First-hand experiences

“Dare I say it, I actually enjoyed my interview at Taylor Wessing; it was a far cry from other interviews where I had felt uncomfortable and ill at ease. To me, that was a good indicator of the firm. Everyone is on first-name terms and a vacation scheme student told me recently she didn’t know whether she was talking to a partner or an associate; it’s so non-hierarchical. I was also surprised how few trainees a firm of our size actually recruits, but I could see how that could make me a more visible team member whose work would really make a difference.

“Of course, it takes a bit of time to settle in, but there’s always someone around to explain things. On your part, you’re expected to muck in. Everyone works late on occasions, although if your practice group is quiet, you’re not expected to sit around twiddling your thumbs. My main role has been working on a pension fraud that has been running for about two years and, with the help of colleagues, I’ve created an 88 lever arch trial bundle for the hearing.

“But there’s still plenty of time for a good social life. Barely a week goes by without a Taylor Wessing social event in my diary. Last week, it was a football tournament in Battersea Park followed by a BBQ; this week, it’s a celebratory dinner with the clients, counsel and team members involved in the fraud trial. One of my favourite events was the Carol Concert at a local church with mince pies and mulled wine afterwards back at the office. As a trainee, firm-wide social events are a great way to meet people you might not meet through your seats.”