Student Review

The vacation scheme gave me real insight into the role of a lawyer and how commercial law works, both internally within a team and externally with clients. No two days looked the same, which I think genuinely reflects the day-to-day reality of the job.
That said, each day followed a broad structure. There was always time at my desk, getting to know my trainer and the wider team, and picking up the actual workflow of how the team operated.
Alongside this, we had presentations from different practice areas, including ENRI, Corporate, Finance, and Disputes, which gave a deeper understanding of both the technical work lawyers do and the firm's overall business model.
Additionally, there were networking events, both with my peers on the cohort and with people in other roles across the firm, which reinforced that being a good lawyer is not just about technical skill. People skills matter just as much.

Understanding the business and the roles on offer felt very practical, like the bridge between a typical insight day and the reality of being a lawyer. At an open day, you learn about a firm's strategy, how practice areas are divided, and its culture, but it stays fairly abstract. The vacation scheme completed the picture, and it left me much more confident about how different roles, whether contentious, advisory, or transactional, all feed into the service a firm delivers to its clients.
It also clarified how the firm distinguishes its services to clients while staying at the forefront in different markets. Seeing that from the inside made the "business model" feel more coherent and clear.

I have learnt soft skills such as expectation management and adaptability, and improved existing skills such as organisation and critical thinking. I also learnt hard skills such as conducting research, distilling it for the target audience, and drafting effectively.

The company culture was very accommodating and friendly. There was a genuine willingness to help, whether that meant guiding you to the right resources or answering questions. People were invested in your growth, because your development benefitted the team and the firm as a whole.

I went in eager to really understand the role of a lawyer, and whether I could learn, contribute and thrive at the firm. Now, I can say that I had my questions answered, I feel more confident and overall, the vacation scheme exceeded my expectations.

Yes

The biggest tip I would give is to let your research include speaking with people at the firm, or those who have done vacation schemes there, to understand what a lawyer's role actually entails.
This, in conjunction with researching online, would give you a well-rounded understanding of the firm. Being able to reflect on what stood out to you, and why, from your research would help you demonstrate authentic motivation in the application process.