Student Review

All the people who partook in the scheme alongside me were very friendly and kind, along with all the trainees/associates/partners that I spoke to. The insight scheme was very informative and useful, I got a better insight of what it would actually be like to be a trainee in a commercial law firm.

There was nothing done that did not make me feel valued or anything negative but we were not given any responsibility over anything that was real work. This is not a complaint, however -- it is only a first year scheme and I did not expect to have much responsibility and preferred learning and shadowing.

We did disputes and corporate workshops, attended a practice area fair along with help with applications and an insight into the firm's pro bono activities, among many other things. The two days were jam packed and the guidance given about commercial law was second to none. I feel a lot more confident applying for a vacation scheme now.

As I expected from a first year scheme, it was more concerned with learning rather than skills development or helping with my degree. However, the workshops in disputes and corporate definitely helped me develop analytical and communication skills that will be useful in a corporate or disputes seat at HSF.

Very! We had a timetable so knew exactly what was when and they really jam packed the days to get the most out of a short space of time. No complaints about structure at all, any time where we were talking amongst ourselves and getting to know each other had been factored into the days.

Very welcoming. Everyone was really friendly and approachable and I felt as though I could ask anyone a question. I never asked for anyone's business cards -- they just offered them and said to keep in contact. The general atmosphere was genuinely really inviting and could not have been any better.

They gave us help with application questions, helped us develop skills with the corporate and disputes workshop and gave us the opportunity to shadow trainees so that we were able to develop our knowledge and skills in commercial law. Clearly a lot of time was invested in planning and organising the event and it definitely paid off.

Shadowing the trainee was really helpful in helping me understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the firm. She was also really willing to answer any questions I had about being a trainee. She also introduced us to her supervisor, another trainee and an associate, who were also all willing to answer my questions about their role.

A lot of firms' websites have a similar vibe to them and it's really hard to distinguish them without going inside and talking to the people who work there. At Herbert Smith Freehills there were a multitude of opportunities to speak to trainees/associates/partners and really grasp the general culture of the firm.

The days were extremely helpful in helping me to decide my future career path. I already knew that I wanted to be a commercial lawyer before coming but now I know that Herbert Smith Freehills is one of my favourite firms and one that I am definitely considering training at.

The scheme was unpaid but all travel expenses were reimbursed and people who live far away were given the opportunity to stay at a nearby travel lodge at no additional cost. I think the people at the travel lodge also had an additional opportunity to get to know one another, which was nice as well.

Many. Trainees helped out with the disputes and corporate problems during the workshops. We also met partners at the career fair. We got to know more trainees when work shadowing, which was also very helpful. There were also trainees and associates at the evening event at the Shoreditch Rooftop bar.

They were fun and informative. The trainees helped us to direct our priorities in the mock disputes and transactions which was helpful and informative. The rooftop bar was relaxed and fun and I got a lot of my questions answered. The trainee I shadowed was also great. Everything was very informative.

I thought that it was really interesting that one of the trainees played rugby at quite a high level and the firm supported her and were really good in helping her balance that commitment with her commitment at work. I didn't really ask much else about activities outside of work but I gathered that the firm is really supportive of a good work/life balance to help maintain a high standard of work.

100%. It was informative, interesting and fun. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and I got a really good insight into the culture of the firm and the work done there. It's really hard to distinguish firms through a scan of their website but now I am well aware of what makes Herbert Smith Freehills unique!