Insider insights on everything from real estate and restructuring to tax, disputes and trainee tips
The Legal Cheek Spring 2025 Virtual Vacation Scheme and Law Fair, run in partnership with The University of Law (ULaw), welcomed thousands of students for three jam-packed days of insight into life at leading commercial law firms.
Across the Scheme, attendees explored practice areas spanning real estate, private equity, tax, disputes and more, with exclusive case study-led workshops delivered by lawyers and lecturers from some of the biggest names in the business.
Here’s the lowdown…
Day 1
Session 1: Real estate
The speakers:
- Rachel Munro, senior associate (real estate) at Shoosmiths
- Chelsea Collins, trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths
- Monda Ajazi, trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths
The lowdown:
The first session of the 2025 Spring Vacation Scheme focused on the world of real estate and took the form of Q&A with Shoosmiths senior associate Rachel Munro and trainees Monda Ajazi and Chelsea Collins.
The trio began by reflecting on their career journeys to date, before turning to current trends shaping the real estate sector. These included fluctuating interest rates, the drive for greater energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, as well as the influence of changing political parties and their differing views on housebuilding.
Munro also highlighted the growing impact of AI in the sector — particularly in managing tenant data and streamlining the process of gathering information to value land and property.
Ajazi and Collins went on to outline some of the key tasks trainees can expect to undertake within the real estate team. These include drafting client emails, conducting property searches and carrying out research assignments.
The session concluded with a discussion of the case study, in which vacation scheme participants took on the role of trainees assisting a client with a property purchase. As part of the exercise, they were tasked with drafting a list of questions — known as ‘requisitions on title’ — to be sent to the seller’s solicitors.
Session 2: Private equity
The speakers:
- Harry Buchanan, associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher
The lowdown:
Kicking off the session, Buchanan explained that private equity lawyers act for private equity firms on the purchase and sale of stakes in companies. At Willkie, private equity lawyers act for a range of clients on the purchase of a vast array of companies, with examples ranging from FTV Capital’s purchase of Zoovu to Bain Capital’s acquisition of Gail’s bakery.
Buchanan then delved into how private equity transactions work, breaking down the structure of private equity funds and how private equity firms identify suitable investment targets – with key factors including a clear exit strategy, strong management team, favourable industry trends and a competitive business plan.
Besides this, Buchanan also stressed the importance of due diligence, the different areas that legal diligence covers, and how junior lawyers play a fundamental role in this process. Broadly, the due diligence process serves to identify any red flags in a potential target company before an investment is made, and can include financial, legal, tax, commercial, technology and environmental diligence.
At the end of the session, Buchanan urged aspiring solicitors to seek out further insight opportunities to understand what commercial lawyers really do, as this knowledge will prove invaluable in the law firm application process.
Session 3: Employability Expo
The speakers:
- Dipa Mandal, senior lecturer at The University of Law (ULaw)
- Mandi Kaur, student recruitment manager at ULaw
- Adam White, student recruitment officer at ULaw
- Louise Musgrave, student recruitment manager at ULaw
- Jay Rees, student recruitment manager at ULaw
The lowdown:
The SQE Explained
Helen Avis, senior tutor at ULaw, led the session with a breakdown of the new route to qualification as a solicitor through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).
Avis explained that the old LPC and training contract route is being phased out and replaced by SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, alongside two years of qualifying work experience (QWE). She detailed the structure of the exams, and how SQE1 tests legal knowledge while SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills, such as client interviewing, advocacy and legal drafting, across key areas like criminal law, business law and property.
She then introduced ULaw’s SQE preparation courses, which include tailored modules in corporate, commercial and private client practice areas, alongside a 7,500-word research project. The session wrapped up with a look at the flexibility of the SQE route, which may offer a quicker and more adaptable route to qualification than the traditional path.
Firm Research and Applications
Mandi Kaur, ULaw student recruitment manager, kicked off the session by detailing the importance of thorough research, arguing that you should be demonstrating how a specific firm suits your career aspirations.
