Trainee Solicitor Review

An experience that was never dull, my vacation scheme was both challenging and enjoyable. Full of bespoke activities and opportunities to network with people at the firm, I was able to develop my skills as a lawyer in a very short amount of time which was very refreshing in a time where many internships can be narrow in scope.

I always felt very welcomed on a professional level and already feel like I have made some long lasting relationships with the teams I was placed in. Everyone was willing to answer my questions and offer a hand if I was in need of help with certain tasks or activities.

There was a lot of support available at the firm for the majority of tasks I completed in the scheme. This ranged from trainees to partners who were able to give me some guidance on how to approach the jobs given to me without compromising my independent thought process and creativity.

Going into my LPC, this placement has been a major benefit to my development as a future solicitor. Studying history, my writing technique needed slight alterations as law is very direct and too the point. This experience gave me the chance to attempt this change on real life and important scenarios to the firm which was invaluable.

The scheme was well structured and organised. Rarely was there ever a time where I did not have something to do and all the tasks we were given tested our abilities on a variety of different levels. This included presenting, research and writing, all of which is fundamental to being a successful lawyer.

There was a great balance between the professional and social side to the firm. With such important work being done there was a tangible energy to the office which was highly motivating. On the other side when work was finished everyone was very friendly, with a number of social events being organised especially for the vacation scheme.

The firm invested a lot into my personal development. One example of this was the numerous presentations conducted by senior associates and partners at the firm, which were based on key practice areas and general legal knowledge. This supplemented the individual development we experienced doing the day to day tasks in our departments which demanded us to think on our feet.

It was clear from the vacation scheme that a high level of motivation and commitment was required to be at the firm full time. The industry is fast paced and unpredictable, but by asking questions and being situated in departments such as real estate I got a grasp of how everyone is able to manage their workloads.

Whilst open days and websites are generally informative, it is difficult to truly know a firms culture until you are actually working at the firm. This was the case with BCLP, where I was really excited to see how the lawyers all showed real passion for the job and a positive atmosphere where collaboration was prioritised over competition internally.

It deepened an already firm interest to work in the industry. The culture and quality of the work is incredibly motivating and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many international clients the firm works with. It has really helped shape my thoughts on career progression and how I want to be viewed as a reliable and industry-leading solicitor in the future.

The pay was very adequate for the experience. Based in London, costs are high so I was pleased to see that the pay was sufficient to keep me going through the placement. I am unsure of the standard to which other firms pay in the industry but this seemed reasonable.

We had a number of different events during the internship to network. My highlight was an internal lunch where we were accompanied by a partner and associate. There was a really great atmosphere that was not too serious, allowing the vacation scheme participants to talk with employees at a much deeper level.

All of them were really useful. As mentioned before all the events were never too serious and allowed us to network in a much more meaningful manner. Drinks evenings and talks were great for engaging with people's personal journeys in the firm and how they reflect on their time at BCLP.

We found at very quickly that the firm engages in many activities outside of work. This involved pro bono opportunities, which we actually presented on in our second week on the scheme. There also seemed to be a range of sporting and musical activities to join so I was impressed.

Although the application process is challenging and stressful at times for law, it is worth the investment. Having personal contact with the firm is mutually beneficial and can really improve your skills in a short period of time. One thing that is often overlooked is how vacation schemes are important in your assessment of a firm where, personally, I was happy to find that BCLP suited my style of character.