My standout moment each year is welcoming our new vacation scheme students. There’s a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the office, and it’s great seeing individuals we’ve supported through the application process experience life at the firm.

In 2027, we’ll host a two-week spring vacation scheme and a two-week summer vacation scheme, both in London. Applications for our spring vacation scheme close on 30 October, and applications for our summer vacation scheme close on 30 November.

We also offer a first-year insight day in May, designed for first-year students from any degree discipline who wish to learn more about Winston Taylor.

Our vacation scheme forms a core element of our trainee recruitment strategy. Generally, participation in the scheme is required to be considered for a training contract at Winston Taylor, with exceptions made for internal candidates and applicants via the 10,000 Interns Foundation. Attending the scheme is just as important for candidates as it is for the firm; it offers an invaluable insight into our culture and the type of work you’d do as a trainee.

Vacation scheme students are given meaningful tasks similar to those trainees undertake, such as drafting documents, attending meetings and collaborating on group projects. You may even get the opportunity to attend court! The work you do provides genuine insight into what it’s like as a trainee at the firm. In addition to this, vacation scheme students take part in a range of sessions, such as a pro bono workshop, client talks and sessions that focus on each of our practice areas.

We look for candidates from diverse backgrounds who are motivated to pursue a career in commercial law. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills, teamwork, commercial awareness, and curiosity around law and the sectors in which our clients operate. Adaptability and authenticity are also highly valued – we encourage everyone to be themselves during the application process.

At Winston Taylor, opportunity and inclusion are integral to our culture, talent strategy and commitment to exceptional client service. We foster a collaborative environment where individuals of all identities, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences can thrive. Our commitment is reflected in the range of internal networks designed to support our people and drive meaningful change within the firm. We also recognise that building an inclusive workplace requires collaboration beyond our own walls. That’s why we partner with organisations such as the 93% Club and 10,000 Interns Foundation. Through these partnerships and our targeted recruitment programmes, we actively seek to attract talent from all backgrounds and ensure that opportunities at Winston Taylor are open to everyone.

Winston Taylor encourages participation in firm-wide social events, volunteering opportunities, sports teams, and Inclusion Networks to help colleagues connect outside of their day-to-day work. We also have a Wellbeing Fund that all UK colleagues can access. The fund is designed to give colleagues the flexibility to choose benefits to help enhance personal wellbeing and work/life balance. It’s a great way to develop new or existing hobbies and one of the many perks of working at Winston Taylor.

One of the most common ways candidates let themselves down is by submitting an application that’s generic or insufficiently tailored to the firm. Overlooking details such as proofreading or not following instructions can also detract from an otherwise strong application. 

Winston Taylor's approach to AI is driven by both innovation and responsibility. We permit the use of AI tools during the application stage. Ultimately, the choice lies with each candidate. Integrity and authenticity are key, so we encourage candidates to be transparent about the extent to which AI tools have contributed to their application.

The strongest applications are those that are tailored to both the individual and the firm. Generic responses often fail to demonstrate genuine interest, motivation, and understanding of the firm, whereas personalised answers enable candidates to showcase their unique experiences, strengths, and reasons for applying.

We don’t permit the use of AI at any stage beyond the initial application. Candidates are required to complete these stages independently to ensure a fair and consistent assessment of their skills and abilities.

Definitely – relevant experience is helpful, but we recognise that everyone has to start somewhere, so don't worry if you haven't worked in a law firm previously. Experience from retail, hospitality or other sectors is valuable if you reflect meaningfully on transferable skills such as teamwork or problem solving, which are equally relevant within legal practice. It's also important to include other experiences that demonstrate your motivation for a career in commercial law – for example, attending open days and webinars.

Commercial awareness is absolutely vital for anyone considering a legal career, particularly at Winston Taylor where our clients operate in fast-moving and complex sectors. It means understanding how legal issues intersect with our clients’ business objectives and the wider economic environment. Candidates can showcase commercial awareness in their applications by referencing current trends or developments and commenting on their potential impact on clients or, for example, by demonstrating an understanding of how global events may affect cross-border transactions.

We host in-person assessment centres in January and February for our vacation schemes, which consist of a competency-based interview and commercial exercise. Prior to this, candidates complete the written exercise online using our digital assessment centre platform.

For first years, some basic background research goes a long way. Even just knowing which practice areas interest you’re interested in can help guide conversation! For second or third years considering applying soon, deeper research into recent deals/cases or firm culture demonstrates genuine motivation when speaking to recruiters or lawyers.

We recognise the importance of widening access to the profession and are proud to offer our Solicitor Apprenticeship Program, which launched in London in 2023 and was subsequently expanded to our Liverpool office in 2024. Winston Taylor’s Solicitor Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide school leavers with both practical legal experience and academic study.

Apprentices spend four days each week working within a practice area, gaining exposure to real client work and developing their professional skills. The remaining day is dedicated to study with our training provider, The University of Law. The structure of the Solicitor Apprenticeship Program ensures that apprentices receive a broad foundation across key legal disciplines. During years one to four, apprentices will complete one year in four different practice areas. In years five and six, they rotate seats every six months alongside our trainee solicitors.

My key advice for anyone interested in joining Winston Taylor is to demonstrate genuine curiosity in the firm’s specialist sectors and take time to research our work, practice areas, culture and values. Understanding how we support our clients and what differentiates us will help you tailor your application effectively.