What work did you get involved with on the vacation scheme?

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday involved work experience within specific teams. Across those days, I was placed in the real estate, trusts and estates, and property litigation teams. There were set tasks to complete based on the typical work of a trainee, such as drafting a will and conducting a land registry search report. These tasks involved investigating and flagging issues according to the client’s needs, while also providing an idea of the skills a trainee can expect to develop (eg, attention to detail and being precise).

I had plenty of opportunities to conduct research, with one task showing how a trainee might contribute by producing an article for Ashfords’ website. As there was no pressure from the teams to complete all the set tasks, I also learnt about the interesting projects happening within the department. Everyone was happy to share what they’d been working on, which showcased the range of work and how it varied between departments.

How did the scheme end?

The training contract assessment centre took place during the middle of the vacation scheme (eg, mine was on the Wednesday). This was helpful as I could draw on insights from the first two days. It also meant there wasn’t a long and daunting build up to the assessment centre, so I was better able to make the most of the Thursday and Friday!

The scheme did end with a series of useful interactive sessions. The College of Legal Practice – Ashfords’ chosen provider for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam – outlined details about the courses it offers. This was followed by a presentation on networking and building professional relationships, which demonstrated the soft skills that a trainee solicitor can expect to develop.

Employees from across various departments then came together for a live panel to answer questions about their experience at Ashfords. To finish, we put our networking skills into practice for a networking lunch with partners! This was a great way to celebrate with everyone I’d connected with and fully immerse myself in the firm’s welcoming environment.  

What’s the most important thing you learnt about the firm while on the scheme?

Before the scheme, I researched Ashford’s work, values and culture. However, reading about a firm’s culture can only take you so far. During the scheme, I witnessed Ashfords’ supportive learning environment, and the emphasis it puts on teamwork and personal growth. It wasn’t until I was working in the office and spending time within departments that I could personally appreciate this.

Everyone was just as excited to meet me as I was to meet them, regardless of their position in the firm. This was made easier by the complete open plan layout of the office, which was a big surprise! It makes a huge difference when everyone you meet is invested in your growth on a professional and personal level, both during the working day and at lunch/after work. This made Ashfords stand out to me, so I’d definitely recommend the scheme to anyone interested.

How did the scheme help you to understand the firm better as a business?

On the scheme, I approached individuals of all roles with questions about their work and the firm. This helped me to understand the various responsibilities and initiatives for finding opportunities, building relationships with clients and ensuring a quality service is provided. I sat in on a business and development meeting, which highlighted the importance of engaging with people who may benefit from the firm’s services and anticipating their needs. The networking presentation on the Friday also demonstrated how employees can contribute to the firm’s operation as a business.

Overall, I saw that all kinds of growth – for the employee, the business and the client – are celebrated and encouraged at Ashfords.

How can future vacation schemers ensure they get the most out of the scheme?

As one of my supervisors told me: “Don’t doubt the impact you have as a vacation schemer”. Everyone will be excited to get to know you and more than happy to support your growth across the week. Once this became clear, I felt comfortable asking about particular work and cases that I’d read about, and to be pointed in new directions. For example, when I was told that a trainee had a similar area of interest to me and had written a similar dissertation, I asked my supervisor whether I could catch up with the trainee. This ended up being an enriching and valuable conversation, deepening my understanding of what working at Ashfords could look like.

Other than attending a vacation scheme, what’s the most relevant experience you’ve had that’s benefited your journey to becoming a lawyer?

I worked in fundraising while at university. While that might not initially seem relevant to law, I developed valuable skills that are transferrable to working as a trainee solicitor. I learnt to be open-minded and anticipate the needs of potential donors, find creative solutions to their concerns and build genuine relationships with them.

Being a lawyer requires not only a firm grasp of the law, but also strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, to ensure services are high quality and tailored to the client. Any client-facing work or experience providing a service can be useful in developing these skills. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve worked in retail, hospitality or another industry, as long as your communication and analytical skills can be transferred and you can show that you’re a well-rounded person!