Taylor Wessing works with forward-thinking clients engaged in the industries of tomorrow, and that’s what stood out to me initially and convinced me to join. I loved the fact that the firm looks for opportunities in new markets that are opening up across the world – providing clients with an excellent, industry-leading service. What’s more, because Taylor Wessing practises in areas of law which include Intellectual Property and Private Client, I thought it would be a really exciting place to be with a range of opportunities – and I was right.

Over  two years and four seats, I had the opportunity to take on high levels of responsibility,  was exposed to top-quality work and some of the best minds in the industry, and worked alongside a team of lawyers who are open, friendly and incredibly supportive. From helping negotiate documents for a huge construction project in central London to advising a start-up ‘fintech’ firm on UK financial regulation, my time here has exceeded all my expectations.

Having studied Law at university, I had an interest in lots of departments when I started my training contract. But after completing my third seat in Private Client, this was the area I decided to qualify into. In Private Client, you work with individuals and families helping them on a huge variety of matters – from personal tax advice to drafting wills. You often have to think beyond the legal solution and consider the practical issues and interests of individuals and their families. Since qualifying, I have found the work hugely rewarding and enjoyed the chance to specialise.  I have been able to develop my skills as a solicitor in a supportive environment, whilst being offered plenty of client contact and responsibility.

I found that even in the online material, Taylor Wessing was able to differentiate itself from all other city law firms. The focus is not only on working for exciting clientele from the industries of tomorrow, but also on building a strong sustainable firm strategy, and creating a dynamic work environment. 

My first 2 seats were in Banking and Finance and  the Disputes and Investigations team. Both teams are relatively big, allowing you to work with a range of people on a variety of matters. However they differ in the nature of the work, the client base, and the industries you come into contact with. It’s definitely been a very well-rounded training contract so far.

The best project I’ve been a part of was a large commercial transaction that involved multi-jurisdictional work. I was in contact with law firms in 6 different jurisdictions on a daily basis. Our team was spread across our practice areas, which gave me great exposure to various aspects of the firm. It was an exciting opportunity to develop relationships across a large network and reap the rewards of working in an international full-service law firm. 

You’re given a high level of responsibility at Taylor Wessing, and the work is always interesting and of a high quality. You’re encouraged to engage with  clients and senior members of the team. You have to be proactive. However, there is a sense of togetherness. The small intake also means you get to know every other trainee and are able to build lasting relationships with colleagues who will support you through your training contract and beyond.

What attracted me to Taylor Wessing was its size and reputation in the areas of private wealth work – and IP really stood out when I first applied. I was also interested in the new corporate crime team, which was being set up just as I applied.

On my training contract I had four seats – Financial Services Regulatory, Banking and Finance, Disputes and Investigations, and Pensions. Each was a totally different experience, which was ideal as I wanted to try different areas and types of work before choosing which suited me best.

During my time in Disputes, I was part of a team conducting an internal money laundering investigation on behalf of our client, a Russian investment bank. This was a very high profile matter that had hit the news, and it mixed both political and legal elements. It was incredibly exciting to take responsibility and analyse the relevant correspondence – and I loved being in the meeting with the partners ‘cross-examining’ the clients to get a full picture of the events.

Of course, to be a good lawyer, you need to demonstrate and keep honing your technical ability and knowledge. But what I’ve learned since I joined here is that you also need bags of emotional intelligence. Sometimes it’s just not enough to know the law; you must be able to communicate effectively, understand people and situations, and work in a team to reach the best solutions.

A successful lawyer is one that also keeps adapting to new laws and regulations and is always ahead of the game. And I feel that Taylor Wessing, with its technology sector focus, totally embodies this.

Everyone here is incredibly engaged with the law and current affairs – with an impressive understanding of their sectors. On a daily basis, you’ll find yourself working with some of the top legal minds in the City.

In fact, that’s what drew me to the firm in the first place. I found I clicked with the people at Taylor Wessing more than at any other firm. It’s genuinely a friendly place to work. And I also liked the broad range of clients. Taylor Wessing allows trainees to work with all of them – from small start-ups who work out of cafés to global institutions, and everything in-between.

My four seats on the training contract covered Tax and Incentives, Restructuring and Corporate Recovery, Disputes and Investigations, Private Client and Financial Services and Competition. I’ve worked with clients who are on the brink of insolvency, right through to the largest and ultra-high net worth individuals. And I’ve developed my understanding of the blockchain and cryptocurrencies. In 2017 I was awarded Trainee of the Year, which I was really proud of.

No matter where you’re sitting, you’ll be working with high profile clients who are spearheading change within their sectors. And working with cutting edge clients means we stay at the forefront of legal developments.

As a firm, we’re very diverse and inclusive. As part of the equaliTW committee, our LGBT+ network, I helped organise the firm’s Pride 2018 celebration which had a great turnout, including our Managing Partner.

I was impressed by Taylor Wessing’s vision for the future. They’ve got a clear idea about where they’re going and how they’re going to get there.

