TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Jessica Booker]

Latham 'strongly recommends' not to re-apply in the same application cycle.

Should I just presume there is no real chance to succeed in the same application cycle (vac scheme / direct TC) even though I believe my application has significantly improved?

Other firms say (differently) that they 'will not' take a second application in the same cycle.

Is your application going to be significantly different? If not, then I personally wouldn’t bother reapplying given the messaging.

 

[AvniD]

hi, I have two questions please:
- I have completed an application form but I am waiting for my final degree results which I get next week. should I submit now or just wait ?
- also, does any one know if Freshfields tc is rolling ?

thank you !

If the TC is rolling, I'd send the application now and update the application portal or email grad rec with your final results when you have them.

 

[AvniD]

Latham 'strongly recommends' not to re-apply in the same application cycle.

Should I just presume there is no real chance to succeed in the same application cycle (vac scheme / direct TC) even though I believe my application has significantly improved?

Other firms say (differently) that they 'will not' take a second application in the same cycle.

In what way do you think your application is stronger? Have your grades significantly improved, do you have more developed answers to the questions etc.?

 

[S87]

Hi guys,

When talking about the firm's international reach can you mention the Chambers & partners global rankings?

 

[AvniD]

Hi guys,

When talking about the firm's international reach can you mention the Chambers & partners global rankings?

You could but that doesn't necessarily relate to a firm's global reach per se. How are you planning to phrase it?

 

[Adrian_S]

If the TC is rolling, I'd send the application now and update the application portal or email grad rec with your final results when you have them.

Any suggestions if it isn't a rolling application? Presumably, just go ahead and submit? Thanks in advance, @AvniD!

 

[lawnoob]

Is it bad to begin almost every sentence in my application with "I.." ?? Like "I experienced.." "I also.." "I honed.." This is for "why law" and "why me"

 

[S87]

You could but that doesn't necessarily relate to a firm's global reach per se. How are you planning to phrase it?

That's a good point, I could actually mention its presence in more than 50 countries and headcount of 3700 global lawyers.

 

[Abii]

That's a good point, I could actually mention its presence in more than 50 countries and headcount of 3700 global lawyers.

You could. I would also look at the amount of inter-office collaboration and cross border work though. International reach doesn’t really mean anything if they have 50 offices but they all keep the work to themselves and the London office only does UK based work for UK based clients.

 

[S87]

You could. I would also look at the amount of inter-office collaboration and cross border work though. International reach doesn’t really mean anything if they have 50 offices but they all keep the work to themselves and the London office only does UK based work for UK based clients.

Yes I found a deal involving more than 6 offices.

 

[YJ]

The Norton Rose Fulbright website says that penultimate years can apply, however when I try to apply it says only final years or graduates. Can anyone advise?

 

[AvniD]

Any suggestions if it isn't a rolling application? Presumably, just go ahead and submit? Thanks in advance, @AvniD!

You could, yes!

 

[AvniD]

Is it bad to begin almost every sentence in my application with "I.." ?? Like "I experienced.." "I also.." "I honed.." This is for "why law" and "why me"

If you're beginning every sentence with 'I', you're probably not setting enough context for the reader to understand the circumstances in which you did or developed something. If you think this isn't an issue and there is enough context even with almost every sentence beginning with 'I', then trust your instinct and go for it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it bad to begin almost every sentence in my application with "I.." ?? Like "I experienced.." "I also.." "I honed.." This is for "why law" and "why me"

I’d try to mix it up - there is a risk that it could sound more repetitive if most sentences start with the same phrase/word.

 

[Niloufar Nateghi]

Even though Latham hires predominantly from their vacation scheme, is it worth still applying through direct tc route or are they likely to make all their offers to vac scheme applicants?

 

[lawnoob]

Is it ok to contract practice area names without bracketing first? So if I first say 'Capital markets' then continue with CM for the rest of the paragraph, is that fine? Or should I just stick with CM the whole way?

 

[tt_xo]

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The Norton Rose Fulbright website says that penultimate years can apply, however when I try to apply it says only final years or graduates. Can anyone advise?

i emailed them last week and direct tc route for penultimate years is not on offer anymore

 

[anonymous_]

Hi all! May I ask if anyone have done the Withers initial interview and have you heard back

Hi, how long did it take between completing the test and getting a first stage interview invite?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it ok to contract practice area names without bracketing first? So if I first say 'Capital markets' then continue with CM for the rest of the paragraph, is that fine? Or should I just stick with CM the whole way?

I wouldn’t do shorten practice department name unless the firm does, eg like an acronym like IP/IT or ACT.

So with your example I would just use Capital Markets, not CM.

 

[malvern3142]

Is Kirkland & Ellis' work/life balance really as drastically bad as it's reported? Legalcheek says average finish time is 11.30pm. As notorious as US firms are long hours, surely an average workday of 14 hours couldn't be accurate?