Summer Vac Scheme Student Review

This was my first ever vacation scheme but I had done a lot of research about the firm beforehand and knew what to expect. With that in my mind, I felt that the vac scheme was really enjoyable because I was able to get to grips with who Taylor Wessing were and what it would be like to work for them as a trainee. In that sense, the scheme gave me the opportunity to enjoy myself while working there and equally have the work to show I was being tested in terms of my skillset.

Having networked a little before starting the scheme, I knew a couple of people at the firm and a few from the assessment centre. However, I believe Taylor Wessing always encouraged us to interact with people at every level of the firm; how everyone freely gave up their time to talk to us showed how much the firm valued the vac scheme because the people there realised there was also value for them in making sure the scheme selected the best people for the firm.

I had less support than I expected, but in many ways this was a positive. I was given the independence to search for and complete work within the department. Conversely, had I needed help on any task, I knew that there was the guidance of my trainee buddy as well as my supervisor which I could fall back on if required.

Having come from a non-law background before starting the scheme, I was relieved that the scheme still enabled me to develop my legal and commercial skills without being inhibited from a lack of knowledge that others on the scheme had. Consequently, Taylor Wessing assisted my legal development by ensuring that our experience on the scheme was pitched to the individual level each candidate was on.

In terms of structure, the scheme was broken up with focus on sessions enabling all the vac schemes to gain further insight into particular areas of the firm e.g. the patents department. I felt that this timetable ensured we were kept busy while also preventing any of us from becoming isolated within the firm since the sessions encouraged everyone on the scheme to socialise regularly across the two weeks.

The vac scheme felt like a genuine replication of what life as a trainee would be like at Taylor Wessing. Having attended so many different law career fairs and open days across many firms, I was pleased to see how authentic their values and business were in the office atmosphere.

There was no formal means of personal training and development. All vac schemers did have an exit interview which showed the firm had a strong interest in how we were finding the scheme overall. For me personally, I felt the training and development was instigated on a more ad-hoc bottom-up basis, by which I mean those who I worked with directly demonstrated they were invested in my training and development. In one instance, the partner head of the real estate department took the time to explain the detail of the project we were working on and how my contribution proved significant - something well above any expectation or requirement.

Completing this vac scheme felt like being an actual trainee at the firm for two weeks, and in that sense I could have easily turned up the next Monday and continued working. Hopefully, Taylor Wessing will be the place where I land a full time role in the future because I was that convinced by the insight I gained.

Though the group presentations, we all got to grips with the core pillars to Taylor Wessing's business strategy and the importance each one had towards the overall performance of the firm. This was supplemented by an invitation to join the Managing Partner at the unveiling of the new strategy for the next financial year on the last day of the July scheme.

The content was unique to each individual participating on the scheme because it was determined by the work set within each department. What was most valuable was how trusting the firm were in immediately giving us content and responsibility that was client facing, which ultimately made me decide this was the place where I wanted to have my career.

For the summer vac scheme, we were paid £375 per week pre tax. There were no additional reimbursements for travel or other expenses.

There were so many opportunities for networking. The July scheme was fortunate to coincide with Taylor Wessing's summer party, a firm wide event that occurs every other year. In addition, the Trainee Solicitor Council organised a social at Flight Club and an evening meal across the two weeks, meaning we got to meet lots of employees but particularly those who were currently going through the training contract.

The scheme was bookended by welcome and farewell drinks on the ninth floor terrace, helped by summer sunshine. What was most unique, however, was the warm up event preceding the scheme in which vac schemers from June and July mixed for the first time. This helped break the ice before the scheme started.

There was a detailed information session on Taylor Wessing's Blackfriars legal clinic, demonstrating the breadth of pro-bono work that the firm engaged in. Those fortunate enough to be selected from the application were invited to attend one of the clinics during the scheme. However, there were also social activities such as the touch rugby in Regents Park which we were invited to get involved with, indicating that the firm ensured there was time for its employees to socialise as well as work.

Of course, and with no hesitation! I would definitely recommend Taylor Wessing's vac scheme. The atmosphere was welcoming, the people were genuine, and the work was always enjoyable. It provided the experience and insight that have convinced me it was the place I wish to make my career in law.