TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Andrei Radu]

would it be detrimental to express interest in m&a if we are doing the Ashurst app. Sure they do good M&A but they have other practices that are market leading and ranked higher comparatively. Will the M&A reference in the app make the grad rec feel that we didn't do enough research? (Even if I clearly specify why I wanna do M&A at Ashurst) @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam . Thanks in advance.

I think it is highly unlikely it would be detrimental. Firms are aware that at the moment of entry in the profession candidates can have interests in a wide variety of practice areas; and no firm is the best in every single one. As such, you expressing interest in a practice area where there are other firms which are somewhat better ranked is no issue. I think it could have only really been a problem either if the practice area was one the firm did not offer at all, or if the practice was a small/niche one in the firm.

Fundamentally, to have a good 'why the firm' reasoning, I do not think you necessarily need to show that Ashurst is the best firm for every single one of your relevant selection criteria (ie practice area/sector interests, training style, strategy etc). You only need to provide a convincing argument that, all things considered, Ashurst is the best firm for you.

As such, imagine you provide three reasons for wanting to join Ashurst: (1) a strong corporate M&A practice, (2) leading expertise in sectors you are interested in - say, financial services and oil & gas; and (3) leading real estate practice. Now, if your only motivation was centered around M&A, this would be an issue, as firms like Freshfields and Slaughter and May are arguably better for it. However, these two firms will likely not be equally strong for the sectors/practices at (2) and (3). Thus, if you care about all three, it makes sense that you would pick Ashurst.

 

[Tintin06]

Has anyone emailed King & Spalding to ask about their application status?

Not sure it would help much. Probably best to wait for them. More time to make further apps. Plenty of firms are still open. I’ve never found follow-ups work, personally. Good luck with your K&S app.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

I think it is highly unlikely it would be detrimental. Firms are aware that at the moment of entry in the profession candidates can have interests in a wide variety of practice areas; and no firm is the best in every single one. As such, you expressing interest in a practice area where there are other firms which are somewhat better ranked is no issue. I think it could have only really been a problem either if the practice area was one the firm did not offer at all, or if the practice was a small/niche one in the firm.

Fundamentally, to have a good 'why the firm' reasoning, I do not think you necessarily need to show that Ashurst is the best firm for every single one of your relevant selection criteria (ie practice area/sector interests, training style, strategy etc). You only need to provide a convincing argument that, all things considered, Ashurst is the best firm for you.

As such, imagine you provide three reasons for wanting to join Ashurst: (1) a strong corporate M&A practice, (2) leading expertise in sectors you are interested in - say, financial services and oil & gas; and (3) leading real estate practice. Now, if your only motivation was centered around M&A, this would be an issue, as firms like Freshfields and Slaughter and May are arguably better for it. However, these two firms will likely not be equally strong for the sectors/practices at (2) and (3). Thus, if you care about all three, it makes sense that you would pick Ashurst.

Thank you. This was very helpful.

 

[OliverTwist]

I think they recruit up to 50 trainees per year, across two intakes (March and September). To my knowledge, they hold 3 VS’ (Winter, Spring and Summer), with around 25 people per VS. In total, there will be about 75-80 VS’ers. I think they make TC offers to around 50% of all VS’ (i.e., 40/80 candidates get a TC offer). 😅

That means around 80% of their TC offers are made through the VS route (40/50), with the remaining 20% of TC’s (10/50) given out through the DTC route. It’s probably going to be a bit tougher to secure a TC with them through the DTC route, but not impossible. Best of luck with your application to White & Case! 🙂​

Thank you! This is very helpful. Best of luck with your cycle!

 

[OliverTwist]

This is based only on people I know, but I have noticed that they tend to like people with an international element to their profile. Whether that be someone who has worked abroad for a while, speaks different languages, grew up in a different country.

Nice, thank you!

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

Just an update for everyone waiting to hear- HL replied to my email stating their ACs for the direct TC will be in late April

 

[spamelinazoid]

Just an update for everyone waiting to hear- HL replied to my email stating their ACs for the direct TC will be in late April

thanks for sharing! I assume a tsunami of PSOs/invites is incoming over this week and next then…

 

[Tintin06]

Just an update for everyone waiting to hear- HL replied to my email stating their ACs for the direct TC will be in late April

That’s good to know - thank you.

 

[Kakaboo]

What firms accept direct TC applications without any VS schemes that are still open?

 

[Tintin06]

What firms accept direct TC applications without any VS schemes that are still open?

Fried Frank and Paul Hastings are.

 

[RaniaH062002]

Anyone know any effective ways to practice for the Ashurst test that's not behind a paywall? (I believe it is Cappfinity this year)

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone know any effective ways to practice for the Ashurst test that's not behind a paywall? (I believe it is Cappfinity this year)

I think other places use Cappfinity. Banks and possiblly the big four. Might be worth some applications there. Then you can practice with them. That’s what an Ashurst NQ suggested.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am in final year and received my grades from semester 1 a month ago. One of them is a 2:2. I have two other grades that are 2:2, one each from first and second year. Do you think this is going to impact my chances at getting a TC?

I am an international student and very distressed about this. Would be very grateful if you could provide any insight.

 

[RaniaH062002]

I'm applying to Baker McKenzie right now- I feel like I don't have a magnitude of experience in terms of attending their open days, insight events etc.. I've never been accepted to do a vacation scheme in another firm, does anyone have any advice for how to approach adding additional work experience if I don't have a plethora of it?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am in final year and received my grades from semester 1 a month ago. One of them is a 2:2. I have two other grades that are 2:2, one each from first and second year. Do you think this is going to impact my chances at getting a TC?

I am an international student and very distressed about this. Would be very grateful if you could provide any insight.

No - this will not necessarily impact your chances of securing a TC, especially if you are able to get strong grades throughout the rest of this year.

 

[Tintin06]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am in final year and received my grades from semester 1 a month ago. One of them is a 2:2. I have two other grades that are 2:2, one each from first and second year. Do you think this is going to impact my chances at getting a TC?

I am an international student and very distressed about this. Would be very grateful if you could provide any insight.

I got 62.5% with multiple 2.2s. I’ve got Ropes, Travers VSs since. Plus Jones Day, Latham, W&C ACs. I don’t think it’s fatal, honestly. Focus on what you can control. Namely, how you sell your experience. Experience plus motivation counts far more.

 

[TC129129]

Does anyone have any advice for Greenberg Traurig Written task

 

[👩🎓]

Does anyone know when HFW start ACs for direct TCs?

 

[mandamasochist]

Evening all (and @Jessica Booker!),

I'm just doing the Farrer & Co direct TC application, and realise that in addition to a 350 word cover letter, the firm asks for answers to 5 different questions, each 250 words:
- What makes Farrer & Co stand out to you compared to other firms and why?
- What skills have you developed which are transferable to a career as a solicitor?
- How do you fill your time outside of work and studying and why?
- What positions of responsibilities have you held and what skills have you developed as a result?
- Tell me about a situation where you worked effectively with others in a team. What was your role and what responsibilities did you have?

My question is this one: what on earth should I put in my cover letter other than 'why law'? It seems that these questions are extremely comprehensive and cover motivations for applying, skills, extra-curriculars, leadership positions and teamwork (all things one might include in a cover letter). Do you think the cover letter should exclusively be used to discuss the 'why law' question?

 

[x_lauren112]

Does anyone know which firms allow TC applications after a failed vac scheme application in the same cycle? For example, I believe from Farrer &Cos rejection email that they allow another application?