Summer Vacation Scheme Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the two weeks; it gave me a taste of what it's really like to work at Taylor Wessing, something I really wouldn't have been able to learn otherwise. The people throughout were incredibly friendly and happy to answer any questions I had, and I learnt lots about the detail of the work done by solicitors. Through social events and meetings of my own initiative I was also able to network with people throughout the firm and learn more about it.

I was given real and intellectually stimulating work, whether on a patents dispute or piecing together a step plan for a corporate deal. My supervisors were always sure to provide feedback to help my professional development, and it was clear that others in the firm genuinely enjoyed having us in.

I always felt able to speak to anybody if I needed assistance - even the graduate recruitment partners! I made an effort to speak to people across different departments too, and all were only too happy to talk and give insight on what it was like to work in their area of law.

I want to undertake the GDL next year, so the technical law I picked up will help with this - but more than that, the interpersonal workplace skills I've been able to develop will help should I secure a training contract in the future. The people I've networked with will likewise be a boost through this process, as well as the insight I've gained about the firm itself.

I spent a week in two departments - the placement was very well structured, allowing both broad understanding of law across departments and in-depth, week-long focus on a particular area. On top of this, socials were arranged throughout both weeks allowing us to network with others at the firm - the organisation of the scheme really stood out for me.

There was always something to do, and something to learn from - I was never sitting idly at my desk, but always carrying out a trainee task, being able to research interesting IP and corporate cases, or networking with professionals across the firm. On top of this, everyone in the firm came across as very friendly and happy to help out, whether by assisting me with an issue or just meeting me for conversation to discuss their practice area and life as a lawyer.

We were given weekly appraisals - the only vacation scheme I've experienced to do so - laying out what we did well and what could be done better. We also participated in several 'focus on' sessions telling us more about different practice areas at the firm, and will receive feedback on a presentation we performed for graduate recruitment partners soon.

Throughout the two weeks we were largely treated as real trainee solicitors, and given real department work whether this involved looking over a patent infringement or an articles of association and other contracts. This, along with social events, gave me a good idea of what working at Taylor Wessing is like.

As mentioned before, everyone was very friendly, approachable, and open to collaboration - there was a particular focus on different practice groups working together and cross-selling.

I have given this a slightly lower rating as I was committed to law beforehand - however, the experience did convince me that Taylor Wessing would be a great firm to train at, should I secure a training contract.

I was paid £275 a week - one of the higher rates among vacation schemes. By contrast the previous scheme paid only £250.

Lots - see other questions for more details but via socials and my own initiative I managed to meet a large number of people across the firm, including Taylor Wessing's HR director and graduate recruitment partners.

Very effective - I left having met someone from every practie group, greatly expanding my awareness of the firm. Golf and bowling nights also helped me meet current trainees.

Yes - I attended the Blackfriars Settlement, a pro bono initiative, and carried out research for this to mirror being a trainee there as accurately as possible. I very much enjoyed it and it is just a shame I wasn't able to attend the Waterloo Settlement either!

Absolutely, yes - it's a fantastic insight into Taylor Wessing.