TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[andrecsaa]

I am sorry to hear about the PFOs. Writing applications is like a muscle that constantly needs flexing. I assure you that despite those PFOs, you would have improved your writing skills - and that’s the most important thing beyond those rejection emails.

Another thing is that if you genuinely aren’t interested in the contentious practices as much, then that’s fine. It just requires you to apply to more transactional-focused law firms, since showcasing that link would be easier given your broader interests and experiences. That said, early on in your career I don’t recommend throwing away exploring that side too (this is me talking beyond the application stage). When the time comes, you can choose to do more rotations in transactional law, but at least one in a contentious seat. I have spoken to many lawyers who have mentioned that their qualification options shocked them. However, it all boils down to personal preference on your part.

Back to the topic of discussion. If you’re comfortable, you could post your answers to why law and why X firm on the forum, and I could review them and provide feedback.

Thank you for your kind words!

Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I’m more drawn to contentious work due to my background as a foreign-qualified lawyer (civil law country - which means PGDL + SQE + TC). I’m also open to transactional seats, particularly in banking and finance. Although I haven’t worked in these practices in my home country, I did study some regulatory and banking modules during my LLM.

I’m not sure whether firms tend to prefer candidates who show more interest in transactional seats over litigation. The firms I’m targeting have been ranked highly in commercial litigation and corporate crime and investigations, with strong reputations for their work on recent leading litigation cases (e.g., Willkie, AG, Macfarlanes, Dentons, HL, Fieldfisher, NRF, WC).

A member kindly took the time to look one of my applications and gave me some honest and valuable feedback. I will refine the remaining applications, and if things don’t work out this cycle, I will consider signing up for the review service, or post here.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone,

I just want to remind everyone in the TCLA community that we are all at different stages of our learning journeys about the legal industry, law firms, and recruitment processes.

Please be mindful of this, especially when responding to posts that you may think have a straight forward answer to or you feel could easily be answered via some online research.

TCLA is often part of people’s research - people come here to get advice from a community whose views they collectively respect. They utilise our community’s experience and opinions to try and get a multidimensional perspective to the questions they pose. This is ultimately why we exist as a forum.

Therefore, it is not appropriate to pass negative judgement on someone just because they don’t have the knowledge you do. Going out of your way to try and belittle others for the level of knowledge they have compared to you is not appropriate and is a clear breach of TCLA’s terms.

Thankfully 99.99% of the time, our community provides the supportive environment we purposefully want to create and maintain. It is on very rare occasions that a small minority of community users feel they should go out of their way to make others feel uncomfortable or inferior.

If you have experienced such behaviour, please remember you can always report it to use using the report button you will find on every post, private message or individual profiles. We take such behaviours seriously, will investigate it accordingly, and where necessary, take action against those who don’t abide by TCLA’s terms.

Many thanks

Jess

 

[andrecsaa]

Very happy for you congrats! My tips would be to focus on aligning your answers with the firms strengths. Feel free to DM me if you want more tips

Thank you so much!

I looked at their values on the website before the test. I got collaboration and resilience as my top strengths, and client centricity as an area for development.

 

[24aa2001]

If other people received an AC today and I didn't does this mean PFO?

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

Does DWF send VIs in batches? Or if we did not receive one today means it’s a PFO?

 

[Tintin06]

Freshfields issuing a SJT randomly with no prior announcement is so strange. Those who attended the application masterclass will agree that this was not mentioned, there is no prior preparation and only those who pass will get their application reviewed.

It is a tough break, yes. Best of luck to you though. Seems like a last minute decision. Not clear how long we have. As in, three days to complete. Or it could be a week. Try to see the firm’s perspective. They get so many applicants, yearly. This helps to narrow it down.

 

[RTL]

Anyone here who applied for Kirkland's vac scheme hasn't heard anything back since submitting the application form Should I just assume PFO at this stage.