Kaur then went on to argue that applications are a two-way process, explaining that it’s not only important for the firm to think the candidate is the right fit, but that the candidate also feels certain that the firm is the right place for them – with location, trainee intake, secondment opportunities and the firm’s key practice areas being some important aspects to consider.
Kaur then moved on to the applications portion of the session, where she discussed some of the key skills aspiring solicitors should be including in their applications. Commercial awareness, attention to detail and teamwork are some of the examples used during the session, with the use of the STAR method being commended to ensure effective and on-topic responses from applicants.
The session wrapped up by Kaur providing some practical advice to students, with proof reading, leaving yourself sufficient time and honesty being some of the key points to consider.
Writing Effective CVs and Cover Letters
White began his advice on writing effective CVs by outlining the typical structure of a legal CV. Under the work experience section, key action words must be included in the bullet points highlighting key responsibilities, he explained. He then delved into the principles that underpin both the style and content of an effective CV. To wrap up the first half of his presentation, White offered practical tips on printing and mailing physical copies when required by employers.
When it came to cover letters, White recommended using the person specification often found under job listings as a guide. This, he stressed, will help applicants tailor the letter to the specific role. White also supplied the structure of a typical letter, discussed the elements that make a letter stand out, before concluding the presentation by explaining the techniques of handling mitigating circumstances.
Ace your Interviews Workshop
During this session, ULaw student recruitment managers Louise Musgrave and Jay Rees shared their top tips for acing law firm interviews. Both began by breaking down the types of interview you may encounter, and the various factors to consider when approaching each one.
The workshop then delved into the types of questions you can expect, particularly those concerning commercial awareness and knowledge of the industry, as well as competency-based questions. When tackling these questions, Musgrave and Rees both highlighted the importance of using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly structure your answers and create a good impression.
Day 2
Session 1: Finance
The speakers:
- Kevin Howes, partner at Slaughter and May
- Jessie Smith, trainee solicitor at Slaughter and May
The lowdown:
Slaughter and May’s Kevin Howes (partner) and Jessie Smith (trainee) talked all things finance and Magic Circle lawyer life for Legal Cheek’s third session of the 2025 Spring Vacation Scheme.
The session began with Kevin (“Kev”) and Jessie explaining their backgrounds, why Slaughters, and describing just what finance law is – along with deals and commercial points. Firstly, Kevin studied law and made partner with an entire career based at Slaughter and May, whilst Jessie converted to law after studying classics: about half of lawyers at Slaughters undertake the conversion route.
Kev discussed the way finance plugs into other practice areas, from real estate to tax, and emphasised Slaughter and May’s multi-specialist approach to training and client care at a full-service firm. Jessie’s perspective was very insightful on her two seats in the finance team, totalling six months.
They discussed household name clients from ASOS to Diageo (Guinness!) with Jessie being involved in the LIBOR test case for client Standard Chartered as a trainee. This fed nicely into exploring the different micro-specialisms in the finance department, which fall under two “hubs” – restructuring and insolvency and infrastructure – from technical derivatives to Kev’s favourite, debt capital markets. The field has cutting-edge commercial and legal impact.
Attendees were treated to a full daily schedule, from breakfast training sessions to urgent board meetings to coffee stops and Netflix — though noting no two days were the same.
The session concluded with a Q&A, talking lawtech and the key skills the firm looks for — including flexibility, resilience, and a positive attitude — before the take-home message to stay interested in the world and think about commercial knock-on effects all around you, from geopolitics to a covid’s impact on cinemas.
Day 3
Session 1: Restructuring and insolvency
The speakers:
- Sarah Robinson, senior associate (restructuring) at Pinsent Masons
- Caitlan Smith, associate (restructuring) at Pinsent Masons
- Joanne Ault, international graduate recruitment & development advisor at Pinsent Masons
The lowdown:
Samantha Poulton and Caitlan Smith, associates at Pinsent Masons, kicked off their presentation by sharing insight into their career journeys to date. Both worked as paralegals prior to starting their training contracts, with Poulton arguing that it provided her with a good understanding of how businesses and law firms operate.
