Vacation Student Review

I really had the best time on the Taylor Wessing Vacation Scheme. From the off I was made to feel valued and and that the work I was doing actually mattered. Not coming from a law background I was apprehensive as to how difficult I was going to find the work but they created an atmosphere where I was never afraid to ask questions.

From the get go I immediately felt valued. I was included in client calls and even face to face meetings. My role in these wasn't just to sit at the back and take notes but I was actively included in discussion which was not something I've experienced on other vacation schemes.

For each 1 week seat I was assigned a "supervisor" (generally an associate or senior associate) and a "trainee buddy". The trainee buddy acted like a friend I could ask any "stupid" questions to which was really nice and the supervisor handled any tougher questions. You never felt awkward or silly asking questions to either. We also had "focus on" sessions for each of the sectors Taylor Wessing work in which were a great insight to potential training contract seats.

The skills I developed during my two weeks at Taylor Wessing were primarily law focused. As I am about to begin my GDL in September I believe the skills and information I acquired there will really help me get a head start on the GDL and give me specialist knowledge in the areas I sat in.

The vacation scheme was very well structured with a welcome day filled with inductions, and "focus on" sessions throughout the two weeks. The scheme was split into two separate weeks with one seat (that you chose in advance) per week. There were also trainee organised socials and a farewell networking lunch. Everything felt meticulously organised by the graduate recruitment team.

The atmosphere at Taylor Wessing was definitely a highlight of the scheme. Everyone there was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. You never felt awkward or weird asking questions to fee earners - even senior partners! Their emphasis on diversity and inclusion was particularly impressive which probably in part accounted for warm atmosphere there.

The scheme definitely helped me understand what it would be like to be a trainee and then a full employee at Taylor Wessing. As well as getting fully stuck into your two seats there were "focus on" insight sessions where lawyers working in each of the sectors of the firm would give presentations about their sector as well as questions and exercises.

Taylor Wessing, like may firms, claim to be "friendly", "welcoming", etc. but the scheme really showed that their claims are indeed true. The culture of putting diversity and inclusion high up on the company agenda was excellent to see and the positive results were palpable. Even traditionally "scary" senior partners really made you feel welcome.

We were paid 375 pounds per week for the vacation scheme which I think was a fair payment for the work we did. For the vacation scheme social event earlier in the year we were reimbursed for our travel expenses also. This feeds into the atmosphere of being valued very well.

There were several opportunities for networking and meeting other employees. We had a welcome drinks on the first day to which the whole firm was invited. We had two scheme socials where we were able to meet and network with all the trainees, as well as an end of scheme networking lunch and drinks in the evening.

The networking and social events were great. We had beginning and end of scheme drinks to which the whole firm was invited and we were able to mix with a variety of employees. we also had two trainee run socials: the first was at Flight Club in Holborn which everyone had so much fun at and the second was drinks at a bar on the river followed by a delicious dinner nearby. We also had a networking lunch on the last day with some high powered partners and senior associates.

I would 100% recommend the Taylor Wessing Vacation Scheme to a friend. It has been by far the most intellectually engaging and fun vacation scheme I have done. I felt valued for my contributions and that employees were actually glad to have us around rather than us being a burden. I learned a lot about sectors I hadn't yet considered and feel like the knowledge I acquired over the two weeks will help give me a head start in my further studies.