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

I was looking for a law firm that combined high quality City-level work with a supportive and collaborative culture. Stevens & Bolton LLP stood out because of this. The firm advises on complex, high-value matters across a wide range of practice areas, so I felt I could be part of a collaborative culture without compromising on the quality of work.

I'd also heard consistently positive things about Stevens & Bolton from lawyers who worked there, particularly about its people. Speaking to representatives at my university law fair reinforced that impression, as everyone I met was approachable and genuinely enthusiastic about working there. The combination of excellent work, a strong reputation and a friendly environment made Stevens & Bolton my top choice.

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

I particularly enjoyed the Legal Tech Design Challenge, where we worked in groups to develop and pitch a legal technology solution to be utilised within Stevens & Bolton. I enjoyed collaborating with my teammates, bouncing ideas off each other and building on suggestions until we had a solution we were all confident in.

When it came to presenting, I was happy to take the lead in answering the partners' questions. Because we’d worked through the finer details as a team beforehand, I felt well prepared to explain our reasoning and respond confidently, bringing in wider commercial knowledge and ideas. It was rewarding to see how effective teamwork and preparation resulted in a strong final pitch.

How did the scheme end? Did the scheme end with a training contract interview?

Yes. The scheme included a series of speed interviews with seven different partners, lasting around two and a half hours in total. My interviews were on the first day, which was initially quite nerve-racking, but it also meant that I had the opportunity to meet partners from across the firm at the very start.

The interview questions covered commercial awareness, practical scenarios and motivations for pursuing a career in commercial law. There was also time at the end of each interview to ask your own questions, which was my favourite part. Because we knew which partners we were meeting, I researched their practice areas beforehand and prepared questions that reflected my genuine interests. This made the conversations feel more natural and gave me a better insight into the work they do and the Stevens & Bolton’s culture.

One piece of interview advice I'd give is not to feel that every answer has to sound like the ‘perfect’ legal response. One of my favourite interviews ended up being the one where the conversation took a completely unexpected direction. It became one of the strongest interviews because I relaxed, answered honestly and let my personality come through.

Were there any moments during the scheme that confirmed your desire to become a solicitor?

I started the scheme already convinced that a career as a solicitor was the right path for me. However, there were several moments throughout the week that genuinely reaffirmed my decision.

One moment that stands out was completing a written intellectual property (IP) task. It was fascinating to work through a realistic client problem and then discuss our approach with the head of IP, who explained how the advice would be delivered to the client in practice. That made the work feel much more tangible and showed how legal analysis translates into commercial advice. I also really enjoyed taking part in the negotiation exercise. It provided a realistic insight into the collaborative and strategic aspects of a solicitor's role, and I found it exciting to think through solutions while representing a client's interests.

Finally, the office atmosphere confirmed my decision. Everyone was approachable, clearly enjoyed working together and was happy to talk about both the work and wider firm initiatives, such as charity events and social activities. It sounds cliché but experiencing that environment firsthand made me even more excited about the prospect of starting my career there.

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

As well as speaking to partners, I also made a point of networking with trainees whenever I had the chance. They’d recently been through the same process, so they were incredibly approachable and happy to answer questions about everything from seat rotations to day-to-day life at the firm.

How can students stand out during group tasks or assessments on the scheme?

The best way to stand out is by contributing positively to the team rather than trying to dominate the discussion. It's important to put your own ideas forward with confidence, but also to listen carefully to others and encourage quieter members of the group to contribute. Assessors are looking at how you work with people, not just the number of times you speak.