TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bridget1130]

Hi has anyone got any tips or any insight into what the Irwin Mitchell insight day actually consists of? Is it just to double check if they basically like u and deffo wanna give you the TC lol

The early recruitment on my AC said that everyone that gets to this stage they think they can do the job so I am hoping it is a case that if they like everyone then everyone gets through rather than a final cutting exercise

 

[hanz123]

Shoosmiths email was a jump scare

 

[NickH]

Hi everyone. Needed some urgent help. I cannot locate the application portal for Baker McKenzie's Direct TC. How do we apply? Is it fsr.cvmail? Or is it through their website? Why are there 2 different methods? @Ram Sabaratnam will really appreciate help.
Nick

 

[NickH]

Just wanted to add from the previous query, I found this one link for the application portal.. but all too confusing... For anyone who applied using this link: https://careers.bakermckenzie.com/en_US/opportunities/Register, do the actual questions with word limits appear after registering? All of this feels so confusing. fsr.cvmail is/was way better in that you can look at the entire application requirements all at once. Plus the two don't seem to be at par..

 

[choicefox212]

Has anyone not heard from Withers at all? Radio silence here which I assume is PFO, but would like some closure

 

[law_mania]

Are you supposed to upload a CV for the Baker TC app? Why is there an option to proceed without it also? Can someone please help?

Direct Training Contract 2028 - Talent Market Place (Opportunities)

Direct Training Contract 2028 at created 12-Feb-2026

careers.bakermckenzie.com

 

[DennyCrane]

Just wanted to add from the previous query, I found this one link for the application portal.. but all too confusing... For anyone who applied using this link: https://careers.bakermckenzie.com/en_US/opportunities/Register, do the actual questions with word limits appear after registering? All of this feels so confusing. fsr.cvmail is/was way better in that you can look at the entire application requirements all at once. Plus the two don't seem to be at par..

pretty sure the cvmail is for earlier years applications and 2028 applications are through the dreadful website. You have to register first. It doesn't save properly so if you get interrupted and you time out then the likelihood is that you will have lost all of your work

 

[amb303]

Has anyone not heard from Withers at all? Radio silence here which I assume is PFO, but would like some closure

Last year I didn’t hear from them abt the TC until late may (PFO post SJT) :/

 

[summersun]

Last year I didn’t hear from them abt the TC until late may (PFO post SJT) :/

I think they are referring to not receiving the SJT at all (same position for me). Did you hear about the PFO in May or the SJT?

 

[Alaa]

Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft post WE?

Im still waiting. Its seems to be that those who have heard back applied to London (Could be wrong?)

Yes, mine was for Leeds

 

[AryanAgg]

I applied to baker mckenzie through cvmail, am I doomed?

 

[AryanAgg]

Because the uk graduates portal of bakers still took me to cvmail for some reason and the application was still called DTC 2028.

 

[DennyCrane]

Has anyone not heard from Withers at all? Radio silence here which I assume is PFO, but would like some closure

I haven't heard anything

 

[DennyCrane]

Because the uk graduates portal of bakers still took me to cvmail for some reason and the application was still called DTC 2028.

Im sure it was fine then

 

[AryanAgg]

Also why can't I manually enter my school which was outside the uk in the new form?

 

[AryanAgg]

Should I just enter some random school from the choices then?

 

[Z48]

Because the uk graduates portal of bakers still took me to cvmail for some reason and the application was still called DTC 2028.

It looks like the role was uploaded to the new platform on the 16th March, so maybe applications before this were cvMail?

 

[law_mania]

Should I just enter some random school from the choices then?

yeah choose a random school.

On the next page, you can input the correct school manually.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, would appreciate insight on how do you write a CV entry? I usually do bullet points describing the exact work I did there, but I've heard people do prose as well. How do you write it in prose and which is better? Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith

Hello!

I would generally go with prose unless the firm specifically asks for bullet points. Most firms will prefer concise paragraphs in prose as it allows you to go into a bit more detail, which can help them quickly understand your experiences.

In terms of structure, I would try to cover three key things in each entry:

• What the role was (and where you worked)
• Your main responsibilities (what you actually did day-to-day)
• What you gained from the experience - both skills and insights

The last part is a really important part to include, as it shows that you have reflected on the experiences. I would also try to briefly link what you learned to skills relevant to law (e.g. attention to detail, handling deadlines, working with clients, etc.), rather than just listing tasks.

Bullet points aren't wrong, and I'm sure they'd work just fine too, but they can sometimes come across as a bit list-like and don't always show reflection as clearly

 

[Maxi04]

Hi!

Anyone heard anything post VI for DTC at CRS (Charles Russell Speechlys) London?
Or, anyone heard anything from PHB (Payne Hicks Beach)?