Summer Vacation Scheme student Review

I really enjoyed my two weeks at the firm - everyone was friendly and accommodating and I got good exposure to work at the firm.

I was given some real work to do and what I did was appreciated.

People would take time to speak to me if I sought them out but they were often busy so couldn't take long periods to explain things, understandably. They explained things well enough. Some of the firm's employees would meet me for coffee to discuss things.

Gave me exposure to corporate law and the demands of a high-pressure workplace, which I really enjoyed. Whilst producing notes I had to present complex information in a clear and concise format, which was demanding but useful for any career in law. I also had to use lists to make sure I did not forget any of the tasks I was given during busy periods, which is an essential skill. I then had to prioritise these tasks, which was also good experience.

Well structured - lots of talks and events mixed in with being at your desk. The two weeks went incredibly quickly.

On the whole it was good - it definitely would have been better if there had been a social or an ''icebreaker' session with the other vac schemers earlier on in the scheme because for a while it felt like we hadn't got to know each other and the atmosphere was a bit subdued. After a few days however, it really picked up and we got on well. The people at the firm were very receptive and happy to chat on the whole. The assessment centre was the only really difficult day throughout the scheme.

Lunchtime talks available - seemed like there were things available. Only there for two weeks though so can't really comment. Perhaps the scheme could make more of the fact that these talks go on and advertise these talks to vac schemers, as a way of making them aware that there are these things on offer.

Not sure - I saw two departments over a week each and it seemed relatively quiet so no idea how it would be over a busy period. Job inherently throws up erratic hours.

Good insight. Met lots of people at the various events and talks throughout the scheme so allowed me to understand firm and its culture on a broader level. I also think that two weeks makes it difficult for people to pretend so I feel that the length spent there gave me a good insight. Interaction with employees in a range of settings ie at a talk, in the office and at a social hosted outside the firm also helped build a picture of what the firm is like. Assessment day also gave an indication of the tougher side of the firm.

Very - really interesting work on the whole and enjoyed the fact it was stimulating and intellectually demanding. Opportunities to do things like attend Court of Appeal, where I got to see the interaction between solicitors at the firm and barristers, which demonstrated some variety in the day to day work of a solicitor at the firm.

Luckily I could stay somewhere without having to pay rent, with a commute in on the tube which minimised my expenses, However, for someone without that network, the scheme must be really difficult to do. The amount given would only just about covered rent in London, without covering travel, food, etc. For some people this has to be a big consideration before doing the scheme.

Yes - two socials, lunchtimes events and talks meant I got the chance to speak to lots of the people across the firm, from various practice areas, rather than just those I was sitting in. It was perhaps a bit limited in the fact that no partners came to any events, but nonetheless it was a good range of practice areas and experiences.

Very fun although got have been better integrated into the week (see comment earlier). There was a drinks event in the firm's offices which meant quite a few trainees could make it so I got the chance to speak to a number of trainees at that event. The social at Bounce was excellent and despite being a smaller group, being away from the office meant the trainees could relax and talk a bit more freely. The introduction of an activity helped in the his regard.

There were some talks on some of the charity and pro-bono work the firm does.

Yes - really valuable insight into culture of firm and what work is like as a commercial lawyer. Structure around the scheme was good - meaning we got to see beyond the departments we were sitting in and the speakers were happy to field questions and talk to us. In terms of securing a Training Contract, the scheme was incredibly competitive but as an insight, the scheme was very useful.