Summer Intern Review

It was a highly informative week long internship. The talks were very engaging and there were opportunities to ask partners of the firm, even holding the highest of management positions, any questions I had. Granted, due to the restrictions posed by holding the internship virtually, this opportunity was harder to come by but the speakers were more than happy for us to email any questions that did not get chosen during the session. The various tasks assigned to me were also highly enjoyable and intellectually simulating. They challenged my commercial awareness and developed my ability to think on my feet. Additionally, everyone at the firm was so friendly which created a very fun atmosphere during the course of the entire internship.

I felt highly valued during my time at the firm. Due to the restrictions posed by a virtual internship, opportunities to ask questions were limited. However, after every session, the speakers, even the managing partners at the firm, welcomed questions through email and helpfully gave very well-thought out answers. Moreover, it was also clear that the firm was determined that all their interns performed to the best of their abilities by providing a tremendous amount of support and guidance given for the tasks assigned.

I was given a lot of support throughout the entire internship. The graduate recruitment team ingeniously designed the programme such that I was well supported doing the tasks I was asked to during the internship. Through the various talks, I had access to inside information about the firm and there was additional guidance through one-on-one sessions with trainees at the firm. Moreover, I was also assigned a trainee buddy who very helpfully gave me advice on how to excel in these tasks and happily answered any questions I had regarding the firm.

The information I have received from the internship has helped me form a clearer picture of the type of firm I would like to work for in the future. This includes considerations of a firm’s culture and speciality. The tasks handed to me has strengthen my teamwork skills and challenged my commercial awareness. Moreover, I have also learnt to think on my feet. The information and these skills will be crucial for future career considerations and opportunities.

The scheme was very well structured. There was a good balance of information delivery sessions on the one hand and on the other hand, interesting tasks in which the interns get to apply the information and showcase our abilities. The group task captures our ability to work in a team while other tasks showcase our individual capabilities. All in all, the vacation scheme was highly successful in giving me a holistic insight into the firm.

Every individual from the firm that I have spoken to from the senior management partners to the trainees and members of the graduate recruitment team have been so pleasant and never failed to make their sessions enjoyable to listen in on. Everyone including the other interns were so friendly and understanding. This environment coupled with the informative sessions, engaging tasks and tremendous support provided gave every single day of the vacation scheme an enjoyable and fun atmosphere.

I believe the firm invested quite a lot in terms of personal training and development. Members of senior management were asked to lend their time to speak to us. Moreover, a variety of other partners were also involved to give a holistic view of the firm including its ProBono activities, responsible business initiatives and diversity and inclusion efforts. Additionally, I was very well supported not just for the tasks assigned but also, in terms of discovering if the firm was a good fit for my personality. There were opportunities to speak to trainees of the firm and attend sessions delivered by partners of the firm.

I was given a holistic view of what it would be like to have a full time role at the firm. Firstly, the partners in senior management positions helpfully gave a general picture of the firm’s culture and specialities. Then, the various Q&A sessions with associates of various practice groups gave a good idea of what the daily life of a solicitor is like on the ground. Lastly, the trainees (including my trainee buddy) gave very personal experiences about their time at the firm. Overall, I discovered that true to their values, the firm valued collaboration and excellence at every level.

The insight was incredibly helpful in understanding the culture of the firm. It is certainly different from just reading a brochure on their values as opposed to experiencing it for myself. Just from listening to various talks by the partners of the firm, it was clear that they emphasised a non-hierarchical, collaborative and fun working environment. The partners, even those at senior management level, were incredibly friendly and open to questions. I was also exposed to their various diversity, ProBono and responsible business initiatives.

The content provided over the course of the internship was very helpful in deciding my future career path. I learnt a great deal about what is expected of and what it means to be a commercial lawyer in a global law firm. Moreover, I discovered just how important finding a company whose culture fit my personality and working style. It also gave me a good idea of the type of people I would like to work with in the future.

Initially the scheme was 3 weeks long and I was supposed to be paid 3 weeks worth of work. However, seeing as the scheme later moved to the virtual landscape and it was shortened to just one week, the firm sought my agreement for the pay to be cut to just one week. I happily agreed as it was only fair. The amount paid was certainly adequate and on par with what other City law firms are paying their interns.

There were opportunities to meet everyone form senior management level, to associates in a variety of practice areas, to trainees also doing different seats and the members of the graduate recruitment team. I had the opportunity to ask any questions I had about the firm and what working as a commercial lawyer is like in the firm including the specific nature of the types of work they engage in. There is also a one-week in-office networking session planned later in the year.

For a virtual internship, the networking events were very informative and engaging. All the employees of the form were very happy to answer any and all questions the interns had regarding the firm and their specific practice areas . I received a good insight on what it was like to work in the firm and a clear view of the culture of the firm. There is also an in-office networking session planned to take place in the next few months.

I had plenty of opportunities to learn about the activities that employees can get involved in outside of work. I learned about their diversity and inclusion initiatives which includes a variety of societies that serve to create a place of belonging for minorities and others. Moreover, through my trainee buddy, I also learnt about the firm’s sports clubs. There was also a session specifically elaborating on the firm’s various ProBono initiatives all around the world.

I would highly recommend this scheme to a friend. It has taught me a great deal not just about the kind of firm it is but also the kind of firm I am aiming to work for in the future. This included considerations of firm speciality, culture and it’s people. Moreover, through the various tasks assigned, I strengthened my teamwork skills and challenged my commercial awareness. All in all, it was a highly enjoyable and informative scheme.