Vacation Scheme Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the vacation scheme. I had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of interesting work and to learn more about Taylor Wessing. Everyone I met was extremely welcoming and friendly, and the firm made a great effort to ensure we were exposed to lots of different people in the firm. The evening social events also gave us more of a chance to chat to and get to know the trainees. This experience therefore gave me an invaluable insight into the firm’s culture.

I felt extremely valued. I was given lots of meaningful work and I was happy with the level of responsibility. The lawyers were more than happy to set time aside to answer my questions and they also took the time to get to know me as a person which I appreciated.

I was assigned a supervisor (an associate) and a trainee buddy for each of my seats. They each took the time to clearly explain tasks to me and they were always very accessible and willing to answer questions, no matter how simple. They also provided me with feedback on my work and they often copied me into emails to clients to show me how my work fitted into the bigger picture. Other individuals in each of my departments were also more than willing to provide guidance if necessary.

Throughout the two weeks my organisation, networking/communication and research skills improved, which will undoubtedly assist me in the future. The information in the ‘Focus on’ sessions (talks from different practice areas within the firm) will help me to make informed decisions as to which practice areas I would like to sit in as part of a training contract. As a non-law graduate, the information and legal research skills I have developed during the scheme will be useful during the GDL.

It was well structured and our timetable and seat allocations were sent to us in advance, which allowed me to undertake some initial research into those practice areas. The ‘Focus on’ sessions were interspersed throughout the two weeks, which gave me a more comprehensive understanding of the firm’s work. In view of the fact that we had a group project to work on throughout the two weeks, I found that there was the right number of activities, allowing us to assign some time in the evenings to meet as a group.

The atmosphere was welcoming, friendly and supportive. There was a real sense of ambition and collegiality, and I never felt out of place.

There was a great deal of investment, for example we had appraisals at the end of each week during which my supervisors provided me with feedback on my performance and throughout my time at the firm there was always someone available to answer any query I had. Also, following our group presentations on the last day, the graduate recruitment partners provided us with helpful feedback.

The chance to assist my supervisors, trainee buddies and other individuals in my departments with their work provided me with an excellent insight into the work they do on a day-to-day basis. The fact that I shared an office with another lawyer and I was able to listen in on client calls meant that I gained a greater understanding of their relationships with clients. The ‘Focus on’ sessions further helped me to understand the role, as lawyers would talk about their work and how their department operates in the firm, and trainees would give their perspectives and outline the tasks that they typically undertake. Everyone at the firm was more than happy to answer any questions I had about the firm, the work they do and any firm activities such as sports.

The two weeks provided me with an excellent opportunity to experience and understand Taylor Wessing’s culture, which truly sets the firm apart. Our farewell lunch was centred around Taylor Wessing's core values and we were encouraged to reflect on where we had seen each value during our time at Taylor Wessing and this activity allowed me to further understand the extent to which the firm's culture is influenced by its core values.

The work was very interesting and intellectually stimulating and the experience also allowed me to learn more about Taylor Wessing's clients. The chance to learn about the firm's different practice areas, its strategy and its vision was also particularly informative. These reasons, as well as the enjoyable time I had on the scheme more generally and the opportunity to get to know the firm's employees, confirmed my aspiration to become a trainee at Taylor Wessing.

Yes, I was paid adequately for this experience.

There were many opportunities throughout the two weeks. These included a networking lunch and drinks on the first day, two socials with trainees, a farewell lunch, 'Focus on' sessions with individuals from different practice areas, and drinks on our final day. These gave us the chance to meet lawyers from all levels of the firm and from different departments and it allowed me to build a more comprehensive picture of what life is truly like at the firm.

Our first social event was cocktail making followed by a three course meal and we went to Bounce (ping pong) for our second event. They were great fun and the nature of these events meant that we could speak to all of the trainees in attendance and they were excellent opportunities to get to know them, to find out more about the firm and what it’s like to be a trainee there.

Yes, employees said that there’s the chance to get involved in pro bono and they spoke about their experiences. Some trainees also mentioned that they had been involved in sporting activities, for example a couple of trainees said that they had recently been to Prague to take part in the marathon with employees from other Taylor Wessing offices.

Yes, I would definitely recommend the vacation scheme to a friend who is looking to pursue a career in commercial law.