're still active on the VS side because most firms need to fill those before progressing to DTC applications...just what I'm telling myself though the wait is killer

 

[Superfrozone]

realistically when do you think we will hear back from Freshfields?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Am I right in thinking that most GR aren't at full capacity right now & will become responsive/active next week? I was thinking of treating this week as a bit of a write-off response-wise, but the VS thread indicates that some firms' GR are still active.

Hey!

Whilst I wouldn't know for sure (and it'll differ between firms), it's likely that even if graduate recruitment teams are working in this period, they may have members of the team off on leave / holiday. Therefore, even though there are some people hearing back (i.e. in the VS thread), I definitely wouldn't panic if you haven't heard yet as it might just be that it'll take them a little longer to get through the applications

 

[Rads]

Have not heard back yet for Slaughter and May, is it PFO mostly?

 

[HMajesty]

Hi, so I got rejected from nearly all TCs I applied to this cycle, but got an offer in my home country. I plan to try and shift laterally to these UK firms now after gaining some work experience in my home country. Will my rejection at TC affect a potential lateral move negatively? Will they review my TC application even after I try to shift laterally? Sorry if I sound panicky, just wanted to confirm since there’s a few other firms I plan on applying to for TCs, but if a potential lateral move is impacted I won’t apply to those firms atp.

 

[hanz123]

AG's critical thinking test was so hard

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

hI guys, i am thinking to apply to Morgan Lewis direct TC,but i have no interactions with the firm. I know generally some firms care and some dont, but i was wondering if anyone has actually interacted with the firm or done a vac scheme or something so could give me an insight on what they look for.

Of course more than happy to give insights into other firms such as slaughters, Weil, Freshfields...etc from my interactions/vac schemes.

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hi, so I got rejected from nearly all TCs I applied to this cycle, but got an offer in my home country. I plan to try and shift laterally to these UK firms now after gaining some work experience in my home country. Will my rejection at TC affect a potential lateral move negatively? Will they review my TC application even after I try to shift laterally? Sorry if I sound panicky, just wanted to confirm since there’s a few other firms I plan on applying to for TCs, but if a potential lateral move is impacted I won’t apply to those firms atp.

I feel like this might be more of a question you should put to recruiters or more experienced people within the profession. It's unlikely that you will find much of a suitable answer on here as many of us are current students or junior lawyers. The r/UKlaw subreddit might be more appropriate.

That being said, I might be able to offer some insight from things I've heard and read. To put it simply, the lateral move path from abroad is fairly difficult and depends on a number of different factors, mainly your ability to convert from your home jurisdiction to the UK, and the demand in the UK market for foreign qualified lawyers. Unfortunately, it is quite rare for NQs to lateral, mainly due to inexperience and demand that can be filled by domestically trained lawyers. You will need to be content enough with working in your home jurisdiction, until say 3-5 PQE, before you have enough of a footing and legal presence to warrant a move. If your ultimate goal is to work in the UK, you do unfortunately corner yourself by accepting a TC elsewhere. You are qualified, but in the wrong jurisdiction, it might take some time to convert. You don't have much experience, so you're at a disadvantage comparatively to the domestic market, where unretained UK trainees from top firms are going to also be seeking new employment. Accepting a TC isn't really "work experience", and will reflect actual legal employment and experience when looked at by recruiters and firms both positively and negatively.

Aside from the above, it is important to note that the QWE portion of the qualification route can actually be completed abroad. I'm not quite sure the rules and regs other than anecdotally hearing of overseas firms being able to sign off on QWE for UK SQE candidates. You should perhaps have a think about this if you haven't already started the SQE process. As for specifically your questions, TC rejections are often kept anonymous and only stored for a limited amount of time. I would be shocked if a major firm remembered you from your TC application days after 5 years. Lateral moves are often done on a firm or recruiter basis rather than through the application format that we are used to. They won't review your TC app after you shift laterally either. Just be aware that lateral moves are done on completely different bases than that of TC. In the current time of extreme market competition and complete lack of space, I would be really careful hinging the rest of your legal career on a lateral move in quite some years that may or may not happen.

I apologise for being all doom and gloom. This is all anecdotal evidence, so your story may go very different ways. Wishing you all the best for the new year and for the rest of your legal pathway!