TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Amma Usman]

How rolling is BCLP? Is submitting my application in the next 2 days worth it or should I take a few extra days to perfect it?

I have just checked their website and seen they operate a rolling recruitment. The deadline is May 31st, but since @futuretraineesolicitor mentioned success with submitting quite close to the deadline, it’s worth a shot. It’s always better to submit a quality application, than a rushed one. I’d still say to try and submit it quite early on before the deadline though.

Best of luck with the app, I know you’ll do great. Feel free to let us know if you have any more questions before submitting!

 

[Amma Usman]

Yeah Shoosmiths said no thank you. Not sad about it though, don’t think it was a good culture fit.

I’m really sorry about this. Please remember that this rejection does not define your journey at all. It hurts in the moment, and please allow yourself to feel those feelings…

Then rise up stronger.

Even being in the process is a testament to what’s coming.

You absolutely got this..!

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know if the Fried Frank deadline is 23/5 12am, or 22/5 12am? The website just says 'the deadline is 23/5'. Thanks!

In situations like this where it’s unclear, or where one may not be able to reasonably reach GR before the deadline, I recommend just submitting a day before to be safe.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know how long Ashurst typically takes to get back to candidates after the first stage interview?

Hi there,

I have just spoken to someone that has gone through the process, and they mentioned roughly two weeks. However, I would not worry if you haven’t heard back within this time frame, as recruitment processes vary year on year, and it could just be that they are still sifting through ACs.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Just an FYI for those wanting to make Direct TC applications:

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi all, I'm excited to share that we have opened a Direct TC route at Reed Smith! We are accepting applications from gradates (including those due to graduate this summer). The deadline is 20th June and we are recruiting on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, feel free to visit our AMA thread here.

Apply here.

 

[law_junkie]

Hi all, I'm excited to share that we have opened a Direct TC route at Reed Smith! We are accepting applications from gradates (including those due to graduate this summer). The deadline is 20th June and we are recruiting on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, feel free to visit our AMA thread here.

Apply here.

Could I still apply, even if i did apply for the vacation scheme ?

 

[TortillaTC]

I have just checked their website and seen they operate a rolling recruitment. The deadline is May 31st, but since @futuretraineesolicitor mentioned success with submitting quite close to the deadline, it’s worth a shot. It’s always better to submit a quality application, than a rushed one. I’d still say to try and submit it quite early on before the deadline though.

Best of luck with the app, I know you’ll do great. Feel free to let us know if you have any more questions before submitting!

Thank you so much

 

[zonnonomo]

no news from kingsley napley?

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Could I still apply, even if i did apply for the vacation scheme ?

No, it is the same initial application process as the Vacation Scheme, so candidates can apply to either the Vac Scheme or TC in an academic year. Sorry.

 

[Meghna]

no news from kingsley napley?

Haven’t heard anything yet

 

[zonnonomo]

Haven’t heard anything yet

just got the invite to the group discussion! good luck to you and everyone else waiting

 

[Meghna]

just got the invite to the group discussion! good luck to you and everyone else waiting

Congratulations! I still haven’t heard anything so am assuming it’s a pfo

 

[👩🎓]

Can someone please advise on this - I am soon to be a graduate, so I have applied for numerous paralegal and legal assistant roles. I have experience at a range of law firms (although not necessarily city/commercial), completed a vacation scheme last year and have volunteered at a law clinic as well. I have been rejected so far from all or ghosted, with some recruiters not even replying back. Has anyone had similar experiences like this or recommend that I do something differently?

 

[👩🎓]

Does anyone know when PMC may get back to us or HFW? HFW state they are rolling but I haven't seen any ACs sent out yet for direct TCs

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (Reed Smith application)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅📝
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Reed Smith* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅❌
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝❌
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅❌
Winston & Strawn ✅❌
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell* ✅
Stephenson Harwood* ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

how many questions at most should we ask partners, grad rec and trainees at an ac, i was thinking 2 for partners and grad rec but more for trainees since we are also going to have lunch + meet and greet with them. thoughts @Amma Usman thanks.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

how many questions at most should we ask partners, grad rec and trainees at an ac, i was thinking 2 for partners and grad rec but more for trainees since we are also going to have lunch + meet and greet with them. thoughts @Amma Usman thanks.

In an interview or a 1-2-1 assessment where they ask you if you have any questions. Plan to ask two as a minimum but have 3-4 up your sleeve.

If you have other opportunities to ask questions throughout the day, then there really isn’t any limit to the questions you can ask, it’s more about just allowing other people to ask questions/not dominating the conversation as it’s likely you’ll be networking in small groups.

 

[Amma Usman]

Holding myself accountable (Reed Smith application)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅📝
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Reed Smith* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅❌
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝❌
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅❌
Winston & Strawn ✅❌
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell* ✅
Stephenson Harwood* ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

And this is what this forum is all about! Thank you @Tintin06 for consistently sharing your progress and keeping yourself accountable - that is, arguably, the most important part of it all - accountability. I am personally very inspired by this, and I’m sure so are many of our members.

You are going great places, and I just know your journey is going to be amazing. Best wishes

 

[Amma Usman]

how many questions at most should we ask partners, grad rec and trainees at an ac, i was thinking 2 for partners and grad rec but more for trainees since we are also going to have lunch + meet and greet with them. thoughts @Amma Usman thanks.

This is a really good question. I had wondered about it a lot whilst applying. I later realised the number doesn’t really matter (at least in an interview-specific scenario). You can ask one really good question at the end, that ends the interview with a bang. For me, I found this was not the questions I had prepped in advance. I found that those pre-prepared questions were a bit generic and not tailored to the specific needs of the situation and/or my interviewer or their work. Of course, you can read up on all practices ( for example ) and find niche questions to ask, to still be prepared. Though, the softness in the conversation came from me asking the interviewers what their thoughts on a subject matter was (like a case study we discussed or something of that sort). It made the conversation two-way and less formal, which you would sometimes like to do (or at least find a stringent balance), to attain formality whilst still coming off as personable. So, in short, prepare your questions for the full-range of possible interviewers and scenarios, but be prepared to step away from them to build better rapport.

Side note - I fell into the trap of asking generic questions that could easily be found online. Specificity and adequate research are key. If you can easily find the answer online, chances are that there is a better question to ask.