Working vacation

Included this week are articles on what it takes to make partner and the inside track on what makes a corporate deal.

We also have a timely survival guide for vacation schemes, a focus on charity law, a blog post from Eversheds final seat trainee Ismat Abidi on international experience, a profile of Mishcon de Reya training principal Daniel Levy, and an Ask Lawyer2B from a candidate nervous at the prospect of public speaking during their vacation scheme.

In News we saw the Government cough up £1m for legal apprenticeships, research from Skills for Justice suggesting a big increase in paralegal roles over the coming years, and Hogan Lovells scoop Pro Bono Team of the Year at The Lawyer awards.

Are you cut out for partnership?
Okay, it may be a bit early to be looking so far ahead but time flies and having a good idea of what makes a partner should help you plan your route to success. Male or female, corporate or finance and size of firm all influence your chances of making partner at a big UK firm. So here is a comprehensive breakdown of the factors in play.

The deal story
Corporate deals are complex and confusing to the uninitiated. Lawyer 2B takes a multimillion-pound acquisition deal between two fictional companies and explains the process.

Survival Guide - Vacation schemes
Vacation schemes are not only a great way to sample life in a law firm - they can be a two-week interview for a training contract. For those looking to secure one and those about to undertake one check out our handy survival on how to get one, what to expect and some other top tips.

Blog - Cracking the international combination
Ismat Abidi, final seat trainee at Eversheds, talks about how crucial international experience can be, how to get it and the importance of following up when you return to the UK.

Practice Area focus - Charity
Charity law, in the narrow ’black letter law’ sense, is that area of trust law, which governs trusts established for a charitable purpose for the public benefit. But in practice charity law might be better thought of as a niche area of commercial law applicable to charities. So what can you expect from working in such a sector?

60-second interview
Mishcon de Reya training principal Daniel Levy advises candidates to avoid generic responses, particularly those more suited to the Apprentice.

@Rachel_Rothwell -Skills for Justice research says law firms will increase their paralegal no’s by 10% in next 5 years. Could be bad news for would-be trainees
@LexFuturus - Join the debate: Law degrees are not just to train lawyers but very foundation of learning | Back to the Future | lnkd.in/FFjc3S

Ask Lawyer 2B - Public speaking on vacation scheme
I have been told I will need to speak in front of an audience on my vacation scheme - I hate public speaking!
I begin my vacation scheme placement next week. However, I have been told that one of the exercises will involve “pitching” in front of an audience - but I hate public speaking. I know I will be really bad at that exercise - should I just right it off and concentrate on performing well for the rest of the time. Making the right impression is so important and I just feel that I will be remembered as the one with the shaky voice! Any advice on what to do? (3 responses)