First Year Workshop Review

I learnt so much about the firm and was not bored at all. The graduate recruitment team did a great job of organising the two days, including a very enjoyable social event on one evening. The whole workshop ran very smoothly and there was no waiting around for the next event to happen, therefore was very engaging.

I felt very valued, the tasks that we were set were engaging and we received feedback from trainee solicitor who were observing us. Whilst I was shadowing a trainee I got involved in helping her draft emails and look through the work she was doing. This enabled me to once again receive feedback and feel like I had actually helped her.

All of the lawyers and graduate recruitment team made me feel very welcomed and were happy to answer any questions that I had. I was very lucky also to meet with another lawyer, who I knew personally, even though she was not meeting with us all on the scheme, graduate recruitment were great in organising this for me.

I shadowed a trainee for half the day and whilst doing this I helped draft emails. This was very relevant to my current position as Careers Secretary for my University's law club as I am constantly emailing graduate recruitment teams and lawyers also. Therefore I learnt a lot of skills in how to address people professionally via email.

Very well structured. We were all given summary's of the two days at the beginning of the insight which allowed us to know when what was going to be taking place which was very useful. Additionally, as the scheme was set over two days, it was not intense and therefore enjoyable. It did not feel like the firm just wanted to get us in and out quickly.

Everyone was very welcoming, including others on the scheme. We all got along very well and this made the negotiating and mediation workshops very good. The social event was also a great aspect of the scheme as it allowed us to network with trainee's and graduate recruitment in an informal environment.

They taught us invaluable negotiation and mediation skills, which are crucial in being a successful city lawyer. This gave us a base to then develop further whilst at university and when/if we get a training contract. Additionally, I was able to shadow a trainee which was useful as I learnt basic legal profession skills, such as how to draft adequate emails to clients.

Very well. The afternoon spent shadowing a trainee did exactly this. I was able to ask the trainee solicitor any questions and felt comfortable asking them, therefore learnt a lot. Also, we were briefed about the training contract and all different main departments in the firm through a speed networking session.

From the scheme I have definitely chosen to apply for vacation schemes and then training contracts as I am now certain this is the career path I would like to pursue. The scheme helped me decide this as it made it clear that I could do it and how enjoyable I would find it personally. Also, I learnt about the different departments that I could train into, and this was very exciting.

There were a lot of opportunities, including a speed networking event with different representatives from each main department of the firm, these ranging from partners to trainee's. We also got to attend a social event where we were able to informally network with trainee's and graduate recruitment. Also, during both days there were plenty of opportunities to ask anyone any questions at any given time.

We were invited to one social event during the two days which was very fun. The event took place at the Sky Lounge in London; a very beautiful location. This made us all feel very special and even more welcomed to the firm. Also, networking opportunities were constant as we were always surrounded by lawyers of the firm, so could ask any questions at any time.

I learnt a lot about the Pro Bono that Herbert Smith Freehills lawyers are all a part of, which was very interesting. I also got to see first hand, whilst shadowing a trainee, what kind of cases they take on as pro bono, which was also very interesting. I also learnt about the social events that take place as a 'future joiner' to the firm, including summer and winter parties, which seem very enjoyable.

Definitely. It not only gave a great insight into the firm, but also the legal city world in London. I enjoyed the whole scheme, especially the networking opportunities that we were given and the social event. Also, the workshops that we were involved in (negotiating and mediating) were so useful for future activities, such as negotiation competitions at university.