What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

Each day would begin somewhere between 8:30 and 9:30am, and would involve a combination of talks from different departments, training and, of course, plenty of hands-on work. Lunchtime offers a great opportunity to socialise with your fellow vacation schemers and even more senior members of the firm, who’ll be more than happy to chat and answer your questions. The day would typically wrap up around 5:30/6:00pm, although on several occasions there’d be social events to attend in the evening. These offered a more laid-back environment to build connections with your cohort and the current trainees.

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

During my scheme at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, I spent time in the corporate and commercial, and property litigation departments. On several occasions, I had the opportunity to review live client instructions which, while often challenging, offered invaluable insights into the type of matters the firm regularly handles. I also assisted team members wherever possible, whether that be with administrative tasks or conducting legal research on specific points of law. What stood out to me most was the variety of work I was exposed to, ranging from complex property disputes to matters involving local government clients. This diversity gave me a real appreciation of the breadth of the firm’s practice and the role trainees play in supporting it.

What key skills are required to have a successful experience on the vacation scheme?

The firm isn’t expecting you to be the finished product. What those assessing you are really looking for is whether you demonstrate the potential to become a good lawyer. There’ll be times on the scheme where you’re given challenging tasks and, while it can feel overwhelming at times, supervisors want to see that you've approached the task carefully, structured your work clearly and paid close attention to detail. Alongside your work, how you interact with those around you is just as important. Strong interpersonal skills go a long way in showing that you’re someone the firm would enjoy working with. The final important skill is the ability to seek constructive feedback, be able to reflect on it and respond positively to it in any future work.

How did the scheme help you to understand the firm better as a business?

Like many other applicants, I’m sure you’ll have thoroughly researched the firm, investigated them on the internet for as much information as possible. However, in reality, this insight will always be limited to an outside perspective. Taking part in a vacation scheme placed me at the heart of the firm’s operations and gave me the best possible insight into what it means to be a lawyer both from a legal and commercial perspective. One of my biggest takeaways from the scheme was a real appreciation for what commercial awareness actually entails. If you can carry this commercial understanding into the work you complete, it’ll demonstrate that you have more than just an interest in the law, but that you also fundamentally understand how Trowers & Hamlins operates as a business.

What’s one piece of advice you’d pass on to future vacation schemers?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether you’re finding a piece of work challenging or you’re curious about an area of law, the firm or its clients, curiosity is something lawyers want to see in a potential trainee.