Erin Milligan
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
I hope that my enthusiasm for Burness Paull is evident in everything I do as a Brand Ambassador, and that it encourages anyone who is considering applying to take a closer look at the firm and what makes it such a great place to embark on a legal career.
I’m currently studying Scots Law at the University of Glasgow, having started my degree in 2022.
As like many law students, I began university with an entirely open mind about the area of law I’d like to pursue. However, as I progressed through the degree, I found that my interests and strengths aligned clearly with a future in commercial practice. After coming to this realisation around the beginning of application season, I got to researching and successfully applied to the vacation scheme at Burness Paull.
Fast forward to July and I was now facing my (daunting) first day. Nerves are obviously natural but in hindsight I truly had no reason to worry as the next four weeks I spent with the firm exceeded any and all expectations I had going in. My first two weeks with the Corporate Finance team flew in and I was exposed to fast-paced, transactional work. The work showcased a need for sharp attention to detail and also taught me how collaborative legal work can be. In contrast, the following two weeks I spent with the Rural Business team offered a completely different perspective. With the work being more client-facing and grounded in land and property issues, the chance to work in a vastly different area of law was hugely beneficial as it wasn’t easy to compare the two areas but was easy to list the many differing aspects that I enjoyed. As well as this, having had little experience of a law firm before, it provided a well-rounded view of the firm’s work and an insight into how I’d feel in the future about rotating seats during the traineeship. I came away from the scheme feeling supported and inspired from my time at Burness Paull having found a new confidence in my decision to pursue a legal career.
At the end of the vacation scheme, I was delighted to accept a training contract offer starting in 2028, along with the opportunity to continue my involvement with the firm as a Brand Ambassador. Staying connected to Burness Paull through this role while I complete my degree is very important to me, so I was very grateful to receive the offer of this position.
Having recently experienced the process myself, the Brand Ambassador role is a great chance to provide support for future applicants. Not only that, I think it is a fantastic creative outlet and an ideal opportunity to engage with other students in a way that is authentic to both me and the firm but also informative and beneficial to prospective applicants. I’m looking forward to representing Burness Paull on campus, reaching out to share updates and events, and helping to demystify the application process for anyone who may feel like they need it.
I also view this position as a real privilege to represent a firm I genuinely admire. The experience I had on the vacation scheme made a lasting impression, especially due to the welcome and support I received from everyone I interacted with. I hope that my enthusiasm for Burness Paull is evident in everything I do as a Brand Ambassador, and that it encourages anyone who is considering applying to take a closer look at the firm and what makes it such a great place to embark on a legal career.
If you’re reading this as a student at the University of Glasgow who’s thinking of applying or simply wants to know more about what it’s like to work at Burness Paull, I’d be more than happy to chat. It really wasn’t long ago that I was in your position, and I know how helpful it can be to talk with someone who has been through a similar journey.
Ruby Mair
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
...I was struck by how approachable and encouraging the interviewers were. They created an environment where I felt completely at ease, which made it possible for me to present myself honestly and have a meaningful conversation rather than feeling under pressure.
I am currently in my fourth and final year of the LLB at the University of Aberdeen. My route into law was not a traditional one.
When I first began university in 2021, I studied English. During that year I chose a legal elective alongside my core modules, and quickly realised that I was more drawn to the analytical and problem-solving aspects of law, rather than the core English modules. I found myself looking forward to that class more than any other, and it confirmed for me that law was the right path. The following year, I transferred into the LLB and have never looked back!
University has been a fantastic experience so far, and it feels surreal to already be in my final year. My honours courses in Succession and Contemporary Issues in Energy Law have allowed me to explore areas of law I find particularly engaging, and I am now beginning to work on my dissertation, which analyses the forthcoming reforms to inheritance tax legislation, considering how these changes are likely to affect the farming industry in practice. Alongside my studies, I have gained part-time work experience in both retail and legal settings, which has strengthened my communication, organisation and adaptability skills. I have also volunteered with Victim Support Scotland, supporting people during difficult circumstances and strengthening my empathy and interpersonal skills. Collectively, these experiences have helped shape the skills and values I brought to my application for Burness Paull’s vacation scheme and continue to guide me as I prepare for my future career as a trainee solicitor.
I was particularly attracted to Burness Paull because of its reputation for combining a high-performing culture with a genuinely supportive and human approach. As a third-year student, applying for Burness Paull’s vacation scheme was one of the first applications I had ever completed, so the process naturally felt daunting at times. However, during the final interview at the assessment centre, I was struck by how approachable and encouraging the interviewers were. They created an environment where I felt completely at ease, which made it possible for me to present myself honestly and have a meaningful conversation rather than feeling under pressure. That experience made it clear to me that Burness Paull’s values are lived out in practice, and it strengthened my ambition to begin my legal career there.
