Vacation Student Review

The insight was well structured so as to provide us the opportunity to best understand the culture of the firm as well as the quality of work that is undertaken here. The scheme was really good fun with lots of socials planned throughout the scheme and many other opportunities to interact with lawyers and staff in a fun way.

I felt that everyone welcomed me from day one. I was approached by everyone in the team that I worked in with the view to undertaken high quality and important work. We also had the opportunity to be involved in lectures and insight programme into the firm with some of the participants taking part in pro bono work schemes.

We got lots of guidance throughout the scheme. My supervisor guided me through all aspects of my work and the law. Trainees and Associates in the practice group introduced me to their own areas of work and explaining how to assist them. Graduate recruitment guided us through the social and cultural aspects of the firm so we could maximise our opportunities.

Developed a broad range of skills whilst here. I had the opportunity to undertake some drafting tasks. Worked on a number of research tasks in different ways. Helped organise meetings. I did also feel that there were times when the work was not so varied and so my skill development was limited also the depth of work was great.

Very well structured. Each day was planned effectively and clearly with each event building upon the pervious. There scheme seemed highly coordinated with all supervisors being kept in contact through a central system. The social aspects of the scheme were unique and innovative and centred around giving us a greater social atmosphere rather than simply showing us a good time.

Very very friendly. The participants on the scheme made the experience what it was. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly I thoroughly enjoyed every day here. I also felt that being at work every day was an enjoyable experience and that the associates and partners also feel the same way. There is a friendly vibe that definitely comes through.

In so far as time the firm undertook a rigorous recruitment process with the aim to selecting the best candidates to show the firm to and enable them to experience working life. As such each day had a different training session, be it presentation skills or business development skills. Our supervisors were also given guidelines as to the sorts of work we should be given to experience.

Whilst we were not working 12 hour days we still got a feel for what life at the firm would be like. We had a great opportunity to experience a vast range of work life, from client calls and strategy meetings, to the sports clubs and after work drinks. We definitely got the impression that if you work hard you also get to have fun. A&O really inspired me to take my work further.

Very much so. We never had lectures, each session was interactive and collegiate, something that the firm prides itself on. We were thrust into social life and encouraged to interact with as many lawyers and members of staff as possible. We were also assigned a trainee buddy who's goal was to get us involved in as much of the work culture as possible.

Highly valuable. It helped to confirm that Commercial law was the path for me and moreover helped me to narrow my focus on which areas of law I can see myself in be it transactional or advisory. It also highlighted my current strengths and weaknesses and indicated to me which skills I should work on to develop so as to be the best possible trainee when I start working.

We were paid generously for our time, indicating that we were highly valued and an integral part of the firm. For those on the scheme that had to pay their way, either from abroad or from outside of London, their travel expenses were reimbursed when costing a large amount if the salary did not cover it completely, which on the whole it still did.

Yes, many opportunities. Formally there was roughly one session a day which provided a networking opportunity, be it a formal training session, a talk with senior partners, or evening socials with lawyers and trainees. Informally we were given free reign to contact whomever we would want to whilst at the firm and discuss different areas of law and seek out advice for the future.

The networking and social opportunities were great fun. In so far as the socials were concerned, they were creative and innovative, none of which had been done before. My favourite was the candy making workshop. Other events was the supper quiz with our trainee buddies and the final dinner at the Corinthia Hotel with Partners which was a brilliant opportunity to speak to partners not in a formal capacity.

Yes and we all had the opportunity to be involved if we wanted. We saw the pro bono work activities that we could get involved in as a lawyers here. We were invited, if we wanted, to play in the sports teams whilst we were here. We also were invited to one off events whilst we were here such as a charity movie night or team drinks and client dinners.

100% I would recommend it. If someone is looking for a Training contract I would definitely tell them to apply to a firm like A&O and go through the Vac Scheme process. Also for graduates that are not as certain that corporate law is the future for them, doing this scheme really gives you an insight as to whether or not a career in commercial corporate law is for you.