Winter Vacation Scheme Review

I really enjoyed the insight! It felt like a lot of effort was put in by both the graduate recruitment team and the department I was working with to make sure that I was enjoying myself throughout the scheme. The work and insight events were really interesting and the socials were fun too.

On the scheme you are matched with a trainee buddy as well as a more senior lawyer who helped to make sure I was only completing valuable and interesting work. This meant that it felt like I genuinely did help the department I was working with, and sometimes doing work I would be doing as an actual trainee.

Lots! We were paired with a trainee buddy who was very useful to have to ask questions about real trainee life, as well as someone who could help with silly questions. Each of us also had a senior lawyer 'principal' who made sure that we had plenty of interesting work and guidance throughout. Plus, grad rec were also always on hand to check how we were getting on.

I didn't study law at university and the vac scheme was an opportunity to gain loads of technical knowledge. We had talks on all the firm's different practice areas; skills sessions in a range of activities; and were assigned project work throughout the weeks for which we undertook our own research.

The timetable for the 2 weeks was really well put together and was structured such that there was a lot of time where we would have to manage our own work between socials, talks, and meetings. I thought this was a really useful insight into managing work as a trainee.

Hard work but very fun. It was especially nice since the other people on the scheme were really lovely and we all got on so well. Knowing that there were a good number of places available for training contracts took the competitive pressure off so we were able to support each other and enjoy the experience.

Quite a lot throughout the week with skills sessions and insights into the different practice areas. In terms of future development, if successful in gaining a training contract with the firm, they sponsor you through the GDL & LPC which is a really significant investment in your future with them.

We met lots of current trainees and were encouraged throughout to be doing the sort of work that they would be doing, including managing competing deadlines and seeking out your own opportunities when you had finished work given to you. I thought this was really helpful to see what normal full time work would be like.

The vacation scheme did really show me how friendly and willing to help people from across the firm are, from trainees to partners. I think that this was really a part of the overall firm culture as well, rather than just a 'be-nice-to-the-interns' act! It seemed genuine and good to experience first hand rather than what you can read on the website.

Really valuable - it absolutely confirmed for me that this is what I want to do as a career and also helped me to narrow down what practice areas I am most interested in.

The pay was good.

Yes, often. This was really useful and appreciated.

Really good fun socials, with plenty of opportunities to meet people. There was a speed-networking event which was particular useful to meet lawyers from across the firm in the smaller practice areas which you otherwise wouldn't get to meet. It would have been better if there were more trainees to meet at social events, but there were always at least a couple.

Yes at least some. It was most useful just talking to current trainees to find out what they're involved in.

100%!