A number of top law firms have shifted their summer vacation schemes online to allow students to gain legal experience during the coronavirus lockdown. 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Clifford Chance, Pinsent Masons, Vinson & Elkins and Taylor Wessing are among a raft of firms to have confirmed plans to provide 'virtual' vacation scheme experiences in place of physical programmes. 

Other firms including have taken a different sort of action and have cancelled their summer schemes in response to the lockdown, including Hogan Lovells, Browne Jacobson, Shoosmiths, BDB Pitmans and Forsters. 

Meanwhile, Linklaters has announced that its student insights programme, Pathfinder, has been deferred until September. The firm also recently put on a number of virtual sessions for Pathfinder students, as part of an initiative called Virtual Links Pathfinder.

Firms going virtual:

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

A spokesperson for Freshfields said the firm's U.K. scheme this year will be "delivered virtually, taking into account the safety and well-being of our participants". 

A person with knowledge of the Freshfields scheme said that it would be shorter than originally planned, but that students will still receive the same pecuniary incentives for attending.

The firm added in a statement that the U.S. scheme will also be going ahead: "We plan to offer both virtual and in-person experiences in the U.S., taking into account the safety and well-being of the participants. We remain committed to investing in talent and will not alter the compensation structure that was communicated to those participating in either program."

Clifford Chance

CC has announced that it has merged its 2020 schemes and that it will run them as one interactive three-day virtual scheme, with optional work shadowing opportunities in December.

Typically the firm would run one month worth of schemes in the office – made up of two one-week programmes for SPARK, the firm's insight scheme for first-year students in June and July, and one two-week vacation scheme for penultimate year students.

The virtual summer scheme is being delivered on digital education platform, InsideSherpa, and will consist of corporate and L&DR case studies, networking sessions, and recreational classes including cooking and yoga.

The second part of the virtual scheme is an optional two days work shadowing in December – like a winter scheme. Students who complete both the virtual summer scheme in July and work shadowing in December will receive the sum originally agreed.

Pinsent Masons

A spokesperson for Pinsent Masons said the firm will also be working with digital education platform Inside Sherpa to provide online modules for vacation scheme attendees. 

They added that students will be supervised by qualified lawyers and assigned trainee buddies who will support them with their tasks and provide feedback.

In a statement, Deborah McCormack, head of early talent at Pinsent Masons commented: "During these unprecedented times, we believe it's critical that we adapt our approach to our early talent schemes and, importantly, continue to offer the opportunity to intern at the firm."

Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing has cut its summer vacation scheme programme down to one week from two, and has moved online. The firm added that it has also recently completed virtual insight days for interested students.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wessing said: "Last month we made offers to a number of excellent students for our summer schemes that we plan to continue with. Similar to our insight days, we've had to look at ways that balance what can feasibly be delivered remotely, while still delivering the best experience.

"As a result, each scheme will now run for one week remotely. We are working to convert many of our original vacation scheme exercises into virtually friendly ones, along with some new opportunities and skills sessions. It remains a priority to create a fulfilling, interesting and interactive programme, and that our summer scheme can still go ahead."

Vinson & Elkins

V&E has set up what it calls a "hybrid virtual vacation scheme and interview process" to replace its spring vacation scheme. The process began on March 30.

Andrew Nealon, training principal and London partner commented: "During the program, the participants have been asked to complete various assignments and are partnered with mentors from our current roster of trainees.

"To further their exposure to our firm, we have arranged for numerous virtual meetings with our partners and associates to discuss the scheme, their assignments and our culture in addition to attending webinars on our practice groups and our diversity and inclusion program.

"Following the end of the scheme, we will conduct a panel interview via videoconference with each of our participants. We anticipate making training contract offers to those who are successful in the process."

Firms cancelling schemes:

Hogan Lovells

The firm took the move to cancel its two summer vacation schemes earlier this month, instead offering some candidates the opportunity to attend its winter scheme and offering some training contracts.

A spokesperson for the firm commented: "This decision was not taken lightly, but our priority is to safeguard all the students confirmed to attend, as well as our own people.

"In considering our approach to this unprecedented situation we sought to create certainty where possible. Therefore, after careful deliberation, we have either offered the opportunity to attend our winter vacation scheme or, where appropriate, made training contract offers."

BDB Pitmans

Confirming the scheme's cancellation, Andrew Smith, managing partner at BDB Pitmans, said: "Regrettably due to these extraordinary times, we have had to cancel our summer vacation scheme. We will be staying in touch with those due to be on the scheme and will be encouraging training contract applications."

Forsters and Browne Jacobson

Both firms confirmed to Law.com International that their summer schemes were no longer taking place.

In March, a number of firms including Slaughter and May, Herbert Smith Freehills and Mishcon de Reya also moved to postpone their spring vacation schemes until later in the year.

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Virus Latest: Further Top Firms Put UK Vacation Schemes On Hold