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

During the vacation scheme, I sat on two teams – the London markets insurance team and the financial regulatory team. On the London markets insurance team, I was asked to produce the first draft of an article that was published on the firm’s website. It concerned shareholder activism and director’s duties in relation to the ClientEarth v Shell case.

In the financial regulation team, I had the opportunity to listen in on a client meeting. The client had concerns about being investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and after that meeting I was asked to do some research on the FCA consumer credit rules. This experience was beneficial as I was able to fine-tune my research skills.

On both teams, I had the opportunity to proofread statements of cases relating to disputes and witness statements, so I had really good exposure across the two teams that I sat in.

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

As part of the two-week vacation scheme, we attended various practice area talks. I enjoyed learning more about the different practice areas, what work they had on and the breadth of what the DWF Group Limited teams get involved in. DWF has an open-plan office and I enjoyed having spontaneous conversations with lawyers and paralegals about what they were currently working on.

The most challenging aspect was balancing the multiple activities. In the backdrop of our practice area work, we were working on a group presentation, so we had to make time in our day to meet with our partner and plan it. We had to balance that with the work that we were doing in our seats and with social events. Maintaining my energy was also a challenge due to the fast-paced days and because I was already anxious heading into the scheme.

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

I’d say I discovered the true culture of the firm beyond the glossy website. Speaking to people and learning about the cut of everyone's jib showed me that everybody was approachable, including those in leadership. No one was too busy to answer a question or to have a conversation; in fact, they went out of their way to do so. This confirmed for me that DWF was a good cultural fit because if the scheme resulted in a training contract offer, it’d have to be somewhere that I knew I’d be happy to work every day.

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

I observed how the associates and partners effectively used their time to create client value and we had conversations about time recording and how tasks are allocated to ensure that the client is getting the best value. Seeing that in motion showed me how the business functions day to day.

I also observed a team putting together articles for a magazine. In this case, it was for an insurance company that was based in the same building. In exchange for making a contributing to the magazine, DWF would benefit from exposure. This quid pro quo arrangement provided insight into how the firm operates and generates business from such opportunities, even when it’s not direct business.

How can future vacation schemers ensure they get the most out of the scheme?

It’s important to be open and proactive, and to grab opportunities as they come along. As I mentioned earlier, having those spontaneous conversations with lawyers and paralegals can be beneficial as you never know where an opportunity might present itself. So, I recommend volunteering for things and maximising networking opportunities. Every conversation you have with someone could lead to something valuable.

What do you think made your vacation scheme successful?

It was perhaps my willingness to get involved in things. I was acutely aware that two weeks wasn’t a long time to stand out and show the firm who I am. So, it was important that I put myself out there and volunteered for whatever came up. Showing that I could fit into the office, and that my values aligned with the firm’s culture went a long way to helping my chances of securing a training contract with DWF. I also had the opportunity to take part in the ethnic minority access programme. I think having that extra time to showcase my personality allowed the firm to get to know me better.

What resources did you use while making applications?

I used LawCareers.Net’s resources while I was applying for training contracts, so taking part in this interview is a bit of a full circle moment as I'm being able to contribute to something on which I’ve relied on.