AML Summer Placement Review

The work placement was both enjoyable and beneficial, and an experience I would certainly look to undertake again in the future. It was particularly enjoyable to be exposed to the inner workings of a large law firm, and to undertake work which was genuine, as opposed to 'made up' projects. The overall experience was very interesting and beneficial.

Working in a small department within the law firm meant that I built genuine relationships with my colleagues which facilitated us working well alongside one another. This contributed to a feeling that my output contributed to the wider work of the department, and was therefore appreciated by the other team members. It also felt like I was individually valued, with colleagues taking an interest in me as a person as well as an internship student.

I had limited interactions with management level employees, however this did not mean that I was denied support or guidance, as my immediate colleagues were always available to offer advice and answer any queries. This support was very accessible and there was no stigma around asking for support when it was required, which was very helpful.

There was always work to be completed and new tasks to be done, but a large degree of autonomy was also conferred on me with regards to how much I did and how quickly I did it. This led to a good equilibrium with a consistent and constant, but not unmanageable, workload.

One of the most beneficial things during the placement was being given complete responsibility for certain tasks, from the beginning to the end. There was no micromanaging or constant checking of work, but instead I was given responsibility to manage my output in accordance with existing firm policies. This level of responsibility was stimulating and made the work feel much more valuable.

Working in a large law firm developed my interpersonal, communication and time management skills, among others. Additionally, some of the substantive legal content I was dealing with overlapped with my University courses. Overall therefore, the skills and knowledge I developed will no doubt stand me in good stead for my future studies and beyond.

The atmosphere varied in different departments, but in general was positive, with people maintaining professional courtesy most of the time. Sometimes the professionalism crept into an atmosphere which prevented individuality and was quite impersonal, and therefore the atmosphere was quite serious. However overall it was positive, and the majority of people were always happy to have a chat!

The work placement was organised well overall, with a clear remit provided for what work was to be undertaken, and a clear structure in which to operate. There was a large degree of autonomy in which tasks should be undertaken and when, and this could have been mistaken for a lack of clarity in the placement if you were not willing to apply your initiative.

Given the time constraints of a summer placement, opportunities for training were limited. However on an individual level, colleagues were very intentional about providing developmental opportunities, either through giving advice or providing challenging tasks and then giving feedback. There was no extensive introductory training to the firm, and so the work was about learning on the job.

The firm offers traineeships to law graduates every year and it is therefore advantageous to spend time with the firm in advance so that you can get to know them, and they can get to know you. I believe relationships that I've built would be really beneficial should I ever want to pursue a career at the firm. Whilst the placement does not automatically result in a job offer, it certainly gives rise to opportunities.

The social side of work was not actively promoted by the firm, but there were good opportunities to spend time with colleagues outside of working hours if you were prepared to do so. This usually involved visiting the pub, and it was a good, informal way to get to know people better.

The placement was in the city centre of Edinburgh, which is quite an expensive area. However, although certain places were quite expensive, socialising and food costs were quite reasonable if you knew where to go. On the whole therefore, costs were very manageable and no more expensive than elsewhere would have been.

The nightlife in the directly surrounding area was good, although quite student-centred. In the wider area of the city centre, there is a varied and enjoyable night life which caters for a lot of different preferences. During the later summer months the Edinburgh Festival is on, during which the night life is busy and exuberant.

14. The firm held staff drinks every month, but beyond these there were no opportunities to get involved with other activities, of which I was made aware of. The opportunity to get involved in something different would have been appealing, although it is possible that the opportunities were there but just not promoted.