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

The most enjoyable aspect of Morgan Lewis’ vacation scheme was the opportunity to engage with distinguished lawyers who, despite their impressive credentials and formidable track records, were incredibly approachable and generous with their time. It was refreshing to see that the law firm genuinely values openness and mentorship, which solidified my excitement about joining. I wouldn’t blame applicants for being somewhat sceptical when firms claim to be ‘people-oriented’. Due to the term’s repetitive use, it can sometimes be received as more of a slogan than reality. However, from all the helpful receptionists to the partners I interacted with at Morgan Lewis, I truly felt that the people were the cornerstone of the law firm’s culture.

The most challenging aspect was overcoming the internal doubt about whether I could ‘fit in’ to the very prestigious environment I was being evaluated in. Coming from a non-legal background and as someone from Latin America, it hasn’t been easy to fully envision myself belonging in the City firm sphere, especially throughout long, arduous and often frustrating application cycles! However, by the end of the process, I felt like I’d developed the self-belief that I do belong in these spaces and that my unique perspective and experiences are valuable. It can take a while to get there but, believe me, there’s no one-size-fits-all type of person that belongs to the solicitor life.

Did the scheme end with a training contract interview?

The training contract interviews with the partners took place on the last Wednesday of the scheme. I appreciated this timing, as it allowed me to complete possibly the most daunting part early, leaving me free to fully engage with and enjoy the remainder of the week. The scheme concluded with an informative session led by Natasha Fox (the firm’s graduate recruitment and development manager), who outlined the decision-making process moving forward and provided us with a variety of nice snacks and drinks, which was a great way to wrap things up!

What key skills did you develop during the scheme?

A critical skill that I honed during the scheme was balancing the desire for thoroughness with the need to meet deadlines – a balance that’s essential in a client-driven environment. In a previous vacation scheme, I’d missed a deadline because I focused too much on exhaustive research, stemming from my non-law background where academic rigour often took precedence over timeliness. During the scheme with Morgan Lewis, I prioritised clear communication with my supervisor, which included asking questions when I was assigned a task, such as:

• What are the expectations for this task?;
• What’s the deadline?;
• How in-depth should my findings be?; and, if relevant
• What client need does this task fulfill?

This approach ensured that I delivered work that was timely and met the client objectives, which I quickly learned from my first experience is most likely not a several-thousand-word essay!

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

Morgan Lewis’s vacation scheme provided me with a deeper understanding of the law firm’s operations and the nuanced differences across its practice areas. For instance, I was given tasks in the antitrust practice that not only involved litigation, but also encompassed advisory work on merger arbitrage, which I was much less familiar with. In addition, I gained insight into how leadership changes can significantly influence a firm’s direction. The transformation under Jami McKeon’s leadership since 2014, which steered the firm towards more progressive and forward-thinking initiatives, was particularly enlightening.

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

My advice is to embrace the mindset that you already belong. It’s easy to feel like you need a certain background or experience to succeed, but the fact that you’ve been selected for the vacation scheme means you already have what it takes. Your goal should be to provide the firm with examples that confirm its decision to hire you. While it’s important to prepare thoroughly (eg, research practice areas and anticipate interview questions), a crucial element is maintaining confidence in yourself. If you believe you belong, your actions will naturally align with that belief. Although this advice may seem abstract, the right mindset is definitely a foundation for success. Be your own advocate because the firm wants to see the best version of you.

What do you think made your vacation scheme application successful?

I believe the key to my successful application was my ability to communicate directly and concisely without losing my personal voice. By being concise, I made room to highlight more achievements, reflect on my skills and delve deeper into technical questions. It was also crucial to ensure that each point was relevant to myself and the law firm’s interests. If a detail didn’t serve, I removed it.

In addition, I focused on areas where my genuine interests align with the firm’s strengths, which, for me, were antitrust, employment and intellectual property. This allowed my enthusiasm and authenticity to shine through.