Vacation Scheme Review

I found the insight very enjoyable. I feel I experienced a good part of what it would be like to work full time at a law firm. Taylor Wessing operates an "open door policy" so I was able to tap on the glass door of anyone around the office and chat to them about their work and the firm. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. They hosted "focus-on" sessions where 1-3 people from a department (e.g. employment, tax, etc.) gave an hour long talk about the work of the lawyers and the firm as a whole. These sessions often involved a practical element which was useful to sample the work and to aid understanding. Additionally, the firm hosted social events, the trainees took us to some local establishments. We also had the opportunity to participate in firm sporting events, unfortunately, the touch-rugby was cancelled due to the weather but we were invited to play football.

I felt much more valued than I had expected to. Taylor Wessing understands that many of us had no legal education and certainly no one had legal training; they assigned our work accordingly. We were assigned a supervisor for our week-long placement in the department, this supervisor would assign you work suited to your confidence and ability and would also offer feedback. Most people were sat in an office with a solicitor who would be able to help with any assignments and answer any questions. We were assigned as much work as we wanted, and you could take on tasks to help your supervisor, other people in the department or your office neighbour. The work assigned (such as research tasks) would often be of some help to the team for which you would be thanked, this made me feel valued. We were also all assigned a buddy, a trainee in your department who was always on hand to help and to introduce you to people around the firm.

Most people will have had 3 points of contact/guidance/support in their department during the insight: their trainee buddy, their supervisor, and the person with whom they shared an office. This coupled with the focus-on sessions meant the firm offered help throughout. Tasks would always be clearly explained as people were always willing to take time out their day to ensure you knew the full legal and factual background to a task. They would then be willing to receive any questions in person or via email no matter how stupid the questions seem to you. We were told to make the most of the insight by speaking to as many people as possible, this was immensely rewarding for those who did. I filled a notebook with notes from focus-on sessions and meetings with solicitors inside and outside my departments. The insight really helped to flesh out the idea of the legal career in my mind.

The information received really helped to flesh out the idea of the legal career in my mind. I came away from the insight sure that I wanted to pursue a career in law as I enjoyed the work and opportunities available offered. I also gained a clearer picture of the work carried out by each legal department which will help me in choosing modules and eventually choosing an area of specialty.

The insight was seamless. On the first day we were given a timetable mapping out each and every day of the scheme and this was rigidly adhered to throughout. Some employees had even saved up tasks that they thought might be of interest to their vacation scheme students. For example, I carried out a bit of research for the friend of a partner who didn't want to incur any fees! There were networking and social opportunities planned throughout the week, these were well attended by the employees.

Very friendly. The firm operates an "open door policy" so we were able to knock on employees' doors for a quick talk. Despite obviously being very busy the employees always set aside time for us. Even when my department had been swamped with a due diligence task requiring hours of cooperative diligence, everyone kept a smile on their face and didn't let the stress bring the office down. People will always smile at you in the corridor and some will even stop you to have a talk about what you're doing and how the scheme is going.

The firm hosted employee led focus-on sessions where they gave us an introduction to their department and the work it does. These sessions lasted an hour (but probably took considerably longer to plan) and would often include a practical element showing us some typical work. Additionally, the firm assigned us a trainee buddy and a supervisor who were our first port of call for work and if we had any issues. They would set aside time for us to talk to them about how the week is going and to raise any issues. The firm hosted networking and social events where the venue, drinks and food were included. These events were a valuable opportunity for us to get to know people at the firm and our fellow insight students in a less formal environment.

We were given plenty of opportunities to quiz employees about life at the firm and I was left with no doubt in my mind as to what the job requires. We were given light samples of the type of work that might be undertaken by lawyers. We can't fully take on work because of liability and negligence issues but I feel I had the best exposure possible to real legal work. We were even allowed to stay at the office for as long as we liked! I felt like a true city solicitor when I had to forego the 17:30 leaving time to finish a project.

We were given an instant chance to integrate with the company culture. They sit you in an office in a department and you're expected to direct your work like a normal employee. You soon learn how the employees act when you're exposed to the normal work environment. The trainees and your supervisor will help you to integrate by introducing you to people and bringing you to department meetings and events. The company culture is also embedded in the work they do, we had instant exposure to the work.

Very helpful. I wanted to gain a full picture of the legal career during the vacation scheme and Taylor Wessing provided that.

I was paid a competitive salary which was mostly spent on my London accommodation.

Yes, it was an axis of the scheme. As previously mentioned, the firm operated an "open door policy" and we were encouraged to introduce ourselves to as many people as possible. If a partner had worked on a deal or case you were particularly interested in then you were actively encouraged to go and talk to them about it. The firm hosted networking and social events where the venue, drinks and food were included. These events were a valuable opportunity for us to get to know people at the firm and our fellow insight students in a less formal environment.

They were fun. The firm attracts interesting and friendly people so there was always something to talk about. During the social events it became apparent that the legal career hadn't dulled the employees' taste for a good time.

I was copied into firm-wide emails for the two weeks so I could gain a full picture of events outside of work. There was an array of sporting and networking events offered which were often eagerly participated in. I would occasionally meet employees who had clearly just participated in some outside event which allowed me to to talk about what was offered.

Yes. If they want a full exposure to the legal career at a friendly and exciting firm then Taylor Wessing is the place to go.