Disputes Insight Day Review

I really enjoyed the Disputes Insight Day. It was well organised, ran smoothly, we were given sufficient breaks with very nice refreshments and I learnt a lot about a wide range of practice areas within the disputes practice. It was great to hear from a variety of professionals with lots of experience and key case studies. It was a very interesting day.

I felt highly valued on the insight day. Each professional who was giving a talk really encouraged questions and gave lots of time to answer my questions thoroughly. I was welcomed very warmly and in a friendly manner by graduate recruitment and I was encouraged to apply for a vacation scheme.

I was given lots of guidance about the disputes practice as a whole and also about each sub group. I was given a large amount of guidance about the defamation practice and supported when I expressed an interest and answered questions. I was also supported with my travel expenses which really does help as a student because travelling to London can be very expensive.

The information I received on the day really helped to inform me about the work Herbert Smith Freehills did and whether I wanted to work there. I think this really set this in stone for me because the work was fascinating and of really high quality. I left inspired and this information will aid me in completing a vacation scheme application. It will also help me choose some degree modules after hearing about real life practice.

Extremely well structured. The day was set out in a full schedule, allowing time for questions, breaks and refreshments. Each speaker knew exactly when their allocated time slot was and the day ran like a well oiled machine. All staff were expecting us and were very helpful directing us to the right places. HSF had a cloak room and it was very easy to get around the office.

Every student was very interested, engaged and inspired. I felt like working at HSF would be a real joy and privilege and that it would be very exciting to come home and tell my friends and family about the sort of work I would be engaged with. Each student was very nice and friendly and so were members of HSF.

The firm invested in me by reimbursing me for my travel expenses . In terms of training and developing the firm went through the application process in through detail and really did help run through and explain each section. The firm also allowed time for networking which helps build a students confidence and links.

The firm made it clear about all of the opportunities we could get involved with at the firm such as different working groups and support networks. They also gave great detail about the type of work and deals we would be involved with using key, relevant, interesting examples. Each speaker also spoke about their career journey and what they enjoyed about working for HSF.

Each speaker was friendly and charismatic and very supportive and interested when answering questions. The graduate recruitment team were very warm and friendly too. The speakers explained about what the office culture is like and how the teams work together. Then explained about social events the staff can get involved in.

Very, the day really cemented the fact I wanted to be a solicitor involved in complex, interesting deals with large well known companies. I was inspired to make a difference in the commercial world by really helping large companies and improving their lives by resolving difficult disputes. I also felt like the London, commercial, international work would be highly exciting.

All train expenses were reimbursed up to £100. If the expenses were likely to go above this you needed to contact the graduate recruitment team to discuss this. Luckily I do not live too far away.

Yes, we had the opportunity to ask each speaker questions and given their names so we could follow up easily. At lunch, trainees, associates and senior associates and partners from the disputes practice were invited to have lunch with the students and network over food and drinks in a relaxed environment.

The opportunities were ok. At lunch a maximum of 8 members came down to speak to students in a small room filled with approximately 100 students . The staff were all contained in this small room which felt extremely crowded and was very hot and stuffy. It was difficult to network effectively as each staff member was swamped by students who stood in the middle of a group blocking others out. It was also too busy there was no room to try and get to another speaker. But they were already surrounded by too many students.

A little bit, we heard of a few parties and social events that were put on for staff and support groups available. Which could be inferred that they did activities too. But no one really mentioned engaging in a sports team or opportunities outside of work. But maybe this was because no one directly asked this...

Yes definitely. I think the firm is very very inclusive, diversive and welcoming which was clear to see from the variety of gender, ethic backgrounds and universities present at the open day. The staff come from a huge variety of backgrounds which is great to see. The hospitality and generosity of the firm is very good and each member of staff is so passionate about what they do and extremely friendly.