TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Hi everyone, I’m drafting my response to this Devonshires Direct TC question and would really appreciate some insights:

“Which areas of law interest you the most and why? Which areas do you find the least appealing and why? Please provide two examples for each question.”

I don’t really struggle to talk about the areas I am interested in, but I’m less sure how to handle the “least appealing” part without sounding negative. In particular:

• What are employers looking for when they ask “least appealing”? Self‑awareness, Strengths, or are they truly looking at what your interests lie?
• How can I turn a “dislike” into a positive story that showcases my strengths, competencies and openness to varied work?
• What would you think about mentioning practice areas that Devonshires practise in?

For example, I’m considering:

Corporate law

• I find the repetitive review of lengthy financial documents, reading technical financial & corporate information every day, and unpredictable long‑hour deadlines less engaging.
• This view was formed after my paralegal experience in investment funds, and hearing my friends’ high stress at work in Corporate. Although I’m comfortable with complex documentation, I found the nature of the work quite dry and lacking a lot of opportunities to communicate with a range of clients—it often felt limited to email and phone contact.
• I’m mindful that Devonshires are Band 1 for social housing finance—one of their corporate sub-areas, so I’m not sure if I should mention Corporate.
• I’ve thought about whether to mention my funds experience directly, since Devonshires don’t practise in that area—though they do have a financial regulation team. Think it would be better?

Residential conveyancing

• Having completed SQE1, I found it less appealing because it feels highly standardised and repetitive. I prefer roles with broader impact and creative problem‑solving opportunities. I worry it wouldn’t give me the level of creative problem‑solving or broad strategic impact I’ve enjoyed in other areas.
• Devonshires do residential conveyancing but it’s not ranked.

Any tips appreciated? Also worried that my answers on less appealing areas could sound subjective, and not well-thought out!

 

[YS391]

Has anyone received Dentons test for their direct-TC? Doesnt seem like its automatic. Thanks.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Not sure about this, because criteria for Motivation less clearly explained in the Personal Specification, I tried to include the tips coz I think they would want us to include. But didn't complete my answers quite well.

fair enough. Wishing you well in it!

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

does anyone know if TI invites for Morgan Lewis go out in batches?

 

[YS391]

does anyone know if TI invites for Morgan Lewis go out in batches?

I think its an interview next stage, not a TI.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

fair enough. Wishing you well in it!

You too!

 

[Raspberry44]

rejected from Ashurst, had the final partner interview. Keep it pushing to the rest of you out there!

 

[Amma Usman]

Morgan Lewis DTC telephone interview! Any tips welcome 🙏🏻

Huge congratulations - this is amazing news!

I have just checked and seen that the interview is with a member of the HR team. In my experience, interviews of this sort don’t usually last more than 20-30 minutes and they mainly cover your main motivations. So essentially, why commercial law, why MLB, why you, etc. There may be a mix of skills-based questions or SJT type scenarios which will enable you to apply your past experiences and link that to how it’ll enable you to succeed as a trainee at the firm. However, I am unsure about MLB exactly, so it’s worth referring to the initial invite email, or reaching out to GR with any questions. I also recommend to reach out to future trainees/ trainees on LinkedIn as they’ll have more insights on the latest scope of the process and can advise better from there.

Another soft tip is that your face can’t be seen from telephone interviews. While what I’m about to say may sound silly yet obvious at the same time, you need to ensure your vocal intonation is on point, because of the latter issue I flagged. Speak smoothly and enunciate your words clearly. Also alternate between different tones to show enthusiasm and convey your passion adequately. Be polite at all times, ensuring to not interrupt the person on the other end. Again, because of the lack of video barrier, these are soft things to note.

A few additional sources to help -

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications

Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Amma Usman]

rejected from Ashurst, had the final partner interview. Keep it pushing to the rest of you out there!

