Summer Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Taylor Wessing. Although the vacation scheme was only for two weeks, I learnt a lot about the firm and about being a solicitor in general. Everyone from Trainees to Partners was welcoming and friendly and ensured that I learnt as much as I could during my time there. Work was very well-balanced with social events at least twice a week, enabling all of us vacation scheme students to bond.

I felt extremely valued from the onset, with my mentor and some of the partners assigning me work that was challenging, and which was actually directly helpful to them. The also involved me in calls with clients and sought my opinion in matters into which I had researched on. I was never considered as a 'coffee boy' but as a member of the firm from the onset.

I received constant guidance from my buddy, who would check in on me periodically during the day, as well as the other members of the team, who would often come by my office just to make sure I was coping fine. I always got a thorough explanation of the nature of the work I was assigned to do, and always has a chance to clarify my doubts. The partners were all very friendly and approachable and epitomised what an 'open-door policy' is supposed to be.

As I was in the Corporate and Private Client seats, I got considerable insight into some aspects of commercial and company law, both of which I will be pursuing as subjects in my final year of study. In that respect, the vacation scheme was extremely helpful in allowing me to see how theory is applied in practice, viewing the impact of the various laws on actual clients. This is extremely helpful as I find that I learn much better if I have an understanding of the practical implications of the law rather than confining my learning merely to theory.

The vacation scheme was very well-structured. We had talks from various departments every morning over the course of the two weeks, wherein we also had practical exercises to enhance our understanding of the respective practice groups. This allowed us to have a holistic picture of the firm as a whole, while enabling us to be able to better select our preferred seats in the future. We also each had a buddy and a mentor to ensure that we had constant guidance, with one filling in for the other when he/she was busy. Socials were also well-spread over the two weeks, which resulted in a well-balanced work experience.

The firm as a whole exuded a very friendly, vibrant, and innovative vibe. The firm's catchphrase was 'forward-thinking' and the staff all indeed showed various aspects of the phrase in their work. People were all extremely friendly, even down to the information and IT personnel, who were such a help to all of us. A wonderful atmosphere to match an even better firm.

We all received consistent guidance and supervision from our buddies and mentors, who ensured that they invested time in our learning while we undertook the work at hand. They also ensured that we had all the stationery and IT support we needed to get our work done, which was very helpful.

Despite the short time frame of the vacation scheme, the guidance I received and the willingness of the partners and trainees to let me get involved ensured that I had a good idea of the work solicitors undertook on a daily basis. Conversations with other members of the team who made an conscious effort to come by my office to chat also allowed me to understand what life was like as a full-time staff in much greater depth.

This was a more subtle part of the vacation scheme. The firm did not furnish us with presentations on what the company culture was like. Instead, the firm's culture was evident from its staff, with lawyers and non-lawyers alike displaying the forward-thinking, client-focused, trailblazing ethos of the firm.

The vacation scheme confirmed my plans to pursue a career in corporate law with the firm. Whatever was said about the firm in the brochures and by the interviewers was proven to be true and I thoroughly enjoyed both my seats.

I was paid on a weekly-basis.

On the first day, we had lunch with the Trainees and drinks at the end of the day in which we all had a chance to meet the Managing Partner of the firm. This made us all feel both valued and welcome. In addition, we were allowed to get to know the trainees better through the socials organised.

The networking events were well-organised, with the various partners and trainees making a conscious effort to speak to all the different groups of people present. The social events were extremely fun and diverse, ranging from attending a stand-up comedy to bowling and karaoke. The food and drinks provided were also very generous and we all had a wonderful time at every event.

Yes I did. We were allowed to attend pro-bono sessions where we shadowed a trainee and got first-hand experience of how the whole consultation process was like.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. Taylor Wessing's emphasis on learning and a high quality of training is second to none and invaluable in giving an aspiring lawyer a clearer direction for the future.