I was delighted to secure a place on the summer vacation scheme. During the scheme, I had the opportunity to work across the Banking & Funds and Real Estate teams over the four weeks, gaining insight into both the variety and complexity of work handled at the firm. I was trusted with meaningful tasks, from drafting and research to contributing to ongoing matters, which gave me a real sense of how academic study translates into practice. What stood out most was the willingness of everyone I worked with to take the time to explain, answer questions, and involve me in their work. Again, this further confirmed to me that the firm’s ethos of being both high-performing and human is genuinely lived out in day-to-day practice.
Following the vacation scheme, I successfully secured a traineeship offer commencing in 2027 in the Aberdeen office. Since then, I have also taken on the role of Brand Ambassador for the University of Aberdeen. I am looking forward to engaging with fellow students on campus and sharing my experiences of the vacation scheme and giving a genuine insight into what the culture at Burness Paull is like. In this role, I want to highlight how varied and rewarding a career in commercial law can be, while also showing that there is no single “set path” into the profession. Having started my university journey studying English before moving into law, I know first-hand that everyone brings different experiences and perspectives, and those can be real strengths in practice. I am looking forward to making the most of this role, both by strengthening my connection with the firm and by helping other students feel confident about exploring their own career paths.
Amber Luong
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Before university I trained full time at a vocational dance school in Glasgow, and although there aren’t loads of direct crossovers between ballet and commercial law, I was able to demonstrate the transferable skills I had learned working in a professional setting and learning to navigate a new environment.
I have just started my fourth year of the Scots Law LLB at the University of Edinburgh and was lucky to have taken part in Burness Paull’s vacation scheme this past summer, where I have secured a traineeship commencing in 2028.
When I first applied to study law at university, I had no intention of ever qualifying as a solicitor, but I soon realised how much I loved to learn new things and that the career was much more suited to me than I initially thought. During my second year I started to look into which law firms I might like to train at in the future and which area of law I wanted to practice. I attended both the spring insight at the end of second year, and the winter insight at the start of third year at Burness Paull’s Edinburgh office and the firm really stood out to me as somewhere I could picture myself, so I gave it my best shot and applied! Although I’m still not sure which area of law I want to qualify into, I really enjoy the constantly evolving nature of commercial law and after speaking with current trainees and the graduate recruitment team I was sure that the firm’s human and high performing culture was something I really valued.
I didn’t have much legal work experience before the vacation scheme, so I relied heavily on my university experiences and extracurriculars in my application. Before university I trained full time at a vocational dance school in Glasgow, and although there aren’t loads of direct crossovers between ballet and commercial law, I was able to demonstrate the transferable skills I had learned working in a professional setting and learning to navigate a new environment. I kept up with my dancing and have competed nationally for the university throughout my degree, and over time have worked my way up to leading my own team which helped me to develop my leadership and collaboration skills. I would definitely encourage applicants to not be afraid to talk about your hobbies and interests outside of law as they are really valuable and can help set you aside from other candidates. Non-legal work experience is also of equal value; I work part time as a Sales Assistant in JD which taught me how to work in a fast-paced environment, the importance of clear communication and even helped to expand my commercial awareness through learning the best sellers and helping to meet targets and KPIs. Commercial awareness can be really daunting at first but ultimately comes down to understanding what is going on in the world and recognising that law firms operate as businesses.
During my vacation scheme I spent two weeks with the Banking & Funds team, and then a further two weeks in Pensions. I was really excited to see what both seats were like in practice but was equally nervous as neither were areas I had studied at all at university. The firm exceeded all my expectations, and I was involved directly with a broad variety of real client work from the very beginning. Although Banking & Funds and Pensions are totally different in their nature, I noticed the firm had a high calibre of clients and access to a really high standard of work across all areas, which was super exciting to see at such an early stage of my career. As a summer student I had both a trainee buddy and a more senior reviewer in each team, but everyone I worked with was really supportive and encouraged me to get involved with their work. We also had a few sessions with graduate recruitment throughout the placement including a welcome induction and final task day where all of the summer students across the offices came together which I particularly enjoyed. I made such good friends with the other students during my vacation scheme and cannot wait to train with them!
I am really excited to be taking on the role of Brand Ambassador this year so I can share my own experiences with other students applying for the opportunity to work at such a brilliant firm and offer the same guidance and encouragement previous ambassadors gave me during my own application cycle.
