TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[AfVio24]

Has anyone who did a CMS VI in/around December heard back? Saw some AC's were given late November but was wondering if there had been anything since?

 

[ke.nabbk26]

Anyone applied to direct TC to any of these firms and have received a return (pfo or invite for next stages)?

Stephenson Harwood
Norton Rose Fulbright
Ashurst
Baker McKenzie
White & Case

I understand they are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, but not will not shortlist candidates or make offers until the deadlines have passed.

Given the deadlines in February, March and July, I don’t know if I should worry to apply now as the firms are prioritising VS apps, or if I can take one month for each application.

 

[Mug Fan]

Anyone applied to direct TC to any of these firms and have received a return (pfo or invite for next stages)?

Stephenson Harwood
Norton Rose Fulbright
Ashurst
Baker McKenzie
White & Case

Given the deadlines in February, March and July, I don’t know if I should be worried to apply now as the firms are prioritising VS apps.

I’ve applied to W&C and SH already but haven’t heard back. Pretty sure BM and NRF aren’t even open yet for direct TC.

I am assuming they are slow because they will assess what spaces they have left over for direct TC after seeing what the SV talent pool was like?

 

[Ricky]

Gowling AC 😁

 

[nyanchan22]

Clyde & Co Dubai VI invite!

 

[JessicaTC27]

Thought I wrote the most horrendous app to Goodwin and got VI invite today. Any advice for the Goodwin VI for direct TC? would really appreciate it

Congrats! Out of curiosity when do you have to sit it/deadline

 

[ke.nabbk26]

I’ve applied to W&C and SH already but haven’t heard back. Pretty sure BM and NRF aren’t even open yet for direct TC.

I am assuming they are slow because they will assess what spaces they have left over for direct TC after seeing what the SV talent pool was like?

Thank you! Yes, you are right, BM and NRF open on the 1st and 3rd of February.

I believe they will proceed with reviewing TC applications as soon as they select people for the VS. At least Ashurst, SH, and W&C read all the applications on a rolling basis but shortlist candidates just after the deadline.

In the last cycle, some firms held AC for direct TC between May and August. For example, I read here in the TCLA that Addleshaw Goddard held AC for VS in January and February and TC in July, August and September.

 

[Synapser]

Anything from the BBC? I think they said ~mid January - does the 9th count?😅

 

[CallumJR]

Gowling AC 😁

Hold on! Is this Ricky Emery the TLT paralegal?

 

[Iwanobealawyer]

Has anyone received a CMS AC invite?

 

[VMS]

Anything from the BBC? I think they said ~mid January - does the 9th count?😅

No and no, haha! But I asked in Dec if anyone had heard anything, so I think we're both overly eager to know 🤣

 

[Ricky]

Hold on! Is this Ricky Emery the TLT paralegal?

I have previously worked at TLT, yeah...

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

has anyone who applied to kirkland via the direct tc route heard back?

 

[Samridhi Jain]

Congrats! Out of curiosity when do you have to sit it/deadline

Thanks! The deadline passed. I got the invite on 3rd Jan and was told to complete it by 7th Jan.

 

[CanOz]

CMS rejection today, after VI last month

 

[mariistm]

CMS rejection today, after VI last month

Very sorry to hear that and hope you have more luck with your other applications!
What office was this for if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[HarmonyN]

CMS rejection today, after VI last month

Same

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi all, I have an invite to Fieldfisher AC and just wondered if anyone is able to share their experiences either from previous years or this?

Any idea what a paired exercise involves? Apparently it’s individual case study, paired exercise and director interview.

Congrats on the AC. Please could I ask when you interviewed and when you received the result?

 

[Mug Fan]

Congrats on the AC. Please could I ask when you interviewed and when you received the result?

I think I interviewed around the 15th and heard back this Monday. Received a holding email sometime in between to say I would hear back this week.

 

[ke.nabbk26]

AG pfo (London office)

It is very disappointing. Addleshaw Goddard was one of my top 2 choices (the other is Macfarlanes). I put a lot of effort and time into this application.

Thought it was a strong application. I related the answers with my previous experience as a commercial lawyer overseas (civil law country) in addition to the work experience I gained in London during the LLM (4-month internship in a regtech and 3-week outsourced paralegal in a legal project). Also, I explained my interest in contentious, particularly the seat of Global Investigations, a huge case settled by this team, how I got attracted by AG after attending one event with a partner of this same seat, the views from current trainees I spoke during and after virtual Legal Cheek events, my appreciation for public DEI plans, the law firm of the year award, achievements...

I don’t know if stressing my interest in contentious, particularly white-collar and corporate crime, has been an issue for the applications or shows a potential lack of adaptability to other seats (this is my 7th pfo in this cycle - always focusing on firms with leading banking litigation, corporate crime and investigations practices). Perhaps the firms weigh or expect interest in private equity, M&A and other transactional work. Or being a qualified lawyer overseas or not having a local undergrad degree (even knowing I am eligible). Sorry for sharing this. AG was my first application ever (applied in October), and I was not familiar with the online assessment at that time, but I was hoping to get through the application stage.

If anyone who got an AC invite or offer from AG (TC or VS) can look at my application, I would be very thankful. Let's see if i got through Macfarlanes's application stage. My goal is a TC starting in 2028/2029, so I have time to improve the applications in the worst case scenario.