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

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

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.

The career changing move is an interesting one. You're entirely right to search for a firm that is the right fit, after all, you aren't like the rest of us who still have to find footing in a corporate industry. There would be little point in applying to a law firm that does not (at all) operate in your desired field, if you want to go into a banking-related practice, then those firms should be on your radar. Luckily, there is quite a lot of firms that do specialise in that and much more, both US and UK.

That is also to say, a training contract is 2 years. 3 if you count the SQE process. You will have to do the mandatory seats, and whether you like it or not you will have to gain experience in more than just your desired practice area. You might find that you like or hate another department when you actually have experience working in them. You are always able to move laterally to another firm or another department if you choose to. I really wouldn't limit yourself to practice specific firms because you don't necessarily know if you will enjoy or hate it. The only thing limiting yourself really accomplishes is reducing your chances of a career in law. There are a plethora of factors that will influence both the department and the firm you want to qualify into, you unfortunately won't really know until you try.

Whether the career change is worth it is unfortunately not something anyone other than yourself can advise on. It's a salary, lifestyle, work environment and much more question. If you're already in corporate that will undoubtedly help for the firms that work in the industry you have experience in, but it's undoubtedly a roll of the dice. The only advice I can give is that: it would be silly to say "I won't learn to swim just in case I become Michael Phelps".....

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

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

Last year ACs for DTC were handed out as late as the end of Jan! Don't assume before you hear back! Best of Luck!

 

[AtticusFinch]

So I applied for the Dubai TC. I'm a bit scared though since it's been a week and I haven't heard anything back yet.

have you heard back yet?

 

[ashwright]

not sure if I’m missing something but I feel like no one has asked about Linklaters in a while? I shall do the honours…

Has anyone heard anything from Linklaters recently?

 

[yk1906]

not sure if I’m missing something but I feel like no one has asked about Linklaters in a while? I shall do the honours…

Has anyone heard anything from Linklaters recently?

Nopesssss

 

[rain2801]

have you heard back yet?

Nope, completed the WGT on 12th.

 

[rain2801]

Nopesssss

Linklaters PFO’d me around March end last cycle.

 

[yk1906]

Linklaters PFO’d me around March end last cycle.

Gosh... What about interview invites?

 

[rain2801]

Gosh... What about interview invites?

I don’t recall seeing any Links DTC invites on last year’s thread, only for VS.

 

[elle woods]

🥹 Would anyone here have any insights into the Kirkland VI please?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Do people apply to firms they’re lukewarm/ambivalent about? I started an application for a US firm but decided not to continue as I just couldn’t bring myself to show any passion for the firm. My list of firms I want to apply to is really, really small as a result. I wonder if I’m scuppering my chances by being so selective.

It's smart to be thinking this way as your time is just as valuable as any partners (regardless of their high charge-out rates). Although I would only advise others to simply apply for firms they are interested in where their list is solid enough. I know its probably a controversial take, but I think it is wise to have a handful of firms on your list not just a few. It's important to have some backups (just in case). However - if you genuinely can't find a thing to say about them, then yes its not one to apply for as they will likely catch it out anyway

 

[kurojack]

🥹 Would anyone here have any insights into the Kirkland VI please?

hello is this for summer vac scheme or DTC?

 

[elle woods]

hello is this for summer vac scheme or DTC?

the VI is the same tho isn't it?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I’m on the fence about applying to Lewis Silkin. The firm clearly has a great culture, and my professional background is aligned with their strengths.

However, I don’t want to be pigeonholed, and I worry with a more boutique firm (although I recognise it’s still a commercial firm), that’s exactly what will happen. For example, if I get a TC there and don’t convert to Associate, or perhaps don’t want to convert to Associate there, my options might be slimmer than if I trained elsewhere.

I sometimes think I don’t do myself any favours by thinking about the worst case scenario all the time lol. But idk, feels like a reasonable concern?

I remember thinking this way very early on in my journey, and you're not wrong - it's wise to be thinking this way, and also encouraged. These thoughts are what is going to make the conversations surrounding your seat rotations more powerful one day. Do some research on LinkedIn if you can, see what other NQ's have gone on to do after training at LS. I used to think that only elite firms took on elite trainees as NQ's but when I looked into this as part of a BD task, I realised that this may not always be the case when you actually look at the data.