Shearman & Sterling Announce Winter Vacation Scheme

The scheme will run from 15-19 December, with penultimate year law students, final year non-law students and graduates encouraged to apply by 9 November.

The winter scheme differs to the spring and summer schemes at the firm. Not only are the winter schemes just one week long (as opposed to the usual fortnight), there is no element of assessment in the winter scheme. As a result, students are invited back in January for a half-day assessment. Shearman & Sterling believe that no assessments will allow students to focus on getting to know the firm and doing real work as opposed to being away from their desk in interviews.

Students will get their teeth into real work and come to understand what life as a trainee at Shearman & Sterling is really like. Alongside this, there is a range of presentations and workshops where students can learn more about the firm. All students are supported by an experienced supervisor, a trainee mentor and a participant buddy.

The firm believe that a winter vacation scheme will be particularly beneficial for final year students who will have final exams to focus on later in the year. The firm also view the winter vacation scheme as a means to meet training contract candidates who may have paid work in the summer. It also allows the recruitment process to become stretched out – they’ll be able offer roles to outstanding candidates sooner.