A Day in the Life of a Vacation Schemer at a Leading UAE Law Firm

Completing a vacation scheme at a leading regional law firm in Dubai was one of the most valuable experiences of my early legal journey. It gave me an authentic glimpse into life at a full-service firm - from research and drafting to training sessions designed to develop interns into future trainees. The three weeks were fast-paced, structured, and incredibly rewarding.

While every firm’s programme runs slightly differently, I wanted to share a realistic snapshot of what a typical day looked like during my time on the scheme, from the morning coffee runs to late-afternoon project wrap-ups, and everything in between.

8:30 AM: Arriving at the Office

My day usually began with the familiar elevator rush of Dubai’s business district. After navigating the morning crowd, I’d head up to the office, grab a quick tea or coffee in the pantry, and chat with the other interns. These morning debriefs became one of my favourite parts of the day - a chance to discuss what we were working on, exchange insights, and share a few laughs before diving into the day ahead.

9:00 AM: Team Check-In

Once at my desk, I’d check Outlook and Microsoft Teams for any updates or messages that came in overnight, especially from colleagues working in different offices across the region.

I’d greet my team, then have a quick morning catch-up with my trainee buddy. We’d discuss what I was working on, any feedback from previous tasks, and clarify any points about drafting style, citations, or structure. If my supervisor - a senior associate in the team - was available, we’d have a short check-in later in the day to go through my progress and next priorities.

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Getting Started on Tasks

Most mornings were dedicated to focused work. I liked to stay organised using OneNote, recording key task details: who assigned it, the expected deadline, any resources to refer to, and the format of the final deliverable (whether a due diligence report, memorandum of advice, or short article.) To manage my time effectively, I scheduled tasks in my Teams calendar so I could track what I was working on throughout the day. This became incredibly useful for reflection at the end of the internship, and it made sure I wasn’t taking on more than I could handle.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Training and Learning Sessions

The firm regularly hosted insightful sessions for interns, often led by trainees or associates. These ranged from practice area briefings and case studies to graduate recruitment workshops covering topics like CV writing, interviewing, and training contract applications. We also completed a series of practical exercises, such as writing client care letters, due diligence reports, and memoranda of advice, designed to help us apply what we learned.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

Lunch was always a highlight, especially being based in the DIFC, where the food options were endless (though not always budget-friendly!). Many of us brought meals from home or grabbed something from the in-office canteen. It was a great time to unwind and connect with other interns and junior lawyers in a more relaxed setting.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Projects and Firm Life

Afternoons varied depending on workload. Some days were filled with assessed tasks from graduate recruitment; others involved research, drafting, or attending internal webinars on topics like time recording, client care, or key firm deals. If I ever had free time, I made it a point to walk around and introduce myself to lawyers in other teams, partners and associates alike. At first, this felt intimidating, but I quickly learned how welcoming and encouraging most people were. They were often happy to share advice, insights, and experiences, especially when you approached with curiosity and enthusiasm.

And, of course, plenty of tea and coffee breaks in between!

Reflections

Every internship is unique, but the key takeaway for me was that your attitude shapes your experience. Saying yes to opportunities, asking questions, and staying curious goes a long way. Whether you’re attending a training session, assisting with a matter, or simply observing how lawyers communicate with clients, every interaction teaches you something new.

For anyone considering an internship in the UAE, approach it with energy, humility, and an open mind. You’ll learn far more than just law - you’ll learn how to think, collaborate, and grow within the region’s dynamic legal landscape.

Written by Aisha Sleemy, Founder of Hala Law - a platform dedicated to helping aspiring lawyers and junior legal professionals navigate their careers across the UAE and wider Middle East.

At Hala Law, we share insights, career tips, and opportunities to support the next generation of legal professionals.

Have an internship story or experience to share? We’d love to feature guest contributors on the Hala Law Blog - reach out at info@halalaw.ae to get involved.