Vacation Scheme Student Review

I have loved my time spent at Baker & McKenzie. The work has been really interesting and varied, and I have been given a large amount of responsibility. On the social side, they have put on a number of events both internally and externally which is a great chance to get to know the other members of the staff out of the office.

I have felt very valued over my three weeks here. The work I have been set is all live work which needs to be done rather than just tasks to keep me busy. Where I have helped on something I have always been mentioned and cc'd into emails to highlight the input that I had.

During the first week we were given training on using the IT and phone systems which makes it much easier when we went to work in our different departments and saves us from asking simple questions to more senior members of staff. In regards to departmental work, all of the staff went out of their way to explain the relevant background to the work I was doing, and were more than happy to answer any questions I had.

I have found that the work I have done has shown me how I can apply what I have learnt so far, and the relevance of certain topics which I hadn't seen before without the commercial/client context. Also, with some attempts to draft memos and emails to clients, I feel these skills will be beneficial when I start the LPC.

The insight was very structured. We were given a timetable on the first day of the three week insight which showed when and where we had talks, and when social events were planned. We also had a week and a half in each department which was nice to get an insight into a range of work that is done at Bakers.

Everyone has been very welcoming, friendly and more than happy to talk over work, careers or life in general as a lawyer. Also, the socials were always great fun with everyone up for a laugh.

We were given training on presentation skills and networking which is a great way to improve on the skills that we had previously, and put them in a legal context.

Hugely - first of all working in offices with qualified or trainee lawyers we were able to see the day-to-day life of the lawyers currently working at Bakers. We could watch, listen and get involved in the work they were doing. Also we were free to ask as many questions as we liked. Secondly, we were given talks from the different departments on the type of work that they do and what it is like to work in those departments.

It really helped by just seeing the type of the people who work here, how they interact and how generous they are with their time to both senior and junior members of staff. Additionally, we were given talks from diversity and inclusion department showing that they support and encourage diversity which reflects their company culture.

This has strongly affirmed that I would like to work as a solicitor in a multinational law firm.

I was paid every week which more than covered by transport and food that I have spent over my three weeks.

Yes, there were lots of social events and a firm party where we were able to network with staff members of all levels of seniority.

They were really well thought out with name badges provided to make life a bit easier. Some events were with: trainees, graduate recruitment, certain departments etc. It was great to see such a range of people that you wouldn't necessarily get a chance to meet otherwise.

Yes we had a talk on diversity and the internal networks that they have which we could have gotten involved in. We were also briefly told about sports teams which we could have done.

Definitely!