Discuss is an exclusive training programme for brilliant students interested in commercial law, sponsored by three top City law firms and run by Rare. The programme is open to students from any discipline in their first year or second year of a four-year course at any university. The programme is aimed at students from lower socioeconomic status groups. For example, students who have been in receipt of free school meals or have experienced other forms of social disadvantage.

Competition for vacation scheme places is fiercer than ever. The application and interview processes are rigorous. Top law firms use a range of assessments including ability tests, case studies and one-on-one commercial awareness interviews. These assessments measure ability but, inevitably, having confidence and social capital can give students an advantage. The programme aims to enable Discuss students to develop their enormous potential.

Participants receive individual support from our expert coaches including Cary Kochberg, former partner at Hogan Lovells; Andrew Lilley, former managing partner of Travers Smith and current Head of Employment at Deloitte Legal; Rita Dev, former lawyer and global training and development specialist at Allen & Overy, Ian Stanley, former corporate partner at Allen & Overy, Imogen Moss, former Real Estate Partner at Allen & Overy and Steven Gilberg, former commercial litigator at Clyde & Co and founder and CEO of an insurtech startup. In these sessions, students will be challenged to enhance their knowledge of and ability to talk about complex commercial, economic and political issues in a confident manner. These sessions will prepare you, not just for the application and interview process, but for a successful career in commercial law.

Participants will also attend a series of group sessions. The group sessions will take place at the offices of the three participating firms. These sessions will involve partners, associates, trainees and members of the graduate recruitment teams from the firms, providing students with exceptional networking and learning opportunities. The group sessions include case study exercises, a pitch activity and sessions on application and interview skills.

All travel expenses will be paid.

The programme is very competitive and the grade requirements are strict. You will need ABB or equivalent at A-Level, or at least 34 IB points. We will take into account contextual information and mitigating circumstances. Interested students should apply between 23rd January and 24th March 2023.

In partnership with: