Summer Clerk Review

The Bakers Graduate Recruitment team put so much effort into giving us a real insight into the firm. We had morning departmental talks across all their practice groups to get a real feel for what each department does. This helped dispel some of the stereotypes about certain areas of law and gave me enthusiasm for areas I would never have otherwise considered. Sitting in two departments across the three weeks was also really good. It help me to understand how different departments interact with each other and really exemplified the international aspect of the firm. From a vac-scheme point of view, it also meant we got to meet so many more people in the firm.

There was certainly no 'imposter' syndrome being a vac schemer at Bakers. The graduate recruitment team, our buddies and supervisors made everyone aware of our presence so we were immediately welcomed into the firm. Personally, I was invited to meetings and included where ever possible. The quality of work I was given was good and whenever I need help I never felt like a nuisance or a distraction. This is where the buddy/supervisor relationship worked well. For work, my first point of call was often my buddy or other trainees. However, I felt the associates were not scared to let me in on work despite only being second-year, non-law. Therefore I felt I was not only valued as a member of the department, but also that my work had value.

On the first day of the placement we were given a sizeable booklet with all the relevant information we could possibly need during the vacation scheme. It included a vacation scheme schedule with all the organised events, a 'who's who' of all the other vac schemers a 'hints and tips' page, departmental breakdowns and a 'survival guide'. Beyond this, the graduate recruitment team were very responsive with questions and were always checking in to make sure we were ok. The trainees were also great. Being only a few years apart it really felt like you were talking to a friend rather than a superior and they were readily available for coffee catch ups. In terms of work, I was never just given a piece of work without any context. People always spent time explaining the client issues and talking through how they would usually approach the task. Whilst my hand wasn't held too firmly, I never felt completely overwhelmed and out of my depths.

As a non-law student I wouldn't say a law vac scheme is directly relevant to my degree studies. What the vac scheme definitely gave me was a further insight into law. Looking at the criteria graduate recruitment look for in a good candidate, based against my experience at Bakers and the work I was given, I now understand how they are directly relevant to one another. Graduate recruitment organised two skills based sessions: presentation skills and networking skills. I learnt more in the few hours spent in the presentation skills session than I did during my whole presentation module at uni. However, the main skill I will take away from my time at Bakers is the importance of networking. Being in the firm and meeting lots of people has definitely given me heaps more confidence when I am in a more formal networking environment. The networking skills session organised with American Express really confirmed this. Over afternoon tea, we received a crash course in the basics of networking before being able to put this into practice with the interns from Amex.

The vac scheme was very well structured. We weren't plunged into the deep end: the first day was chiefly induction and introduction. Over the three weeks, I got to sit in two departments which gave me a greater insight into the areas of law I am interested in. Beyond work, we had departmental talks most mornings which were very useful in giving us a greater insight into areas of law we may otherwise not have considered. The highlight of the scheme was definitely the ManComm lunch. This was such a good idea and really reflects how approachable the firm is. Spending time with the management committee of the firm not only made you feel valued, but gave you a very god insight into the firm from a more senior perspective. After work, graduate recruitment also organised plenty of socials and consequently, the whole intake bonded very fast.

I was quite nervous on my first day as it was my first formal work placement. However, it soon became apparent that Bakers really do live up to their 'friendly' label. The open door policy exists, their is no social hierarchy despite the professional one, and everyone is very down to earth. The whole intake was welcomed so warmly into the firm at every opportunity, be it over coffee, lunches, the trainee summer party or the firm-wide summer party. To sum up, the Bakers atmosphere is like one big family. I couldn't recommend a vacation scheme enough.

There was certainly a lot of effort and resources invested in making sure we didn't just enjoy our time but actually left with some valuable experience and skills. I've already spoken about the presentation skills and networking sessions but these were genuinely invaluable hearing the hints and tips first hand from industry experts.

I left feeling frustrated I couldn't start the following week! Sitting in the office with a partner, associate or trainee really gave me an insight into work their role entails. Very often I was given 'typical trainee tasks', which weren't 'dummy runs'. I can confidently say I now understand the reasoning behind the firm's assessment criteria because it closely matches the typical tasks I was doing.

being such an international firm it can be hard to understand Bakers culture. However, it was immediately very clear how important their culture is to the firm. At all levels of seniority the message was consistent. During the ManComm lunch the committee spent a long time explaining how they ensure the culture is consistent across all offices which was very interesting. I genuinely believe the strength of the Bakers culture lies in the fact the international dimension of the firm is so integral and integrated. The international opportunities offered at all levels of seniority mean lawyers don't just know their colleagues in London but have strong working and personal relationships around the world.

My time at Bakers really confirmed that I want to pursue a career in law. However, it also made me realise how important it is to find a firm that has a culture than fits our own personality and working style. I had not realise the value of a small trainee intake until coming to Bakers and how this is linked to the level of responsibility a trainee gets and the strength of their culture.

Typical industry standard.

Every day there were plenty of opportunities. From meeting in the lift to chatting over lunch of any of the multiple graduate recruitment events.

Having the managing director mistake you for a current trainee was a personal highlight.

Could have learnt more but we had such a short period of time.

Without a single thought, 100% yes.