 

[sb04]

Hey, does anyone have any insights into the DWF VI that they'd be willing to share? I'm happy to trade insights in VIs for Reed Smith, Forsters, Weil, Clyde & Co, Mishcon, Simmons & Simmons, White & Case VI and AC last year, and Jones Day AC!

 

[LB24]

Kennedys AC!

Congrats! For which office?

 

[Zaidoz10]

I would email Grad Rec with a screenshot of the issues you’re facing and a detailed description of the situation. If you also can’t try logging in after attempting for like three times, it’s worth highlighting this in the email too. This has happened to me before and firm’s are usually understanding in such situations - I would not worry too much.

Thank you @Amma Usman! Thankfully I was able to access the account shortly after posting that on the thread. Thank you for your advice though!!

 

[hmevey]

Hi there. You can touch on anything really, from ESG, energy, AI, and the likes. There is no right answer, only your ability to connect it to the commercial and legal worlds, as this is what will help demonstrate your commercial awareness. There is also a tendency for applicants to talk a lot about topics like AI, but I presume it would not be much of an issue if you mention a common topic, provided you expand on it adequately. Another thing is that you do not have to equally split the word count, but I recommend doing so (or somewhat closely) to ensure you touch on each topic in depth.

I’ve linked an example of how I would personally approach this question in the context of ESG:

One significant challenge law firms will face over the next five years is managing the escalating demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related legal services amidst rapidly evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations. Governments worldwide are introducing stricter environmental legislation, such as carbon reduction targets and mandatory sustainability reporting, while investors and clients demand greater transparency and accountability in corporate operations.

For law firms, the challenge lies in providing clients with proactive and commercially viable solutions to meet these obligations while avoiding reputational and legal risks. This requires deep expertise in emerging ESG frameworks, sector-specific regulations, and litigation risks, as well as the ability to handle the increasing complexity of cross-border ESG issues. Moreover, firms must address their own ESG commitments to attract talent and clients who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Balancing the cost of internal transformation with maintaining profitability will test firms' strategic adaptability.

Law firms that effectively integrate ESG advisory into their practice and demonstrate leadership in this space will secure a competitive advantage, but those that fail to keep pace risk losing relevance in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.

Thank you so much! I think i will just talk about two and try and go in depth. Would you recommend any resources to help research this question? I listen to the FT news briefing everyday but i still do not think my commercial awareness is good enough for the applications !

 

[Mug Fan]

Akin Gump PFO today. Feel like I’m in a decent place overall this cycle but PFO’s still sting!

 

[kokoprep]

If this is for the DTC route the online SJT won’t be sent until the 23rd January (deadline day).

This is based on what it says on the Freshfields grad rec website. 🙂🙂

Hi - Nothing about a date is said on the website anymore, I did remember seeing 27th the online test would be sent (which is removed now). Does anyone have any idea?

 

[TeeTee123!!]

Has anyone else heard back from DWF? Should I be worried if I haven’t?

 

[hmevey]

Will i be more successful if i apply to SH through the direct TC route or if i apply for a vac scheme? Does anyone have any takes?

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Hi - Nothing about a date is said on the website anymore, I did remember seeing 27th the online test would be sent (which is removed now). Does anyone have any idea?

Hey

The email they send is:

You will be invited to complete the Law Online Assessment on 27 January 2025after the application window has closed.

 

[Rhohia]

Bristows pfo. Spent ages on this app and knew a trainee who showed her app. So sad.

 

[kokoprep]

Hey

The email they send is:

You will be invited to complete the Law Online Assessment on 27 January 2025after the application window has closed.

Thank you so much, very helpful

 

[Mug Fan]

Bristows pfo. Spent ages on this app and knew a trainee who showed her app. So sad.

Same! 2 x PFO's today! 🤣

 

[Tintin06]

Hi - Nothing about a date is said on the website anymore, I did remember seeing 27th the online test would be sent (which is removed now). Does anyone have any idea?

This is what Freshfields’ email said: “You will be invited to complete the Law Online Assessment on 27 January 2025 after the application window has closed.”