Vacation Schemer Review

Throughout the scheme, I was supported by both a supervisor (usually an associate) and a trainee buddy in my seat. They assigned tasks and were available to discuss the work, the firm, or any broader questions I had.
Tasks varied depending on the seat. For example, in my first seat in Regulatory and Investigations, I carried out a significant amount of legal research. In my second seat, Corporate, my work included proofreading contracts, reviewing signing formalities, and preparing first drafts of board and special resolutions, solvency statements, and compliance statements.
As the scheme coincided with the trainees’ first few weeks in a new seat rotation, I was also able to sit in on a couple of training sessions specific to the practice area. Additionally, there were Lunch and Learn sessions organised for vacation schemers, covering topics such as Pro Bono, Diversity Networks, Personal Branding, and Behavioural Styles.

There were plenty of opportunities to gain insight into the firm and the potential roles available, whether through scheduled sessions and networking events or by taking initiative through informal chats and meetings. Speaking with people across the firm was the most valuable way to learn about practice area specific goals, as well as the firm’s broader vision for the future.
It was also incredibly easy to connect with trainees - many were happy to chat over lunch or during downtime, which gave me a much clearer picture of the training contract and what to expect from that next step.

I definitely developed several key skills during the scheme. While most of my work was assigned by my supervisor, I often had multiple live tasks at once and occasionally took on work from other team members. This really helped me strengthen my time management and organisational skills.
Communication was another major area of development—there were plenty of opportunities to network with people across the firm, which helped me become more confident in initiating conversations and asking thoughtful questions.
Lastly, adaptability was essential. The practice areas were often completely new to me, or at least unfamiliar in a practical sense, so approaching tasks with an open mind and a willingness to learn was key. At times the content could feel daunting, but I learned to embrace the process and trust that understanding would come along the way.

Dentons truly lives up to its reputation as a friendly and diverse firm. Everyone I interacted with was approachable and generous with their time, whether it was to answer questions, share their experiences, or simply get to know you. The atmosphere felt supportive and inclusive, which made it easy to settle in and feel comfortable asking questions or seeking guidance.

I really enjoyed the insight. I felt that I was given varied and meaningful work, which provided a genuine taster of what a training contract at Dentons might be like. The open and friendly culture made it easy to build connections, not just with people at the firm, but also with the other vacation schemers. It felt like an environment where genuine networking and even friendships could naturally develop.

Yes