TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Polaranu]

Sinclair Gibson rejection post-final interview really disheartened as I’ve never gotten this far before but hopefully will have more luck with more firms and good luck to those still waiting to hear!

 

[BeGrateful.101]

Anyone heard back from Mayer brown, Eversheds, dla piper

 

[Polaranu]

McDermott PFO

 

[AvniD]

I have work experience at a US firm with a small intake in London. I am hoping to apply to A&O for a direct training contract. Within the work experience entry for the US firm, do I need to explain why I am applying to a firm with a much larger trainee intake? Thanks

You absolutely don't need to do this in the work experience section but you may be asked this in interviews. I was asked about this in my direct TC interview in the context of my work experience at a boutique Indian firm and why I was motivated to not only move to larger, UK-based law firms.

You could be asked a similar question as a way to test your motivations for moving into a UK firm with larger intake and whether you've considered how this may impact your training contract, but I wouldn't worry about this at the application stage.

 

[refy]

Anyone recently interviewed at Slaughters? If so could use some advice on the written task, thank you

 

[Giselle4711]

Any word from W&C post partner interview?

 

[sandralai]

I understood from last year that CC prefers penultimate year law students or final year non-law students. Asked grad rec before but they just pointed me to the standard CC website. Can anyone confirm if this is still the case this year or have they changed their policy? Thanks!

 

[gigglingsquid]

Any word from W&C post partner interview?

They said we'll hear back by the end of November.

 

[B A]

They said we'll hear back by the end of November.

Is this for the direct TC? I thought they were non-rolling?

 

[gigglingsquid]

Is this for the direct TC? I thought they were non-rolling?

This is for the previous cycle. 2024/2025 direct TC vacancy.

 

[Giselle4711]

They said we'll hear back by the end of November.

That’s annoying. it’s been a month since my interview

 

[DTB]

For those who have submitted an application to A&O and been succesful, any tips on how to approach Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)

I am confused as to 1. whether for the first part we need to mention why commercial law, and 2. for the second part whether we should generally talk about what skills are needed or a one line on I believe xyz skills are needed and then give examples of how you achieved the skill? 3. Hoe many skills is good to mention? I would say 3 but the word limit is so less for both parts

Any advice from @Jessica Booker ?

Thank you so much!

 

[wolfwoman]

Hi, Clifford Chance has a column for additional documents that says can upload CV, cover letter etc? If we are uploading a cover letter, how many words should it be at maximum?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

For those who have submitted an application to A&O and been succesful, any tips on how to approach Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)

I am confused as to 1. whether for the first part we need to mention why commercial law, and 2. for the second part whether we should generally talk about what skills are needed or a one line on I believe xyz skills are needed and then give examples of how you achieved the skill? 3. Hoe many skills is good to mention? I would say 3 but the word limit is so less for both parts

Any advice from @Jessica Booker ?

Thank you so much!

I would combine why commercial law and why commercial law at A&O given the tight word limit.

I would also make sure the skills/qualities you identify are specific to A&O rather than as a lawyer generally. There is no need to evidence the skills by providing explanations of how you have achieved that quality - it is more important to explain why you think they are the key skills/qualities. Some people do manage to squeeze in an exceptionally brief reference to where they have developed those skills though, especially if the evidence is really easy to identify in other aspects of the application.

 

[samni]

That’s annoying. it’s been a month since my interview

Might be worth emailing to ask at this point, I think most of us only had the partner interview just over 2 weeks ago

 

[Giselle4711]

Might be worth emailing to ask at this point, I think most of us only had the partner interview just over 2 weeks ago

Do you/does anybody know if rejections have been sent yet?

 

[samni]

Do you/does anybody know if rejections have been sent yet?

No idea. I do remember them saying that we'll get an email confirming the exact date we'll be called with an outcome though, so everyone will probably hear then?

 

[gigglingsquid]

Do you/does anybody know if rejections have been sent yet?

I had my interview on 24th September and they were still holding ACs on that day for the direct tc so I reckon it'll be a while till we hear back anyway. I've spoken to others on my AC and no one's had any rejections so far from the partner interview.

 

[B A]

Anyone recently interviewed at Slaughters? If so could use some advice on the written task, thank you

Hi, can I ask when you applied and when you got your interview invite?

 

[rose888]

Hi, does anyone know how long A&O take to get back to you after successful SJT?