Trainee Solicitor Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. Every single member of the team were so friendly and made me feel so welcome. Not only was I given real work to do, but I was also invited to a couple of social events. It was a great experience and I really looked forward to going into the office each day!

I felt really valued. From the very first day of my placement I was given real work to do, and different members of the team took time out to supervise me - and to give me feedback.

I was given a really good level of support. I was assigned a 'buddy' for the duration of the placement who sat next to me in the office and made sure I knew what I was meant to be doing and where I was meant to be going. I was given the responsibility to get on with my work, but knew that I had guidance on hand if I needed it, which was ideal.

The placement gave me a great insight into the firm, which was really useful when it came to the assessment day. I was also able to develop skills which I now use in my training contract - for example, in legal research, note taking, and presenting.

The placement was really well structured. I was given a timetable for the week so that I knew what to expect, and I had a good mix of work, from both the corporate team I was assigned to, and also from graduate recruitment. I was also taken out for a planned lunch every day which was a great chance to meet other people from the office!

The atmosphere was brilliant. Every person I met was incredibly friendly and happy to spare some of their time to talk to me. There was no stuffiness whatsoever - I felt very welcome.

At various points during the week I was allowed to shadow different members of my team as they carried out a variety of tasks. On each occasion, they talked me through what the task was about and discussed what was done with me, so I felt like I learnt a lot.

The week convinced me that I wanted to work at the firm. I felt like I understood the work they did, and the culture of the firm. I am now a trainee there and it was absolutely representative of what it's actually like to work there.

I already had a good idea, based on my previous interactions with the firm at law fairs and at their insight evening. The week really allowed me to experience the culture first-hand - I think because I was able to interact with so many people from a variety of teams and roles, and see how important the firms' values truly are across the whole firm.

It made me certain that I wanted to be a lawyer - and specifically, at Shoosmiths.

I was paid a proper wage for the week, which was definitely a bonus to an already amazing week!

I was invited to lunch every day with a variety of different people from the firm. I was also introduced to lots of people whenever I came across them in the office - and was encouraged to have coffee dates with them. I was also invited to social events in the evenings.

The opportunities were great. I had some really good chats over coffee with people from different teams, including even partners! The social events were brilliant too - one was run by the Manchester Young Professionals society so there was a chance not only to meet other lawyers but also other professionals. It was held at the King Street Townhouse in Manchester which is an amazing venue.

The current trainees filled me in on all the extra-curricular stuff on offer, so I definitely left with a good idea of what I could get involved in.

Absolutely!