Winter Vacation Scheme Attendee Review

I attended the Winter Vacation Scheme in December 2025. I sat in the Funds team and did a mix of work. I did three trainee development tasks (email writing, reviewing agreements, drafting advice based on documentation and research). I also did some work for my team's clients, mostly administrative, e.g. reviewing two side letter drafts and identifying where the new draft missed key provisions from the old.

I had enough work to do but as an intern you won't be given 'responsibility', per se. The work was real client work, however, which was a plus. If the scheme had been longer I would have asked around my team (aside from just my supervisor) for some more research/drafting work, where appropriate.

- Use of firm-specific comparison and research tools

My supervisor and trainee buddy were extremely accessible. There was not a question I had they weren't happy to answer. This does depend, however, on the group you are placed in - I heard from other attendees that very busy teams did not necessarily have as much time for their Vac Schemers. Trainee development and other trainees from other teams were always happy to meet/help/answer questions if that was the case.

Very positive. My expectation was quite a fast paced and stressful environment. Everyone obviously takes their work very seriously and there are some very bright people in all parts of the firm, but there was nobody I came across - even partners - who was not friendly and happy to talk. Two partners in my team gave me at least 40 mins of their time for questions.

I had a fantastic two weeks. It was my first vacation scheme, and as a non-law student I was a bit more nervous, but there was literally no reason to be. You need to be on your feet and everyone on the scheme was obviously quite switched on, but nothing was un-doable or beyond challenging for a university-level student who has done some research into commercial law. All the interns are in the same boat and everyone has the same questions, nerves, etc.

Yes