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

The most enjoyable aspect of the vacation scheme was getting to see how different teams at Osborne Clarke LLP work. I’ve been a paralegal in the real estate and telecoms team for three years, so having the opportunity to work in other departments really opened my eyes to new areas of law and how they operate day to day. It also showed me that what I value in my own team is shared across the firm. That was reassuring, as it made me feel confident that I’d be supported during the training contract, particularly as Osborne Clarke operates a six‑month seat rotation. Meeting so many people over the two weeks, taking on board their advice and hearing about their experiences made the process feel less daunting and helped to humanise what can sometimes seem like a cold or inaccessible industry.

The most challenging aspect was the first couple of days. A two‑week scheme can feel like an extended interview, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to make a good impression and produce work to a high standard from the outset, which was quite exhausting. As the days went on, it became easier as you realise that people genuinely want you to do well and are rooting for you to succeed. Again, I found this to be a good indication of what it’d be like to be a trainee at Osborne Clarke.

What’s one task you owned (even a small one) and what did you produce at the end?

As part of the employment team, I prepared an advice note for a national infrastructure provider on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. I was required to research policy notes and formulate specific pieces of advice that would affect the client’s business operations at various levels. For example, I considered how changes to unfair dismissal rights might affect termination practices and what practical implications a requirement for employers to take ‘all’ reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment would have for the client’s existing procedures.

What’s one thing you learnt about the firm during the scheme that you couldn’t have learned from research alone?

There’s no substitute for working within a team to see what’s important to a firm and how this impacts people’s day‑to‑day work. For example, Osborne Clarke is renowned for its investment in technology. During my vacation scheme, Osborne Clarke was piloting a variety of AI tools. Seeing the time and investment that went into the trials, as well as the changing attitudes towards smarter ways of working, was not something you’d encounter in research alone. By speaking to the firm’s solutions team and knowledge lawyers, I was given a sneak peek preview into how AI was disrupting the legal industry and, a year later, it’s clear that Osborne Clarke was at the forefront of this.

Did your attendance on the scheme support your application for a training contract?

Undoubtedly – the scheme broadened my understanding of the firm, how it operates and what its priorities are. More importantly, it allowed me to build connections with people from across the firm and demonstrate the soft skills required to succeed in a firm such as Osborne Clarke.

What approach to networking worked best for you during the scheme?

I found it really valuable to speak to everyone in my team, from knowledge lawyers and partners to personal assistants and trainees. Doing so helped me build genuine connections and gave me a more realistic view of how the team operates. I also tried to approach every conversation with a sense of intentionality, but sometimes simply making the effort to take an interest in someone can lead to the most rewarding conversations.