Vacation Scheme Student Review

I enjoyed every minute of my time at the firm, nothing to fault. I was put into a friendly department that had lots of work for me to tuck into. Although I had not experienced all of the tasks before, I learnt something new every day and everybody offered support and advice if I got stuck.

Every single person who works at Walker Morris is welcoming. From the receptionists when you walk into the office, the post ladies downstairs, HR, trainees, solicitors, consultants and Partners. Everybody took their time to speak to you and make sure that you were ok. The open door policy at the firm is brilliant since it gives you the opportunity to speak to new people and to tell them about yourself too.

Everybody in my department supported me throughout my vacation scheme. I was thrown in at the deep end to see what I could do and how far I could get on my own, and then when I needed help all I had to do was ask. HR were fantastic throughout my whole experience, answering any queries I had.

I am due to commence my Legal Practice Course in September 2018 and this week has shown me the skills that I will need to develop over the next year to succeed as a solicitor. The practical learning was beneficial to me and I felt like I learnt so much more during my time at the firm than in a lecture hall.

Brilliant structure. Before starting at the firm HR provided us with a placement timetable which contained all of the assessments, activities, socials that would be going on throughout the week. For instance, we were offered an introduction to the week including a guided tour of the offices, a library introduction and this was followed by lunch with supervisors and trainees with whom you will be working throughout the week.

Everybody was very welcoming. My department was very busy with lots of work to do which meant that it was a quiet office, but that does not mean that I had to stay at my desk - everyone's doors were open and a chat was always welcome. The whole of Walker Morris were aware that vacation scheme students were going to be about and they never failed to smile and say hello.

The firm gave me pointers on what I needed to do in specific instances. However the idea of the vacation scheme is also for Walker Morris to decide whether they like you enough to offer you a training contract where you will receive training. On the development side of things my time at the firm taught me that I could always find a solution and that all members of the firm were available if I needed their help.

The week spent in the Finance Litigation department at the firm proved to me that Walker Morris' description on their website really is what the firm is like. I don't think anybody on the vacation scheme at Walker Morris would turn down the opportunity of a career with the company.

Again, the company's culture really shone through during my vacation scheme. I learnt that there is not necessarily a hierarchy, everybody gets treated the same and that diversity is widely accepted. During tasks that I was set I understood how important collaboration was for the firm in order to achieve the best possible client satisfaction.

I loved where I was working, the people I was with, the department. My experience reinforced my desire to become a solicitor and I would love to have that opportunity at Walker Morris since I am aware of how much time and support they invest in all of their trainee solicitors.

Yes, on the first day we had a lunch with supervisors and trainees. There was a social on the Wednesday night with drinks and pizza. Trainees organised a chat for vacation scheme students to ask them questions on all aspects of the firm, including the training contract. We were able to eat with members of the firm at lunch and go out for drinks in the evening if we arranged it.

Brilliant!

Yes! Lots of fund raising (Poppy Appeal, half marathons). The firm choses a charity that is linked to somebody at the firm every year to donate to. There is a football team and a netball team too to work off all the cakes eaten during cake sales!

Yes, without a doubt!