A Vacation Scheme with Paul, Weiss
Brian Jones
As an ambitious law student searching for a firm dedicated to developing its young talent, I felt as though the stars had aligned when I heard about the launch of Paul, Weiss' inaugural Training Contract. The possibility of being part of a firm that is reshaping, from a ground level, what it means to be a law firm is incredibly exciting. Getting a spot on its first-ever vacation scheme didn't just feel like the next step towards my career, but towards something more special.
Day Zero
I want to start before the scheme began, as I think it illustrates, even before entering the office, just how much the firm cares about the success of its young talent. The Vacation Scheme Promise provides accommodation for the duration of the scheme which, for someone from a low socioeconomic background, made the opportunity incredibly accessible. Checking into the accommodation, I was blown away. The firm had booked a fully stocked serviced apartment only a short commute from the office, allowing us to have what felt like a true 'home base' to come back to after a day at the office. As the scheme progressed, having a place to call a temporary home became incredibly important, as it was easy to get lost in the fast pace of the scheme; coming back to an environment where things could slow down again became essential.
The Work
My first week at Paul, Weiss was spent amongst its leading tax team. The impression that most budding solicitors have of tax law is that of tax lawyers stuck in a back office surrounded by statute books, playing an ad hoc, accompanying role to the corporate teams. At Paul, Weiss, the opposite is true. The team is as client-facing as its corporate teams, bringing with it both standalone and deal-accompanying work that makes the practice particularly varied. I drafted emails to other offices, reviewed agreements, and presented to clients about complex tax issues. Though typically research-heavy, any reading I completed was always applied in a practical way, challenging my ability not only to find the information, but to internalise and apply it in the same manner an associate would.
Joining the finance team on Liberation Day was a one-of-a-kind opportunity, so I was looking forward to getting stuck in. The work here was just as varied as tax, if not by the type of task, then by the document, stage of the deal, and so on. Importantly, almost everything I listened to from the FT or Bloomberg on my commute was directly applicable to the work I was completing, as the volatile macroeconomic environment of the period made my tasks particularly dynamic and forward-facing.
Furthermore, I was able to get very close exposure to the firm's clients, something I had hoped for but did not expect; when I got the message to listen in on a call with a client, I was thrilled. Better yet, the next task I had was directly related to the call, allowing me to materialise all the details I had keenly developed only moments before. Though the tasks were still accessible to a vacation scheme student, I genuinely felt as though I was having a real impact on the work the team was doing.
Culture & People
The stand-out of Paul, Weiss must be the culture, which far surpassed expectations. The firm felt like playing for a tightly knit, championship-hungry sports team. Everyone is incredibly competitive for the firm and shares the same camaraderie as teams who have spent countless hours practising and competing together for the same goal. I often took walks around the block with my colleagues to chat, and the finance team even celebrated an associate’s birthday by serving a birthday cake. I constantly felt as though I had people around me who pushed me to succeed whilst being a rock through the more difficult periods.
Most importantly, no question (within reason) was a silly question. Common sense applied, and everyone was willing to answer any queries I had, whether it be about the work, technical issues, or simply how to use the coffee machines (many mistaken decafs were made). Even when things didn't go completely to plan, the feedback received was exceptional, with everything explained in a piecemeal manner that allowed for follow-ups where necessary. All the above was facilitated by a working culture that incentivised entrepreneurial thinking; seeking work, feedback, insights, and simply taking charge of what you do and how you do it.
The Assessments
You knew it was coming, and I think it would be a disservice not to discuss (in relative brevity) the assessed tasks that were scattered throughout the scheme. From my experience, Paul, Weiss's selection of assessments is tailored to the kind of lawyers it's looking to develop from its trainee cohorts. There is a mixture of both common and uncommon assessments, and though they are spread over both weeks, the looming assessments did make the vacation scheme less than easy (though it would be wrong to expect anything less). Though for all schemes the assessments are always a point of stress, I did not expect those around me to be so receptive to this and remain as flexible as was reasonable to aid me through the process. Without the support of my buddies, supervisors, and the firm more broadly, I'm sure I would have found it considerably more difficult navigating what was my first and only vacation scheme. It's no cakewalk, but there is an abundance of support available to let you perform at your very best.
Socials (and more!)
The first day kicked off with a cooking class which, as an avid cook, was probably the best social I could have asked for. Cooking alongside the other schemers and lawyers at the firm made it easy to get to know everyone beyond their position in the firm; I wanted to know who everyone was, and it seems making Mexican food together was a great way to do so. Towards the end of the second week, after the assessments had finished, we were taken to a Michelin-starred restaurant not far from the office, allowing us all to decompress after a couple of intense weeks over some exceptional food. Just to list some more of the things that stood out (though maybe less important): incredible stationery selections, the plethora of lunch choices surrounding the office, standing desks, fridges stocked with various refreshments, and the Paul, Weiss logo outside of reception that never failed to make me smile when I walked past.
The vacation scheme at Paul, Weiss was one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done. It is a place where hard work and creative thinking are rewarded in spades and a place where you are surrounded by like-minded people who are dedicated, at every level, to seeing you succeed.