Vacation Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my three week insight at Pinsent Masons. Having had very limited previous experience in commercial law practice, the insight at Pinsent Masons was very informative and worthwhile.

Right from day one, the team that I was working within were assigning me various tasks to complete. It was not only my trainee buddy who was setting tasks but all members of the team, including the partners. For every piece of work done, I received very constructive and helpful feedback. It was good to know that the work I was doing was not being forgotten about at the bottom of a pile of paper.

Graduate recruitment did an excellent job of ensuring you were beginning the placement with as much information as possible. Each vacation student was assigned a trainee ‘buddy’ to provide support during the insight. My trainee buddy was fantastic and very supportive. I really appreciated the tips and advice given throughout the placement which did not only relate to the work I was doing but also life as a trainee and working within the firm. As well as my trainee buddy, all those in the office were extremely helpful and were always willing to answer any questions I had.

The skills which I developed during my insight will, to a limited extent, assist me in my degree studies. One of the most important aspects of the placement was that it highlighted the difference between what is learnt during degree studies and what it is like to work in a commercial law firm. There was little place for legal theory and case names as such, with more emphasis placed on commercial knowledge. Whilst this may not assist greatly with my degree studies, I believe the information I received relating to commercial law practice will assist me well beyond my degree studies and in that respect the insight has been invaluable.

The insight was extremely well structured. On our very first day, all the participants who were taking part in the vacation placement in the firm’s Scottish offices met together in Glasgow for a very informative general induction day. This was followed by further inductions at the offices in which we undertook the placement. Contained within the induction pack was a personal timetable which gave a very detailed overview of the three week insight. Most days began with a practice presentation. These presentations were extremely informative and gave me a greater understanding of how the firm operated and the different practice areas one could be exposed to when working at a commercial law firm such as Pinsent Masons.

The general atmosphere during my insight was very positive. Whilst everyone was highly professional and demonstrated a hard work ethic, I was made to feel very welcome in the office. Many were keen to get to know the vacation students, provide support and were willing to answer any questions. Several social events were organised by the trainees within the office. Each social event proved to great fun and a different way to get to know those who you were working with.

We were each assigned a trainee buddy and a supervisor. My trainee buddy provided me with an excellent introduction to the team I was working within. Throughout my insight, everyone I was working with invested time in teaching me all the relevant law and practical points I needed to know for the tasks I was working on.

I believe this was one of the most valuable aspects of my time at the firm. The insight gave me a great deal of knowledge about the firm and what it would be like to have a full time role there which could not have been gained from anywhere but by working within the firm. It has only further cemented my desire to enter into commercial law practice and to work within a firm such as Pinsent Masons.

As above, I believe what I now know about the culture of the firm could not have been learnt without experiencing what it is like to work within the firm. It has provided me with a great understanding of both the life of a trainee and beyond at the firm.

There were several opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the firm. On the induction day, there was a general networking session with several partners from the Glasgow office which proved to be a great introduction to the firm. As the Aberdeen office is one of the firm’s smaller offices, I really felt like I got to know everyone. There were organised networking opportunities such as a lunch with numerous partners and the practice presentations were also a great opportunity to be introduced to other employees. The social events were well attended and not just by the trainees!

The social events were a great opportunity to get to know everyone within the office. These events were well attended, not just by the trainees!

There were numerous activities that employees within the Aberdeen office can get involved with outside of work. Those employees who were involved in the activities outside work were very welcoming and encouraged the vacation students to get involved in all that they could.

Definitely. I would recommend the insight to all law students, particularly those who are interested in working in a commercial law firm. The whole experience has been invaluable to me and I thoroughly recommend it.