First Step Scheme Review

by Norton Rose Fulbright

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.5/5
  • About You
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.5
  • Everything Else
    4.5

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I found the First Step Scheme extremely enriching and fruitful. I was assigned to sit with a shipping partner who was very generous and patient in providing insight into elements of shipping law. He assigned me tasks that had substantive legal elements and provided a good avenue to learn more about shipping law. The associates in the department were also extremely kind in devoting their time and attention to finding suitable tasks for me to complete - I had a great time and felt that I had significant takeaways from the experience. In addition, I also had the opportunity to gain insight into intellectual property work through work assigned by an intellectual property disputes partner. This was also a meaningful task.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I was included in discussions concerning active ongoing cases. I was also assigned work which I believed had a meaningful impact on the matter at hand. In particular, the lawyers I worked with took time to explain the significance of my contribution, and how the work I did could benefit the client/firm. Therefore, I felt valued during my time with Norton Rose Fulbright.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • The lawyers I worked with took time to answer my queries. I genuinely asked many questions and each time I did, the lawyers would patiently explain and clarify the issue where necessary. Moreover, for my enrichment, the partner I sat with even borrowed books from the Norton Rose Fulbright library and directed me to the relevant sections for me to learn about the law that impacted an ongoing case that we were looking at. I had many takeaways by the end of my time at the firm.

    5/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • I think that the skills I developed will definitely go a long way with me. For instance, I was given the opportunity to draft a letter on behalf of a client, and this introduced me to corporate legal writing. I was exposed to different kinds of letters meant for different audiences, and I learnt how to tailor the tone and language to suit the respective purposes. Moreover, the readings that I was given provided a good introduction into shipping law which is sure to help should I delve into this area in the future.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • It was highly structured. We were given a timetable at the start laying out the events for the week. The events planned by the graduate recruitment team were clearly marked out. In our respective departments during work shadowing, the time was less structured as I was assigned matters as they arose - I did not feel that this was a problem at all; in fact, I greatly appreciated being given the chance to work on matters that the other lawyers were working on.

    4/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • The lawyers were very patient and friendly. I felt that they genuinely put in an effort to mentor me in the limited time I was at the firm. Everyone I met was invested in the work that they are doing and included me where possible. I feel that the scheme was very well-run as a whole. There were also social events where we can chat with the lawyers in a more informal setting.

    5/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • Norton Rose Fulbright made a great effort to ensure that the scheme was insightful. There were dialogues with senior personnel at the firm where we got the chance to gain an insight into the business, and workshops to teach valuable skills like negotiation skills. The scheme also ensured that we sat next to lawyers who could mentor us, answer questions and assign us relevant work.

    5/5

  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
  • The scheme certainly gave me extensive insight into what it would be like to have a full time role. By getting the opportunity to sit with a partner, I saw how work is assigned and done, and I witnessed the various processes associated with handling a matter. As mentioned above, I also had the chance to speak to senior management about the firm.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • By having the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time with the company (1 week, in contrast to shorter 1 or 2-days long shadowing), I had a good opportunity to see how the company worked and how the people interacted with each other. In particular, the senior management also spoke to us about what they were looking out for in new recruits.

    5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • It was very valuable - I feel that the scheme clarified the areas of law that I seek to go into, and provided me with a clear picture of the factors I will be looking out for when choosing an employer in the future

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • The allowance given was very generous and I appreciate the assistance provided by the firm in helping defray the costs of staying in London for the scheme.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were many opportunities to meet with other employees of the firm. For instance, there were social events with other lawyers and trainees. The students on the scheme were assigned trainee buddies. There were lunches organised such that we could speak more informally with other lawyers. There were also opportunities for discussing issues and raising questions with panels of lawyers/senior management of the firm.

    5/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • The networking opportunities were extensive and useful. The time allocated was sufficient and there were opportunities to meeting different individuals working in different roles in the firm. Hence, I was able to gain insight into the lives of trainees, lawyers, partners and senior management. The social events were also sufficiently informal such that candid and wide-ranging discussions are facilitated.

    5/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • I was less exposed to the events that employees can get involved with outside of work. However, some of the other students on the First Step Scheme participated in some of the outside-of-work events such as choral singing. I also heard some lawyers mentioning sports like football which can be done outside of work.

    4/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • Yes. I would certainly recommend this insight to a friend. The scheme is an insightful programme that gives an excellent glimpse of the work done by a major international law firm. The scheme is also of a good length, being 1 week rather than 1 or 2 days, unlike many other programmes for first year students. It is a very valuable programme indeed.

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law

London

April 2018


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