Winter Vacation Scheme Review

The scheme was highly enjoyable. The program was excellent, offering a real insight into the firm- including departmental presentations, networking opportunities, and social events. My intake were great fun and we all got on very well.

Everyone I met at Shearman ensured that I felt valued as a member of the team. Those who I sought work from made a real effort to thank me for doing so.

I had a lot of support from my trainee mentor, my supervisor and the lovely graduate recruitment team. The other trainees were also very supportive and approachable. Occasionally I felt at a loose end in terms of work, and had to seek out work myself, but perhaps this was due to the busy time of year. All in all the support was very good.

The skills I consolidated during this scheme, such as teamwork, problem solving, and attention to detail will be invaluable to me as I attempt to achieve my future career goals. The scheme also increased my understanding of both the firm itself, and of the current legal market.

Extremely well structured. We were given a clear timetable at the beginning of the scheme which was filled with a perfect mixture of presentations and talks, work in our groups, and social events. I was exhausted by the end of the scheme, but engaged throughout!

My vac scheme intake all got on very well, and we were assured that we weren't in direct competition for training contracts, which meant the atmosphere between us was non-competitive and pleasant. Furthermore, the Shearman team were fantastic at making us feel welcome from day 1.

Due to the format of the scheme, there wasn't much of an opportunity for training. Development was more in the form of feedback from those that I did work for.

Unlike many vac schemes, Shearman allow their vac schemers to stay as late as they wish (within reason!) which, in my opinion, is a positive thing as it allowed me to truly experience life as a trainee. For example, I was able to stay late one evening with my mentor to finish some work we had been doing together in the day. Furthermore, everyone was very honest about what it's like to work at Shearman- the good and the bad parts!

A great deal. I left the scheme very impressed with the culture at Shearman and wanting to be a part of it.

The scheme was well paid.

Yes- we were able to meet trainees at social events. It was easy to meet other lawyers in the group that I was sitting in as everyone was very approachable. Graduate recruitment happily put me in contact with a lawyer in another group that I had expressed an interest in. There was one networking event for us which the whole firm was invited to, however this was poorly attended (-although perhaps due to a fire alarm).

This wasn't really covered other than pro bono. In my interview I was told about sports teams but nothing on the scheme.

Absolutely- I had a fantastic time, and gained a great insight into the firm!