Vacation Scheme Participant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Hogan Lovells. As well as being put in three different seats so we could experience different aspects of the firm and its different practice areas, we were also treated to many activities including dragon boating and dinner at the Ivy. While we worked hard during this placement, we also had a lot of fun.

The graduate recruitment team, lawyers and trainees at Hogan Lovells were all extremely welcoming - I felt that the vacation scheme students were valued and that everyone wanted us to get the most out of the scheme. I was treated as a valued and respected member of the team and my work was appreciated and praised.

I was well supported and the team at Hogan Lovells guided me well throughout my time on the vacation scheme. Clear instructions were given when I was tasked with a piece of work and I was able to talk through each piece of work completed at length with my supervisor to cover any points that I was unclear on.

The information I received and the skills I developed will certainly assist me in my degree studies and beyond that. The work put a commercial spin on some of the topics I will be studying at university and this scheme will push me even harder at university to try and get a training contract at a firm such as Hogan Lovells.

The vacation scheme was extremely well structured. We were given a detailed timetable at the beginning of the scheme, which was stuck to. We were put in 3 different seats, provided us with a broad experience at the firm and each seat was extremely well-organised. Furthermore, we had plenty of extra activities and workshops to attend, providing us with a well-rounded experience at the firm.

The general atmosphere was great, very welcoming and friendly. Although the environment was somewhat intimidating to begin with, staff at Hogan Lovells were very approachable which instantly put me at ease. The cohort of interns bonded well as a group and we planned many of our own social events. Overall, the scheme was great fun.

Hogan Lovells invested a great deal into us. Throughout the 3 weeks spent at the firm, we attended about 10 different workshops, ranging from financial case studies to IT Skills, to talks on the Pro Bono work of Hogan Lovells. These helped us to develop our skills together, and then we could put them into practice in our individual seats.

This scheme was a fantastic insight into what it would be like to have a full time role at Hogan Lovells. I felt that the vacation scheme students were treated as if we were new trainee solicitors and we were given work which reflected this. Spending 3 weeks fully immersed in the life and culture at the firm, I was able to develop a good understanding of day to day life at the firm!

This vacation scheme helped me to understand much more about the open and diverse culture that has been cultivated at Hogan Lovells. Staff at Hogan Lovells were very open to talking to the vacation scheme students about the culture at the firm and made sure we got a proper understanding of the firm's values.

Whilst I was already set on pursuing a career in commercial law, this vacation scheme at Hogan Lovells helped to solidify my intentions to do so. Furthermore, this scheme helped me to identify specific areas of law I would like to explore more in the future and has helped me to develop the skills needed to succeed in my career of choice.

I was paid approximately £300 per week for my time spent on the vacation scheme.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking and socialising whilst at the firm. Twice we had 'partner hosted lunches' where we were sat on tables with partners and were able to speak to them informally. Other events included a champagne reception with other employees and dinner at the Ivy with partners. We feel like we got to know the partners and employees well.

I very much enjoyed the networking and social aspect of this vacations scheme.

Yes, there are many opportunities for employees to get involved in activities outside of work and there were plenty of emails sent around advertising various social clubs and sport teams.

Yes, I would recommend this vacation scheme at Hogan Lovells to a friend!