Vacation Scheme Student Review

The vacation scheme was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was jam-packed with workshops about the firm, the work of a trainee, the week ahead, and tips for the next stages in the application process; plus, time was spent in a seat and socialising with your group on the evenings. Everyone was so welcoming at BCLP.

I sat in the Real Estate Disputes sector of the BCLP Office. I felt like one of them as soon as I sat down at my office seat on the first day. They individually made the effort to come over to me throughout the day and introduce themselves. The team also invited me to their christmas dinner towards the end of the week. I did not feel like a temporary intern at all!

The guidance and support I received during the insight was so helpful. The recruitment team provided us with insightful information in the workshops on how to successfully gain a training contract and throughout the week, I also had great support and guidance from everyone in the Real Estate Disputes sector, when I was asked to carrying out administrative and legal tasks for them.

I developed skills in writing memos to a senior partner, attending client meetings and making notes, and in socialising with people in an office environment. All these skills will be abundantly helpful when I start training as a solicitor.

The insight was very well structured. There was so much to get involved with, and I knew exactly what was on at every moment. The workshops at the start of the day were particularly well-placed.

The Real Estate Disputes team were fun yet, equally hardworking. The graduate recruitment team were fun and very friendly. The other vacation scheme students were fun - I have made friends for life.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner invested everything in me. I was given great personal training from partners who gave up their invaluable time, trainees who were new to the office, and paralegal secretaries. The workshops were also insightful in terms of my personal training and development for my applications and my future career.

The workshops were a great insight into the working life at BCLP and particularly, of the trainee solicitors there. Trainee solicitors took time out of their day to speak to us in a workshop, over a networking lunch and during the evening entertainment. This meant I learnt a lot about what it would be like to have a full time role with BCLP.

The social activities that were organised throughout the week really showcased the company culture. It portrayed a fun, friendly office with a work hard, play hard attitude. The workshops also taught us about the culture of the company and about what social activities we could get up to whilst working there i.e. the sports clubs. The company had a great team-orientated spirit.

It was invaluable in helping me decide that I wanted to become a trainee solicitor at BCLP. After the vacation scheme, I was offered a training contract with BCLP and of course, I took it. I enjoyed the week's content so much that I cannot wait to pursue this career path.

I was paid £400 for the week's experience. This was an adequate amount to cover accommodation in London and transport to London and back. I did not need to pay for much else (i.e. food) because a lot of meals were included in the scheme, as part of their social events.

There was plenty of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of BCLP. There was a social event every night, there was plenty of time to meet employees for lunch and coffee, and there was a networking lunch in the middle of the week to which plenty of new trainees attended.

The social event opportunities were great fun and really helped the vacation schemers bond and make friends. We visited facilities that I had never gone to (i.e. ping pong) and they were great ideas. The networking was also very insightful because you could speak to graduate recruitment, trainees, more experienced partners and associates about the career as a solicitor and the application process.

Yes, I found out a lot about the vast number of activities that employees can get involved in, outside the work of the firm. These include: sports team, charity events, Pro Bono opportunities, music events. I am now excited about the activities that I can get involved in as an employee of BCLP.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend that was interested in a career as a solicitor in London or another big city. It was insightful, fun, well-structured but also challenging. I learnt so much during the week. It set me up very well to start as a trainee solicitor for BCLP.