Trainee Lawyer Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the scheme - it is a fantastic insight into the firm as you receive talks from every single department. There is ample opportunity to talk to others in areas of interest (given the open door policy) and you can really get involved with whatever you might like.

It appeared that everyone was prepared for our arrivals - with plenty knocking on your office door with a task for you to help them out with. Taylor Wessing above all firms really invests in their students and trainees, and this is clear by the efforts they go to during the scheme. I felt that I fit in so much, that I had to keep reminding my self I was only a vac scheme student!

The guidance you receive can depend on the busy-ness of your appointed supervisor at the time. These things are unpredictable and even if you have little exposure to your supervisor, it is extremely feasible to receive guidance from other members of the team at TW. (Your supervisor will collate feedback from everyone that you have worked for.) Given the open nature of the firm, you can really seek guidance from anybody (and HR do an outstanding job of taking you under their wing.)

If you need a surge of motivation for your career, TW is the place to go. After just one day at the firm - I felt a real hunger for my career ahead. The scheme lends you valuable insight into all aspects of the firm, (practically and socially) - it also gives you a huge amount of confidence on spending time in fast paced and bustling legal environments.

We received our itinerary a good time before the scheme even began, giving us a chance to read up on our forthcoming seats. You will be aware of all evenings that social events/assessments fall on - giving you plenty of time to prepare.

The atmosphere and culture at Taylor Wessing really is what it says on the packet. I have never felt more at ease at a law firm. Everybody is ready for a chat or a coffee, and everybody has wonderful personalities (whilst also being legal genius'.)

TW is outstanding in its support and guidance of each individual. This was apparent from the word go - at the open day we carried out a mock assessment centre, receiving feedback about our presentations. During the scheme, you receive appraisals from both supervisors of each seat. You also receive feedback at the end of your presentation. Feedback is rarely offered from firms and thus is invaluable to progressing.

Unlike many schemes, at TW you take on real, live work. It is a matter of knocking on other doors and seeing what you can help on. Such a scheme lies in contrast to others where you are given hypothetical/objective assessments throughout the scheme. Getting involved with real matters gives you a real insight of the nature of the work taken on.

There were absolutely no smoke screens at Taylor Wessing. The culture was as open door as you can get - with a vibrant and bustling atmosphere in every office. The social events were a fantastic way to talk to people in a relaxed setting and find out everything you need to know. The length of the scheme (2 weeks) also gives you ample time to settle and find your place within the team. Many of the scheme activities (networking lunch and presentation) are centred around exploring the firm's values which really engrains their culture.

The pay is £250per week.

Yes, trainees intend all social invents. There is also a partner lunch and plenty of opportunities to network over evening drinks.

Great - we did a cocktail making session followed by a relaxed, three course meal. We also had a spectacular ping pong tournament at Bounce. There was a farewell lunch with the partners (also relatively informal) and various evening drinks on the (sometimes) sunny terrace on the ninth floor. The firm also asks for feedback about how they can better improve their social events next year.

Yes, I attended a Pro Bono talk given by the Human Dignity Trust. Taylor Wessing helps out by forming a 'legal panel' for the trust - which then tackles laws criminalising homosexuality among many different jurisdictions. Anyone who wants to can get involved in this and this is just one of many exciting Pro Bono tasks to get involved with. There is also a Pro Bono clinic every week at Blackfriars which vac scheme students are encouraged to get involved with.

I could not recommend this scheme more. Compared to other vac schemes I have completed, Taylor Wessing creates a seamless and jam packed two weeks where you will come away exhausted, but exhilarated. Nowhere else has made such an impact on me in terms of motivation for my career ahead - and the culture is as friendly as you will find. I would absolutely recommend this scheme to anyone who wants to work hard, whilst being surrounded by wonderful personalities.