Discover Vacation Scheme Review

I spent the week based in the Real Estate Litigation team. I was involved in a range of tasks, including legal research, drafting reports and summaries, and reviewing contracts to identify key issues. It felt like a good reflection of the type of work a trainee might undertake.
I also had the opportunity to sit in on a team meeting, which was particularly valuable to understand how matters are discussed in practice and how decisions are approached.
Alongside the practical work, I attended a series of workshops covering areas such as real estate and the role of AI in law, which helped to build my broader commercial awareness. We also completed a strengths-based interview, which was a useful opportunity to reflect on my own skills and how they align with a career in law.
A highlight of the week was the group task, where we created a social media video. This was a great way to develop teamwork and communication skills, whilst also thinking creatively within a professional context.
Prior to the placement, I completed pre-scheme online workshops, which helped me feel well prepared going into the week.
Overall, the experience provided a realistic and engaging insight into the responsibilities, pace, and collaborative nature of working in a commercial law firm.

Understanding the business and the range of opportunities available was one of the most valuable parts of the experience. It gave me a much clearer sense of how Shoosmiths operates as a whole, and how different teams work together to deliver client work.
Overall, the vacation scheme strengthened my understanding of the commercial nature of the firm and where different roles fit within that structure; it helped me start to see more clearly where I could potentially fit in myself.

This experience built on my current role as a legal administrator, particularly in strengthening core legal skills such as research, document review, attention to detail, and written communication. It helped me apply these skills in a fast-paced and commercially focused environment, reinforcing my existing legal skills and further developing my confidence in using them across different contexts.

The culture was very welcoming, supportive and approachable throughout. The Emerging Talent team were particularly supportive both before, during and after the placement, which made the whole experience feel very well organised and reassuring. There was a strong emphasis on collaboration and learning, creating an environment that felt professional but not intimidating. I particularly enjoyed the sweets on offer!

I really enjoyed the vacation scheme and felt very much at home there. It was engaging, well-structured, gave me a clear, realistic view of the work and the wider firm and also reinforced my interest in a commercial legal career.

Yes

You’re very well supported throughout the process, so you’re never left feeling like you’re on your own. The Emerging Talent team are approachable and genuinely invested in helping you do well, which makes a big difference.
Shoosmiths actively encourages applications from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, with a clear focus on building a more inclusive future in law.
My main advice would be to just go for it, be yourself, and engage fully with the process.