Vacation Scheme Review

I have really enjoyed my time at the firm. Everyone in the department has been very welcoming and willing to talk to me about the legal profession and work at Stephenson Harwood. My favourite part of the scheme was the trainee organised drinks on Thursday night; the event provided an excellent opportunity to socialise and get to know potential future colleagues.

I have felt consistently valued throughout my time at the firm. Colleagues have been keen to hear my questions and have made themselves free to talk me through different practice areas. Everyone at the firm has been welcoming and engaging all the way through to partner level. I have felt that my contribution to tasks has been valued, and have been happy to receive feedback on my work and ways in which to improve it.

The guidance and introduction to the firm from the Graduate Recruitment team, as well as the continued morning introduction talks, have ensured a level of support throughout the scheme. Unfortunately, the vacation scheme has fallen at a time when many lawyers are extremely busy, and often out of the office. It has therefore been difficult at times to get support from my supervisor/buddy.

I think that the work in which I was able to get involved has given me a valuable insight into the typical work of a trainee. Through the tasks I completed, I have been able to improve my commercial awareness and my attention to detail, both of which will help me in my future career. I have also been able to improve my communication and networking skills, both through events with trainees, and through discussion with partners.

I think that the insight scheme was generally well structured, and that the organised lunches and events were particularly successful. I believe, however, that more desk time would be useful, and would give vac schemers and opportunity to sample more work and get more of an insight into the life of a trainee. While the morning talks were insightful, they could possibly have been shorter, allowing for more desk time.

The atmosphere at the firm has been outstanding. Everyone at every level of the organisation has been welcoming, engaging, and interested in me as a person. Not only has the firm been exceptionally friendly, but the events organised throughout the week allowed vac schemers to get to know trainees in a more informal setting and create an even friendlier working environment. Throughout the scheme I have felt able to ask any questions, no matter how basic, and have always received a considered and insightful response.

The talks in the morning provided an interesting insight into the firm and its way of work. I also felt that there have been ample opportunities throughout the scheme for me to engage in further learning and development, such as advertised seminars and events to help improve commercial awareness and knowledge of changing legislation. The work that I have submitted throughout the scheme has been reviewed and I have received feedback, constituting an clear time investment in my personal development.

The insight scheme helped me to understand some of the typical tasks of a trainee at SH, and I always felt able to talk to current trainees about their work and their involvement in on-going cases. I did feel however, that more desk time would have given a better insight into the life of a trainee at the firm, even if it would be at the expense of some of the practice talks.

The various events held throughout the week enabled me to gain an insight into Stephenson Harwood's company culture. For example, the lunch at the end of the week allowed me to talk to staff throughout the firm, and gave me an insight into the firm's non-hierarchical structure. I also felt, when introduced to various people throughout the firm, that the welcome I received was indicative of an inclusive culture at SH.

The scheme has been really valuable in helping me decide on my future career path. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the work I have been involved with and the scheme has therefore helped me to confirm that a career in commercial law is for me. It has also helped to dispel any preconceptions about working in a law firm, and has therefore allowed me to confirm my interest in Stephenson Harwood.

While the pay is broadly in-line with other city law firms, it still remains difficult to stay in London for the week without any friends or relatives with which to stay. I have therefore lost money on the scheme, given that my accommodation and transport costs come to more than the £350 payment. One way to mitigate this, that doesn't require significant investment, would be to reimburse travel expenses for those that do not live in or around London. This kind of approach would ensure that the scheme does not favour those who live in the capital.

Throughout the week there have been innumerable opportunities to network with people at all levels of the firm. The drinks and lunches with trainees provided a great way to get to know people at the firm in a more relaxed environment, whereas the various presentations have allowed vac schemers to talk to partners and senior associates in a slightly more formal setting. Finally, the final lunch on Friday was an excellent opportunity to talk to speakers in a more relaxed setting.

The networking opportunities were excellent throughout the scheme. I felt that the appropriate planning and thought had gone into the events, and effort had been made to ensure that a wide variety of people were there. My favourite social event was the cocktail master class on Thursday evening as it provided a comfortable and enjoyable environment in which to network and discuss the firm with current trainees. Events earlier on in the week were also great for getting to know the other Vac Schemers and were conducive to a more relaxed and welcoming working environment.

Yes. Through talking to trainees at the firm I was able to find out about various sporting activities and charity initiatives available for employees at the firm. I was also able to find out more about the subsidized gym memberships as well as other employee benefits of working at Stephenson Harwood. The fact that everyone at the firm was so welcoming allowed relaxed conversations about such topics.

Yes. I would wholly recommend this insight scheme to anyone interested in a career in law. As many of the vac schemers were non-law, it provided a really valuable insight into the life of a city lawyer and also the life of a trainee. The scheme balanced insightful practice talks and trainee-level work making it a really valuable experience. Everyone at every level of the scheme was welcoming and engaging and I can't see any reason for which someone shouldn't apply for the scheme.