Summer Placement Student

Edward Swain

History

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Shoosmiths

What made you apply to Shoosmiths?

I chose to apply to Shoosmiths because I wanted to experience life as a solicitor outside of London but without compromising the quality of work. With Shoosmiths’ high profile clients, it made the decision to apply very easy! Ultimately, Shoosmiths stood out because of the high profile work combined with a friendly and collaborative culture. I applied to the Milton Keynes office in particular because of the excellent reputation their IP and Litigation Departments have.

How much responsibility were you given during your placement / internship?

I was given a lot of responsibility right from the start of my placement. On my first day I got the opportunity to visit a client’s office to take an attendance note of an important meeting. At a second meeting, I got the chance to record the answers to a set of questions that Counsel had prepared. The client had been served with particulars of claim, so the notes I took were vital for building a good defence.

What did you enjoy most about your placement / internship?

The fact that everyone was really friendly and approachable made the placement very enjoyable. I loved being able to talk to associates and partners about the work they were doing. Equally, the work I was doing was fantastic. I enjoyed working very closely with a major client during the early stages of litigation. Another highlight was the opportunity to travel down to the Royal Courts of Justice to attend a Case Management Conference with an associate from the Birmingham office!

What is the most valuable lesson you learnt on your placement / internship?

The placement gave me an invaluable insight into life at a law firm and how they operate day to day. On the work side the week allowed me to experience how to plan and manage my workload. Above all the placement highlighted that in order to be a successful solicitor at Shoosmiths you need to have good legal knowledge, you need to be friendly, approachable and not afraid to get stuck in.

Would you want to return to work full time at Shoosmiths and if so, why?

In a word, yes! I can honestly say that my week at Shoosmiths was the best work experience I have ever had. I was given real work and a huge amount of responsibility, which I think is reflective of the work you would undertake as a trainee. Everyone from the trainees to the associates and partners were very approachable and easy to talk to. I would have absolutely no hesitation applying for a training contract with Shoosmiths.