Meet Hanna

My name is Hanna and I am a Trainee Solicitor at Covington & Burling LLP in the firm’s London office. I participated in a two-week Summer Vacation Scheme in 2023, following which I secured a training contract offer.

I am currently a third-seat trainee in the Technology Regulatory practice.

What made you apply to Covington?

I was initially drawn to Covington’s reputation for technology regulatory work, including a particular focus on technology and life sciences clients. Many of the firm’s clients operate in heavily regulated industries shaped by rapidly evolving legal and policy developments. Given my longstanding interest and academic background in IT law, the opportunity to undertake a dedicated seat in Technology Regulatory — typically forming part of a broader “technology” seat at other firms — was a major selling point.

I also valued the firm’s emphasis on pro bono work, including flagship programmes such as our work with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) which provides legal representation to children and young people in the context of UK immigration issues. Pro bono forms a major part of the firm’s identity, and a majority of lawyers in the London office have some form of involvement in an ongoing pro bono matter alongside their other client work. Since starting my training contract, I have assisted with the incorporation of a UK educational charity and carried out legal research into human rights law issues.

Finally, I wanted to be part of a smaller trainee intake where I would be able to take on genuine responsibility and have good exposure to substantive work. Covington takes on between eight and nine trainees per year, and the London office is small enough for everyone to know each other by name. Sharing an office with a Partner, I have learnt a great deal simply by being “in the room”, not to mention the valuable feedback I have received by virtue of having two Partners and a Special Counsel as my supervisors directly reviewing and providing input on my work in my current seat.

What was the Vacation Scheme like?

Attending the Summer Vacation Scheme was key to my understanding of the firm's culture and work, helping me decide that a training contract at Covington would be a good fit for me. 

I spent my first week in the Technology Regulatory team, followed by a week in Commercial Litigation, where I had the opportunity to get involved in real client work. In my first week, I took part in a call with a charity pro bono client of the Technology Regulatory team who were assisting with the roll-out of a bespoke data protection training programme aimed at educating the charity’s volunteers. In my second week, my supervisor in the Commercial Litigation team asked for my help with conducting research in connection with an insurance coverage dispute. This gave me an insight into how litigation teams build a factual picture from a wide range of sources to develop their legal argument.

Outside my two chosen practice areas, I undertook an independent research project in Employment and participated in a group negotiation exercise. I appreciated how my research project supervisor provided me with written and oral feedback on my work, and the group negotiation exercise simulated a real client negotiation, with senior lawyers acting as our pretend clients for the day. There were many social events too, and I particularly enjoyed the senior lawyers’ dinner, where we were encouraged to get to know senior lawyers on a one-to-one basis through a speed-networking format over dinner. Other social events we were invited to included mini golf, the London office DEI Reception, the London office Women’s Forum summer event, and Covington’s Annual Pro Bono Awards Event.

What surprised you the most?

Although I had come across references to the firm’s open-door policy before applying, I didn’t fully appreciate how this would shape my experience until I observed the willingness of both associates and partners to answer my questions candidly. Everyone I spoke to was approachable and willing to share as much information as they could without sugar-coating the demanding aspects of their roles. Hearing their answers first-hand gave me a more transparent understanding of what I could expect if I received and accepted an offer to join the firm as a trainee.

One particularly memorable moment was connecting with a Legal Secretary who offered to help me when she happened to walk past my office and noticed I was having trouble locating a firm template. This led to a conversation about her time at the firm, including insights into the firm’s culture from her perspective and what had kept her at Covington for eight years by that point in time. This conversation and others like it gave me an authentic sense of the firm’s people and culture in practice. 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to Covington?

The best way to get to know the firm and decide whether it is right for you is by attending events and asking lots of questions. Covington puts on a range of events and open days aimed at prospective applicants at all stages of the process. There is lots of useful information available on the firm’s website. I would recommend making the most of these resources whilst ensuring you have a strong understanding of your own motivations for a career at a commercial law firm.   

I would also emphasise the importance of remaining authentic throughout the application process, including during the Vacation Scheme itself. Applicants can sometimes feel pressure to present the version of themselves they think a firm wants to see, but my experience was that Covington was genuinely interested in getting to know me as a person. As important as it is for the firm to get to know you, it is equally (if not more) important that you get to decide if the firm might be a good fit for you.