Summer Clerk Review

The scheme was enjoyable with lots of socials, although there was a constant feeling of being assessed in every minute detail and even small mistakes counted heavily. Despite this, most of the lawyers were also very friendly and willing to spend time explaining things to you.

I struggled to find enough work to do at times and one of my supervisors gave me hardly any work meaning I had to really look around. Trainees seemed to take you more seriously.

Lots of support was given, as we were allocated a trainee buddy as well as a supervisor. However, be careful not to ask too many questions despite what they might initially say.

I don't think I really developed any new skills as such, the experience simply confirmed basic skills such as in presenting and research which I already learnt at university. However, the main skill I learnt about was office etiquette.

The scheme was highly structured and there was some sort of presentation on a department or something similar every day.

The atmosphere was friendly and everyone on the scheme was very collegial especially on socials.

A good insight was generally given. However, having sat in a corporate seat, it was extremely commercial and research based. This was interesting and a good insight, but I got little hands on and practical experience, making it feel like an unbalanced experience. Furthermore, the amount of socials almost seemed too much and that the firm was trying to hard to impress by giving an unrealistically glossy picture of what a full time role at the firm would be like.

Pay was £310 a week without tax.

Outside opportunities for men included football and for women it included netball. These two options along plus pro bono work seemed to be the only options.

Despite the faults in the scheme there are some good points and the firm has a strong international brand name. It is for the reason primarily that I would recommend the scheme.