Summer Placement Review

For providing insight into what life as a trainee with the firm is like, and the sort of work undertaken by trainees, this was a great experience. I was given a heavy workload which required research, drafting and providing advice to clients, all whilst being given tasks by the department within which I was positioned. My time management and organisation skills were certainly put to the test. Shoosmiths genuinely live up to their reputation and the values and culture promoted on their website. Everyone at the firm was engaging, friendly and eager to hear how I was getting on and get to know me as a person. The ONLY aspect of my placement that I didn't enjoy was the heat. My placement took place during a heatwave and I don't think the air conditioning was working. Hardly putting me off a career with the firm!

Whenever I was given assignments to do the team seemed genuinely appreciative of my input and the work that I did. I was never made to feel like a burden and advice and feedback was always forthcoming.

I didn't expect to be mollycoddled, nor would I want to be. I was left to use my own initiative and research skills to complete assignments independently. That being said, I was never expected to do something outwith my capabilities, and help was always available if requested. All my assignments were provided with clear guidance and explained to me in a clear and understandable way.

My feedback on assignments was appreciated, especially the human resources time managament assignment. The feedback gave good insight into what HR are looking to be demonstrated in such a task and would be of benefit in the future.

The structure was great - there were specific deadlines that I had to meet but I wasn't allocated specific time for each task - that was left to me. I had to use my own initiative and time management skills to balance my workload and structure my week so that I met deadlines whilst being responsive to new tasks and assignments - just as I would be expected to do as a trainee!

There is a great atmosphere at Shoosmiths, established through the firm's culture and values. Whilst working on serious legal tasks in a professional manner, everyone at the firm is friendly, sociable and makes the office an enjoyable place to work.

Much time was invested in me during my time at the firm by everyone from senior partners to 1st year trainees. I wanted to find out about one of the senior partner's experiences and career. She was more than happy to give up her time and talk - booking a room for us to have a proper conversation. She gave sound career advice and discussed some of her own experiences in the progression to where she is today. It was clear that expense and time was incurred by HR in arranging a full week and provinding detailed feedback to the assignments submitted to them.

I was given real insight into what life as a trainee would be like with the firm. I was treated just as I would if I were a trainee. I was given real work to do and managed my time just as I would if I were in a full time role with the firm.

One of my projects was to produce a presentation pitching the firm to a prospective client. This required me to research the firm in depth and draw upon the company's culture and values and give serious thought as to what that culture means for the client. Just being in the office gave great insight into the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Shoosmiths.

This position reaffirmed my desire to follow a career path in law. It also opened my eyes to areas of the law I had not previously considered before this position.

I was paid a reasonable amount for the week which covered all my expenses and more.

I was actively encouraged to meet other employees from different departments and was given introductions to many.

Relaxed, easy to converse and get to know one another.

I was given information about the sort of activities that happen at the firm and invited to both a lunch and after-work drinks at the end of the week.

Without a doubt! You get a true insight into the firm, get real work, and are treated as a valued member of the team.