Vacation Scheme Student Review

I thought the two weeks was an incredibly valuable insight into the firm. So man city law firms look the same on paper and so a real experience alongside the lawyers working there gave me a real feel for the firm and an understanding of the work done here on a day to day basis.

I was aware that as a 2 week scheme student there was little I could add in terms of value to lawyers' work but I feel that they still made an effort to involve me and show me what they do. For them, I suppose my value is as a prospective employee, someone they would like to work with in the future.

There was a strong guidance team set up for each student on the scheme with a trainee buddy and then a supervisor. My supervisor was actualyl out of the office for the entire second week so I felt a little his loss quite a lot, although I do think ther members of the department compensated for his loss and came in to check how I was doing.

The skills I gained will be incredibly useful as I look to pursue a law career after my MA degree is finished. Not only have a learnt a lot about financial trades, derivatives, sturcutred products (I am sat in the capital markets team), but I now properly understand the day to dya life of a lawyer - it is no longer an ideal, and that reality will help me in interviews. I genuinely enjoyed the work on its own terms and so that helps me confirm that this is the right career for me.

Very well structured - combination of time in the office taking on real work and meeting other lawyers on the team, but hugely valuable regualr talks on the different practice areas throughout the week that both kept you in touch with the rest of the firm and helped you to build up more sociable relatinships with theother vac schemers.

General atmosphere was incredibly positive! Everyone I worked with was happy and enthusiastic and I enjoyed the company of the other vac schemers and the graduate recruitment team with whom we had a lot of contact. it was an environment that really made me feel as though I was wanted here.

Paying to have me here when I have no law qualification is in itself a massive investment. Other members of the team also spending time on teaching me things and findign work for me to do is also an investment of time that I understand is of very high value in a firm with long hours and hard work. Both those things have contributed massively to my personal training.

It contributed a lot in terms of the kind of work a trainee might do and how the days are in reality, but until I get in here for real there is always only so much you can do and so I feel like it might be a little held back in that respect, as you would expect.

A lot. Everyone on my team is so lovely and most people say that there is no one who they wouldn't be happy to share a room with. I also had people coming around selling cakes for sponsored bike rides and chatting about firm 5-a-side football tournaments that seem to be incredibly popular.

very valuable. I had confirmed that a career as a commerical lawyer in a big city firm is exactly what I want to do.

I was paid £250 per week.

I met far too many people for me to remember the names of around the firm. Most social events were with the other vac schemers, the graduate recruitment and a few trainees though, so I didn't meet any partners or associates from outside my team unless they presented to us at any point.

Enjoyed the social events with the other vac schemers very much - an evening where we were taught to make different cocktails and then had a competition, and then a very nice 3-course meal all paid for. Also smaller drinks events at the beginning and end of the scheme at the firm.

Yes I heard about a paris to london bike ride, a three peaks challenges, the various sports activites and especially the 5-a-side full firm-wide tournament that is a massive social event every year.

Yes definitely - if you want a commerical law experience but are intimidated by some of the bigger firms, this is a very family friendly but ambitious firm to work in. Fantastic if you're into energy!