This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
About You
-
The Company
-
Everything Else
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
- 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
- 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 5. How well structured was the insight?
- 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
- 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
- 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
- 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
- 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
- 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
- 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
- 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
- 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
About You
It was by far the most enjoyable vacation scheme that I did over the summer. Not only was the work really interesting and of a suitable level for those with and without prior legal knowledge, but the social side of the scheme was really fun as well.
Weil made a big effort to welcome us into the firm during the vacation scheme - I immediately felt like I would be useful throughout the time that I was there, and that my contribution would be valued. While a lot of this depends on being proactive and introducing yourself to the rest of the department that you are in, the trainees were really helpful in introducing me to people.
I received a lot of guidance during the vacation scheme, from a variety of sources. The associates that I was sat with were very friendly and helpful, the trainees answered any question that I had, and graduate recruitment made a point on checking up on us regularly to see how we were getting on.
While a lot of the work that I did was very much specific to the corporate environment in which Weil operates, I developed my presentation skills while preparing for a mock pitch that we did. This has helped me in my degree, as I have to give a presentation this year.
The Company
I felt that the vacation scheme struck the right balance between formal assessments and getting a feel for the kind of work that commercial lawyers do. The formal assessments were well organised and explained, and we got to work in two different departments (I got to work in my two areas of preference).
The atmosphere during the vacation scheme was very relaxed and friendly. While we were obviously expected to work hard, those in charge were equally eager to see that we had a good time at would fit in at the firm. As well as a number of organised social activities which were great fun, some of us got involved with some of the sporting activities that the office does.
Bearing in mind that I was only on the vacation scheme for two weeks, we were able to listen to multiple talks from senior figures within the different departments, who taught us a lot about their areas of specialism. The knowledge that I gained during those presentations will help me with my future career.
The fact that I worked on live matters - often doing work for the associate that I was sitting with - meant that I have a good idea about what a full time work at Weil would be like. The fact that the social activities were well attended by lawyers from the firm also gave me a greater insight into the culture at the firm.
Being able to meet so many different lawyers at the firm was great in terms of learning about the culture in the office. In terms of the culture of the company more generally, we heard a presentation about the company's history and its key strengths.
I felt that the activities that I did were highly practically relevant to the legal industry, and the vacation scheme confirmed my desire to work as a commercial lawyer.
Everything Else
Weil's vacation scheme is amongst the most generously paid in the City.
Even though it was a particularly busy period for Weil, the lawyers were all very keen on meeting the vacation scheme students, and made a point of attending the social events.
The socials were really good fun. There was a variety of different events, including welcome drinks which presented a great opportunity for meeting lawyers at the firm, as well as cocktail making, and ping pong at Bounce, which were just really enjoyable.
As alluded to above, we were given the opportunity to play softball with employees of the firm, It wasn't specifically organised for the vacation scheme, so it was a great experience of the lawyers' extra-curricular activities!
Definitely.
Details
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
London
October 2014