I began my Vacation Scheme with Taylor Wessing as soon as I could. I studied Law and Australian Law at The University of Nottingham and in my penultimate year I even got to go there – it was an amazing experience. Once I returned, I didn’t let jet lag get in the way of my law career and I started the scheme after just two days back in the UK.

Those two weeks gave me a real insight into the firm and immediately convinced me to train here. I was impressed by Taylor Wessing’s vision for the future. They’ve got a clear idea about where they’re going and how they’re going to get there – keeping their people in mind as they continue to develop them. This forward-thinking really resonated with me, plus, I genuinely enjoyed my time here. Everyone was incredibly supportive and encouraging, so I thought that’s a firm I want to be a part of, that’s where I want to train.

My first seat was Restructuring and Corporate Recovery, where I experienced contentious work. Over the course of the six months I had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting deals and had great exposure during each case – I love the level of involvement. A highlight was working on a deal that involved pension fraud, where I played an active role from start to finish. I worked on pre-court processes, thought about strategy and even got to go to court for the winding up hearing. Not only was it an amazing chance to see my work come to something but also it was a positive result for us. It was an amazing moment and started my contract off with a bang.

When deciding where to train, I went to quite a few open days to experience different firms. I knew I wanted to go somewhere that excelled in Property Law, offered great training and was truly international and multi-service in its structure. At the time, I remember reading how heavily involved Taylor Wessing were in the Gherkin, and they’d also just won Law Firm of the Year.

I previously sat in Banking & Finance, Real Estate and Construction. I am currently in my final seat where I have been given the opportunity go on secondment. Because my seniors know of my interest in property, they’ve been able to facilitate my learning. It shows the great level of care they take in assigning the right seats to the right trainees. I’m really enjoying the variety in my work. I could be financing anything from industrial units in Exeter one week to London sports stadiums and facilities the next.

While in my Banking Finance seat I was able to run the sale of a small portfolio property by myself from start to finish, and in Real Estate I worked with a partner on a big acquisition of a portfolio of properties in Sheffield.There’s a massive sense of trust at Taylor Wessing, and though you’re never without support, you’re very much encouraged to have autonomy and learn by doing.

I think being able to prioritise and work well under pressure are qualities of a great lawyer. Everyone at Taylor Wessing works hard, but people are never too busy to help. From other trainees, to associates, to partners I’ve never felt like there’s been any room I couldn’t walk into and speak to whoever I needed to.

I’d always enjoyed the academic aspect of the law – but I was curious to see how it applied in practice. So in the second year of my law degree, I took part in Taylor Wessing’s two-week vacation scheme. This really gave me a great insight into the practical aspects of law, and firmed up my decision to follow it as a career. 

I was initially attracted to the firm because of its dynamic clientele, and its ability to identify and tap into new markets. Whenever I speak to people about Taylor Wessing, there’s always a buzz and a sense of excitement about the firm. 

And then there’s the small trainee intake. It means we’re a closely-knit team, and good friends who support each other. It also means that we are seen as individuals rather than a face in the crowd. 

The first seat of my training contract was in Banking and Finance. It was a transactional seat and fairly fast paced, which meant that most matters I was working on tend to be completed within four to six weeks. This kept things refreshing, and I had plenty of opportunities to work with a broad spread of clients. 

I’m currently in Patents for my second seat. It’s very different, as I’m mainly involved in contentious work in the form of patent litigations. This has exposed me to a different side of law, and I’ve gained so many valuable insights. 

Personally, I think Taylor Wessing stands out among the sea of city law firms because of its culture –which is friendly and down-to-earth, but also very ambitious.

I have a keen interest in technology. I see it as a driver for social change and a shaper of the world at all levels. Taylor Wessing’s sector focus on the ‘industries of tomorrow’ appealed to me for these reasons. 

My current seat is in Corporate Technology and I previously sat in Patents Litigation, Disputes and Investigations and Commercial Technology & Data (with a 3-month client secondment). My first two seats involved contentious work so were similar in the work rhythm and tasks. The difference is that in Patents Litigation you usually get to work on one or two big cases at a time, whereas in Disputes and Investigations you can be involved in multiple smaller matters – same in Commercial Technology & Data, but matters tend to close much quicker than in contentious departments. I have one seat left before qualification, and I still feel like I have a lot more to discover.

The small trainee intake is invaluable, I cannot stress that enough. Not only do you get to build a real community with your fellow trainees, it means you get exposure to a much more varied range of work. You’re surrounded by the sharpest minds, and our clients know this. They come to us for the very specific services that we can offer. 

I’m very involved in our Pro Bono Committee where I coordinate the distribution of Pro Bono work throughout the firm. I’m also part of our Environmental Awareness Committee and I’m very open to new ideas about reducing our energy impact.

At Taylor Wessing, I feel respected as a professional and I value that above all else. Partners and senior members of staff are approachable, and are genuinely interested in trainees and see us as people with something to bring to the table. They always make every effort to help us learn and grow.