What did a day on the vacation scheme look like?

On the first day of my first seat in private wealth disputes, I joined my supervisor at a conference in London. It was a brilliant opportunity to observe how barristers evaluate a case and provide their view on a judgment. A senior associate in the team provided background on the conference and answered any questions I had. I found the talk extremely insightful. Attending this conference and undertaking some related tasks allowed me to get a deeper insight into the work that a private wealth solicitor would undertake.

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

Birketts LLP is represented by its people. During the scheme, I was able to learn how supervisors interact with their team and, more importantly, how they help each member to achieve their goals. It was clear to me that the firm really values personal development. The guidance I received on the vacation scheme truly humbled me – no matter how busy each supervisor was, they all made time to explain elements I didn’t understand to ensure I was able to complete my tasks.

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

There are three skills that I believe will contribute to a successful vacation scheme experience. Firstly, remember to be inquisitive – when you’re handed a task to complete, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about what’s expected of you. It’s better to ask lots of questions to understand what you’re being tasked with than to get it wrong.

You also need to be hungry for opportunities (not just for the endless supply of snacks and meals out at Birketts). If you’re asked to attend a call with your supervisor or travel somewhere, do it. Completing a wide variety of tasks during the vacation scheme paints a detailed picture of what’s expected of a trainee in that seat, which is invaluable.

Finally, hone your networking skills. The vacation scheme isn’t just about being able to complete every task to an exceptional standard, it’s also about engaging with your supervisors as well as the wider team. If you show that you’re willing to engage, you’re more likely to be given additional opportunities, gain broader experience and have more chances to impress.

Do you have any advice about networking while on the vacation scheme?

Networking effectively is perhaps one of the greatest skills a person can develop. During Birketts’ vacation scheme, everyone is in the same boat – you’re all there to see whether the law firm is the right choice for you and, most importantly, to secure a training contract. Talk to everyone and learn something about them; these will be the people that surround you if you’re successful.

Even if you’re not confident in talking to people, engaging in conversations is more productive than sitting in your own thoughts, especially on the vacation scheme. If you were offered a place on a scheme, clearly your interview was enough to persuade recruiters and the interviewing panel to give you a chance. Don’t let the reluctance to network hinder your chances of securing a training contract.  

How did the scheme end?

Birketts’ vacation scheme ended with a meeting conducted by two partners. During the meeting, the partners provided overall feedback on my performance, most of which they received from the supervisors I worked with in each seat. I was then given the opportunity to provide my feedback on each seat and my thoughts on the vacation scheme, which demonstrates the value the firm places on vacation schemers. The partners also asked whether I had considered the role of a trainee at Birketts, and if yes, why. Ultimately, this meeting serves as a final opportunity to justify why you should be recruited and explain what you can offer to the law firm.