I’m truly sorry about this. Rejections sting, but that does not in any way mean that your journey has come to a halt! I have been rejected for many roles many times in my life, and when those rejections came in, I advised myself strictly - to take a break, and pause. From pausing, I rethink and rewrite my strategy. The firm will likely give you feedback since you reached that stage. So evaluate and ask yourself how you can improve. From there, you will find that you’re one step closer. I am also someone that likes looking at the positive side of things - you reached the AC stage - that’s still a big accomplishment! It means something went well, and something is well within you. So, keep going - this is just the beginning, and a stepping stone to something better for you.

Love, Amma

 

[Amma Usman]

Has anyone received Dentons test for their direct-TC? Doesnt seem like its automatic. Thanks.

It could be both ways. If you’re not sure though, there is a possibility that it could be automatic - in which case emailing GR is the best thing to do to confirm this. It’s important to do this as if it was sent, there is likely a deadline to which you can complete it, and you won’t want to risk delaying submitting the test if so.

Have you checked your spam/junk folder?

 

[Amma Usman]

Thank you @legallady123 @InterestInPublicLaw for sharing those sources - I’m sure many will find it resourceful!

 

[dlc3266]

Does anyone know how selective Paul Hastings is regarding academic grades?

 

[lawlol420]

I think it’s an interview next stage, not a TI.

could you please let me know if they send the TIs in batches or all at once

 

[legallady123]

Huge congratulations - this is amazing news!

I have just checked and seen that the interview is with a member of the HR team. In my experience, interviews of this sort don’t usually last more than 20-30 minutes and they mainly cover your main motivations. So essentially, why commercial law, why MLB, why you, etc. There may be a mix of skills-based questions or SJT type scenarios which will enable you to apply your past experiences and link that to how it’ll enable you to succeed as a trainee at the firm. However, I am unsure about MLB exactly, so it’s worth referring to the initial invite email, or reaching out to GR with any questions. I also recommend to reach out to future trainees/ trainees on LinkedIn as they’ll have more insights on the latest scope of the process and can advise better from there.

Another soft tip is that your face can’t be seen from telephone interviews. While what I’m about to say may sound silly yet obvious at the same time, you need to ensure your vocal intonation is on point, because of the latter issue I flagged. Speak smoothly and enunciate your words clearly. Also alternate between different tones to show enthusiasm and convey your passion adequately. Be polite at all times, ensuring to not interrupt the person on the other end. Again, because of the lack of video barrier, these are soft things to note.

A few additional sources to help -

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications

Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you Amma, and thanks again for your encouragement to apply on the deadline!

Thank you - this is really helpful 🙏🏻

 

[YS391]

It could be both ways. If you’re not sure though, there is a possibility that it could be automatic - in which case emailing GR is the best thing to do to confirm this. It’s important to do this as if it was sent, there is likely a deadline to which you can complete it, and you won’t want to risk delaying submitting the test if so.

Have you checked your spam/junk folder?

Thanks Amma I havent received anything even in my spam folder so I will email them.

 

[YS391]

could you please let me know if they send the TIs in batches or all at once

Sorry im not sure.

Also, I mentioned earlier that there are no TIs invovled. A phone interview is the next stage after the application. See:

Law Students Trainees and Judicial Clerk Careers | Morgan Lewis

Learn about careers for law students, trainees and judicial clerks at Morgan Lewis by reading about our summer associate, diversity fellowship and professional development programs.

www.morganlewis.com

 

[lawlol420]

Sorry im not sure.

Also, I mentioned earlier that there are no TIs invovled. A phone interview is the next stage after the application. See:

Law Students Trainees and Judicial Clerk Careers | Morgan Lewis

Learn about careers for law students, trainees and judicial clerks at Morgan Lewis by reading about our summer associate, diversity fellowship and professional development programs.

www.morganlewis.com

Nws thanks. Isn’t a ti the same as a phone interview?

 

[lawlol420]

Nws thanks. Isn’t a ti the same as a phone interview?

Ti - telephone interview

 

[YS391]

Ti - telephone interview

Sorry I thought it meant test invite my bad!

 

[L177]

Hi everyone, first time posting on here! I've just received an email to say I've been invited to take the Reed Smith virtual assessment and interview - if anyone has any tips I would be extremely grateful for any replies or DMs. I am pretty nervous as I've never done a virtual interview like this before!