Winter Vacation Scheme Review

My winter vacation scheme provided me with a great insight into the workings of a corporate law firm. I sat in C5 (Corporate M&A) from Monday to Friday in the office of a senior associate. We reviewed contracts and I was given the opportunity to draft emails to clients. There were also introductory sessions to each department given by trainees, and an innovation challenge which we presented to a panel in groups on the final day of the scheme.

My understanding of the inner workings of a corporate law firm has significantly improved by sitting with a senior associate in C5. Attending a corporate town hall, in which A&O's merger with Shearman & Sterling was discussed, enhanced my understanding of the firm and its business strategy and vision for the future. We were also given the opportunity to work in groups and think critically and in innovative ways during the Innovation challenge.

I was given plenty of opportunities to understand more about the business. I attended a corporate town hall, which gave me an insight into the business's vision for the future, and also attended a talk delivered by the Global Managing partner. We were also given plenty of opportunity to reach out to trainees at the firm to go for coffees, and having a trainee buddy gave me a fresh insight into the firm from a trainee perspective!

A&O is renowned for being a friendly firm, and my experience on the vacation scheme confirmed this! Everyone was extremely welcoming and willing to help out/answer questions etc. My trainee buddy took me out for lunch and made me feel settled in, and graduate recruitment ensured that every one was comfortable throughout the week! I did not feel any competitiveness, as we were ensured that the vac schemers were not competing with each other for places on the training contract.

I found the vacation scheme extremely enjoyable. I felt included, and made plenty of friends on the scheme! The social opportunities were also great - dinner at 100 Shoreditch and a painting masterclass on the first night! It was a packed week with plenty to get involved with, and it increased my desire to work at the firm in the future!

Yes

Ensure that you are well prepared for the assessment centre, and know the ins and outs of an M&A deal. Be yourself, and don't get thrown off when you are asked questions that you don't know the answer to! Ensure that you ask lots of questions on the vacation scheme, so that you come across as interested and engaged. Make sure to flesh out the detail in your written application.