Vacation scheme Review

Really enjoyable experience - real work, enthusiastic people who explained the tasks at every stage and were willing to spend time explaining about the firm and what it stands for/ the opportunities that could be available if they are to offer a training contract. The placement started with an induction session with all the vacation schemers from the English offices which was a really useful day to get to know people and find out more about the two weeks.

I was put in the litigation department on the Russian desk which was great because I used to live and work there and am particularly interested in this type of work. I felt like the whole team really used me during the time I was there - I was never sitting around waiting for work!

I received a really good level of guidance and support, although not too much and I was pleased by this because I am changing from another career and have 10 years of work experience. When I needed it, people were only too happy to help out but I was really pleased that quite a bit of my work was sent out to clients without many corrections at all.

I have finished the GDL and will start the LPC in September. The placement has given me a lot of motivation because I really loved doing the work and it cemented the fact that I will enjoy being a lawyer. There were also opportunities for networking with potential clients and with my department so that gave me more insight into what life as a lawyer is about.

The structure was great - we started with an induction day and then went to our departments on the second day. There was always work, we were not hanging around and were told about all the social events from day one (and about when the interview would be). It meant that we knew how it was all going to work and allowed us to be able to manage our time and get the most out of it.

The atmosphere was very positive. I had heard beforehand that Pinsent Masons is a different type of City law firm - that people are approachable and ready to listen to ideas from any level, which I experienced first hand. Lawyers of all levels asked for my opinion and that was really refreshing.

As the scheme was only two weeks, there was a facilities training session and an IT induction. There was also an initial meeting with my supervisor, a daily catch up and a review at the end of the scheme which was all really useful to know what can be improved going forward.

I had the opportunity to meet and speak to people from lots of different practice areas during the two weeks at the firm, and not just lawyers but business operations who explained what their role was. I now understand the type of work that is involved in litigation and have a clear idea of what daily life would likely be at the firm.

We were invited to a diversity event at the firm and also to various networking events during our time there which meant that we had the opportunity to chat to a lot of people. The company culture is very strong and everyone is keen to ensure that vacation schemers feel welcome and understand what the firm stands for, e.g. the business responsibility initiatives which are very well embedded into daily life at the firm.

The content of an average day was a mixture of finding out more about the firm and being on calls, writing a note, researching and drafting legal opinion with my supervisor. It was really eye-opening for me to understand the world of litigation and arbitration and, specifically for me, what that could look like as a Russian speaker.

Pinsent Masons pay well for the scheme and also reimburse expenses incurred in traveling to the induction/ placement for the first day. I felt that this is very fair and is certainly welcome that it is paid and at a good rate. I would say that it bodes very well for a career at the firm - to be paid fairly.

Yes. As mentioned above, there were plenty of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees - the induction day, three departmental external networking events, a diversity event and, on the final day, there were litigation departmental drinks which were very well attended and also final drinks for the vacation scheme.

The networking opportunities were great - there was a lot of opportunities to talk to lawyers at all levels. In terms of social events, we had two on the final week - one was on the same day as the training contract interview and the other was on the final day of the scheme. I think we all agreed that the main social event would have been better to do on a different day to the interview as we had all been preparing a lot for it. That said, it was really fun and there was a good attendance from the trainees.

Yes. We had a talk from the business responsibility director at the induction day. Following that, the partner in my team was in charge of one of the activities at a local school and was very happy to talk to me about it. I also asked a few questions by email to the business responsibility director and a member of her team called me back that day to discuss opportunities.

Definitely. It was a great opportunity to learn about Pinsent Masons first hand by experiencing the work and the office. People were so warm and welcoming, including Graduate Recruitment, based in the Glasgow office, so I always felt that I was part of a wider team, even though I was only there for two weeks.