Legal Intern - Spring Vacation Scheme Review

It was great, being able to sit in a single department for two weeks and really understand the mechanics of daily solicitor work.

I felt valued because I was given a great deal of responsibility and was also allowed to read and draft confidential documents. Everyone I met was not only friendly on a professional basis, but I felt that they were truly curious about my life and interested in helping me to make the right decision when it came to my career.

There was a significant degree of support. I sat with an Associate and there was also a Trainee in the room beside us. They both offered to help and support along the way.

I did case research for a client, which is always helpful when it comes to writing academic essays, too.

There were many planned events as well as assessments.

It was near the exam period, and therefore the atmosphere was not as carefree as it could have been, but this is understandably not because of the firm.

I felt that they really cared about not just assessing me but also providing me feedback so that I could do better the next time. During the scheme itself, we had an assignment which involved drafting clauses. Following the assignment, a partner gave us feedback on how we did and what we could do better. After the scheme ended, my Associate supervisor and a representative from the Graduate Recruitment called me to tell me how I did and how I could do better on the scheme as a whole. I felt that they did not have to do that, but the fact that they did made me feel more valued and invested in.

I think they were quite honest about the hours and the atmosphere. I did actually meet people who didn't enjoy life at the firm, but I also met those who did. I think a realistic representation of the firm was what I was looking for and what I eventually did get on this scheme. It would not be fair if they only presented the positive aspects of a full time role there, and I am glad that that was not the case.

Although personally I am slightly sceptical about a 'company-wide culture' ever existing, I think the insight scheme helped me to understand at least a 'department-wide culture'. This is because I spent two weeks at a single department and did not do any rotations. By the end of my scheme, I knew most of the people in that single department, but did not know many people outside of the department. Therefore, I am rating this less than perfect in helping me to understand the company culture (if it exists).

At the end of the day I decided to go with Allen & Overy for my Training Contract - I guess you could say that it determined my future career path. The scheme, which showed me both positive and negative aspects of the job, was illuminating and constructive when it came to deciding on my career. The tasks I was given were a mix of prepared assignments and actual on-the-job assignments. I favour the latter, and was given more of the latter due to this preference.

I was paid around £400 per week, which I believe is one of the higher salaries for insight schemes among law firms. I understand that banks tend to pay more, but I would still think I was paid adequately for the experience, especially considering the fact that we were also brought to free social events and were given on-the-job training (arguably invaluable).

There were more opportunities meeting employees from the same department, and fewer opportunities meeting employees from other departments. That being said, we had a discussion session with the head of the firm as well as a 'department day', where we got to meet one or two representatives from other departments for a brief period of time to understand their roles and experiences.

They were well-organised and not necessarily lavish. I also felt that they were geared towards being slightly more informative rather than merely social, which is a good thing for me. I think the number of social events was smaller than on other schemes, but this could possibly be because we were near our exams and wouldn't be entirely in the mood for socials everyday.

Yes, in particular, I thought that there was a good amount of emphasis on pro bono work. In addition to this, I learnt about the choir as well as Christian group. The firm has a gym, which also means that many employees can conveniently use the gym after work. Lastly, employees tend to go to the bar in the firm to unwind after work.

Yes, I think it is a brilliant way to know for sure if you'd like to join a firm for a long period of time. Without the scheme, I would not be able to say with such absolute conviction that I am glad to have chosen Allen & Overy for my Training Contract. Furthermore, the pay does help to cover the rent during the holidays.