Every day, I and the rest of the cohort participated in workshops and presentations organised by graduate recruitment team on the firm's culture and values and on the practice areas. Working within my team, I checked and responded to emails, drafted letters on behalf of clients, proofread documents, wrote news briefings for clients and carried out research on different matters.
During my vacation scheme, I improved my organisation and prioritisation skills - as I was given many tasks at a time, I had to learn to manage deadlines and prioritise tasks in order to produce high quality work before the deadline. I also learned to manage my time effectively and recognise when I was at full capacity and thus unavailable to take on more responsibility in that given time.
Coming into legal profession fairly recently, having had exposure to rea life matter work for my trainee buddy, associate supervisor and many other associates and partners of the team was an invaluable experience. I fully grasped the different roles and responsibilities of lawyers, yet the collaboration at all levels. I also improved my knowledge as to how law firms work to make profit and the mid-term strategy for BCLP to expand and grow.
Speaking with Global Co-leaders and partners at the firm, I grasped the importance of knowing their employees holistically and the attention towards them. The appointment of a diversity&inclusion partner to ensure that the firm's clients are also attentive to D&I speaks to the level of commitment of the firm towards the six level initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion at the workplace.
The vacation scheme at BCLP has been an invaluable experience and my expectations were beyond met, as I felt I truly connected with everyone with whom I had a chance to interact. As an ambitious and hard-working individual, I appreciated the legal excellence strived for at BCLP, as well as the appreciation for producing high quality work produced and working over-time.
Yes
The most important piece of advice I would offer is to be yourself and not trying to be the version of yourself a candidate might think a law firm would want to see, BCLP appreciate. unique candidates and want to know you as a person. A second piece of advice is to follow initiatives and deals with which the firm has been involved.
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law, Commercial Law
Greater London
July 2021