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Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
My Training Contract Journey
ml_vk2022's Training Contract Journey
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<blockquote data-quote="futuretrainee202X" data-source="post: 130207" data-attributes="member: 20379"><p>Hi everyone!</p><p></p><p>Upon [USER=17155]@AvniD[/USER] suggestion in the premium forum, I have (finally) started this thread to document my training contract journey. I was also really inspired by [USER=20454]@j.s.cox[/USER]' thread documenting a journey to securing the TC at his/her dream firm - and I'm crossing my fingers that by authentically documenting my growth and journey at TCLA, this application cycle would yield great results for me as well <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>As a disclaimer, I secured two TCs in another jurisdiction during the previous application cycle, but I made the hard decision to keep searching for a TC that best suits what I was looking for. I came to an internalised criteria through completing three legal placements and vac schemes. My main criteria now are:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Band 1 or 2 ranking on Legal500 in the UK for international arbitration. Alternatively, a very high Global Arbitration Review ranking (top 10-15);<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mandatory disputes seat;<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">International secondment with a range of options available for Asian and/or US offices;<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sectoral focus on projects & energy and technology disputes;<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">[<strong>This one is a recent realisation</strong>] Small trainee intake that allows meaningful client contact + progressive levels of responsibility. I specifically want to look for firms that have programmes enabling trainees to have close contact with partners (i.e., sitting in the same office or similar mentee arrangements).<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>[optional but highly desirable</strong>] Active pro-bono department offering public international work. I realise PIL is fairly hard to come by in private practice, and so any opportunity to work in this field is something I look for as well!</li> </ul><p></p><p>Here is what I have done since October 2022:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>October</strong>: Attended a range of virtual law fairs (AS Diversity Law Fair and Legal Cheek Virtual UK Fair) + AllAbout Law's Virtual Campus where I attended a range of workshops and had the opportunity to ask questions + independently signed up for various workshops and skills sessions by other law firms.<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>November/December</strong>: Attended four open days at Herbert Smith Freehills, Freshfields, Skadden and White & Case. I was very lucky to be connected with grad rec and trainees at King & Spalding through the courtesy of TCLA (thanks [USER=1]@Jaysen[/USER]!). Attended more law firm virtual networking/workshops/skills sessions. Submitted an app to HSF, Freshfields, A&O and Skadden. Completed psychometric tests for HSF (mandatory - passed - rejected at app review), A&O (mandatory - passed - rejected at app review) and Freshfields (selective - did not pass).<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I had a realisation during this period that I tend to do well at SJTs but fall down on WGs. In the Jan wave of apps, I decided to focus on firms that meet bullet point 5 above AND tend to veer more towards interviews so that my chances of progressing to the next round increase.<br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Over the Christmas holidays, I also tapped into TCLA resources on how to research law firms and make more effective applications as I felt that was something I might have fallen down on in my HSF and A&O apps.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>January</strong>: Applied for Debevoise, Gibson Dunn, Latham and White & Case. Completed psychometric test for Latham. Rejected at app stage with Skadden (we move!). In the meantime, I have completed a virtual video interview through TCLA's stimulator service. I have also completed a mock interview with Chloe last week. I have. a mock assessment centre with my University's career services to further practice interview skills in a group context.</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="futuretrainee202X, post: 130207, member: 20379"] Hi everyone! Upon [USER=17155]@AvniD[/USER] suggestion in the premium forum, I have (finally) started this thread to document my training contract journey. I was also really inspired by [USER=20454]@j.s.cox[/USER]' thread documenting a journey to securing the TC at his/her dream firm - and I'm crossing my fingers that by authentically documenting my growth and journey at TCLA, this application cycle would yield great results for me as well :) As a disclaimer, I secured two TCs in another jurisdiction during the previous application cycle, but I made the hard decision to keep searching for a TC that best suits what I was looking for. I came to an internalised criteria through completing three legal placements and vac schemes. My main criteria now are: [LIST] [*]Band 1 or 2 ranking on Legal500 in the UK for international arbitration. Alternatively, a very high Global Arbitration Review ranking (top 10-15); [*]Mandatory disputes seat; [*]International secondment with a range of options available for Asian and/or US offices; [*]Sectoral focus on projects & energy and technology disputes; [*][[B]This one is a recent realisation[/B]] Small trainee intake that allows meaningful client contact + progressive levels of responsibility. I specifically want to look for firms that have programmes enabling trainees to have close contact with partners (i.e., sitting in the same office or similar mentee arrangements). [*][B][optional but highly desirable[/B]] Active pro-bono department offering public international work. I realise PIL is fairly hard to come by in private practice, and so any opportunity to work in this field is something I look for as well! [/LIST] Here is what I have done since October 2022: [LIST] [*][B]October[/B]: Attended a range of virtual law fairs (AS Diversity Law Fair and Legal Cheek Virtual UK Fair) + AllAbout Law's Virtual Campus where I attended a range of workshops and had the opportunity to ask questions + independently signed up for various workshops and skills sessions by other law firms. [*][B]November/December[/B]: Attended four open days at Herbert Smith Freehills, Freshfields, Skadden and White & Case. I was very lucky to be connected with grad rec and trainees at King & Spalding through the courtesy of TCLA (thanks [USER=1]@Jaysen[/USER]!). Attended more law firm virtual networking/workshops/skills sessions. Submitted an app to HSF, Freshfields, A&O and Skadden. Completed psychometric tests for HSF (mandatory - passed - rejected at app review), A&O (mandatory - passed - rejected at app review) and Freshfields (selective - did not pass). [LIST] [*]I had a realisation during this period that I tend to do well at SJTs but fall down on WGs. In the Jan wave of apps, I decided to focus on firms that meet bullet point 5 above AND tend to veer more towards interviews so that my chances of progressing to the next round increase. [*]Over the Christmas holidays, I also tapped into TCLA resources on how to research law firms and make more effective applications as I felt that was something I might have fallen down on in my HSF and A&O apps. [/LIST] [*][B]January[/B]: Applied for Debevoise, Gibson Dunn, Latham and White & Case. Completed psychometric test for Latham. Rejected at app stage with Skadden (we move!). In the meantime, I have completed a virtual video interview through TCLA's stimulator service. I have also completed a mock interview with Chloe last week. I have. a mock assessment centre with my University's career services to further practice interview skills in a group context. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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