Vacation Scheme Student Review

The Vacation scheme was a brilliant immerse experience of life at a leading commercial law firm in which I enjoyed all the tasks I completed and working with the people I met. The variety and complexity of work I was set meant that I was able to become fully engaged during the time I spent in the office, meaning I enjoyed every day I spent at the fir.

Everyone I encountered at the firm, from secretaries to senior partners made a conscious effort to help me feel comfortable with an unfamiliar working environment and all were genuinely happy to help me whenever they were free. The professionals I worked with both in the LL3 and Tax departments frequently went to the extra mile to make me feel welcome, regularly setting time aside to answer my queries or take me out for coffee.

The support from both of my supervisors and trainee buddys was brilliant throughout the scheme. It was reassuring knowing there was always a friendly face to assist me with any issues I had during the placement.

Two skills I gained in particular included being more structured in the approach to the work I face. In both departments I learnt the importance of following a clear and concise framework when completing tasks to ensure that it was easily understandable for whoever had to read and use it. Furthermore I feel my interpersonal skills developed as a direct result of being thrust into an unfamiliar work place coupled with the schemes networking events.

I felt the scheme was structured very well, the scheme struck a delicate balance between allowing us enough time in the office to complete substantial amounts of work and scheduling other events that would help our personal and professional development.

The atmosphere during the scheme definitely encouraged integration within your departments and positive development on a personal level whilst remaining relaxed enough for people to be themselves.

Herbert Smith Free hills definitely invested considerable time and money in each and every member of the vacation scheme, with seemingly all parts of the firm contributing the the experience we had.

The insight certainly helped me understand the roles, responsibilities and opportunities for trainees, even if it didn't really portray the long hours we would expect to put in.

The insight helped us understand the key values which underline Herbert Smith Freehills culture, as we saw these manifested at the highest level through both the working and social environment.

The content was very useful, as it allowed me to compare and contrast my experience at other firms.

I thought the rate of pay was very generous throughout the scheme.

There were many opportunities at multiple levels during the scheme

The networking and social events were a great contrast to the working day, and were great opportunities to get to understand the more human side of the firm better

Definitely, I was involved in both the pro bono and sports schemes

Yes, without a doubt.