From Global Perspectives to Abu Dhabi: Inside the Training Contract at Gibson Dunn

For Samaya Prakke, the journey into commercial law was not sparked by a specific interest in finance or contracts, but by a curiosity about how law shapes the fabric of society. Born in Bhutan and raised with an international upbringing in the Netherlands, Prakke’s early exposure to social development initiatives revealed the foundational role legal structures play in political and economic landscapes. Today, she is navigating those complex landscapes firsthand as a trainee at the elite US law firm, Gibson Dunn.

The Path to Private Practice

Prakke’s academic journey—culminating in an LLB from King’s College London—was driven by an appreciation for the analytical rigour inherent in legal study. “I really liked the way of thinking they teach you with a law degree,” she explains. “It’s about how you approach and analyse sentences on a piece of paper.”

While she considered various paths within the profession, her preference for deep-dive documentary work over the performative nature of the Bar pointed her toward becoming a solicitor. After gaining experience as a legal research consultant and data privacy associate, Prakke was convinced that private practice offered the breadth of experience necessary to build a well-rounded career.

When it came time to select a firm, she looked for a culture that valued proactivity and inclusivity. Gibson Dunn, known for its lean trainee intake—typically around 25 per year in London—offered the ideal balance of high-stakes, major commercial mandates and a close-knit atmosphere.

Life as a Trainee: Flexibility and Exposure

Prakke’s training contract has been defined by a mix of structured support and professional autonomy. Her first seat in real estate finance provided a baptism by fire into the world of transaction management. “It is a fast-paced environment where you can learn a lot,” she says, reflecting on her experience managing condition precedent calls and marking up legal opinions.

Gibson Dunn’s “free market” system allows trainees to seek out work across different practice areas, a flexibility that served Prakke well when she set her sights on the firm’s Projects group. This curiosity eventually led her to an international secondment in Abu Dhabi, a move that aligned perfectly with her global background.

Bridging the Gap in Abu Dhabi

Transitioning from the rapid-fire pace of real estate finance to the long-term, structural nature of projects has been a career-defining shift. “A project might take years to get running, and you work on your six-month segment,” she notes.

Being based in the Middle East has allowed her to move beyond the computer screen, facilitating face-to-face client meetings and a deeper understanding of regional developments. By working across offices and jurisdictions, Prakke has gained a panoramic view of how projects move from inception to completion.

A Culture of Support

Perhaps the most significant takeaway for Prakke is the firm’s emphasis on mentorship and psychological safety. She notes that supervisors actively seek out her perspective, asking, “What do you think?”—a practice that validates her professional growth.

“You can ask all the ‘stupid questions’ because supervisors will sit down and help you understand,” she says. This culture of accessibility ensures that trainees are not merely administrative cogs but are being actively groomed into the firm’s future senior lawyers.

Advice for Aspiring Applicants

For those currently navigating the application process, Prakke’s advice is simple: be human. Gibson Dunn looks for more than just academic excellence; they look for individuals who bring unique perspectives and a genuine desire to integrate into a team.

“They ask about you as a person, not just where you went to school,” she says, encouraging applicants to demonstrate their personality and their willingness to remain curious. As the firm continues its search for top-tier talent, candidates should be prepared to articulate not only what they can offer the firm, but how they intend to grow within its collaborative, high-performance environment.

Interested in a career at Gibson Dunn? Applications for the firm’s London Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes are NOW OPEN.