As the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a dramatic impact on the legal industry, further changes to the summer vacation scheme season are announced.
Akin Gump, a major American global firm with a strong City presence, has announced its summer 2020 vacation scheme will now be entirely digital.
In a communication to its upcoming vacation scheme attendees the firm outlines the new program plan.
‘As your safety and health, as well as that of the London office, remain our top priority during the COVID-19 working restrictions, we have been busily working behind the scenes to ensure you will be able to have a meaningful, rewarding and, most importantly, safe experience with us this Summer.
Our programme will begin on Monday 22 June and remain as a full, two week period.  Due to the remote working situation extending across the Summer period, we will be holding our Vacation Scheme programme on an entirely virtual basis. We truly wish we could have an in person programme but can comfortably assure you that an array of opportunities will still be on offer for you to get to know more about the firm and our practices, build professional and legal skills and also to network with our trainees and lawyers.
 Full details of our virtual programme schedule will be shared with you shortly.’
Akin Gump is not the only firm taking this step. Skadden announced that its vacation schemes will be conducted remotely as have Clifford Chance, Pinsent Masons and others.
As is clear from the news across the industry that law firms are reducing working hours, limiting face to face meetings, working remotely and furloughing and in some cases laying off staff. These measures are to be expected and I expect to continue.