Vaction Scheme Student Review

I loved the opportunity to meet different people at all levels in Norton Rose Fulbright. For me, the chance to find out about their work was the most interesting aspect of the vacation scheme. The work I was given was challenging, but helped me develop skills that that I never would have gotten from just studying theoretical law. The most enjoyable parts were definitely the socials, as we had fun activities outside the office and got to have some really nice food!

I sat in two seats during my vacation scheme and both teams were absolutely lovely. They gave me advice and tips that helped me with my tasks, and ensured that I was always shown the bigger picture with regards to the deals that I was working on. Everyone I spoke to was friendly and approachable, and at every step, I was made to feel like a part of the team.

As this was my first vacation scheme, I entered the firm not knowing much about how to do the work. Everything was new to me, from learning how to use the IT system, to drafting an email to a client. However, both my supervisors (and the rest of the teams) gave me the guidance I needed to complete all my tasks. I was encouraged to ask questions about any issues I had, and this really helped me pick up on how to get my work done well.

Many of the tasks that I was given were of the kind that are generally done by trainees at the firm. I think that undertaking these at an early stage has definitely given me a flavour of the work done here. I think that the skills that I've able to pick up will come in handy during the training contract stage. Doing the practical side of law also helps me see the application of the theoretical side as well, which I hope will help me in my final year at university!

Graduate Recruitment have done an amazing job of making sure the vacation scheme had a good balance of activities. We got enough time in the office to ensure that we could learn as much as possible, but we were also taken to socials every week and had deal talks from partners and senior associates.

I did not have a very huge group in my vacation scheme intake, which I think was extremely lucky, because it meant that I got a chance to actually get to know everyone else there. It felt like they were more my friends than just my fellow vacation scheme interns! The atmosphere in general was very warm and friendly all throughout the office, and I felt comfortable approaching everyone if I wanted to ask for some help, or even if I just wanted to have a chat.

The firm invested a lot of time and effort in making sure I understood the kind of work that it does and how it manages relations with its clients. My supervisors took time, not only to explain every task to me, but also to give me a background to the larger deal and how what I was doing fit into the larger transaction or deal. The learning curve is quite steep, but the help and support you get in your vacation scheme makes it all possible.

One of the best aspects of the scheme is the fact that I got to sit in an office with an associate at the firm. A lot of the insight that I got comes from seeing the work that they do. I got to sit in on client calls, attend meetings and get involved in internal team events. The trainees that I ate lunch with spoke to me about their work, which gave me an understanding of what a training contract would be like.

I think that over the course of three weeks at a Norton Rose Fulbright, I have had a chance to understand the firm's values and culture. All the teams worked well together, and I can see the support that was given to lawyers at all levels. I'm also happy to have had the chance to sit in two different seats, one transactional and one advisory, so that I could see how that culture was universal across all departments at the firm.

The vacation scheme gave me a real insight into the world of commercial law, not just the work done by Norton Rose Fulbright. The work is definitely challenging, but it is also very rewarding. I was working with international clients from the very first day of my scheme, so the international aspect of the work was very evident!

This is a paid scheme. Interns aren't billed by hour, but have a fixed weekly salary.

We had networking opportunities every week for the length of the scheme, and they gave us to chance to meet employees from all departments. We had three deal talks during the scheme, for Banking, Corporate and Disputes. This gave me the chance to understand the work of teams that I hadn't had the chance to sit with.

The social activities were fun, and gave me a chance to meet the trainees at the firm. We had an escape room event in the first week, which was a great was to build up the team spirit! The cookery school in the second week was fun, and also the first time I've cooked a three course meal by myself.

I got a chance to have breakfast with member of different networks and committees in the firm. This gave me an idea of the various activities that employees take part in outside their work at the firm. I've also met trainees who take part in sports and have formed teams so they can have matches on the weekend!

I would definitely recommend that anyone who is considering a career in commercial law apply to this scheme. It is my first vacation scheme, and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to work in a global firm. Everyone I met was friendly and willing to help me understand their job.