TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[wantatc]

Wiggin and Simkin PFO!

 

[User5678]

Has anyone heard back from Sharpe Pritchard post WGT?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

has anyone heard from king & spalding post-panel interview yet? or knows anyone that has?

 

[lelezb1]

Has anyone heard back from Sharpe Pritchard post WGT?

I heard back yesterday with an invitation for an interview and a short written test.
I would appreciate any insights, as this is my first ever AC invite, and I do not have much time to prepare for it.
@Jessica Booker

 

[jy1041405]

First of all, congrats on your interview!

I received a TC offer at a large commercial firm only with previous public inquiry and immigration paralegal experience. I work in medical law now and for various reasons I am now applying to other TCs, and am struggling with sounding commercially focused in any of my answers.

I think you will gain transferable skills you can definitely write about in applications which helps, and law firms often recruit career changers. However, I personally think I may have had better luck this year with applications if I had recently worked in more commercially focused areas as a paralegal. I also graduated in 2021, so feel like I can’t really write about being in the commercial law society etc at university as part of my motivation now.

I think any legal experience is good experience, but I just wanted to offer my perspective as someone in a fairly similar position 😊

Thank you for your insight! Really appreciate it

@Jessica Booker could you share your thoughts on this or could I pm you to ask some questions? I don’t really have anyone who works in the industry so any advice is so much appreciated! Thank you xx

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith for the direct TC post written application?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for your insight! Really appreciate it

@Jessica Booker could you share your thoughts on this or could I pm you to ask some questions? I don’t really have anyone who works in the industry so any advice is so much appreciated! Thank you xx

I personally wouldn't worry too much about an employer having to train you up for a paralegal role. Companies consider attrition rates when hiring, especially for positions like Paralegal, which tend to have higher turnover.

If the role is something right for you in terms of the opportunity right now (compared to other options you have), you should go for it. It is not an issue if the role is in another area of law. It is likely to develop some transferable skills and knowledge. If you receive the job offer, just about how you can show your interest in a business-focused career through activities like events, virtual work experiences, and extracurriculars.

That said, if you feel the role is not right for you and you would prefer to wait until you find something more suited to your interests, that is fine too. But generally any employment will bring something to your application and so I think you just have to weigh it up alongside the other job opportunities you are in the mix for/considering.

 

[ashleystcjourney04]

Hi @Jessica Booker I was wondering, do firms typically offer more than the number of TCs on offer as some candidates may reject them. Typically how much would this be by as well (as a percentage). I’ve got a direct TC AC coming up and there’s supposed to be rough 10 spots available

 

[James Wakefield]

Life at Mayer Brown test invite! 😅

They kept me waiting!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker I was wondering, do firms typically offer more than the number of TCs on offer as some candidates may reject them. Typically how much would this be by as well (as a percentage). I’ve got a direct TC AC coming up and there’s supposed to be rough 10 spots available

There is no set approach to this.

Some firms will only offer the number of people they have positions for and then wait to see if they get any declined offers. Then they will reassess whether they need to make other offers. Some might not make enough offers initially, especially if they feel they lack suitable candidates.

Sometimes firms with larger intake numbers might over-offer knowing that it's more likely some people will decline. However, if there are only ten roles, I would generally expect a firm to only make ten offers and then reassess as needed. The exception would be if the firm has always had a high decline percentage.

As its going to be impossible to know (and really it could change even based on how their ACs pan out), I'd try not to worry or think about this.

 

[jy1041405]

I personally wouldn't worry too much about an employer having to train you up for a paralegal role. Companies consider attrition rates when hiring, especially for positions like Paralegal, which tend to have higher turnover.

If the role is something right for you in terms of the opportunity right now (compared to other options you have), you should go for it. It is not an issue if the role is in another area of law. It is likely to develop some transferable skills and knowledge. If you receive the job offer, just about how you can show your interest in a business-focused career through activities like events, virtual work experiences, and extracurriculars.

That said, if you feel the role is not right for you and you would prefer to wait until you find something more suited to your interests, that is fine too. But generally any employment will bring something to your application and so I think you just have to weigh it up alongside the other job opportunities you are in the mix for/considering.

Thanks a lot Jessica! xx

 

[James Wakefield]

Life at Mayer Brown test invite! 😅

They kept me waiting!

I have a few q’s about this if anyone knows by the way, it seems like quite a unique assessment.

Does anyone know how it’s split into sections, or the preparation time for the VI questions? Thank you!

 

[e_deniz1]

Anyone heard from BCLP for DTC post test?

 

[Joey green]

I still haven’t heard back from Mayer Brown post the Life at MB simulation… is there any point in reaching out to them?

 

[James Wakefield]

I still haven’t heard back from Mayer Brown post the Life at MB simulation… is there any point in reaching out to them?

I literally got the invite to the test yesterday. So I reckon they're not at the next stage yet.

 

[BT0901]

Any news from Slaughter and May?

 

[liloandstitch5]

Has anybody applied to Broadfield's (formerly known as BDB Pitman) direct training contract and heard back?

 

[Jessica Booker]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

truly the end of an era. thanks for all your help over the years Jess.

 

[SamiyaJ]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

You have been an absolute star Jessica, thank you so much for all your wisdom and support.

Super sad to see you go but wishing you all the best for the future!