TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DennyCrane]

No ...and I wonder why...

The reality is that most of the law firms only use DTCs to fill gaps not filled by their VS. A VS is just an extended interview opportunity for the firm, they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. If they get enough quality candidates via VS there won't be many places left available for DTC applicants and we all pile in the applications for DTCs since they remain open for longer so you might as well give it a shot. They're probably swamped.

 

[Lawlilly]

Any tips on how to approach the cover letter section for Fried Frank’s TC app? I am not used to writing cover letters for TCs and feel like I approach them wrong in general!

 

[AS24]

Has anyone heard from SH or Bakers post app or are they both still hibernating until 2030…​

No Mate, Bakers is still going through with VS evaluations. Maybe we will hear back next week or early May

 

[trainee4u]

I wonder how KN grades their SJT, as the video pitch invites go out the day after the test is due... Am applying this year too and just noticed--good luck to both of us anyway!

Cappfinity (or their client, IDR) were sued for disability discrimination a few years ago - an autistic candidate was scored poorly and they were not offered an alternative process.

This case showed that Cappfinity have raw scores (e.g., 0-100%) that the firm can use to rank candidates, so it can easily be done with just the click of a button.

The candidate is fobbed off with some "top 3 areas of strength 1 area to improve" nonsense which is designed to hide the fact that they might have told the firm you are totally unemployable.

There are conflicting priorities - the candidate wants to perform well, but the firm wants the best candidates identified with as little effort as possible. These are essentially mutually incompatible

 

[Maddy]

Just a PSA on Baker: they reopened the DTC apps till midnight today. Ig it’s because a lot of people (including me) faced tech issues and couldn’t submit the app earlier, so they’ll probs review apps next week. Stay strong folks!

Hi, just to get a better understanding, how did you find out about it? The link doesn’t work and shows an error.

 

[amb303]

Cappfinity (or their client, IDR) were sued for disability discrimination a few years ago - an autistic candidate was scored poorly and they were not offered an alternative process.

This case showed that Cappfinity have raw scores (e.g., 0-100%) that the firm can use to rank candidates, so it can easily be done with just the click of a button.

The candidate is fobbed off with some "top 3 areas of strength 1 area to improve" nonsense which is designed to hide the fact that they might have told the firm you are totally unemployable.

There are conflicting priorities - the candidate wants to perform well, but the firm wants the best candidates identified with as little effort as possible. These are essentially mutually incompatible

I guess this is probably the case for any firm using Cappfinity then? yikes

 

[spamelinazoid]

The reality is that most of the law firms only use DTCs to fill gaps not filled by their VS. A VS is just an extended interview opportunity for the firm, they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. If they get enough quality candidates via VS there won't be many places left available for DTC applicants and we all pile in the applications for DTCs since they remain open for longer so you might as well give it a shot. They're probably swamped.

A lot of firms have allocated numbers of places for direct TC applications. And Direct TCs are there for more mature applicants who have no time to do 3 week vacation schemes (and who grad rec recognizes are very valuable employees). If they offer 40 TCs and have 2 vac schemes of 12-15 people, logically around 10-15 a year are allocated to direct TC applicants. And keep in mind, not all vac schemers get the TC.

A large chunk of firms take in a healthy intake of direct TC applicants,

 

[spamelinazoid]

Just a PSA on Baker: they reopened the DTC apps till midnight today. Ig it’s because a lot of people (including me) faced tech issues and couldn’t submit the app earlier, so they’ll probs review apps next week. Stay strong folks!

how did you find out? They have been completely non-responsive to me for weeks.

 

[panon]

hey - has anyone heard post-AC from RPC's Bristol office for DTC?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Same, they’ve never responded to me on any of my queries but for this they just randomly did I think it’s probably because many people must’ve faced the same tech issue. If you’d mailed for any other reason, idk if they’ll respond.

Yea I also applies via CV mail. The other webpage didnt work at all for me (and it basically self deleted, and all my progress along with it)

 

[spamelinazoid]

Was your mail also regarding the tech issue on the deadline?

Yes, I emailed them to ask if it submitted correctly as the new system completed crashed. Thankfully had my responses saved.

I actually started my application on the day it opened and the link at the time was the CV mail one. Seems they changed to the new system mid way through applications being opened (really messy overall).

 

[mmm918]

Just a PSA on Baker: they reopened the DTC apps till midnight today. Ig it’s because a lot of people (including me) faced tech issues and couldn’t submit the app earlier, so they’ll probs review apps next week. Stay strong folks!

Do you mind pasting the link here? The link on their webpage does not seem to be working. I did not apply through CV Mail and hope to apply again

 

[lawstudent109]

anyone heard back for orrick wg for direct tc?

 

[amb303]

The stress of reading your cappfinity report wondering if the weakness was fatal

 

[Scottishlion]

For Baker how can we be sure that our application was correctly submitted?

 

[spamelinazoid]

For Baker how can we be sure that our application was correctly submitted?

You should get a submission email

 

[mmm918]

You should get a submission email

I got the confirmation email right after I submitted it (via the new system) but now people said the recruitment team responded saying CV Mail is the correct platform. I am confused....

 

[lowkeyloser]

Has anyone heard back from Arnold & Porter for the DTC?

Arnold & Porter DTC applicants, not sure if I'm being too pessimistic here, but I am assuming if I don't get a response by today then it is a PFO. The graduate recruitment brochure says that interviews will take place in March and April. I assume when they send out interview invites, they give at least 1 week worth of notice.

The thing is, it appears no one has been invited to interview for the DTC?

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

I got the confirmation email right after I submitted it (via the new system) but now people said the recruitment team responded saying CV Mail is the correct platform. I am confused....

What? No way

 

[spamelinazoid]

I got the confirmation email right after I submitted it (via the new system) but now people said the recruitment team responded saying CV Mail is the correct platform. I am confused....

I think if you managed to submit via the new system you’re fine.

The system crashed so a lot of us couldnt submit through it, hence CV mail