Vacation Schemer Review

I really enjoyed my time during this week at the firm. There were a wide range of tasks allocated to really appreciate and understand what working at the firm could potentially be like. In addition to this, alongside the work, there was an opportunity to mingle with staff, inclusive of trainees, which is where I would want to be in two to three years time. This was also enjoyable and valuable experience because it enabled me to understand and attain the answers to any questions I had about working in the law firm. It was overall, definitely an experience which I have learnt a lot from, and I do believe it to be the first step to embarking on my career in law.

Everyone at the firm was very approachable, friendly and easy to talk to. Therefore it was easy to feel comfortable and really engage with everyone whether that was at work, or at any of the social events. But more significantly, my supervisor really helped me feel welcome because he allocated me work which would normally be completed by a trainee solicitor, therefore not only giving me a clear insight into the life of a trainee solicitor but also making me feel a part of the team for the course of the placement.

I never felt during the week like I was unable to ask someone for help if I did not understand something or if I just needed additional help in general. All tasks were clearly explained to me, so I was provided with excellent guidance and support and this was subsequently followed by an advice or further assistance I might have needed for a given task.

I have definitely learnt things this week that I did not know before. This can be said about the working environment and particularly by speaking to my trainee buddy, I have been given more awareness and information about the LPC. Undoubtedly, over the course of the placement the basic skills I have picked up, from doing disclosures, to creating chronologies, or then reading and critically analysing cases and coming to a conclusion about them, all of these skills are of course valuable and will be of considerable value once I embark on my law career. Particularly I think it will be relevant to note here that the assessments were also a fantastic opportunity to attain knowledge and enhance skills. Whilst I do have previous experience of mooting, negotiating was something that I have not previously been involved in and therefore this was an ideal way to ease me into such exercises as I am now familiar with the core skills applicable when negotiating.

I think the way in which the placement was generally structured was very helpful. It was nice on Monday to be given an introductory talk, inclusive of the talk we received on research and making use of the library. Moreover, lunch with the trainees on Monday was also beneficial because it was a good chance to meet with people who are where we would ideally want to be in two years time and asking them questions would answer any uncertainties we had. In addition to this, the two assessments were also both enjoyable and challenging. They allowed me to think in a critical manner, and whilst I have had some experience of mooting, the negotiations exercise was completely new to me, so I definitely learnt new skills there! There was a sufficient amount of time, in addition to the assessments, allocated to our departments. Overall, the week was formulated of a wide range of activities, which really provided the opportunity to get a feel for what it is like to work for Walker Morris, including the socials! I think it definitely can be asserted that such an experience would not otherwise be attainable, with say just an open day, so I was definitely pleased with the placement.

I think it is really important to enjoy what you do for a living since such a big portion of your time is spent at your job. I think part of this will come from enjoying what your job actually consists of and part of this is dependant upon enjoying the work environment that you are in. Walker Morris definitely has a very bright, cheerful and approachable team. Everyone who I have spoken to this week really made me feel welcome and comfortable. I think it would be so much easier to enjoy your job if you like the people you are working with and if you are in a bubbly environment and Walker Morris definitely has that catch. In addition to this, just to build on the idea of environment, located in the heart of Leeds, the area is again very appealing, both in the business and personal context.

The week consisted of tasks that a trainee would normally do, or at least start off with. Therefore it was a good way to begin the training process of a trainee.

I got a feel of not only the type of work undertaken but also the hours that would normally be worked. Overall, everything was basically relevantly explained and therefore a good experience.

We had a tour of the building, got to see the different departments and therefore really understood the wide range of departments that the firm specialises in. We were also given a presentation of the social side to the firm, therefore really giving a feel for both the business and social culture of the firm.

It has ultimately consolidated that I want to pursue a career in law! There are no uncertainties therefore the placement was very effective in helping me understand the nature of the work that is done and the actual feel of what life in a law firm is like.

I was given a weekly allowance for my services.

There were various opportunities to do this. This was inclusive of lunch provided for by the firm in which we had the opportunity to meet the trainee solicitors. In addition to this, there were three social events throughout the week which were also great in allowing the interaction between the vacation schemers and the trainee solicitors and in some placers also the supervisors.

They made me feel really comfortable. They were held in easy and relaxed environments giving the opportunity to ask virtually anything!

Yes and we were also given various information about the different activities that the employees are involved with, inclusive of charitable activities. In addition to this, I also saw the firm's newsletters which were very informative of such events.

Yes, I think it is appealing on a lot of grounds. It is based in a really vibrant area, the centre of Leeds! The staff are all friendly and it is a very approachable team to be working with. Above all, the firm is so successful and I think an opportunity to be a part of the team would be one to be proud of.