When you were applying, what was your criteria for choosing a scheme, and why did this firm stand out against others?

I wanted to join a law firm with a leading global reputation across practice areas, involvement in deals and cases making headlines, and a culture of early responsibility and entrepreneurship. Through the vacation scheme, my expectations were surpassed and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher UK LLP really stood out.

One of Gibson Dunn’s most distinguishing features is its leading expertise in both transactional and contentious work. It’s truly a full-service law firm. As someone with multiple interests, training across such different practices and learning from experts really appealed to me. Speaking to trainees, I realised that lean teams enable significant responsibility at an early stage. This was reflected during my two weeks at the firm. I researched the recusal of judges, stadium financing and new Saudi Arabian legislation, giving me a real sense of the breadth of practice areas the firm covers. A highlight was contributing to and observing a large competition class action lawsuit.

Gibson Dunn also combines being at the forefront of the market with an ambitious global growth strategy. There was a buzz in the office around its rapid expansion plans in London. It’s a very exciting and unique time to join the firm and be part of this ambitious development.

What surprised you most about the scheme once it started?

What surprised me most was how approachable and generous everyone was with their time. During departmental sessions, senior lawyers answered our questions and shared insights into their practice areas. There were also many opportunities to connect across the firm, including welcome drinks, coffee chats and the summer party at the Tower of London.

I had an exceptional supervisor who was very supportive, provided direct feedback and gave an honest insight into the work and the firm. My relationship with my supervisor significantly enhanced my experience of the scheme. The supportive culture, combined with learning on the job at a high level of responsibility, makes it a great way to train as a solicitor.

What did you learn about the firm during the scheme that you couldn't have learned from research alone?

Researching the firm's practice areas, clients, deals, awards and global presence established Gibson Dunn as a leader in today's legal market. Experiencing the vacation scheme, however, allowed me to understand the scale of this work in a much more personal way.

Matters I’d previously only seen as global headlines became tangible, and I saw firsthand that even at an early stage, trainees can take on meaningful responsibility and contribute to important work. This was genuinely inspiring at the start of my career and, by the end of the scheme, gave me a clear sense that this was the firm I wanted to train with.

What skills did you develop during the scheme and when did you notice yourself using them?

The most significant skill I developed was organising my work and managing competing tasks. I received work from my supervisor, took on additional tasks from other lawyers/trainees and worked alongside another vacation scheme student on joint tasks. Initially, it was intimidating balancing deadlines and estimating how long work would take. With practice, I became more comfortable prioritising tasks and clearly communicating expectations and timelines.

I also learnt to work more independently, trying first to understand an issue myself before raising questions. I found that understanding the wider context of a task helped me produce better work. Observing how my supervisor approached her own work, together with her feedback throughout the scheme, taught me a great deal.

What did you do during the scheme that you think made a real difference to your training contract application?

Being genuinely curious and wanting to learn helped me make the most of the scheme. There’s a lot to take in, so I tried to ask questions when something sparked my interest, whether during department sessions or conversations with lawyers, and use these opportunities to learn from their experience. I also focused on improving throughout the scheme, adjusting my approach based on feedback and expectations to produce better work.

Being considerate, friendly and genuine goes a long way. This was particularly important during the group exercise in which supporting others and building relationships matters. Ultimately, being a solicitor is a people business where trust, professionalism and collaboration are crucial. Gibson Dunn’s culture reflected that throughout the vacation scheme.