TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yasmars]

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?

Same. I realised that their largest practice is employment and that’s not really an area of interest for me. Although I am open minded so I may still apply

 

[switchingup]

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.

Thanks, Afraz! I will do that.

 

[switchingup]

Same. I realised that their largest practice is employment and that’s not really an area of interest for me. Although I am open minded so I may still apply

Yeah, it's a tough one! I'm the same, not mega interested in employment, but I have a strong background in media/tech.

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

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.

I’m also a career changer in a similar position with the same view. I have a good job so would rather stay where I am than accept a TC at a firm I’m not passionate about!

 

[xMontmorency]

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.

Three reasons why i would apply for that firm you're not really passionate about:

1) Going through the process, however painful, will give you experience researching firms and writing good apps. Being good at faking enthusiasm is an underrated skill. If you get the VS, that's also experience.

2) Who knows, maybe if you did some of that research and got to know the firm you'd realise you quite like the work they do or the culture.

3) If you're after a TC, you should realise that commercial law firms aren't that different. It might feel like it scrolling a forum whose literal purpose is to help people differentiate law firms; and sure, they advise different clients in different sectors and have different specialisms. But, at the end of the day, all commercial solicitors do is contracts, companies house filings, court filings, legal research and a bit of project management (at least at the junior end). Like that's it. There is no single trainee task that a trainee at one (commercial) law firm will be taught to do that one at another is not. If you're not interested in a firm because it's small, doesn't have the right specialism, or doesn't have the right culture, there's a thriving lateral associate market ready to pick up NQs.

I did a vac scheme at a firm I was tepid about. Turns out structured finance is cool as fck.

Just my 2¢

 

[shadowboxer909]

Three reasons why i would apply for that firm you're not really passionate about:

1) Going through the process, however painful, will give you experience researching firms and writing good apps. Being good at faking enthusiasm is an underrated skill. If you get the VS, that's also experience.

2) Who knows, maybe if you did some of that research and got to know the firm you'd realise you quite like the work they do or the culture.

3) If you're after a TC, you should realise that commercial law firms aren't that different. It might feel like it scrolling a forum whose literal purpose is to help people differentiate law firms; and sure, they advise different clients in different sectors and have different specialisms. But, at the end of the day, all commercial solicitors do is contracts, companies house filings, court filings, legal research and a bit of project management (at least at the junior end). Like that's it. There is no single trainee task that a trainee at one (commercial) law firm will be taught to do that one at another is not. If you're not interested in a firm because it's small, doesn't have the right specialism, or doesn't have the right culture, there's a thriving lateral associate market ready to pick up NQs.

I did a vac scheme at a firm I was tepid about. Turns out structured finance is cool as fck.

Just my 2¢

And the process is such a black box that you can get interviews at highly, highly competitive firms and yet strike out at many less competitive firms.

You never know unless you try.

 

[tcappps123]

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?

I saw someone on the vac scheme thread say they're aiming to get back to ppl in the new year....I might be misremembering though

 

[ashwright]

No worries at all, glad to hear it helped!

Not a silly follow-up at all, and I can totally understand why you're worried (as I was the same and had to ask my mentor haha!). As long as your email is polite and doesn't seem like you are demanding an instant reply, it won't make you more likely to be rejected at all. As others have mentioned, if anything, it likely would have the opposite effect as you'll be viewed as a more competitive candidate

Good morning Abbie!! Just had a follow-up question on this, but I'm mindful of not clogging the thread - would it be okay if I could PM you to ask your thoughts?
Thank you so much! 🙏

 

[EMB]

Kennedys VI

 

[RVD23]

Hi! does anyone have insight as to Kennedys’ video interview - would really appreciate it

 

[Aspiringcommercialsolicitor1]

Hi! does anyone have insight as to Kennedys’ video interview - would really appreciate it

Congrats!! Did you get your invite just now? I’m lowkey preparing myself for the dreaded pfo email😭

 

[nicoledm]

Kennedys VI as well!

 

[Chlojane]

Congrats!! Did you get your invite just now? I’m lowkey preparing myself for the dreaded pfo email😭

I’ve just received mine - got jumpscared with a text and email! Best of luck!

Any tips from anyone would be appreciated! ☺️

 

[Florencejones]

Congrats all! I also got an invite I applied for the healthcare TC did anyone else (assume there was other ones as well)?

 

[RVD23]

Congrats!! Did you get your invite just now? I’m lowkey preparing myself for the dreaded pfo email😭

Thanks! and yeah literally got it about 15 mins ago!
I'm sure you'll get one soon!

 

[radssss]

Any tips for kennedys vi?

Congratulations to everyone who’s received it!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Good morning Abbie!! Just had a follow-up question on this, but I'm mindful of not clogging the thread - would it be okay if I could PM you to ask your thoughts?
Thank you so much! 🙏

Hello!!

Yes, completely fine to PM me

 

[yuktiverma96]

Hi! This is my first few times doing a VI stage, I am doing one for Freshfields! Does anyone have insights/advice about VIs and the Freshfields one in particular? Thanks!

@Abbie Whitlock

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hi! This is my first few times doing a VI stage, I am doing one for Freshfields! Does anyone have insights/advice about VIs and the Freshfields one in particular? Thanks!

@Abbie Whitlock

Hi! I'm not Abbie but have sat the Freshfields VI as well as others so thought to give my insight! I hope you don't mind. Prepare your motivational questions, you should have a solid understanding of why you want to work there, whether it be culture, practice area and/or training quality. Be quite specific about these, the more genuine you sound the better. Secondly, be honest and be yourself. The people reviewing the VI know that you likely won't have any idea the absolute most correct way to answer the questions, but by presenting yourself genuinely and honestly you set yourself up for success and come across as someone willing to learn and be adaptable.

Generally, most VI's wont be solely video questions, they will comprise a majority of "what would you do in x situation" questions, some written answers like drafting emails to clients and so on, and between 4-5 VI questions. The video questions are designed to test how you are in front of a client, presenting information in a clear and concise information, and can be used to test your commercial awareness by putting you on the spot and unable to consult notes.

The video questions will be the most stressful, so don't forget to breathe and have a glass of water so you don't sound raspy. Dress smart, answer smart. You're in front of the camera so that they can get to know you, how you think and how you perform under pressure. Think of it as if you are answering questions from a partner in the pub, be formal, but you're not a robot. Try not to refer to your previous experience unless you think it's necessary/related to the question you are answering. Answering with name-dropped experience in a question about why you want to work at Freshfields may come across the wrong way, but referring to previous experience observations in a commercial awareness questions would be appropriate.

Don't forget to breathe during your answers, it is totally acceptable to pause, think, then answer. You will feel the need to rush answers but it is quality not quantity of information provided. Focusing on one topic in detail rather than many can often demonstrate both genuine aspiration and that you are able to operate in a calm and grounded manner.

Finally, always remember to smile, you have made it further than most! You should be proud of advancing this far and that pride should come across! GR want you to be proud of working at Freshfields, so treat it as a little kid in a candy shop. Good luck! Have fun! It should be enjoyable even if you are nervous.

 

[yk1906]

Any Goodwin VIs for DTC?