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

[Schulaw]

Has anyone heard anything from PH

Anyone heard from Cleary?

PFO a week back

 

[moxiebobo]

Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.

 

[lawcurious]

Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.

i usually spend a lot of time reading their blogs and insights and stuff they publish to understand their language and what they put emphasis on. its very hard to go beyond buzzwords that's true but i think just "understanding" the firm usually helps - podcasts help too actually they'll mention a lot of things about the firm and their expertise etc. if you'd like and are interested in say something like private equity or m&a - try and find similar podcasts and posts and insights that all of the firms put up and i think you will slowly start finding a difference in not just their language but the specific things they think they do well and what their specific expertise or USP is. hope this helps

EDIT: freshfields also has some virtual work exp programs where they highlight some of their strengths etc too so maybe those could give you some insight into their work and differences with other firms too

 

[LawwithBianca]

Know your CV and CL inside and out! Be prepared for the conversation to go in depth on one point

Thank you

 

[futureTS2025hopeful]

Has anyone heard anything from PH

PFO a week back

You heard from Cleary one week ago? But apps only closed one week ago

 

[NMA]

Anyone heard back from Travers direct TC?

 

[moxiebobo]

i usually spend a lot of time reading their blogs and insights and stuff they publish to understand their language and what they put emphasis on. its very hard to go beyond buzzwords that's true but i think just "understanding" the firm usually helps - podcasts help too actually they'll mention a lot of things about the firm and their expertise etc. if you'd like and are interested in say something like private equity or m&a - try and find similar podcasts and posts and insights that all of the firms put up and i think you will slowly start finding a difference in not just their language but the specific things they think they do well and what their specific expertise or USP is. hope this helps

EDIT: freshfields also has some virtual work exp programs where they highlight some of their strengths etc too so maybe those could give you some insight into their work and differences with other firms too

very helpful - thank you!

 

[lawcurious]

where are people doing the NRF WG prepping from? i did the practice test they sent but the feedback report doesn't include a score since its a pilot testing thing which is...not helpful... since I've not done a WG in months and j wanted to check if I'm still doing okay at them

 

[sc29]

Has anyone done Freshfields' written exercise before? Super nervous about the AC so would appreciate any tips for the written exercise and the AC in general !!

 

[Rob93]

Anyone have any insight they would be willing to share as to differentiating factors between Freshfields and the other magic circle firms?

They all tend to use similar buzzwords 'collaborative' 'international' 'innovative', chambers student isn't all that helpful, and so beyond Freshfields being M&A-strong/Finance-weaker, I am really struggling as I haven't had much personal interaction with the firm.

One point ofc is the shorter seat cycles at Freshies; you can extrapolate this out to some thoughts about the kind of professional development they value (breadth in the first instance rather than very early hyperspecialisation) - presumably this means something to them in terms of how they provide their services, the kind of thinking they want their lawyers to engage in &c.

 

[dd13]

1 week

1 day, but I believe it varies so worry not!

 

[Schulaw]

You heard from Cleary one week ago? But apps only closed one week ago

Yeah 2nd August is when I got my PFO

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Do law firms actually check events that you attended. I am asking as I attended this event about insolvency and put the wrong name for the event in my application when discussing my interest in the firm's insolvency work.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Do law firms actually check events that you attended. I am asking as I attended this event about insolvency and put the wrong name for the event in my application when discussing my interest in the firm's insolvency work.

Unlikely - it’s just too much hard work/time consuming to do this. The only way it would be really possible is if their events management tool and ATS were combined (and that’s only their events, not other firms’)

 

[YJ]

Has anyone got any good SPAG/drafting resources? Got a written SPAG test coming soon!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Unlikely - it’s just too much hard work/time consuming to do this. The only way it would be really possible is if their events management tool and ATS were combined (and that’s only their events, not other firms’)

Thank you very much for this it is a relief. As I mentioned the event name but got the event name a bit mixed up in my application question.

 

[Alison C]

Has anyone got any good SPAG/drafting resources? Got a written SPAG test coming soon!

Try this thread:

Grammar tips

Grammar is often talked about to write well, so I thought I would post a good reminder of some grammar things that I found useful! Grammar might come as second-nature to you but it's always good to go back and look for any mistakes :) Subject-verb Agreement: words between subject and verb...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

You can also Google IELTS and TOEFL resources, looking at the most advanced levels. These are aimed at learners whose native language is not English but they are often really comprehensive. There is something similar for 'Business English' - have a root around? Good luck!

 

[moxiebobo]

One point ofc is the shorter seat cycles at Freshies; you can extrapolate this out to some thoughts about the kind of professional development they value (breadth in the first instance rather than very early hyperspecialisation) - presumably this means something to them in terms of how they provide their services, the kind of thinking they want their lawyers to engage in &c.

that's a really helpful point - never thought of it in the development context! thank you

 

[YJ]

Try this thread:

Grammar tips

Grammar is often talked about to write well, so I thought I would post a good reminder of some grammar things that I found useful! Grammar might come as second-nature to you but it's always good to go back and look for any mistakes :) Subject-verb Agreement: words between subject and verb...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

You can also Google IELTS and TOEFL resources, looking at the most advanced levels. These are aimed at learners whose native language is not English but they are often really comprehensive. There is something similar for 'Business English' - have a root around? Good luck!

Thank you so much!

 

[ssolicitorz]

has anyone heard from norton rose? still waiting