I'd be curious to know what
@Jessica Booker might say here, but I don't think this is a dumb question at all (and stop calling your questions dumb
@Chris Brown -
they're very good!!!!).
I've generally avoided adopting a rigid structure for emails inviting people to coffee chats. I think a clear and polite message should do the trick. You could say something like:
- "Hi [Name],
I hope you are well.
My name is [Name] and I'm currently on the [spring/summer] vacation scheme with the firm. I'm keen to learn more about your experiences in [practice area/team]. I'd be grateful if you had some time this week or next for a brief meeting or coffee? If there is a specific day and time that is convenient for you, I'd be happy to send across a diary or calendar invitation. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]".
If you're reaching out to a partner, you might prefer to adopt a slightly more formal tone, but I've generally found that partners are also approachable (so minor variations won't cause any issues). The main thing is to be polite, clear, and concise. If you're unsure whether scheduling coffee chats with a particular partner/associate might be difficult, I'd always recommend checking in with your trainee buddy or someone from graduate recruitment.
As for cancelling or rescheduling a coffee chat because something urgent or unexpected comes up, I'd simply be honest and prompt in letting the person know. A brief apology and request to reschedule is absolutely fine. Try not to overthink or worry too much if you have to do this.
Hope that's helpful and good luck with the upcoming schemes!