TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yuhhhh]

Anybody else waiting on next steps for Gibson Dunn TC Applications?

 

[Alaa]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.

Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.

 

[siilvert0ngue]

holding my breath now for Macfarlanes (Post-Job Sim), and RPC (post online assessment)... anyone been invited to AC or know of anyone who has?

 

[HMajesty]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.

Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.

Congratulations! Where, if you don’t mind disclosing?

 

[baj5]

GLP assessment centre!

 

[Kenomy]

GLP assessment centre!

Well done! I too got the assessment centre invite. I had a feeling the invites would be sent after the booking window opened but I couldn't be too sure!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.

Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.

Huge congratulations!! That is amazing news, and I'm so happy to hear that your hard work and perseverance has paid off!

I hope you take some time to celebrate!

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hi everyone,

I have a question for you @Abbie Whitlock also, I hope you are well and are having a nice summer

I have to present something for a general practice firm. They do kind of everything, commercial, corporate, regulatory etc.

They told me, however, I can pick a topic or my choice but it has to be recent and relate to their firm. It has to relate to one or more areas of practice.

I was going to pick the EU AI Act ( not applying in Uk office) as I am very confident it really applies to many areas. E.G insurance firms

They told me I can pick any case law or any legislation. But would the EU ai act be considered recent or should I pick something very recent ( niche) it’s hard to do that though. As I will get a Q&A on it. I was thinking to pick the act because it involves many practice areas, however, I’m not quite sure.

Thank you so much

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.

Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.

Huge congratulations to you - what an achievement! Thank you so much for sharing this as it is hugely reassuring and inspirational to those of us still yet to secure a TC!

 

[tozziesss]

anyone heard from boodle ?

 

[TheHamlet4]

Hey, how do you usually find a firm's clients and the recent deals it advised on?

 

[baj5]

Has anyone heard from Orrick or HFW? I know HFW already had its first AC last week.

 

[Bread]

Hey, how do you usually find a firm's clients and the recent deals it advised on?

The firm’s website and L500 are pretty good

 

[Z48]

Hey, how do you usually find a firm's clients and the recent deals it advised on?

A lot of firms post recent deals in their news section. If I can’t find anything there, I go to the people section, find someone in an area I’m interested in, and the look through their recent listed matters. Have to be careful with this cause
1. sometimes it’ll have a note to say something like “this was worked on at their previous firm”
2. it can be difficult to find extra details on the deal, so can be hard to explain interest

 

[amb303]

Have come to the end of this year's cycle with a PFO from wedlake bell today. Does anyone have advice on what kinds of experiences to include on a CV for paralegal applications?

Thank you in advance!