Covington & Burling LLP |

Why did you apply to Covington vacation scheme?

There are three main reasons why I applied to Covington. First is the firm’s unique practice mix stemming from Covington’s regulatory expertise. We are facing an increasingly regulated world, and thus training at Covington would provide the opportunity to be at the forefront of novel and challenging legal work. Second, is Covington’s focus on pro bono matters. Covington lawyers consistently bill some of the highest average pro bono hours per lawyer when compared to other UK and US firms. For example, the London office often works with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). This focus appealed to me as someone aiming to make meaningful and positive impacts throughout my legal career. Finally, the importance of collegiality at Covington was of great significance to me. Collegiality makes Covington a great place to work and train whilst simultaneously providing clients seamless access to relevant experts across the firm.

What was the application and assessment process like?

The application process begins with a written application form, moving to a group exercise and interview with two senior lawyers. It is essential to explain how your experiences and firm research have led you to apply to Covington. I would recommend considering topics that are areas of personal interest. I discussed my dissertation research into the law and green hydrogen at various points along the process, linking this to Covington’s Project Development & Finance practice. I found approaching the group exercise quite daunting, given it was the first I had encountered. However, having good commercial awareness makes it much easier to provide points of value to any discussions. The final interview is very conversational and thus provides another opportunity to convey your interests and reasons for applying to the firm.

How was your experience of the vacation scheme?

The two-week vacation scheme provided the perfect insight into life as a trainee at Covington. You can select two practice areas, and within each one, you have the opportunity to assist with real work for real clients. For example, within Project Development & Finance, I worked on drafting part of a novation agreement. These tasks simulated the high levels of responsibility trainees are provided through the training contract. The social events on the vacation scheme also make connecting with individuals across the firm feel natural. My favourite was the Diversity and Inclusion evening at London Shuffle Club.

How did you find the Covington culture?

The culture at Covington is truly friendly. Throughout the scheme, I found that I could approach anyone within the firm, and they were incredibly receptive to discussions and questions, also assisting where I had questions on any work I was doing. It was invaluable to experience this first-hand, as I can now enter my training contract with the knowledge my supervisors and the broader firm will provide support within a positive and motivating environment.

What are your tips for those who wish to apply for a Covington vacation scheme in the future?

The most important tip would be to attend any event that allows you to interact with people at the firm. Covington offers Insight Days and its Insight Series, which provide access to several sessions whereby lawyers discuss their respective practice areas and time at the firm. When the moment came to write my application, I could then convey why I was interested in Covington with clarity and supporting examples, beyond information about the firm typically found online. Finally, I would encourage anyone who applies to be their authentic self. The firm is interested in you as a person, and I found that being myself allowed me to make a meaningful application and subsequently gain a true insight into how I would feel training at Covington.

Departments to date: Project Development and Finance; Dispute Resolution

University: Durham University; BPP Law School (Waterloo); BPP Law School (Holborn)

Degree: Music (BA); GDL; LPC

7.30am: I try to start my day by heading to the gym. This is not always a given (depending on whether there have been deadlines the evening before), but I try in any event. I find that exercise in the morning helps me focus for the rest of the day.

8.45am: While on the way to the office I check my calendar and emails to see if anything has come in overnight, or if there is anything urgent to tackle in the morning. It could be the case that we have received new instructions on a dispute so the team need to get familiar with the background and learn priorities urgently, or that a lengthy letter comes in from opposing counsel that requires a fulsome analysis. Doing this before getting to my desk gives me a sense as to what the day will be like and allows me to prioritise.

9.15am: I make a coffee, sit down and write my to-do list. A partner asks me to begin drafting a research memo on privilege issues for a client training session in a weeks’ time. I set aside time to get a head start so that I can pick this up as the week progresses and begin sketching an outline.

11.00am: The trainees have regular training sessions held by the firm’s departments specifically for trainees. Each department typically hosts training sessions for those sitting within them to conduct a deeper dive into the subject matter and types of work trainees may encounter.

12.00am: As it’s a Wednesday, I head up to the 54th floor to have lunch with the other trainees and my London colleagues. The office provides lunch every Wednesday – a nice anchor of sorts in the middle of the week to check-in with colleagues and friends who I may not otherwise see in the business of the working week. It also provides a regular opportunity to get to know colleagues in other practice groups that you may not typically work with.

1.00pm: We receive an email from a client in the middle of negotiating a settlement agreement. They ask to arrange a call for this afternoon.

1.15pm: An English law query comes in from an associate in our Washington DC office. The associate wants a high-level summary of litigation in the English courts for their American client who may launch proceedings against an English counterparty in England.

