Hello!
On researching your practice area, I would say that whilst reading the firm's website is a good starting point (so I'd encourage you to start there), it helps to go a bit further and build a more rounded view of what the team actually does in practice. I would take a look at something such as
this page from Chambers Student, which gives you various practice areas and outlines: (a) an overview of the area, (b) what lawyers in that team actually do in practice, and (c) the realities of the job. I found this was a really helpful overview, especially when I had been allocated an area I wasn't particularly familiar with.
A good next step could be to look at recent news, deals, or insights that the firm (or team specifically) has been involved in or published. You could look at things such as their Blog / Insights page, Legal Cheek, The Lawyer, or LittleLaw, as they can all be useful to found out more information about the type of work that the firm is actually doing. Even just picking a few recent matters and understanding what the issue was, who the client was, and why it mattered can give you something to talk about.
Another good way to prepare is to understand the commercial context of the practice area. For example:
- What are the key challenges clients in that area are facing right now?
- Are there any regulatory changes or market trends affecting the work?
- How does this practice area actually make money for the firm?
Even having a basic grasp of these points can show tailored commercial awareness, and allows you to discuss the areas in more depth with those in the team. If you have time, it is also worth getting comfortable with some of the basics of the law in that area (nothing too technical!) - just enough so you can follow discussions and ask sensible follow-up questions.
For the interview, I wouldn't assume that it'll be casual (though I wouldn't be able to say for certain) and I'd treat it like any professional interview. From my experience, the final interviews at the end of a vacation scheme are often a mix:
- Emphasis on motivational questions (e.g. why this firm, why law, reflections on the scheme). Definitely incorporate insights and knowledge that you have gained from the scheme, as your answers should be grounded in those experiences.
- Some commercial awareness (e.g. discussing a news story or something relevant to the firm's work)
- Some competency-style questions (e.g. "Tell me about a time when...")
- Some strengths-based or situational questions (e.g. "What would you do in X scenario")
- Occasionally some technical questions, but I've found that this is quite rare and not overly in-depth (for example, I've been asked to explain warranties and indemnities before)
The tone might feel more relaxed and conversational, and I'd definitely try to match the 'vibe' of the interview (whilst still remaining professional), but they will still be assessing you quite closely - especially on things like how you have engaged during the scheme, your interest in the firm, and whether you would be a good fit. Therefore, I would definitely reflect properly on your experiences during the scheme (e.g. what you did and what you learned), and it might help to keep a journal of your time on the scheme so it is easier to prepare for the interview. Additionally, I'd be ready to talk about the practice area that you sat in and what you enjoyed about it, and always make sure that you have a few questions to ask the interviewers at the end.
If you approach it as a conversation where you express genuine interest in the firm, and can show how the scheme has confirmed that for you, I'd say you'll be in a strong position. Best of luck with the scheme!!
