Insight Student Review

Even before I received a place on the scheme, I found the entire application process very professional and responsive - you could tell that all of the graduate recruitment team wanted you to do well! The scheme itself was a lot of fun and also very informative. We had daily presentations on different practice areas within the firm. All of them were well prepared and to have partners and senior associates take the time out to prepare and present on their practice areas was so helpful. Before the scheme I had a very vague idea about what commercial lawyers actually do, but attending all the presentations really helped develop my understanding. All of the presentations were interactive, and you never felt like any question you asked was too simplistic for the lawyers. The workshops were great fun too. What I liked about this scheme was that there was a good balance between skills based activities (such as case studies and negotiations) and personal development sessions (such as a public speaking session). The evening activities were a great chance to relax and get to know my fellow insight schemers. You could tell a lot of thought went into the socials and a number of trainees and future joiners came along to the events. It was a good chance to get to know what people liked about the firm in a more informal setting.

Although we were only there for the week, and knew very little about the commercial legal world as a group, all of the lawyers made us feel really welcome. They were more than happy to answer any question about their working life, from which practice area they have enjoyed the most, to how far away they live from the office. I really felt like I could just be myself on the scheme which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. Everyone (insight schemers and Clifford Chance employees) was really friendly and you were never left on your own.

The introductory sessions provided me with an invaluable insight into the different practice areas. They really helped streamline my interest and confirm that I did want to work as a commercial solicitor.

The skills and information I received has helped me with my mooting, negotiating and client interviewing. Additionally, the information from the practice area talks has helped me with other vacation scheme applications because there is so much more substance to my interest now I have actually experienced the inside of a commercial law firm.

The entire scheme was well organised and structured. Our itinerary was given to us in advance and the briefing session on the first day updated us on any changes. The graduate recruitment team all knew what was going on and it was evident that they had clear line of communication throughout the scheme.

Everyone was very friendly and it meant that I could really be myself. I didn't feel like I had to put on an act to fit in or to impress the trainees, solicitors or partners.

We had a personal development workshop on the first day with a comedian who helped us develop our public speaking skills. The session was so well delivered that we all got a lot out of the experience.

Even though I did not get to sit in a practice area for the day, I know that Clifford Chance have acted on our feedback because the 2017 Springboarders will have a chance to shadow a department for the day. However, the presentations were really detailed and explained deals within the practice area. Each session explained what a trainee would have done on the deal.

From the networking breakfasts, lunches and dinners, to the evening socials, I got to meet a number of people working at Clifford Chance which I found helped to understanding the law firm's culture. I also think the amount of time and effort that went into planning the insight scheme reflects how valued we were as potential future employees at Clifford Chance.

As mentioned before, all the sessions were very practical and detailed with the information that we were provided. Additionally, the question session at the end of each presentation meant we could clarify anything that we didn't particularly understand, or wanted to know more about.

We were paid £350 per week and given an expenses form for travel.

There were plenty of networking sessions, both in formal and informal settings.

Well planned and lots of fun.

We had a presentation about the pro bono work that Clifford Chance is involved with, as well as talks about the other social activities employees can get involved with (such as sports clubs)

I would recommend this insight to anyone interested in a career in commercial law. I think this first year scheme is by far one of the best schemes in terms of balancing the information provided and the way that this information is communicated.