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

The most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the scheme were surprisingly the same for me: reaching out to lawyers within the firm for discussions and soliciting work. Unlike most vacation schemes, Arnold & Porter LLP doesn’t assign you to a specific department. Instead, all vacation schemers share a large space and are encouraged to proactively engage with lawyers across the firm to learn about their practice areas and get involved in their work.

On one hand, I found this approach particularly enjoyable because it allowed me to explore different practice areas and get involved in the departments that initially attracted me to Arnold & Porter. On the other hand, reaching out to partners and senior associates and holding meaningful discussions was certainly daunting and challenging, albeit rewarding to hear diverse views from professionals at different stages of their careers.

What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

A typical day would start between 9:00am and 9:30am with checking emails and Zoom messages, followed by catching up with the other vacation schemers about their previous evening’s activities. It was great to get to know the other vacation schemers, we definitely benefitted from all sharing the same room. By 10:00am, I’d begin working on one of the tasks assigned to me.

Around 11:00am, we typically had our first workshop of the day, which would be based on one of the firm’s core practice areas. Prior to the workshop, we were given a couple of typical problem scenarios and areas of law to research. The workshop itself was very discussion-based, involving a partner and an associate from that practice group who’d walk us through the challenges and provide real-life client examples.

Between 12:30pm and 1:00pm, we’d usually grab lunch together from a nearby spot before heading back to our desks to finish up some work. At 2:00pm, we either had another workshop or a meet-and-greet with one of the firm’s groups, such as the pro bono team.

Towards the end of the vacation scheme, we had to prepare a presentation to deliver in front of the firm, so we’d often set aside time in the late afternoon to collectively discuss and plan this. In the evenings, after 5:30pm, there were a few events held by the firm, such as a networking event and a social gathering with the firm’s current trainees.

What’s the most important thing you learnt about the firm while on the scheme?

The most important aspect for me was undoubtedly the firm’s culture. While it may sound trite, each firm truly has its own environment. Some cultures are quite similar, while others are vastly different. For me, finding a firm with an atmosphere where I could thrive and excel was a top priority, and this was certainly reaffirmed during the scheme.

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

The vacation scheme, especially the workshops and discussions, highlighted the multi-disciplinary nature of the firm’s work. This means understanding how various practice groups collaborate on live matters. For instance, the firm’s clients include well-known life sciences companies. An acquisition project for these clients, while primarily a corporate matter, often necessitates collaboration with the intellectual property and competition teams as well.

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

Reaching out and meeting individuals from various practice areas at all levels is a significant part of the scheme. During these conversations, I’d encourage vacation schemers to focus on the current trends in the person’s practice area and how macro events may impact their work, rather than specific cases the firm has handled. In my opinion, this fosters a more free-flowing discussion, preventing the interaction from becoming a Q&A.

What do you think made your vacation scheme application successful?

Besides the obvious tailoring my application to the firm, I believe I stood out by being clear about my motivations for pursuing a career in law and how that related to the firm’s practice areas and overarching values. I also think being authentic throughout the process helped to make my application successful. There’s really no typical Arnold & Porter trainee, each of us have different hobbies and extracurricular interests. Embrace your differences and ensure they stand out during your application.