Vacation Scheme Student Review

I enjoyed the scheme to a great extent. In fact, is very difficult to think of any negative aspects. It was well organised, there were numerous opportunities to pick up information and in-depth insight into the company and the socials were varied and fun.

I felt valued to a great extent. Everyone from trainees to partners were extraordinarily willing to go out of their way to speak to me, give me work and enquire about who I was and whether there was anything they could help me with. Whenever I completed work, I was given in depth feedback and I felt that I wasn't just doing 'made up' time-filling tasks, rather the work I was given was interesting and actually a real reflection of what trainees do.

A great deal. From my trainee buddies to graduate recruitment and my principals who were both managing associates, there were plenty of people to turn to to ask questions and have a chat with. We had regular meetings and there was definitely a culture of openness and the feeling that I could be honest with concerns and issues.

While I am a historian so they will not help directly with my degree, I do feel that such an intense exposure to the professional environment, not to mention the many sessions on various aspects of commercial law and independent drafting etc. I did will assist me in adapting quickly to life in law and beyond my degree.

So well structured. We were given a detailed timetable of all the group activities and sessions, there was never confusion or waiting around. There was also a careful and considered balance between 'office'/desk time, group activities and socials meaning that our group bonded extraordinarily quickly and we got a well-rounded insight into all aspects of the firm.

It was great fun. While it was obvious that we were being assessed and the environment was a very professional one, we were not under pressure and the group got along very well with each other, grad recruitment and the lawyers we were working with.

There were numerous opportunities for training and development from interactive sessions to talks from a variety of partners and associates from around the world.

Everyone who spoke to me about their careers spoke in great detail and importantly with great honesty about the realities of working as a commercial lawyer. The amount of contact I had with various people (in addition to the talks etc,) was invaluable in helping me to decide it was the career for me.

As mentioned above, from the beginning to the end of the scheme there were both informal and formal meetings with numerous members of the firm at all levels of the firm.

Very good fun. There was great diversity in the social events/opportunities and they were well spread throughout the scheme so we were never too far away from something fun!

Yes. We were allowed to join the gym, attend classes and sports teams. I was also told about the trips, social events and other groups such as the choir. All the employees were very open about what they did and enjoyed outside work. Some other vac schemers were even lucky enough to go on department day activities outside the firm.

Without a doubt.