Get Ahead Scheme Participant Review

I heard from a range of people at the firm, from members of graduate recruitment to fee earners at all levels and the in-house legal tech arm. Through various presentations I gained an insight into different practice areas and the work that lawyers actually do. In the small group sessions I took part in interactive discussions with a Linklaters Associate and other participants as we analysed key current commercial and legal issues.

I developed the key skill of commercial awareness which requires more than simply reading the news. There are several layers to commercial awareness, and in the commercial law industry you need to be able to identify the legal issues or mechanisms that may be relevant to a particular event in the commercial world. Critical thinking was another skill I developed because it is necessary to be able to develop wider picture from a legal perspective.

It was great to get a real insight into the culture of the firm and the work it does. The first webinar started off with a detailed introduction to the firm where I was able to learn about the firm's global footprint and the sectors/areas Linklaters focuses on. The graduate recruitment team gave excellent presentations on the routes into the firm and the skills we need to show to secure these roles.

The culture seemed to be heavily focused on teamwork and fostering a collegiate atmosphere. Not only did fee earners, including associates and partners, take time out to speak to us at length, but they also made themselves available for one-to-one conversations outside the planned webinars and small group sessions. This desire to increase the knowledge of others and offer advice showed me how everyone at the firm is keen to help others succeed.

I really enjoyed my time on the scheme because the people were really great to work with. Both people from Linklaters and other candidates brought their enthusiasm to every session which made for great conversations and learning. As a result of my experience through this insight programme I can see myself working at the firm long term and thoroughly enjoying the work.

Yes

Make sure you have an in depth understanding of the firm and what it does. The legal market is very crowded so it is important to demonstrate your knowledge of how Linklaters differs from its competitors. Also keep up with current events in the news and know how they might affect the firm in terms of the work it does and how it wins works from clients.