Simmons & Simmons Spring Insight Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight, it was a great opportunity to learn something completely new with experts to support me.

I felt valued by the people in my department as people in addition to my own supervisor approached me with work.

I received a great deal of support from my supervisor, the managing associate sat in the same office as myself and the graduate recruitment team. I received this support for both my time at Simmons and also future applications.

The scheme certainly broadened my commercial awareness particularly relating to financial services and left me with invaluable application tips.

It was very well structured, providing a balance between talks, work and social events. This meant that interest was maintained throughout and also that the appropriate people gave out the right information. I felt that the trainee supervisors could have been offered more advice but generally it was very well done.

The atmosphere was continually positive. It was great to meet the other spring interns and to really get to know them on social events. However, the atmosphere extended beyond this to encapsulate all of the employees of the firm which I encountered. People were genuinely willing to help out for example by offerering to keep in touch or navigate me round the firm!

The graduate recruitment team gave a great talk at the end which aided future applications. Further to this, a plethora of individuals offered for me to add them on LinkedIn so that I might keep in touch with any future queries. Feedback on our performance will also soon be provided which will be a great opportunity for me to consider my developing strengths and find ways in which to improve.

Considering the brevity of my visit, I feel I got a good hold on the culture of the firm, the working hours and expectations etc. It is difficult to say with for certain what a full time role would be like since I was there for just 2 days in one department but it appears to me that it would be a very supportive place to work.

The dress-down code was an immediate indication of their culture along with the openness and welcoming atmosphere in which I was received into. The use of their intranet and talks also helped me to appreciate their cultural focus. The intranet explained their 6 main values and how they applied to the culture of the firm.

It was difficult for me to confirm what future career I would like to undertake on the basis of 2 days but considering this it certainly gave me a great deal of food for thought. The scheme made me realise that firm size mattered to me and that I certainly would not wish to work for a larger firm. Simmons was a great size so that you were working on big cases but were also treated as a valued individual, even as a trainee.

I was paid and they were very thorough in making sure that there were going to be no issues with the transaction. We were informed on which day we were to be paid. However, the payment did not cover my expenses as staying in London proved expensive particularly booking only a few weeks in advance.

The networking opportunities were fabulous. I networked with the other Spring Interns, members of the department in which I was situated, the graduate recruitment team and also individuals from other departments over lunch and drinks both associates and trainees. Networking opportunities took place daily. I am now in contact with a number of trainees, associates and other students hoping to pursue legal careers.

The networking and social opportunities were seamless. They provided great refreshments and insightful people to talk with. We played darts, enjoyed a three course meal, talked to an associate over lunch and met for drinks with different trainees. This was particularly useful to receive first had experience of working in the law firm. I was reassured by the number of people who worked flexible hours and from home.

We heard about the various pro bono opportunities available and also a little about the sports teams that Simmons runs. I would have liked to have learnt more about these as this was never a focus. My supervisor explained that they had a number of teams including: rugby, mixed hockey and football.

Absolutely, it was a great opportunitity to, for want of a better word, get a great insight into life as a commercial lawyer particularly at Simmons & Simmons. I have broadcasted my attendance on LinkedIn and will encourage people to apply next year to this one and other similar schemes.