Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day workshop, especially the variety of workshops. The second day was brilliant and I think I learnt tons. The first day was a bit boring and slow in comparison. I enjoyed the tour and talking to the trainees. I didn’t enjoy the long breaks and gaps.

I felt very valued at the firm. Lots of lawyers from varying levels and different practice areas made the effort to talk to us. They obviously spent a lot of time preparing, offering us lots of merchanidise and information. Taking us to an external venue also showed me how much they wanted to impress us.

The help and advice during the workshops was really good quality. They offered the right amount of advice and well timed their interventions. The documents they gave us were also perfectly balanced with giving us creative scope and good directions. They also have us lots of application tips and interview advice.

The negotiations and A D R workshops will help me immeasurably at many assessment centres and at other law firms. The discussions of mediation would also help me in my I L S exams this summer as there is often a question on A D R. I think I developed my networking skills as well.

Sometimes the presentations went on for a bit too long e.g. advocacy. But then some were timed perfectly e.g. the pro bono talk. Overall they got the balance right as they packed a variety of things in the days and gave us a variety of insights and breaks for drinks.

I think the atmosphere was really good. Everyone here wants to take part and learn from the experience. All the lawyers talking to us want to give us realistic insights and not just sell the firm. This is refreshing. The firm comes across as both friendly and serious business in the legal field.

The personal training was given via a A d R workshop and a corporate negotiation workshop. I learnt a lot and we were given good instruction and tips. I got to work in a team and also take on a prominent role in the negotiation. I had never had to think about structuring a mediation before.

The work shadowing was brilliant for giving me insight into what it would be like to work at the firm. The trainees were very honest and gave detailed accounts of their various seats. They also talked about their expectations of further career paths in the firm. They also spoke extensively about pro bono.

The trainees gave very detailed and honest accounts of their experiences. I feel like I got a good grasp of the culture at the firm. The whole atmosphere stayed the same throughout my placement. There was a relaxed and friendly feel. I also learnt about the extra curricular opportunities that reflect their culture.

They gave us lots of information regarding the firm and the opportunities it could afford me such as becoming a solicitor-advocate. They didn’t try to over sell the firm or diss other firms. They explained the application process and assessment day to give us lots of confidence. It was very valuable and informative.

I did not receive payment for my tube travel expenses. I felt a bit awkward to ask for it as it was such a small amount. I do however think they should pay for the underground tube travel expenses because they do add up quite a lot. I can’t remember this being offered.

Lots of the trainees gave me their business cards. We went to a social one evening and there was a good mix of employees from various practice areas in the firm. There were lots of opportunities to network on the first day when we have a “speed dating” style practice area careers fair.

The “speed dating” style practice areas careers fair was quite rushed and by the end the last few tables seemed fatigued- and I’m not surprised they had to repeat the same pitch 6 times over. The networking at the external event was really good because I got to speak to a variety of lawyers.

I found out about the various activities from trainees I was work shadowing. They mainly were involved in sports, the choir and business development. They talked about the pro bono opportunities available to them and the various matters they have assisted on during their training contract. The social calandar was also full of events.

This was a really good first year event, especially the second day. The first day reiterated a lot I knew already or could easily find out eg the firms practice areas and application process. The really good bits were those linked to my personal development and the many chances to interact with trainees and lawyers.