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

The Cooley (UK) LLP vacation scheme is two weeks long. Each week you change teams to experience different practice areas within the firm. In 2024, I sat in product litigation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

In product litigation, I researched the EU Right to Repair Directive for a client memo and addressed client-specific questions on the sale of live animals under the Sale of Goods Act. Working on live matters made the learning experience far more impactful because I could see how my research and answers were directly connected to real client needs.

In M&A, I shadowed a partner in a counterparty call, taking notes during the negotiations and discussing with the partner afterwards. This was a fantastic opportunity to see the commercial aspects of the law and how a partner navigates difficult conversations between parties.

Alongside these tasks, we undertook a group presentation and a client interview for the purpose of drafting a witness statement. 

Which were the most enjoyable – and most challenging – aspects of the scheme?

The most challenging part of the scheme was managing my time in a way that struck a balance between networking, attending the Cooley vacation scheme talks/workshops and completing tasks. As time went on, this got much easier as I received advice from trainees and associates, and attended sessions that discussed ways to efficiently complete certain tasks. What helped most was proactively scheduling my time, diarising properly, and asking questions early on to clarify deadlines and expectations.

The most enjoyable part of the scheme were the various Cooley workshops. These were extremely interactive. The firm structured these sessions to create a constructive environment in which I could learn about the firm, while also developing various skills without the underlying worry that we were being assessed. For example, I enjoyed one of the talks on Cooley pro bono and another on the various affinity groups Cooley has, such as the Cooley Women’s Initiative. It was great to hear firsthand about the amazing ways Cooley celebrates diversity equity and inclusion.

What key skills did you develop during the scheme?

I developed my communication skills during the scheme. Strong communication skills are made up of several elements:

• Being open to communicate – putting yourself ‘out there’ for conversations with people, even if it’s slightly out of your comfort zone or areas of interest (it might surprise you).
• Being a good listener – taking notes and being responsive during conversations because coffee chats are opportunities for you to learn about the firm and why you want to join.
• Being responsive – if you’re set a task try to acknowledge receipt of it and follow up with any questions you might have, or if you think you can no longer achieve a deadline keep the relevant person informed. 
• Being consistent – apply all the above, irrespective of the person you’re communicating with, be it a partner, trainee or another vacation schemer.

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

While at the firm you might learn the phrase “be Cooley”. I’ve come to learn that this means being yourself, and ensuring your work and how you engage with others embodies the firm’s values. For me, during the scheme and throughout the Diversity Fellowship, this meant showing unwavering quality in the work you produce by being proactive and learning by doing, all while valuing and celebrating differences among everyone at the firm. Learning this, and seeing how everyone emulates it among clients and across teams, is indicative of the Cooley culture that you’ll contribute to, and work within, on the scheme. Keeping this in mind will be key to your success on the scheme. 

Looking back, what advice do you wish you’d received before starting your vacation scheme?

Leading up to any vacation scheme, it’s very easy to get lost in being competitive with other vacation schemers. This can lead to you overthinking what other people are doing and, naturally, what you’re not doing. This is ultimately a distraction in itself. So, instead, focus on the skills you want to learn and the things you want to experience – not the things that others might be getting up to. Importantly, there are elements of the scheme dedicated to working within a team, which makes it even more important to nudge away any competitive sentiments. So, stand tall but don’t stand apart! How you work in a team is important and will improve your experience during the scheme.