Taylor Wessing LLP Vacation Scheme Student Review

by Taylor Wessing

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.8/5
  • About You
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.8
  • Everything Else
    5.0

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I thoroughly enjoyed my two week vacation scheme at Taylor Wessing LLP. By participating in the scheme I wished to begin to practise some of the fundamental skills required to be a commercial solicitor and to confirm that this firm was the right firm for me; I achieved both of these. I also witnessed firsthand how Taylor Wessing's lawyers use their sector specific knowledge to offer their clients' practical, commercial advice. The work I completed was interesting and genuinely useful to the department I was working in. Every member of staff I met at the firm was approachable and keen to assist with my learning. The work was balanced with a variety of socials, both formal and informal, including a three course meal at a rooftop bar and social darts. The trainees were all very friendly and keen to ensure that all students on the scheme were enjoying themselves.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • During my time on the Taylor Wessing vacation scheme I worked in the Corporate Finance and Patents departments and I felt a valued member of the team in both. The work I was assigned was appropriately challenging and relevant to current cases that each department was working on. I was tasked with preparing trial bundle documentation for a very important hearing; whilst working on this with a number of trainees and associates there was a real sense of camaraderie and our joint efforts ensured that we completed the task ahead of the pressing deadline.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • I received a sufficient amount of support and guidance whilst on the vacation scheme. I was given both a supervisor and a trainee buddy for each department I sat in; they introduced me to the department, provided me with work and were more than willing to help me on any piece of work in which I needed it. Taylor Wessing operates an open-door policy; this allowed me to speak to any member of the department to source work or obtain their advice when needed. Because of this I felt comfortable working at the firm and a valued member of the team at all times. Furthermore, I was given introductory talks to assist me with using the technology that I needed, and help from the Information Technology department was only a call away.

    4/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • The vacation scheme afforded me the opportunity to begin to practise some of the fundamental skills required to be a commercial solicitor, whilst working on real, interesting work. My workload required me to balance the time I spent on different pieces of work accordingly and allowed me to prioritise to meet deadlines. The many networking events ensured that I was able to speak to a number of trainees and partners from different practice areas. My interview skills were greatly improved through a challenging and long, but rewarding interview with a Senior Associate. Taylor Wessing’s lawyers set aside their own time in order to assist with my development.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • It was clear that a lot of time had been spent planning the vacation scheme in order to ensure that the students gained as much out of it as possible within the limited time period. An informal introductory session on the first morning eased the students into the computer systems used by the firm and a timetable was provided to each student. Every day a ‘Focus On’ session was arranged, which afforded all students the opportunity to gain a real insight into some of the work undertaken in the key practice areas of the firm.

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • I felt welcomed at Taylor Wessing from my first day on the vacation scheme to my last. Taylor Wessing is considered to be a ‘nice’ firm and I certainly felt that this is the case. Every member of the firm is very approachable, friendly and happy to greet you in the corridor. There is a real sense of team spirit when working in departments and all members of staff are willing to offer advice to you when needed. The trainees are a very friendly bunch and help to maintain a very positive atmosphere both during the working day and on the socials after work.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • All of the lawyers at the firm that I completed work for took the time to explain the task in detail and ensure that I understood it fully. On completion of the work they would talk me through it and offer me constructive criticism which allowed me to learn from my mistakes and proved very useful for my development. A number of the lawyers at Taylor Wessing set aside some of their own time to offer me a one-to-one learning session and offered me the opportunity to contact them after the scheme had finished so that they could continue to develop me as a young professional. I was impressed by this.

    5/5

  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
  • The Taylor Wessing vacation scheme greatly increased my understanding of what it would be like to be a lawyer at the firm. I was given the opportunity to work in two different practice areas of the firm which afforded me insight in to the day-to-day work of a lawyer in these areas. As a student on the vacation scheme I had an excellent level of contact with both trainees and partners which allowed me to develop an appreciation of the key differences in their roles at the firm.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • By the end of the two weeks I spent at Taylor Wessing I had gained a good understanding of the company culture. The culture of the firm is very much one that is welcoming and friendly, which ensures that everyone feels comfortable and valued. Everyone is considered as an individual with valid opinions and strong contribution to the firm is recognised. It became clear to me that every member of the firm lives by four key values, which sets the firm apart from its competitors and allows clients to gain real insight into what the firm is really about. I observed how Taylor Wessing engenders a forward thinking attitude, evident by the firms heavy investment in new technologies, and a strong client focus on start-up tech companies. As a result of this, the lawyers at Taylor Wessing are afforded the opportunity to complete very varied and exciting work.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • Participating in the Taylor Wessing vacation scheme confirmed that becoming a lawyer at the firm was the career path that was right for me and I was excited about the prospect of this. Furthermore, the scheme also confirmed for me that training seats in corporate and patents would be a suitable choice for me.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • I was paid; this was sufficient enough to cover the cost of my accommodation in London for two weeks.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • The firm had timetabled numerous networking events for the students on the scheme. This included drinks inside the firm after work, a lunch with partners and a drinks evening externally at the end of the scheme. Furthermore, the open-door policy at Taylor Wessing means that you are able to visit any member of the firm, whether to introduce yourself to the department you are sat in or to discuss some of the work you have read about online with the lawyers responsible for the work.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • The networking events were a fantastic way to meet lawyers at the firm, both junior and more experienced, which allows the students to gain insight into some of the work in which they have recently been involved. There were two fantastic social events which proved a very good way to really get to know the trainees at the firm and your fellow vacation scheme students, in a more informal environment. Additionally, I was able to get involved with the touch rugby and five-a-side football which allowed me to meet more members of the firm.

    5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • The firm takes Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously and a number of charities are sponsored; as a result numerous events are organised in order to raise money. The firm gets involved with pro-bono work; I was given the opportunity to sit in on the Blackfriars Legal Advice Clinic, which allowed me to witness the practice of law in a completely different, and more personal setting. The firm also has a range of subsidised sports clubs which are open to anyone; this enabled me to get involved with the weekly touch rugby and five-a-side football.

    5/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • I would absolutely recommend the Taylor Wessing vacation scheme to a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent at the firm and I feel the scheme greatly developed me as an individual, and provided me with confidence to enter the legal sector. Importantly, the firm takes time to make all students feel welcome and ensures that any problems are resolved quickly. Students are given the opportunity to work in two very different practice areas during the scheme and are provided with an appropriate level of responsibility.

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Law

London

June 2017


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