Summer 2024
Law
University College London
Which were the most enjoyable – and most challenging – aspects of the scheme?
The most enjoyable aspect of Morrison Foerster’s (MoFo) vacation scheme was the opportunity to interact in close proximity with the firm’s lawyers. Whether participating in practice area talks, social events or even just sharing the office with my supervisors over the course of the scheme, I was able to glean valuable insights into their careers and their life at the firm. The friendliness of the lawyers and business professionals at MoFo facilitated warm and open conversations, which made the scheme all the more enjoyable. This rare opportunity wouldn’t have been possible outside of a vacation scheme.
The most challenging aspect was pacing myself during my time there. Given the short duration of the scheme, I wanted to do it all – interact with the lawyers, participate fully in the events and complete the work to the best of my ability. At the same time, I wanted to be mindful enough to allow myself the headspace to enjoy the time as much as possible. With proper planning and time management, I was eventually able to pace myself to get the most out of the scheme.
What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?
No two days were the same. On a typical day, I’d arrive at the office for a 9:00am start. I’d check my emails and work on any outstanding tasks for about an hour, before heading to the client meeting rooms for practice area talks organised by MoFo’s respective practice groups. The talks continued into the afternoon, with ample time for a catered lunch in between.
After the sessions, I’d either head back to my desk to work on any outstanding tasks or head for one of my pre-scheduled coffee chats with the lawyers at the firm. There were also evening social activities planned on some of the days – these ranged from a pasta-making workshop to riding in a speedboat down the River Thames!
What’s the most important thing you learned about the firm while on the scheme?
The most important thing I learned was that MoFo isn’t looking for individuals to fit a certain mould. Everyone on the vacation scheme was different in their own way. We all came from different backgrounds and had different personalities. The law firm was more interested in our attitude, our work product and how we got along with each other and the firm’s staff.
How did the scheme help you to understand the firm better as a business?
MoFo’s various practice groups organised practice area talks. These involved lawyers from different areas talking about the work they do and how it fits into the wider picture of the firm as a business. I learned that cross-departmental work was a common occurrence at MoFo. For instance, the work of the data privacy and technology transactions practice groups often complement each other, enabling the firm to offer more complete services to its clients.
In addition, there was an opportunity to interact with the office managing partners of the firm’s London office. They shared how the firm was structured as a business, as well as the firm’s strategy for the future. From this, I was able to better appreciate how MoFo’s London office fits into the firm’s wider global structure.
Looking back, what advice do you wish you’d received before starting your vacation scheme?
Prior to the scheme I had a set of goals that I wanted to accomplish. However, I learned during the scheme the importance of staying nimble – certain tasks took more time than expected and, with the limited time, I had to re-prioritise my goals as time progressed. Upon reflection, while having goals to accomplish helped me to develop a plan for the scheme, I realised, at the end of the day, that I would’ve been fine as long as I tried my best. As such, I wish I’d been told that it was fine for me not to be able to accomplish all my goals for the vacation scheme.
