Vacation Scheme Review

It was a really good insight into the firm. It was really well structured and gave myself and the other vacation schemers a really good feel for both the culture and the work at BCLP. This would likely have been a 10 had it not been for the pandemic forcing the scheme online, which sometimes lacked interaction.

Grad Rec were very accommodating and chatty throughout the scheme. Beyond this, the fee-earners were incredibly approachable and really took the initiative in reaching out to the vacation schemers. I had a number of 'virtual coffees' throughout the week, which really helped to make the firm stand out, both in terms of how it operates commercially and the way in which it treats its people.

There was solid guidance for those looking for insights into what life as a lawyer is actually like. Again, the fact that the pandemic forced the scheme online clearly reduced the amount of guidance and support that could be given, but in the circumstances this was very good - strong.

The information gleaned actually really did further strengthen my desire to practice law as a career. There were insights into various departments which were all very stimulating and gave you a real feel for the work which one would undertake as a trainee. Most of all, the speakers all made an effort to make their presentations very interesting - drawing upon slightly more accessible matters as examples and being very open to Q&As at the end.

It was very well structured. We were busy throughout the week with talks from different departments as well as more culture based talks around diversity & inclusion, corporate social responsibility, and innovation. It helped to ensure that the culture at the firm shone through despite our not being in the physical offices.

A good atmosphere. Due to technological constraints there wasn't quite the same level of socialising as you'd find on an 'in-person' vac scheme. But Grad Rec made a real effort here, organising two socials throughout the week which enabled the vac schemers to get to know various people throughout the firm.

Again, the fact that it was necessary to conduct the scheme online clearly had an impact on this and I'm very confident that this score would be higher were the scheme to have been in person. However, there were reasonably few opportunities here. Grad Rec were notably very good at helping to prepare us for the partner interview, as well as providing extensive feedback on our performances during the vacation scheme interview.

This really was a stand out of the whole scheme. I felt that everyone we spoke to conducted themselves in a very genuine way, which spoke volumes about the sort of culture at the firm. Beyond this, the talks were insightful and interesting which helped to elucidate the sort of work which one would undertake at the firm.

Similarly to the answer above, the scheme managed to still provide a good insight into the culture, despite the technological limitations. This shone through in approachability of partners and the firm-wide approach to diversity & inclusivity and corporate social responsibility. The trainees were very approachable and always took time out of their schedules to have a chat about the firm or about their work.

Very. Whilst I already had my heart set on a career in law, the vacation scheme helped to shine a light on some of the departments which I knew less about, in terms of the work undertaken and the day-to-day tasks which animate the seat. It was very good here.