2.00pm: The firm is fully committed to its pro bono initiatives. One such initiative is a partnership with Kids In Need of Defence – a NGO that provides legal advice to undocumented children and families. I pick up the drafting of a Leave to Remain application, which involves preparing interview questions and a call to the clients to address drafting points in their supporting statements. While involvement in these projects is rewarding, in a practical sense they are useful for gaining early experience in interviewing clients and drafting statements.

4.00pm: We speak to the client negotiating settlement. They have received comments on the settlement agreement; we run through the merits of these amendments and discuss our proposed changes. The client asks that we turn this around before close of business so they may advance settlement discussions quickly. After having taken a note of the call, I take the first round of amendments and discuss these with my supervisor. We finalise the draft and send to the client for review.

6.00pm: The London office Social Committee has organised a drinks and canapes event. There are social events every few weeks, typically for networking, celebrating promotions, or for general wellbeing. Events are typically well attended and provide a valuable, relaxed environment for catching up with colleagues.

I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, before moving to London at nineteen to study LLB Law at Queen Mary University of London. I went to an American high school in Istanbul, where I was allowed to study the IB Diploma Programme alongside the Turkish national curriculum. Although studying both degrees simultaneously was highly challenging, I always knew I needed an internationally recognised qualification.

I recall the first time I visited London as part of the King’s College Pre-University Summer School for Law, where I had the chance to attend an in-person event at a prestigious US law firm. After attending their London office for a day and listening to presentations on future Training Contract opportunities, I knew I belonged in the City.

Throughout my time at Queen Mary Law School, I did everything I could to get the most out of this experience and choose the right legal practice area. However, this was more challenging than it may sound. Living in a foreign city with no family or friends at the early age of nineteen was daunting at first. It took me months to build my network and adapt to a different lifestyle and culture. Looking back at it, I am proud of myself for being fearless and leaving home to pursue my goals.

I signed up to work as a note-taker at Queen Mary’s Legal Advice Centre in my first month at law school. This was my first time ever working in a legal clinic setting and attending client meetings with qualified barristers and solicitors. Throughout law school, I also attended various law fairs and open days hosted by City law firms to narrow the list of law firms aligned with my professional aspirations and personality. At first, I was reluctant to approach trainees and lawyers in networking events as I was conscious of my international background and perhaps that English is not my native language. However, I soon realised that people around me were curious to get to know me and my story, often leaving our conversations impressed by my resilience and enthusiasm.

In my second year at law school, I was thrilled to secure a Vacation Scheme with the US law firm I had visited at seventeen. It felt like a full circle moment, and I was confident I would convert this opportunity into a Training Contract offer. However, the pandemic outbreak forced me to attend the scheme virtually from home, and I was disappointed not to receive a TC offer. It was a moment of doubt, but I soon realised that resilience is the crucial ingredient of success.

After graduating from law school, I embarked on a journey to find my passion in the legal field. I started my Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate and Commercial Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2021. This was a valuable opportunity to select modules and attend discussions on topics I was deeply invested in, such as e-commerce and cyber law. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for regulatory fields like technology and life sciences, and I applied for a summer vacation scheme at Covington & Burling LLP, among other law firms.

During the application cycle, I strived to embrace the constructive feedback I received from previous cycles and to build on my weaknesses accordingly. Improving my commercial awareness had always been challenging for me as I needed help understanding the true meaning of the concept. In hindsight, finding the proper practice area wherein your passion lies is the first step to developing your commercial awareness. After identifying a few sectors I was interested in, such as pharmaceuticals (mainly digital health) and technology, I listened to podcasts and read articles on developments in these areas. This process of exploration and learning not only improved my commercial awareness but also solidified my passion for regulatory fields like technology and life sciences. I incorporated commercial awareness into my everyday life by listening to podcasts during tube rides and reading the news in the Financial Times and the Economist alongside a cup of morning coffee.

After completing two vacation schemes in the summer and converting both to Training Contract offers, I was faced with an important decision. During my two weeks at Covington & Burling, I was an integral part of the team from day one. Being part of a smaller intake, where almost everyone knew of me and my story, helped me thrive professionally. I had the opportunity to spend a week each in Corporate and Life Sciences Transactions teams and complete a Research Project in Technology Regulation. I was impressed that the seniors were approachable and enthusiastic in answering my questions and getting to know me personally. My time at the firm helped me realise that Covington’s capabilities in regulatory law across multiple industries aligned with my passions and set the firm apart from other law firms in the City. After spending two weeks with the team in their London office, I knew that Covington was the perfect match for me.

My advice to all students applying for vacation schemes and training contracts is to find where your passion lies, narrow down the list of firms that might be the perfect match for you, attend as many in-person events as possible, and never give up on your dreams. You are much closer to securing a Training Contract than you think!