Lucy Trotter
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE
Throughout the Vacation Scheme, I felt extremely well supported... Everyone I met, from trainees to partners, was approachable and encouraging. This confirmed to me that Burness Paull was the kind of firm I wanted to train and build my career with.
I am currently in my fourth year of the Scots Law LLB at the University of Dundee.
Last summer, I undertook the summer vacation scheme at Burness Paull’s Edinburgh office, and I am delighted to be starting my traineeship with the firm in 2027.
My university journey has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both academically and personally. Looking back, I can see how each stage has helped me build the skills and confidence needed to pursue a legal career. When I began my degree in 2022, I kept an open mind about which area of law I might eventually specialise in. However, through my studies and practical experiences, I developed a strong interest in commercial law, which ultimately guided my decision to apply for the vacation scheme with Burness Paull.
One of the highlights of my degree so far has been the opportunity to study abroad in Sydney, Australia. Spending a semester overseas exposed me to a different academic culture and broadened my understanding of the Australian legal system. It also allowed me to grow personally, I had to adapt quickly, embrace new ways of thinking, and develop independence in a completely new environment. These are skills I know will serve me well when I move into professional practice.
While university has provided me with a strong academic foundation in areas such as Company Law, Private Law, and EU law, it has been my extracurricular and work experiences that have truly strengthened my transferable skills. For instance, I work part-time as a swimming teacher, a role that has taught me patience, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate clearly with people of all ages and abilities. Like law, teaching requires adapting your approach to suit your audience and remaining calm under pressure, skills that are invaluable in a client-focused career.
When applying for the Vacation Scheme, I did not have a great deal of formal legal work experience. Instead, I relied on the extracurricular activities and hobbies I enjoy, such as playing hockey, to demonstrate the skills I had developed. I would encourage anyone in the same position not to worry too much about the amount of legal experience they have, as activities outside of law often provide a wide range of transferable skills.
During my vacation scheme at Burness Paull, I had the opportunity to work in the Renewable Energy (Real Estate) team and the Corporate Finance team. I was excited to gain insight into the variety of work each team undertakes, especially as I had studied modules related to both areas at university. In the Energy team, I worked with documents such as option agreements, which I was initially unfamiliar with but soon became comfortable handling with the support of the team. My time in Corporate Finance gave me the chance to put into practice knowledge I had gained in my company law module.
It was rewarding to see how the theory I had learned in lectures translated into real-life work.
Throughout the Vacation Scheme, I felt extremely well supported. I was buddied with a trainee solicitor and had reviewers in both teams, ensuring I always had someone to turn to with questions. Everyone I met, from trainees to partners, was approachable and encouraging. This confirmed to me that Burness Paull was the kind of firm I wanted to
train and build my career with.
Although I was sad when the Vacation Scheme came to an end, I am delighted to continue my connection with Burness Paull as a Brand Ambassador. This role allows me to share my experiences and support other students as they prepare for their own applications, just as previous ambassadors supported me. It is a privilege to give something back and to help others on the same path I once took.
Zac Davies
STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY
Throughout my time there, I got to work on interesting projects and sit in on some client meetings. I was able to use some of the legal skills I had acquired from university and use them in a practical legal environment, as well as see how they are used in the real world.
I am an honours year Law and Spanish student at Strathclyde University.
I was never completely decided on a career in the legal sector until I started working part-time at a law firm alongside my studies. I was able to experience first-hand what a career in the legal sector might look like and knew this was something that interested me.
I have recently come back from studying abroad for the year in Malaga as part of my degree. I was out there throughout the application process for summer vacation schemes. At first, I thought this could maybe hinder me but as I progressed through the stages I realised how helpful it was and the advantages it offered in helping me stand out.
Before starting the summer vacation scheme, I was unsure what it would be like working at a large commercial law firm. My experience on the vacation scheme at Burness Paull surpassed what I expected. The environment was exceptionally welcoming and everyone was really supportive. I did seats in both Banking & Funds and Dispute Resolution. I didn’t know much at all about either of them before going into the seats but everyone was really helpful and so I managed to learn a lot.
Throughout my time there, I got to work on interesting projects and sit in on some client meetings. I was able to use some of the legal skills I had acquired from university and use them in a practical legal environment, as well as see how they are used in the real world. My buddies and supervisors were always on hand to help out if I ever needed it, and also ensured I had lots of interesting things to work on.
After completing the vacation scheme, I’ve begun my honours year at Strathclyde and have also taken on the role of Brand Ambassador for Burness Paull at Strathclyde University. It has been quite funny being on the other side of the process and now being able to offer tips and advice that were passed on to me. This has been a rewarding experience as I know how intimidating the application process can seem at first, and so I would be delighted to help with any of your questions or doubts.
