First-Year Student Review

by Herbert Smith Freehills

Rating

5/5
  • Skills
    5.0
  • Business Insight
    5.0
  • Culture
    5.0
  • Your Impressions
    5.0

    Overview

  • 1. Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
  • On the two-day insight scheme we were given a look into the various practices of the firm, with a chance to look deeper at cases worked on by associates and trainees. This was a good way to understand what role a trainee plays at the firm and how involved they are in key matters. The ADR workshop was particularly enjoyable as it gave me an opportunity to apply my negotiation skills to a practical setting. The second day offered another chance for networking but focused on ways to create a good application for the vacation schemes we apply to, next academic year.


    Skills

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • My critical analysis and negotiation skills have improved substantially. It is key that critcal thinking is necessary in almost all scenarios as a future trainee, student and even associate. They proved this at both the ADR workshop and the Technical Skills workshop. The event at HSF has allowed me to improve my networking skills and interactions with people I rarely have contact with on a day-to-day basis.


  • How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
  • 5/5

  • How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
  • 5/5

  • How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
  • 5/5

  • Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
  • 5/5

    Business Insight

  • 3. What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
  • I already had an inkling of how the process works when transgressing from a student at university to a future trainee. This event helped enormously in making me feel more secure in succeeding and eager to reapply to HSF next year. I have a deeper understanding of how areas of the law were affected by the pandemic and how this has been approached given the easing of lockdown restrictions currently. I have also become more open-minded what route I want to take and what area of law I would like to specialise in. I had a very generic idea of wanting to specialise in corporate law, which I now realise is much broader than I had expected, but am also considering the areas of Real Estate, Finance and Intellectual Property.


  • Please rate how insightful you found the insight
  • 5/5

  • How would you rate the structure of the insight
  • 5/5

  • How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
  • 5/5

    Culture

  • 4. What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
  • Very welcoming. They did everything to make everyone feel included and were supportive throughout. Genuinely cultivated a very safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment!


  • How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
  • 5/5

  • How would you rate the networking opportunities?
  • 5/5

  • Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
  • 5/5

    Your Impressions

  • 5. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • It truly was one of the most enjoyable schemes I have attended. The sheer support and welcoming nature of the firm, from the graduate recruitment team to the partners only pushes me to reapply for a place on the HSF spring/summer vacation schemes next year.


  • Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
  • 5/5

  • Please rate how your experience met your expectations
  • 5/5

  • Please rate the future employment prospects at Herbert Smith Freehills
  • 5/5

  • 7. Would you recommend Herbert Smith Freehills to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 8. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Herbert Smith Freehills
  • Go in with an open mind! The support is phenomenal


    Report this review

Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

London

April 2021


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