Vacation scheme participant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed myself on this vacation scheme. I achieved what I had aimed to take away from the scheme, which was a genuine insight into what a career in commercial law is like. The socials were well-planned and allowed me to get to know my fellow vacation schemers better while having fun.

To a large extent. I felt very welcome at the firm, and the amount of effort and planning that went into the vacation scheme was evident. I appreciated the opportunities that vacation scheme participants had to give feedback throughout the scheme, and that people from all over the firm took time to contribute to the vacation scheme experience.

I received a good amount of support from my trainee buddies and principals. They were patient and clear in explaining the details of a particular transaction, giving me feedback on my work, and my trainee buddies regularly dropped by (physically or via email) to check that I was doing alright with work.

The information and experience I gained from the vacation scheme helped me decide to pursue a career in commercial law at Linklaters. The scheme also gave me a better understanding of the various practice areas of law, which might help me decide on seat choices for my training contract after the LPC.

I found the insight very well structured. I liked that talks were held to give everyone an overview of the various practice groups, so that I was able to learn about the departments that I did not sit in. I also enjoyed the variety of talks and socials, and that they were well spaced out.

The general atmosphere was warm and welcoming, from the first moment I entered the firm to the farewell lunch. Almost everyone I met was friendly and enthusiastic, and the social events helped vacation scheme participants get to know each other better over the four weeks. Group activities like the mediation and pitching were also exciting and fun.

To a large extent.

While the experience of a vacation scheme student would doubtless differ quite greatly from a full-time Linklaters trainee or associate's (e.g. we get to leave early in the evening every day), speaking to the people around me definitely gave me a glimpse into the role and responsibilities of a Linklaters lawyer.

The opportunity to experience two different groups and speak to people from all parts of the firm gave me a good understanding of Linklaters' culture. The two departments (mainstream corporate and FRG) had rather distinct vibes, but there were underlying similarities which fit with the personal experiences of those I had spoken to - that the firm had a genuine open-door culture where everyone is generally very friendly and supportive.

It was invaluable as the vacation scheme convinced me that accepting a training contract at Linklaters was the best option I could make.

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There were numerous such opportunities.

The opportunities were excellent. I liked being able to speak to people from many different departments and roles (e.g. PSLs, trainees, partners, paralegals), and hearing about their experiences. I enjoyed the socials as they allowed me to get to know my fellow vacation scheme participants and future fellow trainees better.

I learned about the pro bono and volunteering opportunities, and some interest groups/clubs.

I would highly recommend this vacation scheme to anyone considering a career in commercial law. It provides an excellent insight into the life of a commercial lawyer, the wide variety of work and opportunities available, and the unique Linklaters culture. On top of being an invaluable learning experience, the four weeks was also thoroughly enjoyable!