Clifford Chance Non-Law Scheme Review

I really enjoyed my 2 days at Clifford Chance. The scheme provided a great opportunity to gain insight into a Magic Circle law firm, what Clifford Chance does, its clients and how to be successful as a solicitor at a corporate law firm. Both days were jam packed with plenty networking opportunities, skills workshops and insight into Clifford Chance and commercial law.

Although Clifford Chance is a very big law firm and with many employees I did feel very valued during my time at the firm. I felt that employees at all levels were invested in us-from the Graduate Recruitment Team to Partners at the firm. I got a sense that people really wanted us to be there and accept a Training Contract offer from them if we received one.

Throughout our 2 day scheme we received a lot of guidance and support. Before the scheme started we were sent PowerPoint Presentations, guides and a timetable detailing what to expect from the scheme. Many representatives from the firm were also around at all times to answer any questions we had. On the first day, we even had a dinner with Trainees and Associates which offered the opportunity to ask any questions we had about the recruitment process and what life is like as a trainee.

We received a great deal of information from the scheme. The information we received from the scheme really helped me answer questions during my Training Contract interview as we were exposed to the firm. It really helped me answer questions such as: ‘Why Clifford Chance’ and ‘What does Clifford Chance do’ as we had specific presentations on those. I was also able to develop my transferable skills (communication, listening, interpersonal skills) as we had to network and had the opportunity to take part in personal branding workshops.

The insight scheme was very well structured and there was not a moment where we had nothing to do. It had a good mix of networking sessions, firm presentations, Pro-bono presentations, dinners and networking sessions with our peers who were also on the scheme. The scheme was jam packed with a different range of sessions/opportunities so that we could get the best of our limited time at the firm.

The general atmosphere was really nice and relaxed which helped me to gauge the culture at the firm. Partners, Associates and Trainees were really welcoming, sociable, personable and took a keen interest in us. They also were willing to give us an honest insight into working at a leading global law firm which I thought was very nice to see. On the final day however, many of my peers were generally really nervous as we had to prepare for our Training Contract interviews.

There were a range of skills sessions that we partook in to develop and train us. We had a personal branding workshop, a communication session and a public speaking workshop where we ALL were able to engage in which highlighted the firm’s commitment to training and development opportunities. Although we were only there for 2 days I developed my confidence and knowledge base which confirmed my interest in commercial law.

As we were able to speak to a range of representatives at the firm from Partners to Trainees, we were able to ask a range of questions which helped to understand what a full time role would entail. We even had a ‘Demystifying the Training Contract’ session where we submitted anonymous questions and a Partner and an Associate answered them quite frankly. Although we didn’t get to do any work there, I still think we benefited immensely from the networking opportunities and skills sessions that we were exposed to.

The culture at Clifford Chance was discussed in presentations throughout the scheme. On the first day, we even had a Firm Culture session where a Partner came in to discuss his experiences with the firm. We were also able to get a feel of the culture when we had dinner and drinks with Partners and Trainees during networking sessions.

The content throughout the scheme was really valuable in helping me to decide whether a career in commercial law was suited to me. It confirmed to me my interest in a career in Law and helped me immensely when having to prepare for my Training Contract interview which we got off the back of the scheme.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the scheme. We had Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with representatives from the firm. On the last day of the scheme, we went for a sit down dinner at a restaurant and for drinks with Trainees and Associates which provided an informal and comfortable way to network. For dinner, we were seated in a way in which we all had access to speak to somebody different.

Really nice as they provided an informal setting to ask questions and find out more about the firm.

Yes, this was mainly done during the networking sessions that we had.

Yes, 100%!