During the discussion, Poulton recommended completing vacation schemes where possible, arguing that it gives students a fantastic insight into life at a firm and helps candidates ensure the firm is the right fit for them.
The pair then moved on to share insight into the work restructuring lawyers do, with Smith highlighting that trainees usually get involved in drafting application documents, preparing for hearings, legal research and much more – with both Smith and Poulton emphasising that the work the team completes is varied.
Wrapping up the presentation, the pair highlighted the importance of seeking out as many opportunities as possible, ending the presentation by urging students to push themselves and stay committed to ensure success in their career.
Moving on to the Q&A, we were joined by Joanne Ault, who discussed what the firm looks for in its trainees. Ault argued that a clear interest in commercial law and commercial awareness are crucial – with Ault wrapping up the session by discussing the key opportunities Pinsent Masons has to offer.
Session 2: Tax
The speakers:
- Tom Eyre-Brook, counsel (corporate & finance) at Hogan Lovells
- Ellie Pardy, associate (tax and incentives) at Hogan Lovells
The lowdown:
Kicking off the session, Tom Eyre-Brook and Ellie Pardy gave an introduction to their career journeys into law, and into tax law. With non-law backgrounds, both lawyers explained the value of bringing diverse experience to any practice.
Eyre-Brook and Pardy explained that tax lawyers advise clients on the tax implications of a wide range of transactions, helping them structure deals in a way that is commercially efficient and legally compliant. At Hogan Lovells, tax lawyers work alongside corporate teams on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and financings, advising clients across the board from investment firms and multinational corporations to financial institutions.
Pardy and Eyre-Brook then delved into how tax law underpins these transactions and how structuring choices can significantly affect a deal’s overall cost or feasibility. They explained that a key part of the role is understanding both domestic tax rules and the cross-border implications of international deals.
At the end of the session, they encouraged aspiring solicitors to dig deeper into practice areas like tax, which are often misunderstood or overlooked, but which play a vital role in high-stakes commercial work. A strong grasp of what tax lawyers actually do, she noted, can help candidates stand out during law firm applications and interviews.
Session 3: Disputes
The speakers:
- Georgia Henderson-Cleland, senior associate (business and commercial disputes) at BCLP
- James Hall, barrister at Gatehouse Chambers
- Nicole Kalli, lecturer at ULaw
The lowdown:
Henderson-Cleland kicked off the final substantive session of the Scheme with an overview of life as a disputes solicitor. She outlined the tasks that solicitors undertake for client and case management, as well as the skills required to handle them. Her love for litigation, she revealed, stems from its variety. In fact, her tasks for the day included advising on the litigation risks for a corporate restructure, preparing a Russian law expert report, and speaking with the accountants working on a calculation for a corporate dispute.
As a barrister, Hall provided a different perspective into disputes. While acknowledging that strong people skills are essential for both barristers and solicitors, he noted how they are applied in very different contexts. He also shared insights into his academic and career journey, including the experiences that led him to specialise in professional negligence, as well as property and commercial litigation. After giving a whistle-stop tour of some of the most interesting cases over his long career, Hall concluded his talk by encouraging aspiring lawyers to ‘be ready for opportunities and seize them when you get them’.
Kalli discussed her career path, which began in real estate litigation as a solicitor, before the pandemic prompted her to re-evaluate and transition into teaching. She gave a rundown of the most topical commercial issues aspiring lawyers should be aware of, such as how AI is streamlining the dispute resolution process.
The speakers then came together for a Q&A session, diving deeper still into their motivations for pursing their current career paths, as well as the skills and qualities aspiring disputes lawyers should develop. To round off the session, they discussed key points for students to consider in the case study exercise, such as the costs associated with litigation, and whether it is the best way to resolve the dispute.
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