TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

Just got some feedback for an interview I did and my strongest strength was my commercial awareness (which I thought was my worst) and my biggest area for improvement is that I sounded too rehearsed, which is funny because I didn’t actually prepare any answers for that interview I think that’s just the way I talk.
Basically I thought my weakest area was my strongest and that my strongest area the weakest
Does anyone have any tips for sounding less rehearsed ? I didn’t prepare any answers or memorise anything just did the normal research (although for things like why commercial law it is the same answer every time so I may have inadvertently memorised this) My feedback also said I engaged thoughtfully and was professional throughout so I think it’s just my delivery that needs work? although i’m not too sure
Already been rejected for this role this is just some feedback to help

I got the same feedback for an ac I gave last year. Funny because I worked at the firm for one year and then gave the ac. I didn’t prepare anything for the interview at all considering I worked there for a year :/ still got the feedback that I sounded too rehearsed. I was also very upset. I just guess it’s a misunderstanding or just a tactic rejection feedback ://

 

[Prudentia]

I'm doing that, but only when I have extra time to burn and if it doesn't affect the application timeframe of my preferred firms.

This approach definitely makes sense.

 

[Prudentia]

Absolutely. It's an extremely normal thing. In reality, most law firms of similar tiers will do quite similar things in quite similar ways. They are distinguished solely by culture and training. You need lawyers on both sides of an M&A deal after all. This changes slightly the smaller you get but is generally true for the massive full service firms. They will have their specialisms, but applying to train with the notion that you want to work only in the department they are known for may come across wrong on the application.

Honestly, a lot of people are drawn especially to the US mega firms for the wrong reasons. They demand a very particular type of person willing to work in a particular environment, and the firm themselves are not really willing to compromise what has worked for them to make sure you fit in. Not wanting to work in that environment (where the stereotype of US firms can be true) is totally understandable. The difficulty of landing a TC is trying to generate passion for the 27th law firm in a row you're applying to, it's unrealistic...

Being selective is not a problem theoretically if you have a CV and experience portfolio to back it up. Unfortunately, aspiration without experience is unlikely to be enough for most firms to want you when their candidate pool is so large enough with people that fit the bill. Of course, you never know if you don't try, but the recommendation is to try and find some motivators as to why you want to work there. It may not be your first choice firm, but if you like (or think you like) generally other things about the firm, talking about their practice areas can actually come second. The advantage that gives you is that if you have no long term legal experience, you don't actually really know what working in a law firm is like, and different departments are very different. Focusing on training quality, culture and broadly their existence in the market can be an alternative angle than practice areas. For instance, without having worked there, Ashurst's strengths are broadly projects, finance and disputes (all surrounding energy, infrastructure and construction). You may know very little about these practice areas, but a merger with Perkins Coie is an attractive opportunity to work in a market that had previously been difficult to access. Demand driven by US clients to have fully fleshed out cross border practices means that trainees post merger are going to have an advantage in a new market.

This is a bit of a run on, but I hope you can see that there is a way around focusing on the traditional application format.

Thank you so much for this very comprehensive answer. It's given me lots of food for thought. I don't mind working for a US firm, but it still has to 'fit'. I'm also approaching this cycle as a career changer. I have a very good career at one of the major banks in a legal-adjacent field (but have always been drawn to law). For the switch to be worth it, I think the firm would need to be the right fit. I would rather stay where I am than accept a training contract at a firm I'm not really passionate about.

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

i completed Freshfields stage 2 in Nov, literally still not heard anything. shall i just assume its a no ?

 

[hanz123]

Does anyone have any advice for Hill Dickinson's online assessment

 

[ashwright]

i completed Freshfields stage 2 in Nov, literally still not heard anything. shall i just assume its a no ?

Not necessarily! I don’t think many (any?) AC invites have been made. From my daily reading of this forum, I’ve only come across 1 invite & I understand that they had prior experience with the firm.

It’s not over till it’s over! You’re still in the race