TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[aanushhhkaaaa]

Hello, just applied to K&L Gates - last day I know, yikes! But anyway, if anyone hears back from them for ACs, please reply!!

 

[Henrik]

Paul Hastings updates anyone?

As far as I recall, they don't reply to you if they don't progress with your application. But i am also unsure if they have replied to anyone quite yet!

 

[1136PX0]

Did anyone hear from Orrick?

 

[john_eeson]

Paul Hastings updates anyone?

Didn’t the email say they will let successful candidates know in august? So it will probably take another 2-3 weeks

 

[nonlawstudent98]

PMC PFO!

 

[baj5]

ML wait is killing me

 

[LucasLask1]

PMC PFO!

They emailed at 11pm on Sunday what a joke

 

[HasRez]

Stephenson Harwood PFO

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Very sadly a SH PFO. With only Orrick left it seems that unfortunately my cycle is over

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

need some advice - starting an internship (not vs) somewhere. it's hybrid and i was asked to introduce myself via email + send my in-person days for confirmation. i said mon/tue/wed for in-office but haven't received any confirmation. tomorrow's tuesday - idk if i should show up?

 

[Tamilah]

Does anyone know anyone who has heard back from BCLP post test to attend the virtual interview for the direct TC application?

 

[JM15.]

They emailed at 11pm on Sunday what a joke

Could I ask which office you applied for please? I applied for a regional one and yet to hear

 

[LucasLask1]

Could I ask which office you applied for please? I applied for a regional one and yet to hear

Hey, London office! Good luck

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

need some advice - starting an internship (not vs) somewhere. it's hybrid and i was asked to introduce myself via email + send my in-person days for confirmation. i said mon/tue/wed for in-office but haven't received any confirmation. tomorrow's tuesday - idk if i should show up?

Hi!

I would probably send a quick follow-up email first thing tomorrow morning saying something along the lines of: "Hi [Name], I just wanted to check whether my proposed in-office days (Monday-Wednesday) are okay, as I hadn't yet received confirmation. I was planning to come in today, so I just wanted to make sure that is still the plan".

If you don't hear back before you were planning to leave, I would be inclined to give them a quick call if you have a contact number. It is much better to check than either turn up unexpectedly or miss your first in-office day because of crossed wires, although I appreciate it is a tricky situation to navigate!

I would try not to panic though - it is quite possible they have just forgotten to reply or assumed your proposed days were fine. If in doubt, I think either option (i.e. going in or staying home) would be fine, as you can't be expected to know what they are expecting in this situation.

Best of luck with the internship!

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hello all, I need some advice. So I am currently working as a criminal paralegal (because this was the only job I could find post-grad). I have been applying for TCs but I can't help but feel boxed into the criminal space even though commercial law is what I want to do. I know a lot of people say focus on transferrable skills when applying but it feels more difficult to explain why commercial law when the only experience I have is criminal. I am even struggling to get other types of paralegal roles (real estate, corporate etc) but I have recently gotten interviews for crime paralegal roles. I am okay in the role I have, but I can't say I particularly enjoy it.

Also, as an international student, there are only 2 law firms (both specialise business crime and regulatory) I could find that do criminal and can sponsor my visa. For the rest, the pay is either too low (below the £41,700 threshold due to legal aid issues), or the firm doesn't hold the licence to sponsor.

My main question is, what do I do? Do I focus my time and energy into these two firms because this is the path in front of me? Or do I still forge on applying for commercial TCs and, if so, how do I apply strategically.

Apologies if this is a bit long winded but I was spiralling for a sec because I'm on a time crunch...