Vacation Scheme Participant Review

by Herbert Smith Freehills

Rating

4.6/5
  • Skills
    5.0
  • Business Insight
    4.7
  • Culture
    4.3
  • Your Impressions
    4.3

    Overview

  • 1. Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
  • The insights was a really good introduction into law - the insight scheme was designed to give us additional information on how to break into the legal sector. I enjoyed being advised on how to make my future applications stand out, but I got the impression that other people on the insight were overly competitive. We had numerous activities every day, including an introduction into 's specialities (corporate law) and networking opportunities at the end of each day.


    Skills

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Not too much academically as the theory of the law is very difference from its practice. However, from a professional viewpoint I have learnt some basic rules on how to conduct myself in the legal sector, and what steps I need to take to submit a successful application for a training contract, having failed to secure a contract at Herbert Smith Freehills. I also learnt how to network effectively with staff members at each level of a law firm.


  • 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 developed a thorough understanding of Herbert Smith Freehills and how they stack up in relation to their major competitors. Herbert Smith Freehills specialise in corporate law and as such, it hires a law number of trainees in areas such as competition and commercial law, from disciplines outside of Law. They are a very friendly firm, with a lot of collaboration between the different areas they operate in - obviously subject to usual client confidentiality agreements. This provides for an excellent environment for all of its employees.


  • Please rate how insightful you found the insight
  • 4/5

  • 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?
  • Good but competitive - a lot of attendees gave me the impressive that they viewed others as competition. This created a hostile environment among some, and this was somewhat at odds with the generally very friendly environment that the firm likes to pride itself on. That said, the majority were very friendly. The staff worked hard to create a positively-themed insight day despite the high numbers in attendance, and gave us plenty on support prior to the day itself.


  • How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
  • 4/5

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

  • Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
  • 4/5

    Your Impressions

  • 5. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • I enjoyed my insight day as it enabled my to see how Herbert Smith Freehills differentiate themselves from other law firms and how we as candidates fits into their vision to become a key player in the industry. The fact that there were so many of us however, diminished our individual significance as it was like being a small fish in a big pond. I received some very good advice on how to conduct myself as an solicitor


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

  • Please rate how your experience met your expectations
  • 4/5

  • Please rate the future employment prospects at Herbert Smith Freehills
  • 4/5

  • 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
  • There were networking sessions at the end of each day - these were invaluable as they allowed me to keep in touch with people despite having not been offered a training contract at Herbert Smith Freehills. Make the most of the exclusive application advice throughout the vacation scheme both for the firm's application process and in pursuing a career in the legal sector in general. You are also encouraged to ask any questions about the firm and the legal sector - which is always a welcome sign.


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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Corporate Law

London

November 2023


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