Vacation Scheme Intern Review

The insight involved a range of interesting talks on different areas the firm operates in, and presentations on new projects the firm is undertaking.
We were placed in one of the firm’s practice areas for the week, completing research and attending meetings with our trainer. We were also given daily AI tasks to complete with the firm’s bespoke and cutting-edge tools. I was also given the opportunity to attend the High Court, some of the firm’s after-work events (a stand up comedy show), and a celebration dinner with the HR team, partners and senior associates.

It was very interesting to learn about the different practice areas which the firm operates in. The talks were particularly valuable in ensuring we heard as much as we could about the firm within one week.
It was also very nice to gain more specialised insights into a specific practice area under our trainer. Furthermore, people were very willing to give up their time to have a coffee chat if there was a specific practice area I wanted to hear more about. Finally, the HR team made it very easy to understand our route into this role, by taking time to explain the exact timelines of our post-degree qualifications and training (something which didn’t happen at my other legal insight experiences).

I have learnt how to use AI more efficiently, having practiced prompt engineering and sense checking to get the best outcome for clients. This also helped me develop my communication and teamwork skills, as I helped my fellow interns with any technical issues they were facing.
I was also able to develop my intellectual curiosity, as I was assigned a tricky research task on a complex legal project with very little prior judicial treatment.
I honed my ability to pick up information quickly and carefully too. Whether it was being asked to take an Attendance Note last-minute with no briefing, or being handed a skeleton argument 30 minutes before a High Court hearing, I was pushed to process and understand lots of (very interesting) information quickly, and to form sensible judgments.

The culture was very inclusive and welcoming. We were given a talk on inclusion, which really set the foundations for the week. Most people in the firm - whether it be trainees, associates or partners - were very friendly and willing to give up their time to answer my questions.
I was particularly struck by the networks which employees ran at the firm, and the support these networks received both by network members but also allies outside of them.
I also recognised that the culture was committed to self-improvement, where conversations with Partners really highlighted a desire to listen to people in the firm and make tangible changes to support their development.

I really enjoyed the insight! I was surprised by how much we managed to fit into week, and I felt like I came away with a real understanding of the firm.
I also just enjoyed spending time with what was a very nice vacation scheme cohort, and having informal coffee chats with employees of the firm to connect on a human level.
Furthermore, we had lots of fun events put on for us, including the comedy night and a steak dinner (which was very good)! Overall, I really enjoyed the intellectually stimulating work we were given, and the pleasant environment which we completed it in.

Yes

I would advise practicing commercial awareness. This is a commercial law firm, and so I think you have to be interested in the broader commercial news to really enjoy it. This doesn’t have to be too draining either - I try to squeeze in a 10 minute FT briefing on the walk to lectures!
I would also advise really reflecting on your motivations for working at the firm. I think they value candidates who have understood what the firm does, and how they can contribute and make the most of its resources and expertise. This makes the video interviews and assessment centres a lot easier too, if you have a clear grasp of why you want to work at the firm.
If you make it to the vacation scheme, I would recommend just being open minded. You will face new tasks and hear about areas of law you didn’t know much about, and approaching it with an open mind means you can really immerse yourself into the experience.