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

[TC fiend]

Is it worth making a speculative application to recruitment at firms. I have found a couple of boutique firms that I am particularly interested in. Is it worth taking the time to email their recruitment to see if there are any admin/ paralegal roles or work experience opportunities available there? Or is it not recommended to do so?!

Absolutely. One of the paralegals in a different department sent a speculative email to my firm and he got his position that way. Never any harm I think

 

[MarianaMartins]

Absolutely. One of the paralegals in a different department sent a speculative email to my firm and he got his position that way. Never any harm I think

If you do not mind me asking, do you work in a large or small firm?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worth making a speculative application to recruitment at firms. I have found a couple of boutique firms that I am particularly interested in. Is it worth taking the time to email their recruitment to see if there are any admin/ paralegal roles or work experience opportunities available there? Or is it not recommended to do so?!

Definitely worthwhile doing this if they are firms you have a particular interest in.

 

[MarianaMartins]

Definitely worthwhile doing this if they are firms you have a particular interest in.

Hi @Jessica Booker !When sending a speculative application to recruitment or HR at firms, do I just send an email about why I am contacting them and ask if they have any possibility of work experience and attach my CV? Or should I send a cover letter and my CV?

 

[MarianaMartins]

Does anyone have any recommendations for boutique firms outside London? I have found some in London that seems very good. However, I am also trying to find out some outside London.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have any recommendations for boutique firms outside London? I have found some in London that seems very good. However, I am also trying to find out some outside London.

What type of boutique firm (e.g. what type of practice areas/specialities)?

 

[MarianaMartins]

What type of boutique firm (e.g. what type of practice areas/specialities)?

Oh sorry! I thought I added that in! Commercial, corporate law and dispute resolution.

 

[TC fiend]

If you do not mind me asking, do you work in a large or small firm?

Small office of a US firm

 

[MarianaMartins]

Small office of a US firm

Oh cool!! Thank you for replying!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Oh sorry! I thought I added that in! Commercial, corporate law and dispute resolution.

You might want to look at some of the firms at the bottom end of these tables:

Firms by size and location - Chambers Student Guide

You may also want to use the filters on Lawcareers.net and filter by those with a small partnership and by locations you are considering:

LawCareers.Net

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

 

[lawcurious]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

ig no harm sending a follow up

 

[Scandi]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

If you politely ask for a follow-up (in a non-intrusive way), I don't see any harm in doing that. But if he doesn't reply again, he is probably too busy.

 

[AvniD]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

Is there anything in particular you asked for in the note (a question about their work, a request to talk etc.)? If you simply sent the note to explain why you were wishing to connect with them, they may not have felt the need to reply and there isn't a need to follow-up.

 

[TC fiend]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

I wouldn’t tbh. Partners are super busy, and frankly they are often even quite far removed from the juniors at their own firm, let alone from you. Unless you’ve spoken to them personally before I would just let it go.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I want some advice on something.

I was doing research for a direct training contract application and online on Chambers I found a partner in the firm's Litigation team who was mentioned on Chambers for his excellent work. I sent the partner a linkedin connection request with a note and in the note I said why I wanted to connect with him by making it personal. He accepted my Linkedin connection request 2 days ago but has not replied to my Linkedin message. I wanted to ask should I send a follow up message to him or not. As I don't know if he read or not read my Linkedin connection request note. Any advice would be helpful thank you and I am not sure if I send him another message whether it will look bad on my side.

I personally wouldn’t follow up, especially as it’s only two days since he accepted the request.

 

[Mae East]

Does anyone know if GDL grads are considered law grads for the Hogan Lovells summer TC application window? Can’t find the answer anywhere on their website. I know freshfields considers GDL grads as law grads, and Slaughters doesn’t!

same question here, does anyone know?

 

[Scandi]

same question here, does anyone know?

Also wondering the same. Seem to be some conflicting information on the website:

 

[Law2022]

WFW AC secured!🥳


I would be eternally grateful if anyone could share some tips on how to succeed - either here or by DM🙏

Congratulations! Really happy for you. Please can I ask when you completed your VI?😀

 

[Scandi]

Congratulations! Really happy for you. Please can I ask when you completed your VI?😀

Cheers! 13 July!