Summer Academy Intern Review

I found the insight extremely enjoyable and beneficial. The firm as a whole was very welcoming and made coming to work everyday very enjoyable. I dealt with a wide variety of task and scenario's over the three weeks, which kept the experience interesting, no 2 days were the same.

Through the placement, I got the sense that the firm was really investing in their future employees. Especially during the business of law week, i felt the partners/firm really valued out opinions and ideas, and would always take on board what we said. During the internships, although it was more independent tasks i was carrying out, whenever i carried out work for someone they were always very appriciative of the help.

Throughout the insight, i did not recieve daily reviews/ check ups with a supervisor/buddy, which may have been helpful however whenever i had any questions or required additional guidance, either my buddy or someone within my department was avialable to help me. Everyone was very approachable which made asking for help easy.

Overall the experience i have gained will be extremely useful, i have been able to gain experience in a proffressional enviroment while also dealing with various practical legal tasks that will assit me in my studies. Week 1 in London, on the business of law was extremely beneficial as it was an enviroment i had not been exposed too before and it gave me a greater understanding of what it requires to be a lawyer in a corporate setting.

The structure and running of the insight was exceptional, the recruitment team were extremely organised and provided us with a structured timetable of our week/days. During the first week we would get a clear break down of our schedule each day and we were notified well in advance of any upcoming events in which we needed to attended throughout the three weeks.

The general atmosphere was very welcoming, everyone i encountered was always positive about not only the firm but also the summer academy. The weeks were very much centered around innovation and the future, which created a positive enviroment that provided you with motivation for both the weeks ahead and your future career.

The first week of the placement, was almost completely directed at our personal development. We encountered many tasks which were designed to teach us about ourselves and the way we work, while also teaching us new ways of dealing with various scenarios. For example one day was focused on collaboration. The intership weeks were less development focused but did provide us with on the job practical skills.

I think the internship weeks provided more of an insight to what a full time role would be like, as we were positioned within a department and given legal tasks from partners. Although the business of law week did not provide us with a great insight it did showcase the firms overall culture.

The placement allowed us to experience the firms culture as a whole. As CMS is such a large firm, i found it extremely beneficial to experience the overall culture of the firm in the first business of law week but then also expierence the individual culture of my chosen office during the internship weeks.

I found the internship weeks working within a department more beneficial in deciding my future career path, as it provided practical experience and an insight of the day to day life of a lawyer at the firm, whereas week one in London was more conceptual and unless you were working at the London office it did not provide you with a practical insight.

We were paid well and all travel expenses/ accomodation was paid for. During week one, breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided for and often during events food would be provided.

Throughout the 3 weeks there was various events/opportunities to meet and interact with members of the firm. I got the sense that networking and employee relations was extremely important to the firm and they hosted many networking events, such as lunches and speed networking sessions. Networking was encouraged throughout all 3 weeks.

There were many social/ networking opportunities, all of which were very well orgnaised and provided a great platform to interact and communicate with fellow students and other employees. We were always well catered for at the events and they were always interactive activities to allow everyone to get involved and provide for an enjoyable evening.

Yes, during socials and other events we were able to talk to employees and ask about activities. During the internship weeks we were even invited to some of the activities they had scheduled, for example the office football practice. Employees were alwasy very willing to talk to us about the activites and oppurtunities available through the firm,

Yes.