Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed the insight. I felt completely welcome at the firm and like I was contributing to the departments I was working in. The Focus On talks for each department at the firm were extremely useful to give us a feeling for the whole firm as we only had 2 weeks to get the most knowledge we could. The social events were fun and a good way to get to know the trainee solicitors at the firm and fellow vacation scheme students.

I felt extremely valued and welcome at the firm. During my time there, I was doing real work which the fee earners needed done and often quite urgently, so I felt like I was actually contributing to the department and helping with clients' needs. I was given work by a range of Trainees, Associates and Partners with varying levels of complexity and responsibility. Everyone who gave me work sat down with me for as long as was needed to go through the work I had completed and give feedback on what I had done and perhaps how they would have done it.

Throughout the scheme I was always able to go to my Trainee Buddy or Supervisor (Associate) for guidance and support or the person who gave me the work. Everyone was more than happy to answer as many questions as I had. Graduate Recruitment have been extremely supportive throughout the application process and during the insight, I could go to them whenever I had any questions or needed any additional support.

I learnt how to better research things I needed to and to put my ideas across in a concise manner. These skills will definitely help me with the rest of my law degree, especially in essays when I am researching a new area and presenting it in an essay with a word limit. I also furthered my ability to apply the law to a real-life situation, which will help me when answering problem questions at University.

Everything that was planned for the two weeks (they managed to fit in a lot!) ran smoothly. I think we all learned a lot from everything which was put in place for us. The transition between the two departments was smooth and a good way to see coherence of culture across the firm.

From our time in the departments to the socials, the atmosphere was always friendly and made the office an enjoyable place to be which I wanted to keep coming back to. When it was appropriate, there was a fun atmosphere in the firm especially due to the World Cup which was fun to be a part of. However, of course, when necessary everyone was serious about their work and duties to the client. But even then, everyone was extremely friendly and up beat. I really enjoyed being a part of both departments and would love to go back.

As Vacation Scheme students we were invited to meetings and Know How sessions within our departments, updating us on the most recent legal updates in that area. Throughout the Vacation Scheme there were Focus On sessions for each major department within the firm, to allow us to understand what sort of work they carry out and what the Trainees' role is within their team. This was extremely useful in developing our understanding of the firm. In one of the departments I was set work by the Head of Department in which I had to give my own opinion and reasoning for the decisions I had made. The Head of Department then spent around 45 minutes with me going through my thoughts and challenging them. This really emphasised how much the firm invested in my training and development throughout the two weeks.

I felt fully involved in the firm as we were invited to everything we possibly could, from meetings to whole firm social events meaning we got to meet many different members of the firm in different situations, so I feel like I have a much better understanding of the culture and atmosphere of the firm if I was to work there full time.

Being full immersed in the departments we sat in meant we got a good feel of the culture of the firm. However, during the scheme we were asked to create a presentation about Diversity and Inclusion within Taylor Wessing which we had to research by interviewing people within the firm. This is what really taught me the most about the culture at the firm, as everyone was extremely willing to help and really valued what makes people different.

I had already decided I wanted to be a solicitor in the city, however the insight helped to solidify this decision and proved it is a career I would enjoy. The first-hand experience of what this future career will be like was invaluable. The insight also helped to confirm that a firm like Taylor Wessing is somewhere that would suit me.

I was paid per week of the insight. This payment was enough to cover my travel expenses.

Yes, we were invited to the firms' social events and had a networking lunch at the end of the scheme, allowing us to meet many different people from all different departments of the firm. The presentation research also allowed us to meet lots of people from the firm and network with them. When we first started in each department we were introduced to everyone in the department.

The events were really good and created a laid-back but professional atmosphere to network and socialise with members of the firm. There were two Vacation Scheme social events with the Trainee Council, which were really fun and great for socialising with people in the position we are striving to be in.

We had the opportunity to go to the weekly Pro Bono scheme that Taylor Wessing works on and were provided with information about the scheme. However, other than this, it was more about asking individuals about the activities they participate in.

I absolutely loved my time at the firm and would recommend it to any of my friends. Taylor Wessing has achieved a great balance between a law firm that is at the top of rankings for the work they do and a firm with a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. I felt like I got a true insight into what the firm would be like to work at full-time and think I would thoroughly enjoy it.