Insight Scheme Participant Review

I could not have asked for anything more; the experience was invaluable.

I felt like the entire team, lawyers as well as graduate recruitment staff, took an interest in us as people and in our personal development and career prospects. The team truly did well in ensuring the week was fun, engaging and insightful for the participants.

On this point, too, I could not have asked for more. The staff always made themselves available to us should we have had any worries or enquiries.

Some of the concerns I had about practicing law in a commercial law firm were extinguished. I discovered that quite contrary their rumored cutthroat working environments, everyone was supportive of their colleagues -- seniors as well as juniors -- because there is a pervasive mentality that the success of the individual is ultimately the success of the firm. And, everyone appeared to be immensely committed to the firm and its culture. The workshops, group exercises, talks, and not least the shadowing sessions we participated in gave me first-hand insight into what it is like to work at a commercial law firm; and I liked what I saw. I am firmly convinced that I wish to pursue a career in commercial law, after this insight scheme.

Nothing to note; the scheme was excellently planned and executed.

Excellent.

We were fortunate to be given the chance to participate in several group exercises which served to prepare us for, or at least give insight into, a typical assessment day at the law firm. Undoubtedly this was invaluable experience, and gives us a head start, in a sense, for which I'm grateful.

The shadowing sessions helped with this immensely; I had the opportunity to shadow four trainees in four different departments, and experience life as a commercial solicitor trainee, if only by proxy. A day in the life of a trainee, so to speak. Moreover, I spoke with associates of all levels of seniority and with partners of the firm, and thus gained an insight into their professional lives as well. On the whole, I left the scheme at its conclusion with great insight into the structure and content of a working day at the firm, and was pleasantly surprised by what I learned, as mentioned earlier.

I definitely acquired a taster, so to speak, for the culture of the firm. I think that to have a comprehensive understanding of the firm culture one needs to spend longer than a working week with said firm. However, I did not embark on the scheme expecting to gain such an understanding. The scheme was excellent in showcasing the culture of the firm through various talks touching on multiple aspects of the firm -- its history, its role, its modus operandi and its core values. Moreover, talking to firm employees, particularly over the partner hosted dinner, gave perhaps the best insight into the culture of the firm. It was a most enjoyable evening.

The content of the scheme did a great job of informing me about the ins and outs of life as a commercial lawyer and has confirmed my wish to work at a commercial law firm.

We were paid 350 pounds, which covered travel and living expenses.

Every day! We met with staff of all professions and levels of seniority and carried compelling conversations.

Impeccable; especially the partner-hosted dinner was a pleasure, and the meal delicious.

Yes: employees mentioned getting involved in pro bono work; firm sports clubs; firm social clubs; and other personal leisure activities independent of the firm.

I most definitely would recommend this placement to a friend.