Vacation Scheme Review

I really enjoyed my vacation scheme with Taylor Wessing. I experienced two different practice areas and got to know a lot of people around the office in just two weeks. The sociable and collaborative culture that I had read about in my research was evident, as too were the high level work and impressive client base.

I definitely felt valued as a vacation scheme student. In the weeks prior to joining on the vac scheme the graduate recruitment team kept us informed on our schedules and the Trainee Solicitors Council contacted us to let us know if the social events they had planned. The Managing Partner addressed the incoming vac scheme students at a Keep Warm event a few weeks before the programme started - everyone who attended was impressed by this and it made us all feel valued as potential future trainee solicitors. This remained the case once the vac scheme started - everyone made efforts to talk to us and some Partners even approached me themselves to encourage me to book in coffees with them. This was impressive and in contrast to my previous vacation scheme.

There was a good amount of guidance on the vacation scheme. There were appraisals organised with our supervisors in each seat at the end of each week. We were also allocated trainee buddies, who we were encouraged to ask all the basic questions we may have felt uncomfortable asking more senior lawyers. That said, fee-earners at all levels were happy to help with my questions and made time to explain their roles to me.

The experience was a helpful insight into the work of a City law firm. My contentious seat in particular helped to contextualise what I knew about litigation, and will be a big help when I take the LPC. There were also training sessions, such as a tort law update, which highlighted changes to the law that solicitors need to be aware of. Learning how to do legal tasks such as writing a letter of claim has been a useful takeaway from this scheme.

The Talent team went to great efforts to plan a structured two-week programme. There were daily talks given by lawyers about the firm's many different practice areas and there were also several social events planned to get to know the trainees / vac schemers better. Other more senior lawyers were also invited to some of the social events which was a great opportunity to get to know them better in an informal environment.

The atmosphere at Taylor Wessing is very positive, collaborative and enjoyable to experience. People seem genuinely happy there and it is clear that the culture is an asset to the firm. The trainees made a real effort to integrate the vacation scheme students and it was clear that the firm values its pipeline of future solicitors. I made great friends on the vac scheme who I will remain in touch with afterwards!

The insight talks were usually given by two or three lawyers who were giving their time to present to us. Training was mostly on the job, as opposed to formal training sessions on aspects of legal work.

Shadowing lawyers to client meetings and carrying out work that would be expected of trainees is the best way to understand more about the job and whether or not it is what you want to do with your career. I got a good sense of the firm's different practice areas and mixing with the trainees was a good way to find out what being a trainee would be like.

Spending two weeks working somewhere is a great way to understand a company's culture. Two weeks is too long to put on false pretences, so I came away with a genuine sense that the company does indeed have an open and collaborative culture.

I am already convinced that a career in law is right for me, therefore the work I was given did not affect this mentality. However, it was useful to get a clearer sense of the type of work a trainee will be asked to do.

There were plenty of social events organised and we were also encouraged to meet people for coffees - everyone I reached out to was happy to oblige and to speak to me about their experience of the firm.

The social events were enjoyable - there were two trainee - only events which were more informal and also a good way to get to know the fellow vac schemers. There were also drinks with Partners and Senior Associates which were a good opportunity to network.

I was able to get involved in pro bono work, which was rewarding and I was also able to assist with the follow up research after the session. I would like to have found out more about the sports activities employees can get involved with.

Absolutely - if you have done your research and want to work for an international firm that has the feel of a tight-knit company, then this is the place for you.