Virtual Insight Scheme Review

For students who are interested in pursuing a career in commercial law, insight schemes are invaluable for getting to know the firm from a more personal perspective and interacting with the employees in a less formal capacity than simply attending a firm presentation. The experience, although virtual, was highly engaging and very worthwhile. I particularly liked being in a small team for the negotiation exercise where we could talk casually with other students with the help of a trainee.

The firm has 4 different insight days with around 30 students in each, meaning the whole experience feels a lot more intimate than a large virtual presentation. The graduate recruitment reps took the time to reply individually to each student who asked a question and no questions that we asked felt too small or stupid. They also let students turn their mics on to speak rather than just typing questions which was very nice of them!

Having not done a negotiation exercise before I didn't really know how to approach the group task, so the trainee was very informative about the steps we should be taking to create a strategy and the considerations we should have in mind. Obviously he did not want to give too much away as the purpose was for us to develop and show our own skills, so the help was minimal but you could tell he wanted to assist us more!

Despite minimal help during the exercise (as was the purpose of the group task) the feedback after was very encouraging and demonstrated the trainees' attentiveness during the task. The trainee gave very specific feedback and made me feel a lot more comfortable about negotiating and group exercises in the future. Personal feedback would have been more useful, seeing as there were only 4 of us in the group, but group feedback is always good too.

Very well structured - although only 4.5 hours long, any longer would have made it difficult to concentrate as the event mainly involved staring at a screen and listening to presentations. Providing regular breaks and the opportunity for interactive questions is a really good way to keep students engaged without their eyes getting tired - this is much better than e.g. virtual open days where you simply don't interact with the lawyers at all, so very well structured.

As it was online, the atmosphere was obviously much less animated than if we were to go to the firm, but nonetheless, lots of questions were being asked and there were always quick replies to poll questions.

This was a virtual insight event and did not have any training or development purpose.

The firm gave us a presentation by a partner in the Banking and Finance sector where she explained the various initiatives, networks, resources etc that Dentons has to offer. During her speech she noted briefly some of the clients she had worked with, but did not mention much about daily work or the daily life of the trainees. The presentation was more just to inform us of the general culture of Dentons rather than showcase 'a day in the life' of your average employee.

I feel very well informed abotu Dentons' culture through the presentations and in hearing from the Partner. However, it may have been more beneficial to also hear from a trainee who can give a more personal insight into starting with the firm, identifying what it is like to start (remotely) and their ease into the culture as this is something which students can relate to more than hearing from a partner who joined 3 years ago from a magic circle firm.

Very valuable - it has solidified my interest in applying for Dentons.

Virtual event did not require subsidising.

there was the opportunity to ask questions to graduate recruitment and the Partner but not to ask trainees or other associates.

there was the opportunity to ask questions to graduate recruitment and the Partner but not to ask trainees or other associates.

Yes the partner was very detailed about the various D & I initiatives available and the networks which they have to offer, explaining how most employees get involved with multiple. She also explained her personal experiences with Pro Bono work and the work she has undertaken as part of a scheme. Additionally she mentioned the wellbeing resources for example free online yoga classes, but did not say much about trainee social events and what they do to make trainees feel connected at home.

Yes definitely, especially to any friends who are looking for a career in commercial law, not just Dentons!