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Summer vacation scheme: What motivated me to apply to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ?

The people and the culture motivated me to apply to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ.

I have been lucky in the past to work with the social mobility team, where we offered a collaborative work experience scheme to an under-represented individual in the legal profession. During my communication with the team, I noticed their passion for DEI, which resonated with me. As an individual from a lower socio-economic background, who is a mother and attending a non-Russell Group university, the ambition to make the firm more diverse and inclusive inspired me. When I was looking for training contracts, I was set on finding a firm who valued their people, their clients and their culture. I quickly came to realise that °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ offered everything I wanted.

Having an insight to the firm already, I was excited to be on the vacation scheme because I could integrate within a team and do real work. My first impression on the vacation scheme was that the people are so friendly and helpful. I joined the banking team and they all collaborated and supported each other, even in such a challenging environment.

I was located in the Birmingham office; therefore, the first step of the day is coffee (of course). Next, I asked around the team to see if anyone needed help with their workload. The work I was exposed to varied and I would say that you get out what you put in. There are loads of opportunities for development and feedback from the whole team. For example, I asked the current legal assistant for a call to look over my work with me and he always gave me his time. In addition, there has been loads of networking, from trainee lunches to business development. The trainees are all so friendly and authentic. For example, they offered their time to deliver virtual insights to different departments. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to travel to the Manchester office to meet with wider team, which such a vast experience. 

During my time on the scheme, I learnt so much. I was in a new team, with limited previous experience, which was daunting. However, as everyone was willing to give me their time and expertise to help me develop, which resulted me being part of the team. I had the opportunity to draft documents, which during my time in the team went out to clients. For me, that highlighted the trust and opportunities within the firm for development. Additionally, on research tasks, I experimented with the firm's large language model (LLM) Jac and it was my first time using AI within my work.

So, what drives me to pursue a career in law?

Initially it was helping others and making a difference. This has grown into a passion for DEI, motivation to get involved in the charity work and volunteering behind the scenes of a law firm. 

A key piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be to always believe in yourself, even when others may not. Also, opportunities are not always handed to you, you must put the work in and push yourself out of your comfort zone to find them.

It has genuinely surprised me how nice everyone is, from the receptionist all the way up to the partners. Humanity is evident at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ and people present their authentic self. I would 100% recommend the summer vacation scheme to others, it gives you a flavour of trainee life at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ and how great the firm is!

Leah Grosvenor