Hogan Lovells Winter Vacation Scheme Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight, it was well organised and gave a clear insight into what a career in commercial law entails. The scheme incorporated socials as well as talks put on by the firm. The socials acted as a great networking opportunity and provided an opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting.

I felt well valued during my time at the firm. Despite both of the supervisors I sat with being incredibly busy, they always made time to explain to me the cases they were working on and often gave me relevant work to do. I was also given the opportunity to sit in on an important client meeting. Everyone I encountered during my scheme was very friendly and always willing to take the time to explain complex legal concepts in detail.

I was given a lot of guidance and support during my vacation scheme. At the start of the scheme students were given a booklet containing key contacts at the firm. Graduate recruitment were also always on hand to answer any questions. Further to this, I was given a trainee contact at the firm who acted as another point of contact and would often email me to ensure I was settling into the firm well.

My communication skills and confidence was strengthened during the scheme this is exemplified by having to pitch an idea in a group to the Graduate Recruitment partners at the firm. Furthermore, my organisational skills were also strengthened as students had to manage their own time, balancing work with attending talks and socials put on by the firm. I didn’t attain any skills which aided with my degree as I had graduated at the time of the scheme.

The insight was very well structured. The booklet we received at the start of the scheme incorporated a thoroughly detailed timetable of talks and socials put on by the firm. The talks were very useful and gave a clear insight into a career at Hogan Lovells and also aided in strengthening my understanding of commercial law as well as the commercial sphere as a whole. Socials were very useful as they provided an opportunity to network with a number of individuals who worked at the firm.

The general atmosphere during the insight was positive and collegiate. Everyone I encountered at the firm was very friendly and always willing to help despite being incredibly busy. I also got along with fellow vacation scheme students. Socials not only provided the opportunity to network with members of the firm but also allowed students to get to know each other better. The first activity we undertook at the firm acted as a great ice breaker and created a friendly atmosphere which lasted throughout the scheme.

The firm invested in personal training exemplified by the talks put on by the firm which covered a great deal of topics ranging from commercial awareness to Pro Bono opportunities provided by the firm. However, the scheme was less about individual investment and more about whether or not Hogan Lovells was the right place for me to undertake my Training Contract and whether the firm thought I was the right candidate.

The insight greatly helped me understand what it would be like to have a full time job at the firm. I sat with two different supervisors, both worked at the firm. I engaged in their work and saw first hand what it was like to work at the firm. Moreover, I had the opportunity to speak to a number of trainees at the firm and ask them questions about the type of work they get involved in. Further to this, the talks put on by the firm gave further insight into what a career at Hogan Lovells entailed.

The insight helped me understand the culture of the firm. This is because I was given the opportunity to actually work at the firm for two weeks. Arguably there is no better way to understand the culture of a firm then to actually work at the firm. The collegiate culture of the firm was further emphasised through socials which acted as a networking opportunity. Moreover, the talks put on by the firm also contributed to a deeper understanding of the firm’s culture.

The content of the day was valuable in helping me decide my future career path. For one, sitting with a supervisor allowed me to see what lawyers at the firm do on a daily basis first hand. Moreover, before the scheme started I was given the opportunity to submit two seat preferences for the scheme.

I was paid adequately for this experience. The money I received was adequate enough to cover my rent in London for two weeks along with my meals. Moreover, I was fully reimbursed for the transport costs I incurred for attending the vacation scheme interview. I also felt the amount I was paid reflected the amount of work I did at the firm fairly.

There was a number of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the firm. students were given the opportunity to do an escape room with trainees at the firm followed by drinks and food at a bar in London. This was a great way to ask trainees a number of questions about life at the firm in an informal setting. Moreover, I was invited to the department Christmas Lunch which allowed me to get to know other members of the department I was working in.

The networking and social opportunities put on by the firm were fantastic. The students were given the opportunity to do an escape room with trainees at the firm followed by drinks and food at a bar in London. This was a great way to ask trainees a number of questions about life at the firm in an informal setting. Students were also treated to a meal at Claridge’s to celebrate the end of the scheme. This was attended by the Graduate Recruitment team.

I did find out about the activites employees can get involved in outside of work. This was partly due to the talks provided by the firm but also through asking questions to a number of trainees and employees at the firm. It was the social events put on by the firm which enabled me to do this.

I would definitely recommend this scheme to a friend. It was well organised, and very insightful. The talks put on by the firm were varied and covered a number of topics ranging from navigating the commercial ocean to details about the Pro Bono work undertaken by the firm. Sitting with a supervisor gave a first hand experience of what it was like to work at the firm, whilst socials provided a great networking opportunity.