First-Year Workshop Review

As a non-Law student, the First-Year Workshop at Herbert Smith Freehills provided a valuable insight into the legal profession and the firm itself. Workshops ranged from 'Question and Answer' sessions with representatives from various practice areas; dispute resolution and corporate legal challenges; and guidance from graduate recruitment. There were plenty opportunities to meet with a broad range of the firm's trainees, associates, partners and graduate recruitment officers. Representatives joined us for lunch, led workshops and attended an evening networking social at the fabulous Sky Garden. Everyone was very friendly and supportive, and you really felt immersed within the firm's culture.

I felt extremely valued by everyone at Herbert Smith Freehills. Each representative addressed you as a potential future trainee, and worked hard to immerse you within the firm's culture. Several trainees offered long-term guidance by handing out their business cards and stressing that they were available to advise on our future applications. They were also very grateful for any assistance provided during the work-shadowing section of the programme. I felt very valued after my trainee supervisor thanked me for proofreading a document.

We were awarded a huge amount of guidance and support during our time are Herbert Smith Freehills. The Graduate Recruitment Scheme offered valuable advice on future applications for vacation schemes and training contracts. Their presence throughout the workshop and approachability meant that it was easy to ask any further questions. The partners, associates and trainees were always willing to talk extensively about the firm and its values. Some of the trainees even offered their contact details, so that we contact them for further advice following the workshop.

The information received during the workshops will certainly assist with future applications for vacation schemes and training contracts at Herbert Smith Freehills. We got a real sense of the firm's work and values during our time there, and were immersed within its culture. The disputes resolution and corporate workshops were also valuable introductions to legal proceedings. As a non-Law student, I had very limited legal knowledge. However, the mediation proceedings during the disputes resolution workshop, for example, were explained in detail before we tackled the task. Despite being outnumbered by Law students, I did not feel disadvantages and believe I made valuable contributions to the team, as a result. I hope that the skills that I learned during these sessions will assist me at assessment centres, in the future.

The insight was extremely well-structured during the workshops. Upon arrival, we were given a timetable of events. This was well-adhered to over the course of the two days. Workshops were varied. We were never in a position where we would be listening to talks for extended periods of time, as these were broken up with tasks that we were expected to contribute to - for example, the corporate workshop. The only slight annoyance with the schedule was the intermediary period between the office workshops and the evening networking event. The whole group was driven to the hotel where a minority were staying, to allow them to check in. However, this meant the majority were left waiting on the coach for over an hour. While it was nice to socialise with peers, I believe the general consensus was that this would have been preferred outside; given that we had been in the office all day. However, I appreciate the reasoning being this scheduling was so that everyone could be driven to the evening networking event.

The general atmosphere during my insight was very friendly and supportive. During the workshops, representatives of the firm seemed to take a genuine interest in your development. There was a real sense that they viewed you and a potential future trainee, and they worked their hardest to facilitate this. The culture I experienced during my insight is what really sold the firm to me. I believe that there is a fantastic working environment at Herbert Smith Freehills, which facilitates the development of its employees both personally and professionally.

The work-shadowing aspect of the insight is a unique feature of First-Year programmes at firms. It is very rare to have the opportunity to experience the real working culture at firms; yet, in my opinion, this was one of the most valuable aspects of the scheme. Shadowing a trainees gave me real insight into what it would be like to train at the firm, and I was impressed by the responsibility afforded to trainees. This made me very keen to train at the firm.

Following the insight scheme, I believe I had a detailed understanding of the firm's culture. This is because we were constantly interacting with trainees, associates and even partners. I was very grateful to all the representatives who took time out of their busy schedules to welcome us into the firm. The combination of the office workshops and evening social event really gave a sense of the firm's 'work hard, play hard' culture. This was very important to me, as I want to enjoy going to work each day and have good relationships with my colleagues both inside and outside the office.

As a non-Law student, the content of the dispute resolution and corporate workshops were very helpful. All legal terminology and technicalities were explained in detail, and I was then able to apply these to the tasks. This gave me confidence in my decision to pursue a legal career following graduation.

I was reimbursed for all my travel expenses. I did not require accommodation, although this was provided by the firm, if necessary. Although we were not paid, I did not think this was necessary. We did very little work for the firm, as the workshops were focused on enhancing our relationship with the firm and future applications. We were treated with delicious breakfasts, lunches and refreshments throughout the insight experience. Furthermore, the evening networking event at the Sky Garden was a fantastic experience.

There were always opportunities to meet other employees of the firm, since trainees and associates led the workshops. This was valuable, as past First-Year insight days at alternative firms have been led entirely by graduate recruitment. The evening social event at the Sky Garden gave us the opportunity to network with a variety of employees; from graduate recruitment, to trainees, to partners. It was good to meet again some of the trainees who had led our workshops that day in a more informal environment, as well as new employees.

The Sky Garden evening networking event was a wonderful opportunity to socialise with a broad range of the firm's employees. There was a great number of trainees, associates, partners and graduate recruitment officers in attendance, meaning that there was opportunity for one-on-one conversation. It was also a good opportunity to socialise with other first-year participants. I enjoyed hearing about their different backgrounds, interests and university experiences. It was also useful to learn their opinions about other law firms they had visited. I do feel as though we really supported each other, throughout the insight experience.

I would have liked the graduate recruitment team to have given more emphasis to the activities employees can get involved in outside of work. Although I was able to gather this information from a number of trainees and associates, I feel as though the extra-curricular culture of the firm is something that should be formally recognised in graduate recruitment presentations. For me, the opportunity to engage with colleagues in activities outside of work is a major selling point for the firm.