Work Placement Review

Very much so - felt very valued during my time at Nabarro, and those at Nabarro had clearly put a lot of effort into the placement. It was challenging at times, as we had tasks to do throughout as well as normal work for our departments, but it was very rewarding and I always felt supported during my time there. The other employees were always willing to help out where they could.

I was doing real work and trusted with tasks that a trainee would do, e.g. drafting letters of response. I wasn't ever standing by a photocopier - in fact, the one time I was going to do some photocopying, I was told to send it away to be copied so I could focus on a different task! I was entrusted with real work and was always given feedback for the tasks that I had done so I could improve.

Lots. HR were always on hand to ask questions to or talk to. We had a booklet at the beginning of the week given to us to explain what the placement was about, and a timetable for each day. They were also in regular contact throughout, and we could always go and talk to them if we needed to.

As it was a 3 week placement, I found I learnt lots more than on a one week vac scheme. It has given me more to talk about when interviewing for paralegal roles. We had to do a pitch presentation which I'd never done before, but I definitely learnt a lot and it improved my confidence.

Extremely. We were given a timetable from day 1 and always knew what was going on. There were regular activities, talks, and tasks to complete. Everyone always knew what they were doing and it was very well organised from the begining, e.g. with ice breaker activities and introduction talks on the first day, as well as intro drinks at the end of the day to make everyone feel more at ease.

Very friendly, relaxed and supportive.

I felt the company really invested in me. We had many talks to go to to find out about the differnet departments in the firm. This was great, as for the three week placement, we were assigned to one department, but these talks gave us the opportunity to find out about the work the other departments did. There was also training in IT systems and legal research. Legal research training was particularly important, as for those who hadn't done a law degree or GDL, it can be a bit daunting going on a vac scheme - lots of firms seem to forget that many won't have seen or heard of Westlaw before! So it was very useful to get in depth training. We also had booklets to take away that we could refer back to.

I really felt like I was doing what a trainee would do during my time there.

It didn't feel like anyone was hiding anything. Everyone felt very relaxed, open to ask questions and supportive.

Spending 3 weeks in one department was very important. It gave an opportunity to really get involved in the work on offer. I felt that I really got an insight in the type of work Nabarro does, and the type of culture that the firm has. It seemed like a really friendly, open firm, and really made me realise that it was a place I would be happy working.

I was well paid for my vacation placement, especially in comparison to other placements.

There were social events organised for the vac scheme students and trainees to get to know each other, as well as drinks on arriving at the company (the first evening) and on leaving (the last) with other employees in the firm. There was also a lunch with partners and HR. I felt like I got to know a lot of the employees during my time there.

Very relaxed and informal, felt very at ease chatting to the other employees.

Yes - it seemed like ther were lots of opportunities for employees to get involved in activities outside of work. There were sports teams, as well as general socialising, and charity/pro bono type activities - employees can take a day off to use it as they wish e.g. for a cause they want to support. There were even lunchtime activities e.g. yoga.

Absolutely - it was a very well organised placement, which I thoroughly enjoyed and felt very supported during my time there. We also received feedback during our placement which was really helpful.